Toronto, ON, (April 9th, 2014) – While their father and brothers are winning races, championships and respect throughout Quebec and the United States, brothers Nick and Karl Wittmer are upholding the family honour with their accomplishments in the Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire.
Over his CTCC career, soon-to-be 29 year-old Nick has earned a pair of Super class championships with back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, and followed up that success by claiming the B-Spec crown in 2012. Handing control of the Ste-Rose Honda Fit to his younger brother for 2013, Karl then proceeded to score seven race victories in eight starts, reclaiming the B-Spec trophy for the Wittmer clan.
And the Montreal-based siblings are not yet through with their championship quests.
Last year, Nick struggled with teething problems aboard his #91 Honda Accord Super class ride, but worked through and corrected the issues that plagued his 2013 campaign.
“Last year was a development season with a brand-new product. I don’t think there are any other Accords racing in North America,” explains Nick. “The biggest problem was an oiling issue that cost us a bunch of motors. We added an oil cooler and changed the (oil) pan after Trois Rivieres, and the car ran like a charm to the end of the year.”
With his motor problems hopefully behind him, Nick has spent the off-season working on the handling setup for the Ste-Rose/ Conseils FIER Accord and is feeling confident heading into the new year.
“We were jumping up and down with a seventh in last year’s championship, it was our own personal victory,” recalls Nick. “But this year, our goal is the title. I’ve got two in Super class, I want to make it three.”
With his own car sitting on the showroom floor and ready for battle, Nick is now turning his attention to completing a new four-door, Civic Si that Karl will take into the Touring class wars.
“This car, and this class, will be a whole new ball game for me. I’m not used to competing at much higher speeds on those big tracks,” admits Karl.
He continues, “I’ve done two seasons in Quebec Regionals in the SPC (Super Production Challenge) series, so I have a bit of experience in the bigger cars. But adapting to the speed is still going to be a huge challenge.”
Karl’s newest racing endeavour will also offer the Hudson, QC driver an opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ in the development process of a new car.
“I’m hungry, I want to learn every little detail and how to develop a car that’s fresh from scratch,” states the just-turned 23 year-old. “On track, if I can learn a little bit every time out by watching and following the other drivers, I think we are looking at some solid podium finishes this year.”
Already anxious for the new season to begin, both brothers have picked events that are high on their favourites lists.
“I like all of the tracks, but I guess I feel most at home racing in Quebec,” says Nick. “Montreal is home, and the Grand Prix weekend is special, but I think Trois Rivieres is the race I like the best.”
Concurred Karl, “I love Trois Rivieres! That track is so unforgiving. And I’m zero afraid of getting close to the wall. Pushing that limit gives me a real adrenaline charge.”
Personal favourites aside, it’s very likely that the Wittmer Racing effort will enjoy success wherever they compete.
Which is probably something that has their respective division rivals more than a little worried.
We invite you to download the CTCC App, follow us on Facebook (@ touringcar.ca) and Twitter (@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. B-Spec Class is the entry-level category for sub-compact cars in their stock configuration; Touring Class features cars with minimal 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: Dominique Longval/ Marketing & Communications Director- CTCC
dominique@touringcar.ca
(647) 460-0141
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