Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship: Mosport Report

Winners decided during closing laps in tough test of weather for opening event of 2008 Championship.

The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Presented by Toyo Tires kicked off the 2008 season with a tough test at Mosport International Raceway on May 17, 18, 2008. Competitors battled mechanical gremlins and changing weather throughout the weekend.

The battle began on a pre-weekend test day that saw five different competitors suffer with blown or malfunctioning engines which resulted in late evening swaps to backups. Some engines were even brought in from over fives hours away before the swap could happen.

Saturday's qualifying was run on a drying track in which competitors swapped fastest laps until the final moments. Andrew Wojteczko took top honours in Super Touring Class by less than one second over 2007 Champion Charles-Andre Bilodeau followed by Nigel Krikorian. Andre Rapone was fastest in Touring Class, also by less than one second followed by his brother Anthony Rapone and Nigel Heron.

In Saturday's heat race, Andrew Wojteczko bought it home comfortably first in Super Touring followed by Etienne Borgeat and Charles-Andre Bilodeau. Andre Rapone won in Touring Class with Christian Raymond second and Nigel Heron third.

Sunday's feature race was run in heavy rain which challenged the drivers' capabilities and mettle. Drivers battled poor visibility and a slippery track as they searched for the best grip possible. Nigel Krikorian brought his Subaru from tenth position to take the win in Super Touring Class by only three seconds over Andew Wojteczko in his Lexus. Arek Wojciechowski moved up from sixth to take the final podium position.

Nigel Heron was careful and patient and brought his Acura to the win in Touring Class followed by Christian Raymond in his Mazda and Andre Rapone in his Acura. All positions we won in the closing few laps. A rare error by 2007 Champion Charles-Andre Bilodeau resulted in his BMW sitting on top of the pit wall but he was not hurt. A number of other drivers slid off the track at different points in the race.

Scott Nicol started last in the feature race and gained 18 positions to finish fifth in Super Touring Class, a true accomplishment considering the conditions. His drive has won him the Hard Charger Award sponsored by CSC Racing Products Inc.

The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship features Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars.

From John Bondar // www.touringcar.ca