@CTCCracing • @CTMPOfficial • Bowmanville, ON, August 30th, 2015 – The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire made their second appearance of the year on August 28-30 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2015 calendar.
Returning to the familiar circuit proved to be especially beneficial for a pair of drivers as both guest pilot Alex Tagliani and former champion Tom Kwok earned back-to-back victories in their respective divisions.
For Canadian superstar Tagliani, it was his second opportunity to take control of the #75 Fast Wheels Ford Mustang. Rebounding from a difficult weekend in Trois Rivieres, Tagliani easily set the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session and translated that accomplishment into a pair of Grand Touring class victories, taking the checkered flag in sixth place overall in Saturday’s opening race and cracking into the top five in Sunday’s finale.
Although the M&S Racing team has only made limited appearances this season, the Markham, ON-based team has always proved strong. Following up Gary Kwok’s two consecutive race wins on the streets of Toronto, it was brother Tom’s turn to excel on the Chevy Silverado race weekend.
Wrestling the lead away from Bob Attrell (#88 Hyundai) on the second lap of Saturday’s event, Kwok would keep his #9 M&S Racing Acura CSX at the front of the field throughout the remainder of the weekend, accepting the checkered flag at the front of the 21 car field in both races.
“This was only the third time I’ve finished this year, but the car was perfect, no problems at all,” reported Kwok.
It appeared as if Karl Wittmer was also going back-to-back in the Win Column, but a late race, full course caution in Sunday’s feature race allowed class point leader Alain Lauziere, part time participant Marlin Langeveldt and defending Touring class champion Michel Sallenbach to close up to the back bumper of Wittmer’s #82 Ste. Rose Honda Civic. On the ensuing restart, the foursome became entangled with a group of Super Touring class cars in turn 5 and the positions were shuffled as the pack streamed up the back straight and through the Esses.
“Our pack got bunched up coming out of (turn) 5B so it was a drag race coming up the straight. I had the inside line going into (turn) Eight, that gave me the lead and I was able to hold on,” explained Langeveldt.
Reaching the Starter’s Stand on Lap 16, the drivers were once again shown the twin yellow flags and the race ultimately ended behind the pace car with Langeveldt leading Wittmer and Sallenbach to the checkered flag.
“That final yellow really killed me,” admitted Wittmer. “I think if we’d finished under green, I could have won it. I’m pretty much out of the championship, so my goal is to win every race left on the schedule. That finish broke that streak.”
*Other highlights:
– Mechanical issues played into the results in both contests. In Saturday’s opening round problems befell Gary Kwok (fuel feed issues), Damon Sharpe (turbo), Roger Ledoux (broken axle), Bob Attrell (sticking throttle), Alain Lauziere (flat tire) and Michel Sallenbach (accident). Sunday’s result sheet also revealed two accident-related non-finishers (Paul Gravel/ Glenn Chaplin) with Gary Kwok and Pascal Carre retiring with motor problems.
– Benjamin Distaulo and Nick Witter shared the drive in the #91 Ste Rose Honda Accord as they work towards securing the team title.
The final two rounds of the season will be held at Circuit ICAR on September 19 and 20.
You can follow the ontrack action live by downloading the CTCC RACING App, or by following us on Facebook (@touringcar.ca), Twitter (@CTCCracing) or Instagram (@CTCCRacing).
About CTCC
The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire is a truly Canadian Sports Car Racing Championship and a leader in Canadian motorsports. It provides Canadian race fans with close and exciting competition between some of Canada’s fastest race car drivers. It showcases race cars based on their original street version in three different categories (classes). The entry-level Touring class features cars with minimal engine modifications, while Super Touring class machines have heavily modified engines and advanced aerodynamics. Grand Touring class is for even higher power sports cars. 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: Dominique Longval/ Marketing & Communications Director
dominique@touringcar.ca
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