MIRABEL, QC – Quebec driver Rémy Audette contested this weekend’s ICAR Sundown in Mirabel as part of the Canadian Touring Car Championship. Two races were on the program, of which only one Rémy Audette was able to participate in, earning the Audette Racing Team a “Top 4” result.
The weekend was not an easy one for the Audette Racing Team. In fact, the weekend was not easy for any of the Canadian Touring Car Championship competitors as timing issues at the track forced the organizers to cancel the qualifying session and base the starting grid on the current championship standings. For Rémy Audette, who is new to the series and is contesting a limited program, the disadvantages of this change were significant. “It’s an ASN Canada rule that is applicable to exceptional circumstances. I understand that, but it forced me to start in ninth position, regardless of having the third fastest time in the practice session,” he explained. “I had a good start but I nevertheless found myself in traffic, which was hard to get out of. Despite this, I pushed hard and I finished the race in fourth place.” The Quebec driver set the second fastest lap time of the race.
Saturday’s results gave the team hope of a podium finish in the second race but, unfortunately for the reigning American F2000 series champion, Sunday was short-lived. “During the warm-up session, the engine was overheating, getting to temperatures as high as 225 degrees. There was nothing else we could do and we had to withdraw from the race,” Audette said.
Even with a premature ending, Rémy Audette comes away with a positive outlook after his first Canadian Touring Car experience at the Circuit ICAR. “I’m still eyeing a victory or at the very least, a podium. With a better starting position on Saturday, I believe a podium would have been possible and regardless of the mechanical issues, it was still a good weekend. We showed our competitiveness and the entire Audette Racing Team did a great job,” said Audette. “I’m looking forward to my next race at Mosport on July 21.”
Between now and then, his brother Mathieu will retake the wheel of the Dimensions Doors/Novatech Acura RSX for the Circuit Mont-Tremblant double-header on July 7-8.
The Audette Racing Team is contesting the entire Canadian Touring Car Championship with Mathieu and Rémy Audette as alternating drivers. The team benefits form the support of Dimensions Doors, Novatech, Les Extrusions du Nord, Verre Select, Jeld Wen, OPM, Amusements Spectaculaire, Les Moulures PFJV, Evotech, Milette Portes, Gulf, Mec-Inov and Omnitech.
For more information, visit Audette Racing, www.audetteracing.com
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