By Dominic St-Jean
Montreal, August 2, 2005 – The drivers of the Hankook Championship of the Auto-Quebec Federation are awaiting feverishly their return to legendary Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix where the fourth round of their contest will be held this weekend. One of the season master events, the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix always counts on tremendous support from race fans, and all the Championship participants are eager to show them a good time.
“It’s an immense pleasure to find ourselves in Trois-Rivieres for the next round of the Championship, says series promoter Dominic St-Jean. Not only the drivers race on a circuit which saw some of the greatest sports car drivers compete there before them, but the welcome of Maurician fans is second to none. There’s always a carnival atmosphere in the air, and it’s invigorating to our drivers. This year, on top of having media trackside, we’ll take fans with us on track with TVA host Benoit Gagnon in GTU class.”
Touring Hankook:
The Touring class is still hotly contested, with three different race winners in as many events. Series leader Bobby Hamel (BMW 328i) aims for his second win of the season. “I’m having my best start to a season ever, and our team is pumped looking forward to Trois-Rivieres, admits Levis’ Hamel. This track suits my car really well, and we’ve made some improvements to the car which should see us gain in speed.”
His closest rival, Doctor Jocelyn Hébert (Acura Integra), will try to repeat his 2004 win on the monteregian circuit. He needs to close a twelve-point gap to Hamel. “Trois-Rivieres is special for our team since we all come from here, as well as our sponsors, says Hébert. I believe the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix is the best place in term of ambience and for the privileged contact we enjoy with the fans there. You don’t see this friendly setting anywhere else, which makes it a must-see weekend.”
Of note, Babu (Hyundai Tiburon), leader in the rookie of the year standing, will be unable to compete this weekend due to injuries sustained last week on his motorbike. Stéphane Carrier (VW Jetta GTX) will try and bridge the eight point divide separating him from the TV personality.
Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup:
The Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup is starting to look like Family Feud. After the father-son duo of Michel and Olivier Bonnet, Hugo Lafontaine gets back behind the wheel and rejoins his father Marcel with the Max1600 team. This family struggle will also be concerned with two other quick drivers, two-time race winner Philippe Gélinas of Grand-Mère and Morin Heights’ Marc Arseneau.
GTU/GTO/GT:
Staging several close finishes this season, the GTU, GTO and GT cars will give an eyeful to Trois-Rivieres fans this weekend. GTU class leader Normand Robert (Mazda RX-7) being unavailable for the weekend, George Moutafis (BMW M3) will push hard to regain some of Robert’s fourteen points advantage.
In GTO, Picton, Ontario driver Malcolm Strachan (Chevrolet Corvette Z06) arrives in Trois-Rivieres with a twenty-seven point lead over Fernand Leblanc (porsche 911 RSR). Despite this gap, Leblanc needs to be taken seriously. “I’ll aim for a win in Trois-Rivieres, explains Strachan, but my main goal will be to keep the Konica-Minolta Corvette in front of my main competitor, Fernand Leblanc. The GTO Championship seems to be really close, and KVR Performance has provided us with new brake rotors that will help with brake cooling, a major necessity in Trois-Rivieres.”
In GT class, Fernand Leblanc rules with a massive 28-point lead. Closest competitors Alain Goulet (Porsche 944 Turbo Cup) and Paul Bissonette (Ford Mustang GT) have their work cut out for them.
About the Hankook Quebec Championship:
The Championship is proud of its prestigious partners: Hankook Tires, Excellence Chrysler, Motul, Cogismaq, Trac Racing Depot, G-nius Communication, Optik Design, Lettrage Provan and RDS Motorisé. For more information on the Quebec Championship, full results and high-resolution pictures, please visit www.autocourse.ca , or contact Dominic St-Jean by phone at (514) 382-8777 or by email at dominic@autocourse.ca.
No comments:
Post a Comment