Mont-Tremblant, July 28, 2013 – Drivers of the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire were very happy to be back on Mont-Tremblant’s beautiful track. The practice session took place under a very bright sun on Friday afternoon, but unfortunately, Nick Wittmer encountered engine problems with his Honda Accord which ended the weekend for him.
Qualifying took place under sunny and hot conditions early Saturday morning. In Super Class, Rémy Audette, driving his new Honda Civic Si, grabbed the pole followed by his brother Mathieu who qualified just before Scott Nicol. In Touring Class, Jocelyn Hébert had a comfortable lead on his rivals being 1.28 seconds faster than Éric Lacouture who got second place. While qualifying, Lombardi Honda Racing’s #26 Nigel Heron hit a wall so he had to abandon his weekend and Nigel’s teammate, #16 Michel Dulong blew his engine. Fortunately, the #26 Honda Civic Si had signed its organ donor card, which allowed the team to transplant its engine into Dulong’s car. Michel Sallenbach had mechanical issues which kept him from taking part in the qualifying; he had to start from the last position for round 7.
Around 2 p.m., drivers got on the race track for Round 7. During this first race of the weekend, Mathieu and his brother exchanged positions every lap, leaving Mathieu on the first step of the podium and Rémy on the second. Scott Nicol finished in third place. A few drivers had mechanical issues, Benjamin Distaulo and Alex Healy blew their engines and Roger Ledoux had problems related to the car’s turbo. These issues kept them all from finishing the race. In Touring Class, Jocelyn Hébert landed first position followed by Damon Sharpe. Daniel Blanchette in his Honda Civic Si was in third position for most of the race and was closely followed by Michel Sallenbach. Unfortunately, Blanchette and Sallenbach’s cars touched, leaving Blanchette last and Sallenbach not able to take the checkered flag. Éric Lacouture was able to benefit from it all and got the third step.
Sunday morning, competitors were ready to get on the race track for the second race. Marc-André Bergeron had the third fastest lap from round 7 which allowed him to have the third position on the starting grid for round 8. Mathieu Audette blew his engine earlier that day but his team was able to swap it in time for the race. However, only minutes after the race had started he had other mechanical issues keeping him from finishing the race. His brother Remy took the lead, winning first position, followed by Scott Nicol, and in third position Roger Ledoux. In Touring Class, Jocelyn Hébert did not make any mistakes and kept his first place throughout the race. Michel Sallenbach made his way up to second place, followed by Daniel Blanchette to complete the podium trio.
It was another eventful race weekend for CTCC, with a total of five engines blown. Crews worked very hard and drivers delivered great racing once again.
Rounds 9 and 10 will be fought at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières on August 9, 10 and 11.
About CTCC
The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire is the only truly Canadian professional road racing series and showcases race cars based on their stock street version in three different categories (Classes). The entry-level B-Spec Class is the category for sub-compact cars with stock engines and strictly controlled suspension modifications; Touring Class features cars with minimal engine modifications, while Super Class machines have powerful and heavily modified engines and advanced aerodynamics. All three classes compete at the same time on the track and challenge for supremacy in their class.
Experience the rush of touring car racing!
Information: Alexandra Paquin/ Communications Coordinator
Alexandra@touringcar.ca
(819) 699-1203
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