MONTREAL, QC – May 29, 2012 – The Grand Prix ICAR Lucas Oil presented by Budweiser will feature the second race of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this coming weekend (June 2 and 3) at the road course just North of Montreal.
After a character-building weekend in the opening race of the 2012 season, held at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ten days ago, driver Ray Courtemanche Jr. will show up at ICAR with a totally rebuilt car. According to Ray Jr., the reasons for such a major effort are easy to understand. “I really hit the Turn 2 wall hard, enough to write off the whole body, destroy the rear part of the chassis and upon closer inspection, cause major damage to the drivetrain.”
Rather than try to rebuild the car and the damaged mechanical components, Ray decided to take the car apart and re-jig the chassis, then install a completely new drivetrain (Engine, clutch, gearbox, driveshaft, differential and rear axle), install a new front suspension, and hang a new Dodge Challenger body on the car. As Ray Jr. explains, “The Bonzaï Racing team needed help with such a major project, so we called upon Bow Motorsports and master chassis builder Robin McCluskey to help finish the work in time to let me test the car before going to ICAR. Everyone is proud of what we all accomplished in eleven short days… and nights.”
This was also an opportunity to re-look the car. “I asked my two kids, Chloe and Maxime for ideas about color and decoration, and they came up with an absolutely unique look. Jeff Rivard and his team at JR Design then turned that concept into a reality that will certainly stand out in the crowd.”
On the team composition side, Ray Jr’s father and former driver Ray Courtemanche, aka Ti-Loup, will direct Bonzaï Racing team members for car preparations and trackside support. Jacques Dulac, an aerospace technician at Bell Helicopters and owner of the Formula 1600 car raced by Ray Jr, will provide technical assistance to the team. Ray Jr. is proud of all what was accomplished. “We have done a lot of work, and it is now up to me to deliver as a driver, and generate the exposure that our major partners, Bonzaï Construction and Porto Cabral deserve.”
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racers will be on track at ICAR on Saturday (June 2) at 10am for practice, and at 4pm for qualifying. The green flag for the 102 km race will wave at 1pm on Sunday (June 3).
From Félix Bégin / Bonzai Racing
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