The Castrol Touring Car Championship has two classes: Touring and Super Touring cars. All competing for class and overall honours at the same time. The series has produced many semi-pro drivers. Drivers can and do share cars to reduce costs, particularly in the longer races. The rulebook has guidelines for vehicle classification, with reward weights and tire restrictions to equalize competition. The Canadian Castrol Touring Car Championship cars race exclusively on Toyo's Proxes RA1 tire.
In 2007 the series ran at Mosport International Raceway, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Calabogie Motorsports Park and at the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto. Watch for the CCTCC series to expand to even more tracks in the future.
Congratulations Nick Wittmer (Super Touring) and Alain Lauziere (Touring) 2009 CCTCC Champions.
SUPER TOURING CLASS POINTS
POS DRIVER NO CAR POINTS
1 Nick Wittmer 6 Honda Civic 1516
2 Greg Pootmans 16 BMW 328 1472
3 Etienne Borgeat 2 BMW 328 1367
4 Arek Wojciechowski 10/9 BMW 328/ Ford Cougar 1295
5 David Bensadoun 14 BMW 328 1209
6 Eric Hochgeschurz 11 BMW 328 1190
7 Alex Healy 5 Acura RSX 1144
8 Paul Dalla Lana 15 BMW 328 1035
9 Dean Fantin 13 BMW 330i 984
10 Andrew Wojteczko 64 Lexus IS300 930
11 Richard Boake 96 Subaru Sti 899
12 Gary Kwok 66 Acura CSX 781
13 Mathieu Audette 12 Acura RSX 750
14 Dave Ciekiewicz 36/56 Acura TSX/BMW 328 675
15 Peter (PJ) Groenke 92 Saab 93 656
16 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 22 Honda Civic Si 609
17 Nigel Krikorian 1 Subaru Sti 526
18 Glenn Chaplin 74 Hyundai Tiburon 470
19 Kuno Wittmer 44 Honda Civic Si 452
20 Paul Dargis 53 BMW 328 409
21 Lee Chaplin 75 Hyundai Tiburon 406
22 Rob McAuley 56 BMW 328 315
23 Bob Attrell 88 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 302
24 Nicholas Krikorian 25 Subaru Sti 263
25 Andy Wojteczko 65 Lexus IS 300 231
26 Jacques Gravel 43 Hyundai Tiburon 219
27 Manuel Bastien 60 Honda Civic Si-R 212
28 Pascal Carre 24 BMW 328 210
29 JC Cote 43 Hyundai Tiberon 209
30 Ken Baird 9 Mercury Cougar 178
31 Michael DelleDonne 31 BMW 330i 172
32 Marc-Antoine Camirand 96 BMW M-Coupe 127
33 Gilbert Tomaro 40 Hyundai Tiburon 75
34 Rocco Marciello 30 BMW 330i 64
35 Charles Hammer 99 Pontiac Solstice 54
36 John Lockhart 93 Saab Aero 10
37 Jonathan Rashleigh 87 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 6
TOURING CLASS POINTS
POS DRIVER NO CAR POINTS
1 Alain Lauziere 47 Mini Cooper 1589
2 Anthony Rapone 72 Honda Civic Si 1583
3 Nigel Heron 90 Acura Type R 1540
4 Patrick Sequin 80 Honda Civic Si-R 1221
5 Tom Qwok 55 Honda Civic Si 1184
6 Jocelyn Fecteau 77 Toyota Corolla XRS 1132
7 Ryan Blanchet 84 Nissan Sentra 1005
8 Roger Bowes 20 Acura Type R 961
9 Sylvain Laporte 50 Honda Civic Si 719
10 Frank Blanchet 48 Acura Type R 687
11 Aldo Lombardi 4 Honda Civic Si-R 664
12 Pieter van Doorn 79 Honda Civic 636
13 Eric Laporte 51 Honda Civic Si 498
14 Benjamin Distaulo 57 Honda Civic Si 467
15 Brad Young 85 Honda Civic 433
16 Scott Nicol 73 Acura Type R/ Honda Civic 423
17 Jacques Belanger 57 Honda Civic Si 365
18 JG Shooner 3 Acura RSX 347
19 Andre Rapone 73 Honda Civic Si 344
20 Andrew Bearss 58 Honda Civic 325
21 Tom Bork 26 Mazda Protege 325
22 Steve Greiner 00 Acura Type R 302
23 Kenneth Lau 73 Honda Civic Si 244
24 Rejean Vincent 89 Acura Type R 217
25 Claude Houde 41 Mazda Protege 196
26 Daniel Blanchette 89 Acura Type R 153
27 Simon Dion-Viens 44 Mazda Protege 113
28 Jacques Deshaies 43 Mazda Protege 0
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2009 CASTROL TOURING CHAMPIONS WITTMER & LAUZIERE
The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires closed out it's season this past weekend at the Le Circuit ICAR just north of Montreal. An action packed pair of 40-minute races that would decide the championship for both Super Touring & Touring car classes. The fans were treated to some of this years most intense battles all through the field as drivers drove with everything they had to finish atop the podium.
In the Super Touring class, Northwest Value Partners, BMW driver Greg Pootmans led the field to the green flag along side his teammate Aldo sponsored Driver David Bensadoun for Saturday's 40-minute heat race. Current championship points leader, Lombardi Honda driver Nick Wittmer & PCO Innovations', Etienne Borgeat (BMW) brought up the second row as they crossed the starting line.
Unfortunately for Wittmer's Lombardi Racing teammate, Jean-Francois Dumoulin suffered an engine failure on the very first lap that would slow the field down for two laps as they cleaned up the track. On lap 3 the race went green again. Pootmans, who would lead the entire race along with Bensadoun, Wittmer and Borgeat were nose to tail the entire 24 laps. Pootmans team mate Paul Dalla Lana was in the mix until lap 10 when his driveshaft failed bringing out the races second and final caution. Borgeat and Bensadoun would round out the remaining spots on the S/T podium.
8 Legs Racing's Eric Hochgeschurz and his teammate Arek Wojciechowski had their hands full with another BMW driver Dean Fantin and rookie Alex Healy in his powerful Acura RSX as they battled for position all race long. Wojciechowski was able to break free of the pack and pass Wittmer on lap 18 to finish 4th just behind Bensadoun.
The extremely competitive Touring Class had drivers Nigel Heron (Acura), Anthony Rapone (Honda Civic), Alain Lauziere (Mini Cooper), and Tom Kwok (Honda Civic) take the green flag along with 11 other class drivers. The battles started early as everyone jockeyed for key positions. Anthony Rapone took the class lead until lap 11 when Heron got by him with a daring pass. Kwok would hold Lauziere at bay for 14 laps when Lauziere made his way by for 3 laps until Kwok would take the position back on lap 18. With only two laps to go, Andre Rapone driving the Durabond racing Honda Civic Si sedan was able to climb into the 3rd place spot when an on track incident put Lauziere in the pits with extensive front end damage that sidelined him from the finish.
Benjamin Distaulo made an impressive showing when he came from his 28th starting position to finish 5th in class just behind Tom Kwok.
The overall championship titles would all boil down to Sunday's feature race. It was an all BMW front row as Greg Pootmans & Etienne Borgeat would take the 31-car field to the green flag. Just behind the front row, David Bensadoun, Nick Wittmer & Arek Wojciechowski would battle nose to tail for 21 laps until Borgeat would pass Pootmans to take the lead & the win in the final two laps. On lap 13 Gary Kwok's Honda suffered a catastrophic engine failure & fire that brought out a full course yellow for 6 laps. With 4:34 left in the 40-minute timed race, one of the marshals responding to the fire was injured bringing out a red flag so that emergency crews could attend to him.
For the entire 23 lap race Lombardi Honda's Wittmer drove hard while playing it safe was able to hold on to a top 4 finish, just behind Bensadoun, clinching the championship in Super Touring. Substituting driving duties for Paul Dalla Lana, Marc-Antoine Camirand started the race in 28th position, made an impressive drive as brought the North West Value Partners BMW to 4th place in just 21 laps only to be sidelined just two laps short sending him back to a 13th place finish.
The Touring Class field led by pole sitter Nigel Heron & Anthony Rapone closely followed by Tom Kwok and 2008 Touring Class Champion, Andre Rapone made their way to turn one in the final 40-minute race of the 2009 season in a style every fan is accustomed to, side by side, bumper to bumper. Heron pulled out all the stops in his potent Acura Integra and held the position for the entire race. On lap one Andre's Honda would suffer a fuel pump failure that would force him to retire.
Class points leader Alain Lauziere started his Mini Cooper from the 26th position and used every trick in his book to move through the field and by lap 7 had made his way back into contention right behind the second place Honda Civic of Anthony Rapone. On lap 22 Rapone's car suffered a similar fuel pump failure forcing him to drop back into the field. Kwok who had been battling hard to stay with the top 3 cars was able to take the position and finish just behind the Touring Class Champion Lauziere.
courtesy touringcar.ca
EVENT 8 - ICAR MIRABEL, QC, SEP 5 - 6, 2009
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RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - ICAR, September 5, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
CLASS SUPER TOURING
1 16 Gregory Pootmans 24
2 2 Etienne Borgeat 24 0.373
3 14 David Bensadoun 24 12.574
4 10 Arek Wojciechowski 24 12.995
5 06 Nick Wittmer 24 13.506
6 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 24 14.120
7 5 Alex Healy 24 18.095
8 13 Dean Fantin 24 22.400
9 53 Paul Dargis 24 29.962
10 92 P.J. Groenke 24 47.386
11 24 Pascal Carre 24 1:02.682
12 60 Manuel Bastien 24 1:21.423
13 88 Bob Attrell 19 5 Laps
Not classified (70% = 17 Laps)
DNF 43 JC Cote 13
DNF 15 Paul Dalla Lana 10
DNF 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 0
DNS 66 Gary Kwok 0
DNS 99 Charles Hammer 0
CLASS TOURING
1 90 Nigel Heron 24
2 72 Anthony Rapone 24 4.853
3 73 Andre Rapone 24 8.977
4 55 Tom Kwok 24 9.710
5 57 Benjamin Distaulo 24 11.832
6 20 Roger Bowes 24 20.683
7 48 Frank Blanchet 24 39.146
8 50 Sylvain Laporte 24 43.344
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 24 44.626
10 84 Ryan Blanchet 24 1:00.018
11 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 23 1 Lap
12 46 Alain Lauziere 23 4.097
13 79 Pieter van Doorn 22 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 17 Laps)
DNF 80 Patrick Seguin 9
DNF 51 Eric Laporte 4
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RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - ICAR, September 6, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
CLASS SUPER TOURING
1 2 Etienne Borgeat 23
2 16 Gregory Pootmans 23 0.476
3 14 David Bensadoun 23 0.908
4 06 Nick Wittmer 23 1.385
5 10 Arek Wojciechowski 23 4.336
6 5 Alex Healy 23 5.893
7 13 Dean Fantin 23 6.242
8 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 23 9.470
9 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 23 11.939
10 92 P.J. Groenke 23 18.494
11 24 Pascal Carre 23 28.732
12 43 JC Cote 22 1 Lap
13 15 Marc-Antoine Camirand 21 2 Laps
DNF 99 Charles Hammer 19 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 17 Laps)
DNF 66 Gary Kwok 13
DNF 53 Paul Dargis 13
DNS 88 Bob Attrell 0
DNS 60 Manuel Bastien 0
CLASS TOURING
1 90 Nigel Heron 23
2 47 Alain Lauziere 23 4.042
3 55 Tom Kwok 23 12.704
4 57 Benjamin Distaulo 23 14.613
5 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 23 19.413
6 20 Roger Bowes 23 19.717
7 72 Anthony Rapone 23 34.870
8 48 Frank Blanchet 22 1 Lap
9 80 Patrick Seguin 22 0.289
10 50 Sylvain Laporte 22 1.131
11 84 Ryan Blanchet 22 10.081
12 79 Pieter van Doorn 22 27.927
Not classified (70% = 17 Laps)
DNF 73 Andre Rapone 1
DNS 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 0
DNS 51 Eric Laporte 0
RACE 1 REPORT
One of Quebec's local favourites, Lombardi Honda driver Nick Wittmer, did his team proud as he took his first pole position this weekend during the 40th Gran Prix de Trois Rivieres. With a fastest lap time of 1:14:319 just .029 seconds ahead of GT Racing's Etienne Borgeat and his potent BMW. Wittmer was "extremely happy & satisfied" with his first pole in front of his native Quebec fans, he said in the post qualifying interview.
Wittmer & Borgeat led the field of 36 cars to the green flag in The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires for the Saturday morning 30 minute qualifying heat race. Super Touring Class points leader, NorthWest Value Partners sponsored Greg Pootmans was starting slightly off the pace from his 6th place starting position and would have a tough battle to make his way to the front if he was going to keep a strong lead in the championship. Borgeat would take the lead on lap one and never relinquish it for the entire 21 lap race.
Starting from the second row, Pootmans & Borgeat's team mate Paul Dalla Lana and Gary Kwok piloting his Acura CSX would battle back and forth for most of the race trying everything they could to make their way to one of the coveted podium spots until Kwok had a left rear wheel failure put him back to 29th position tow laps down. Dalla Lana would go on to finish 3rd, but was disqualified during post race tech inspection due to a technical infraction.
Alex Healy, one of the series young and up and coming stars had a great run in his Acura RSX, starting 11th. Lap after lap he would take another position and kept the pressure on as he made his way to the front. After the disqualification of Dalla Lana, Healy would be awarded his second podium of the season. Lombardi Honda drivers Jean-Francois Dumoulin & Wittmer suffered brake fade issues that would hamper their efforts to hold Healy off in his charge to the front.
In the extremely competitive Touring Class, all of the top five point's leaders had mechanical difficulties that would put them well off the pace and the podium. Thornhill native Anthony Rapone in his Honda Civic Si had hoped for a strong finish but was sidelined when a computer failure made him park his Honda Civic Si after 8 laps. Hot on his heels MINI Cooper driver, Alain Lauziere, currently second in class points standings, watched as his race went away after a brief contact with another car caused him to pit to change a damaged right front wheel. Third in the points race driver Nigel Heron took his Acura Type R from 36th starting position to 24th at the completion of the 21 laps.
Driving for Durabond Racing this weekend, Rapone's team mate Kenneth Lau took the team's potent Honda Civic SI lead the race from start to checker. First time podium finishers Bully Clutch sponsored Honda driver Patrick Seguin finished second and Quebec's own Sylvain Laporte rounded out the podium in third.
RACE 2 REPORT
The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires treated the local fans to some of the hottest racing battles during today's 30 minute feature race at the 40th Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. Montreal, Quebec native driver, GT Racing's Etienne Borgeat, led from the start of this action-packed event and never looked back. Borgeat led the field of 34 cars to the green flag alongside Acura RSX driver Mathieu Audette for the 7:55am start.
Starting from outside the second row beside Lombardi Honda driver Nick Wittmer, Ottawa, Ontario Acura RSX driver, Alex Healy, jumped to third, where an intense battle would ensue for the entire race. Wittmer put the pressure on early and stuck close to Healy. Healy moved to second on lap 11 when Audette's Acura was sidelined in turn 3. One lap later, in heavy traffic, Wittmer was able to take the position away.
His second-place position would be short lived as Healy would return the favour on lap 13 when he made a daring pass on the outside of turn one. Once the lead Super Touring cars began to lap the slower Touring Class cars, Healy was able to close the gap on Borgeat, but never could make up the ground he needed for the first place podium spot.
Saturday's Touring Class heat race winner Kenneth Lau piloted his Durabond Racing Honda Civic SI to a strong start and led most of the race. By lap 4 Lau had increased his lead by over 7 seconds over the second-place Honda of Sylvain Laporte. As the race wore on, Laporte would drop back to 5th. Trois Rivieres' own Rejean Vincent, starting from the 32nd position on the grid in his Acura Type R, put the pressure on early and advanced through the slower traffic quickly. By the fourth lap he had moved into 4th place behind Tom Kwok.
On lap 15 a race incident between two slower cars caught Lau on the exit of a turn. This allowed Vincent, who had made his way by Kwok 5 laps earlier, to make up the lost time and pass Lau for the lead. Octane Promotions Mini Cooper driver, Simon Dion-Viens, who was driving the car for the first time, had the drive of his life as he moved to 3rd position in class after starting 28th on the grid. His team was ecstatic with the results since this is the debut for the #46 car this season.
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RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - TROIS RIVIERS, August 15, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
CLASS SUPER TOURING
1 2 Etienne Borgeat 21
2 12 Mathieu Audette 21 3.813
3 5 Alex Healy 21 4.354
4 06 Nick Wittmer 21 5.371
5 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 21 9.762
6 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 21 12.380
7 14 David Bensadoun 21 12.505
8 10 Arek Wojciechowski 21 13.046
9 13 Dean Fantin 21 22.173
10 53 Paul Dargis 21 27.057
11 74 Glenn Chaplin 21 36.297
12 96 Marc-Antoine Camirand 21 44.589
13 92 P.J. Groenke 21 45.090
14 43 JC Cote 21 45.277
15 75 Lee Chaplin 21 55.633
16 16 Gregory Pootmans 20 1 Lap
17 60 Manuel Bastien 20 1:01.327
18 66 Gary Kwok 19 2 Laps
19 9 Ken Baird 15 6 Laps
Not classified
DNF 24 Pascal Carre 5
DNS 88 Bob Attrell 0
DQ 15 Paul Dalla Lana 21
CLASS TOURING
1 73 Kenneth Lau 21
2 80 Patrick Seguin 21 12.720
3 50 Sylvain Laporte 21 17.457
4 55 Tom Kwok 21 18.954
5 57 Jacques Belanger 21 24.674
6 51 Eric Laporte 21 30.347
7 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 21 34.915
8 90 Nigel Heron 20 1 Lap
9 48 Frank Blanchet 20 27.211
10 84 Ryan Blanchet 20 42.050
11 41 Claude Houde 19 2 Laps
12 47 Alain Lauziere 19 36.967
Not classified
13 89 Daniel Blanchette 12
DNF 72 Anthony Rapone 8
DNF 26 Thomas Bork 7
DQ 46 Jacques Deshaies 21
Notes:
Cars 15 & 46 - Disqualified for ride height violation
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - TROIS RIVIERS, August 16, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
CLASS SUPER TOURING
1 2 Etienne Borgeat 24
2 5 Alex Healy 24 0.671
3 06 Nick Wittmer 24 1.283
4 14 David Bensadoun 24 4.668
5 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 24 17.060
6 13 Dean Fantin 24 28.258
7 10 Arek Wojciechowski 24 28.495
8 53 Paul Dargis 24 56.301
9 66 Gary Kwok 24 1:12.252
10 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 24 1:14.773
11 74 Glenn Chaplin 24 1:16.948
12 15 Paul Dalla Lana 23 1 Lap
13 43 JC Cote 23 1:21.661
14 24 Pascal Carre 23 2:01.796
15 60 Manuel Bastien 22 2 Laps
16 75 Lee Chaplin 17 7 Laps
Not classified
DNF 12 Mathieu Audette 11
DNF 16 Gregory Pootmans 5
DNF 92 P.J. Groenke 4
DNS 96 Marc-Antoine Camirand 0
DNS 9 Ken Baird 0
DNS 88 Bob Attrell 0
CLASS TOURING
1 89 Rejean Vincent 23
2 73 Kenneth Lau 23 4.977
3 46 Simon Dion-Viens 23 9.338
4 55 Tom Kwok 23 18.468
5 50 Sylvain Laporte 23 28.233
6 57 Jacques Belanger 23 41.018
7 47 Alain Lauziere 23 57.034
8 80 Patrick Seguin 23 1:05.763
9 48 Frank Blanchet 22 1 Lap
10 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 22 14.587
11 51 Eric Laporte 22 31.003
12 84 Ryan Blanchet 22 1:12.701
13 41 Claude Houde 21 2 Laps
14 90 Nigel Heron 20 3 Laps
Not classified
DNF 72 Anthony Rapone 0
DNS 26 Thomas Bork 0
EVENT 6 - CALABOGIE MOTORSPORTS PARK CALABOGIE, ON, JULY 25 - 26, 2009
CANADIAN TOURING CARS THRILL AT THE TED POWELL MEMORIAL RACES
35 of Canada's best drivers racing today's hottest touring cars proved to the fans they had what it takes this past Saturday & Sunday during the Ted Powell Memorial Races hosted by the Motorsports Club of Ottawa this past weekend. Canada's largest racing series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires, thrilled the fans during Round Six of the series for a fantastic double header set of races.
For Saturday afternoon's 20-minute heat race, GT Racing's Etienne Borgeat, Greg Pootmans & Paul Dalla Lana held a clinic for the rest of the Super Touring Class field after second place driver Andrew Wojteczko's Lexus IS300 engine failed on lap 5. Pootmans, currently the Championship points leader in Super Touring class was ecstatic with another strong performance for the entire Northwest Value Partner's BMW squad.
The battle in Touring class was intense as Durabond Racing's Anthony Rapone, who was defending his position atop the Touring Class championship points battle. BMW Mini driver Alain Lauziere and Nigel Heron in his borrowed Honda Civic were using every bit of their race craft to contend with Rapone's teammate Scot Nicol during the entire battle.
Heron was able to get the lead for a brief 3 laps before Rapone took it back on lap 4. Nicol then took to battling back and forth with Heron and swapped the second place position a few times before the checkered flag came out on lap 9 of the race. MINI Cooper driver Alain Lauziere struggled for most of the session unable to find the much needed grip that he was looking for to keep up with the top 3 in the class.
Sunday's 40-minute feature began with Saturday's heat race winner Etienne Borgeat and his GT Racing teammate Greg Pootmans leading the pack to the green flag. As the tightly packed field made their way into turn one and through to turn three Pootmans took the lead and never looked back. Lombardi Honda's Nick Wittmer made a charge to the front in turn one that would be short lived as he had a tire go down on lap 3 forcing him to make a pit stop to replace it.
Auto Analyser sponsored driver Andrew Wojteczko came back stronger than ever with the team's second Lexus IS300 usually piloted by his dad Andy. Starting from his 29th grid position, Wojteczko gained 13 spots in the first lap alone. He then climbed the position ladder quickly and chased down rival Richard Boake in his Subaru WRX STi for 10 laps before securing third spot on the podium at race end.
Series rookie Alex Healy was the star of the race. Healy made an incredible set of passes from his 6th place starting position and made his way to third place on lap one. Healy fought GT Racing's Borgeat for 6 laps when Borgeat's transmission failed allowing Healy to take over second place. This was an ecstatic Healy's first podium of the year.
Nigel Heron led the Touring class briefly for two laps until Durabond Racing's Anthony Rapone drove his Honda Civic back around him to retake the lead and never look back. Heron & Nicol battled the rest of the 18 laps to round out the podium. Another Honda Civic Si driver Tom Kwok spent the entire race battling with Octane Promotions driver Alain Lauziere to finish fourth.
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RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - CALABOGIE, July 25, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 2 Etienne Borgeat 9
2 16 Gregory Pootmans 9 2.741
3 15 Paul Dalla Lana 9 3.538
4 06 Nick Wittmer 9 13.969
5 10 Arek Wojciechowski 9 16.521
6 5 Alex Healy 9 19.185
7 96 Richard Boake 9 19.737
8 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 9 20.278
9 14 David Bensadoun 9 39.660
10 13 Dean Fantin 9 42.684
11 75 Lee Chaplin 9 45.532
12 92 P.J. Groenke 9 57.693
13 88 Bob Attrell 9 1:16.652
14 74 Glenn Chaplin 9 1:23.671
15 9 Ken Baird 9 1:50.915
16 65 Andy Wojteczko 8 1 Lap
Not classified (70% = 7 Laps)
DNF 64 Andrew Wojteczko 5
DNS 91 Marc-Antoine Camirand 0
DNS 24 Pascal Carre 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 9
2 73 Scott Nicol 9 3.958
3 90 Nigel Heron 9 11.571
4 47 Alain Lauziere 9 16.621
5 55 Tom Kwok 9 17.213
6 20 Roger Bowes 9 18.276
7 80 Patrick Seguin 9 20.938
8 4 Aldo Lombardi 9 30.577
9 58 Andrew Bearss 9 40.570
10 89 Daniel Blanchette 9 44.889
11 85 Brad Young 9 53.253
12 00 Steve Greiner 9 1:12.168
13 79 Pieter van Doorn 9 1:12.623
14 84 Ryan Blanchet 8 1 Lap
15 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 7 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 7 Laps)
DNF 57 Benjamin Distaulo 4
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - CALABOGIE, July 26, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 16 Gregory Pootmans 18
2 5 Alex Healy 18 5.371
3 65 Andrew Wojteczko 18 6.901
4 96 Richard Boake 18 8.458
5 15 Paul Dalla Lana 18 34.013
6 14 David Bensadoun 18 34.781
7 13 Dean Fantin 18 51.394
8 10 Arek Wojciechowski 18 55.056
9 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 18 55.774
10 75 Lee Chaplin 18 1:24.505
11 88 Bob Attrell 18 1:51.822
12 92 P.J. Groenke 18 2:27.052
13 74 Glenn Chaplin 17 1 Lap
14 06 Nick Wittmer 17 21.496
15 9 Ken Baird 13 5 Laps
Not classified (70% = 13 Laps)
DNF 2 Etienne Borgeat 6
DNS 24 Pascal Carre 0
DNS 64 Andy Wojteczko 0
DNS 91 Marc-Antoine Camirand 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 18
2 90 Nigel Heron 18 4.881
3 73 Scott Nicol 18 5.270
4 55 Tom Kwok 18 13.853
5 47 Alain Lauziere 18 14.783
6 4 Aldo Lombardi 18 22.471
7 85 Brad Young 18 25.993
8 80 Patrick Seguin 17 1 Lap
9 89 Daniel Blanchette 17 8.853
10 20 Roger Bowes 17 10.841
11 57 Benjamin Distaulo 17 30.572
12 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 17 48.940
13 00 Steve Greiner 17 54.374
14 79 Pieter van Doorn 17 1:47.226
15 84 Ryan Blanchet 17 2:14.384
16 58 Andrew Bearss 16 2 Laps
EVENT 5 - TORONTO HONDA INDY TORONTO, ON, JULY 10 - 12, 2009
CASTROL CANADIAN TOURING CAR THRILLS TORONTO FANS
July 12, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto race fans were treated to Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars during Sunday's Honda Indy Toronto in the Acura Sports Car Challenge. The 40 car field of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires took to the track for an early morning 30 minute feature support race.
Northwest Value Partners teammates Greg Pootmans & Paul Dalla led the field to the green flag start after the customary two-pace laps into the tight turn-one with drivers jockeying for position. The race was running smoothly for all competitors for the first three laps when the car 56 driven by Rob McAuley had a hard brush with the pit entrance wall sidelining him and his BMW for the balance of the 19-lap race.
Championship points leader Richard Boake was retired from the race with mechanical issues in lap nine dashing any hopes of gaining valuable points to stay ahead of Pootmans who now takes over the lead in the Super Touring class.
GT Racing's Dalla Lana couldn't hold off the charging Lombardi Honda's Wittmer brothers, Nick & Kuno as they put the pressure on early relegating Dalla Lana to seventh place. Lap after lap Nick gave it everything he had to catch Pootmans but time had run out. A truly impressive "hard charger" drive for AutoAnalyser's Andrew Wojteczko and his Lexus IS300 with as flawless run and charged from his 37th position on the start to finish 5th overall.
Touring class points leader Anthony Rapone piloted his Durabond Products sponsored Honda Civic Si flawlessly for the entire race just ahead of rival Alain Lauziere's MINI Cooper and Rapone's teammate Scot Nicol. With the checkered flag in sight rounding corner 11 Rapone missed his turn in to the apex and causing his car to slam into the concrete wall on driver's right then careened across the track slamming into the outside wall. Almost immediately collecting himself Rapone got on the throttle hard and attempted to hold off the hard charging Lauziere just seconds behind him to no avail.
During the post race podium ceremonies Rapone admitted it was "complete driver error" and he to couldn't believe he gave a way the lead on the last corner. Lauziere, being the diplomat that he's known for thanked Rapone for "throwing away" his race win allowing him the top spot on the podium.
The drivers now will go back to their shops and make the necessary repairs for the 6th round of the championship at Ottawa's Calabogie Motorsports Park on July 25-26 2009.
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RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - TORONTO, July 11, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 16 Gregory Pootmans 17
2 44 Kuno Wittmer 17 2.763
3 2 Etienne Borgeat 17 6.452
4 06 Nick Wittmer 17 13.007
5 5 Alex Healy 17 18.782
6 15 Paul Dalla Lana 17 21.621
7 36 David Ciekiewicz 17 30.528
8 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 17 37.367
9 65 Andy Wojteczko 17 46.358
10 75 Lee Chaplin 17 48.025
11 92 P.J. Groenke 17 49.047
12 43 Jacques Gravel 17 52.527
13 13 Dean Fantin 17 1:06.928
14 56 Rob McAuley 17 1:08.623
15 74 Glenn Chaplin 17 1:10.478
16 31 Michael Delle Donne 17 1:29.688
17 9 Ken Baird 17 1:32.329
18 30 Rocco Marciello 16 1 Lap
19 66 Gary Kwok 16 2.830
20 60 Manuel Bastien 16 42.560
21 10 Arek Wojciechowski 15 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 12 Laps)
DNF 88 Bob Attrell 1
DNF 96 Richard Boake 0
DNF 64 Andrew Wojteczko 0
DNF 14 David Bensadoun 0
DNF 12 Mathieu Audette 0
DNF 87 Jonathan Rashleigh 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 17
2 47 Alain Lauziere 17 4.970
3 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 17 18.933
4 73 Scott Nicol 17 20.428
5 55 Tom Kwok 17 32.690
6 85 Brad Young 17 40.971
7 4 Aldo Lombardi 17 45.166
8 20 Roger Bowes 16 1 Lap
9 26 Thomas Bork 16 24.538
10 84 Ryan Blanchet 16 36.281
11 90 Nigel Heron 15 2 Laps
12 58 Andrew Bearss 14 3 Laps
13 80 Patrick Seguin 12 5 Laps
Not classified (70% = 12 Laps)
DNF 79 Pieter van Doorn 0
DNS 48 Frank Blanchet 0
Notes:
Car 66 - Loss of one lap for pass under yellow
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - TORONTO, July 12, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 16 Gregory Pootmans 19
2 06 Nick Wittmer 19 11.480
3 44 Kuno Wittmer 19 11.912
4 5 Alex Healy 19 21.661
5 64 Andrew Wojteczko 19 22.167
6 10 Arek Wojciechowski 19 24.134
7 15 Paul Dalla Lana 19 27.177
8 13 Dean Fantin 19 37.505
9 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 19 37.526
10 2 Etienne Borgeat 19 39.241
11 14 David Bensadoun 19 48.812
12 36 David Ciekiewicz 19 50.317
13 66 Gary Kwok 19 1:02.242
14 65 Andy Wojteczko 19 1:03.293
15 75 Lee Chaplin 19 1:04.560
16 92 P.J. Groenke 19 1:09.317
17 31 Michael Delle Donne 18 1 Lap
18 30 Rocco Marciello 18 3.509
19 60 Manuel Bastien 18 47.472
20 9 Ken Baird 18 1:01.096
21 88 Bob Attrell 16 3 Laps
22 12 Mathieu Audette 15 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 74 Glenn Chaplin 11
DNF 96 Richard Boake 9
DNF 43 Jacques Gravel 4
DNF 87 Jonathan Rashleigh 1
DNF 56 Rob McAuley 0
Class Touring
1 47 Alain Lauziere 19
2 72 Anthony Rapone 19 1.257
3 73 Scott Nicol 19 3.858
4 55 Tom Kwok 19 22.426
5 85 Brad Young 19 26.087
6 4 Aldo Lombardi 18 1 Lap
7 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 19 28.206
8 20 Roger Bowes 18 15.328
9 80 Patrick Seguin 18 22.181
10 26 Thomas Bork 18 31.230
11 84 Ryan Blanchet 18 35.167
12 79 Pieter van Doorn 18 1:00.256
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 58 Andrew Bearss 2
DNS 90 Nigel Heron 0
DNS 48 Frank Blanchet 0
Notes:
Car 77 - loss of one position - reference 11.4 B&C avoidable contact
EVENT 4 - MIRABEL GRAND PRIX ICAR - MIRABEL, QC, JUNE 27- 28, 2009
GRAND PRIX DE MIRABEL REPORT
Mirabel, Quebec, June 30, 2009
Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars gave the fans what they paid to see & more during Round Four of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires this past weekend at the Jacques Villeneuve Mirabel Grand Prix at Circuit ICAR just north of Montreal.
On the Mirabel Airport facility's technical 3km tarmac road course, 30 drivers put on a pair of 'shows' in front of the large contingent of race fans. To open Saturday afternoons heat race, GT Racing's BMW drivers Greg Pootmans and Etienne Borgeat led Auto Analyser Lexus IS 300 pilot Andrew Wojteczko and Lombardi Racing's Nick Wittmer and the other 26 drivers to the green flag and down into tight turns one & two. As Pootmans was forced wide in turn one Wojteczko, Borgeat and Wittmer were able to jump out ahead of him forcing him back to 7th position that would take Pootmans another 7 laps to fight his way back to 3rd place.
Another GT Racing driver, David Bensadoun ran his BMW hard and was able to put himself in the top 5 in the Super Touring class for the end of the race.
The typical yet extremely exciting Touring Class battles began early as class pole sitter Alain Lauziere put his MINI Cooper right where he needed to be just ahead of Acura driver Nigel Heron & class points leader Anthony Rapone in his Honda Civic SI. On lap 11 Silvain Laporte & Patrick Seguin battled each other in their Honda's to round out the top 5.
Sunday's feature race was held under beautiful sunny skies as 27 drivers made the call to start the 30-minute race. Starting from the front row, Super Touring class drivers Andrew Wojteczko and Etienne Borgeat led the tightly packed field to the green flag. Borgeat suffered a mechanical failure on the second lap forcing him to park his BMW. Greg Pootmans always ready to pounce on an opportunity put his NorthWest Value Partners sponsored BMW into the 2nd spot and battled Wojteczko and his Lexus IS 300 for the balance of 19-lap race.
Pootmans teammate Paul Dalla Lana charged into the number three position on lap two and never looked back. Eight Legs Racing's Eric Hochgeschurz and Arek Wojciechowski brought their pair of BMW's from their 8th & 9th starting positions and battled not only each other but GT Racing's David Bensadoun for the entire race.
The intense battle in the Touring class was between MINI Cooper driver Alain Lauziere, Honda driver Anthony Rapone & Nigel Heron in his Acura Integra had the crowd on their feet the entire race. Lauziere broke out into an early lead leaving Rapone & Heron to battle amongst themselves for the first 11 laps. Lauziere's gamble to get an early lead cost him dearly when his tires started to "go away" allowing Rapone & Heron to make up valuable lost ground.
The last eight laps saw some of the closest, cleanest racing as Rapone did everything he had to keep Heron at bay with Lauziere waiting to pounce on any mistakes the two class front runners might make. Tom Kwok ran his Honda Civic SI hard from the 26th starting position to gain eight positions putting him just behind Bully Clutch sponsored Patrick Seguin to round out the top five for the day.
During the podium festivities everyone in attendance was extremely delighted to have Canadian racing icon Jacques Villeneuve on hand the present the trophies to the class winners. Drivers & the fans alike were treated to autographs and pictures with the racing superstar. The drivers and crews now prepare for one of the championship's premiere road course events, The Honda Indy Toronto, July 10-12 2009.
__________________________
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - ICAR - MIRABEL, June 27, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 64 Andrew Wojteczko 19
2 2 Etienne Borgeat 19 8.127
3 16 Gregory Pootmans 19 15.502
4 6 Nick Wittmer 19 22.420
5 14 David Bensadoun 19 24.920
6 15 Paul Dalla Lana 19 34.320
7 96 Richard Boake 19 39.149
8 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 19 47.164
9 56 Rob McAuley 19 1:03.085
10 10 Arek Wojciechowski 19 1:05.529
11 53 Paul Dargis 18 1 Lap
12 13 Dean Fantin 18 3.324
13 36 David Ciekiewicz 18 1:20.163
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 43 Jacques Gravel 10
DNF 5 Alex Healy 10
DNF 12 Mathieu Audette 3
DNF 60 Manuel Bastien 1
DNS 66 Gary Kwok 0
Class Touring
1 47 Alain Lauziere 19
2 90 Nigel Heron 19 0.379
3 72 Anthony Rapone 19 12.602
4 50 Sylvain Laporte 18 1 Lap
5 80 Patrick Seguin 18 2.115
6 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 18 4.202
7 20 Roger Bowes 18 10.205
8 57 Jacques Belanger 18 15.156
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 18 35.103
10 84 Ryan Blanchet 18 42.801
11 41 Claude Houde 16 3 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 55 Tom Kwok 1
DNS 73 Scott Nicol 0
DQ 51 Eric Laporte 18
Notes:
19:36 Car 51 - Disqualified for ride height violation
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - ICAR - MIRABEL, June 28, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 64 Andrew Wojteczko 19
2 16 Gregory Pootmans 19 0.946
3 15 Paul Dalla Lana 19 8.413
4 10 Arek Wojciechowski 19 35.144
5 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 19 39.550
6 14 David Bensadoun 19 41.031
7 96 Richard Boake 19 1:08.897
8 56 Rob McAuley 19 1:10.553
9 66 Gary Kwok 19 1:10.942
10 13 Dean Fantin 19 1:33.856
11 53 Paul Dargis 19 1:36.514
12 43 Jacques Gravel 18 1 Lap
13 06 Nick Wittmer 18 10.147
14 12 Mathieu Audette 18 54.404
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
15 2 Etienne Borgeat 5
DNS 60 Manuel Bastien 0
DNS 5 Alex Healy 0
DNS 36 David Ciekiewicz 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 19
2 90 Nigel Heron 19 0.426
3 47 Alain Lauziere 19 2.276
4 80 Patrick Seguin 18 1 Lap
5 55 Tom Kwok 18 3.717
6 50 Sylvain Laporte 18 9.836
7 20 Roger Bowes 18 10.897
8 57 Jacques Belanger 18 11.497
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 18 18.027
10 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 18 20.388
11 84 Ryan Blanchet 17 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 51 Eric Laporte 4
DNS 73 Scott Nicol 0
DNS 41 Claude Houde 0
EVENT 3 - MOSPORT HIGH OCTANE WEEKEND BOWMANVILLE, JUNE 13- 14, 2009
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - MOSPORT HIGH OCTANE WEEKEND, June 13, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class - Super Touring
1 1 Nigel Krikorian 15
2 64 Andrew Wojteczko 15 0.984
3 12 Mathieu Audette 15 9.712
4 25 Nicholas Krikorian 15 10.861
5 96 Richard Boake 15 13.280
6 06 Nick Wittmer 15 13.963
7 2 Etienne Borgeat 15 14.299
8 10 Arek Wojciechowski 15 17.934
9 66 Gary Kwok 15 18.990
10 16 Gregory Pootmans 15 19.241
11 5 Alex Healy 15 24.671
12 14 David Bensadoun 15 28.384
13 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 15 28.710
14 65 Andy Wojteczko 15 33.568
15 36 David Ciekiewicz 15 38.335
16 92 P.J. Groenke 15 41.541
17 56 Rob McAuley 15 45.757
18 13 Dean Fantin 15 53.899
19 88 Bob Attrell 15 55.889
20 74 Glenn Chaplin 15 59.228
21 31 Michael Delle Donne 15 1:36.699
22 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 11 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 11 Laps)
DNF 15 Paul Dalla Lana 0 15 Laps
DNF 75 Lee Chaplin 0 15 Laps
Class - Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 15
2 73 Andre Rapone 15 4.361
3 47 Alain Lauziere 15 5.710
4 55 Tom Kwok 15 9.626
5 90 Nigel Heron 15 12.344
6 89 Rejean Vincent 15 13.503
7 51 Eric Laporte 15 29.514
8 57 Benjamin Distaulo 15 30.513
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 15 45.703
10 26 Thomas Bork 15 49.923
11 20 Roger Bowes 15 54.020
12 79 Pieter van Doorn 14 1 Lap
13 84 Ryan Blanchet 14 5.974
14 48 Frank Blanchet 11 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 11 Laps)
DNF 80 Patrick Seguin 7 8 Laps
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - MOSPORT HIGH OCTANE WEEKEND, June 14, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class - Super Touring
1 1 Nigel Krikorian 20
2 64 Andrew Wojteczko 20 2.557
3 25 Nicholas Krikorian 20 28.967
4 96 Richard Boake 20 30.981
5 12 Mathieu Audette 20 31.315
6 2 Etienne Borgeat 20 42.394
7 5 Alex Healy 20 43.078
8 22 Jean-Francois Dumoulin 20 43.849
9 66 Gary Kwok 20 44.629
10 10 Arek Wojciechowski 20 49.642
11 15 Paul Dalla Lana 20 53.864
12 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 20 58.210
13 06 Nick Wittmer 20 59.235
14 16 Gregory Pootmans 20 1:01.515
15 13 Dean Fantin 20 1:23.047
16 56 Rob McAuley 20 1:33.360
17 36 David Ciekiewicz 20 1:33.553
18 92 P.J. Groenke 19 1 Lap
19 75 Lee Chaplin 19 17.197
20 88 Bob Attrell 19 32.054
21 31 Michael Delle Donne 18 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 14 David Bensadoun 13 7 Laps
DNF 65 Andy Wojteczko 7 13 Laps
DNS 74 Glenn Chaplin 0
Class - Touring
1 73 Andre Rapone 19
2 47 Alain Lauziere 19 6.046
3 90 Nigel Heron 19 47.410
4 57 Benjamin Distaulo 19 1:10.032
5 51 Eric Laporte 19 1:13.495
6 72 Anthony Rapone 19 1:20.650
7 26 Thomas Bork 19 1:27.100
8 20 Roger Bowes 19 1:53.663
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 18 1 Lap
10 80 Patrick Seguin 18 27.324
11 84 Ryan Blanchet 18 1:14.946
12 79 Pieter van Doorn 15 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 55 Tom Kwok 8 12 Laps
DNF 89 Rejean Vincent 4 16 Laps
DNS 48 Frank Blanchet 0
EVENT 2 - SHANNONVILLE SHOOTOUT SHANNONVILLE MAY 30- 31, 2009
TOURING CARS TAME MOTHER NATURE
June 1, 2009
Shannonville Ontario
Once again the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires was the premiere "show" at the Deutscher Automobil Club Trillium Trophy Races at Shannonville Motorsports Park this past weekend. 40 drivers came to strut their stuff and did so in first class fashion.
Lombardi Honda based out of Montreal Quebec brought their two very powerful Honda Civic SIs as did Fix Auto sponsored Eric & Stephen Laporte. The GT Racing squad came fully prepared to make a run for Super Touring Class podium honours with their four-car BMW contingent.
Ontario's own father & son Blanchet Racing two-car team effort and Kars, Ontario Andrew Bearss Dow Honda brought their two Honda Civics hoping to top the Touring Class podium. All of the teams have stepped up to the plate and brought the best of the best in racing hardware. The fans were entertained to some of the hottest & exciting on-track action during Saturdays practice, qualifying and 20-minute heat race in both classes.
The series was very happy to see Andrew Wojteczko back in Super Touring Class action with his Lexus IS300 after he was sidelined in round one with a motor that wasn't up to race condition. Roger Bowes and his Acura Integra from Kingston was back after having to replace a blown engine at Mosport just two short weeks ago and Mont St-Gregoire's Jocelyn Facteau finally sorted out his Toyota Corrolla electrical gremlins for this weekends race.
Saturdays race was run under sunny cool conditions providing a clean dry track where the competitors could really put the power down on Shannonville's "Full Track" configuration. From the pole Super Touring Class Wojteczko took a demanding early lead and never really looked back. Try as they may Lombardi Honda's Nick Wittmer, Jean Francois Dumoulin & Mathieu Audette in his Acura RSX had their work cut out for them and try as they may they never could reel him in. Wittmer finished a distant second place 12 seconds back with Audette 22 seconds behind the leader.
The top five Touring Class drivers diced amongst themselves for the entire 20 minute race as Anthony Rapone piloting his Honda Civic SI held MINI Cooper driver, Alain Lauziere, at bay until Lauziere's clutch malfunctioned sidelining him with only 4 laps to go. Nigel Heron put his Acura Integra in the second spot securing him an outside pole start for Sundays 40-minute feature race. Farther back in the pack the battles were intense as Paris Ontario resident Aldo Lombardi, Roger Bowes & Honda Civic driver Tom Kwok battled for position the entire race. The high level of competition is fierce through the entire field this year have to work hard to get and keep every position they earn. Saturday's podium results were 1st place going once again to Anthony Rapone, 2nd place Nigel Heron and 16 seconds back for third spot Aldo Lombardi.
Sunday morning the drivers took to the track for a brief 15-minute warm up session to work out any last minute set-up changes for the afternoon 40-minute race. 36 cars made their way to the grid for what was to be a cruel joke by Mother Nature. As the drivers made their way to the front straight of the track for pre race gridding procedures a light rain began to fall that quickly turned to hail then snow followed by freezing rain. Not what the drivers & crews were expecting for an end of May. With the drivers already committed to running their dry "slicks" it was obvious that the race was going to be intense to say the least.
Pole sitter Andrew Wojteczko led the field for the two customary pace laps to the green flag start. Lombardi Honda driver Nick Wittmer jumped to an early lead going into turn one followed closely by with Wojteczko (Lexus), Mathieu Audette (Acura), Jean Francois Dumolin (Honda) and Etienne Borgeat (BMW). Borgeat's race was cut short on the very first lap as three cars came together just exiting the hairpin. Fast Wheels driver Lee Chaplin and his Hyundai Tiburon, Borgeat were done for the day when both cars experienced heavy crash damage. This incident brought out a 2 lap full course yellow that allowed cleanup crews to remove the damaged cars as 1st place Wojteczko crossed the start/finish line. Wittmer held the lead for the first lap only to be overtaken along the long back straight by Wojteczko.
Nigel Krikorian driving his Can Jam/Versace sponsored Subaru WRX STi, 2008 ST Class champion used his all wheel drive to fight his way up from his 9th place starting position to second place overall in 4 short laps after dueling with Audette and Wittmer as the track quickly went from dry to slick. From his 6th place starting position Greg Pootmans had his hands full dealing with Honda driver Gary Kwok and Jean Francois Dumolin for a few laps before securing third place for the balance of the 14 laps.
Vaudreuil, Quebec's and 2007 Touring Class champion, Alain Lauziere was a man on a mission. After being sidelined after seven laps during Saturdays race with a clutch slave cylinder failure in his MINI Cooper. Being true to his form he came from the back of the 36 car field to not only challenge and pass all 12 Touring Class drivers but to take the lead away from class leading Anthony Rapone with two laps to go. Andrew Bearss (Honda) and Nigel Heron (Acura) diced back and forth for 11 laps when Heron lost control exiting the carousel turn allowing Bearrs to relax a little and secure his third place finish 30 seconds back from class winner Lauziere. Unfortunately for Bearss the third place finish was awarded to Heron after he was penalized one lap for a pass under yellow flag infraction.
Fantastic drives to be noted were from Ottawa driver Alex Healy (Acura RSX) who was battling cooling problems, came from 34th place to finish 11th overall and Nicolas Krikorian (Subaru) from the 38th spot to 18th overall.
The teams now have two short weeks to get their cars ready to compete in Round three of the 8 event championship where they will be returning to Mosport International Raceway for the Mosport High Octane Weekend June 13-14 2009.
_________________________________
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - SHANNONVILLE SHOOTOUT, May 30, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 64 Andrew Wojteczko 11
2 06 Nick Wittmer 11 12.044
3 12 Mathieu Audette 11 22.302
4 22 Jean Francois Dumoulin 11 22.532
5 2 Etienne Borgeat 11 25.704
6 16 Gregory Pootmans 11 26.127
7 66 Gary Kwok 11 26.570
8 96 Richard Boake 11 30.297
9 10 Arek Wojciechowski 11 33.634
10 1 Nigel Krikorian 11 36.229
11 56 Dave Ciekiewicz 11 40.808
12 14 David Bensadoun 11 42.309
13 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 11 42.815
14 13 Dean Fantin 11 47.219
15 15 Paul Dalla Lana 11 55.914
16 43 Jacques Gravel 11 1:08.685
17 74 Glenn Chaplin 11 1:47.169
18 31 Michael Delle Donne 11 1:55.627
19 88 Bob Attrell 11 2:03.139
20 40 Gilbert Tomaro 10 1 Lap
21 75 Lee Chaplin 10 1:04.789
22 5 Alex Healy 10 1:36.056
Not classified (70% = 8 Laps)
DNF 25 Nicholas Krikorian 0
DNS 53 Paul Dargis 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 11
2 90 Nigel Heron 11 4.242
3 4 Aldo Lombardi 11 26.170
4 20 Roger Bowes 11 29.213
5 55 Tom Kwok 11 30.585
6 58 Andrew Bearss 11 34.689
7 80 Patrick Seguin 11 47.559
8 48 Frank Blanchet 11 49.396
9 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 11 53.437
10 50 Sylvain Laporte 10 1 Lap
11 79 Pieter van Doorn 10 5.421
12 51 Eric Laporte 10 11.207
13 84 Ryan Blanchet 10 39.337
Not classified (70% = 8 Laps)
14 85 Brad Young 7 4 Laps
15 47 Alain Lauziere 7 4:49.645
DNF 00 Steve Greiner 4 7 Laps
Note:
Car 75 - loss of one lap for passing under yellow
_________________________________
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - SHANNONVILLE SHOOTOUT, May 31, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 64 Andrew Wojteczko 19
2 1 Nigel Krikorian 19 6.211
3 16 Gregory Pootmans 19 22.454
4 22 Jean Francois Dumoulin 19 27.748
5 12 Mathieu Audette 19 52.414
6 06 Nick Wittmer 19 1:01.158
7 56 Dave Ciekiewicz 19 1:02.680
8 96 Richard Boake 19 1:05.694
9 66 Gary Kwok 19 1:06.523
10 10 Arek Wojciechowski 19 1:15.396
11 5 Alex Healy 19 1:16.488
12 15 Paul Dalla Lana 19 1:19.092
13 14 David Bensadoun 19 1:22.419
14 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 19 1:28.951
15 25 Nicholas Krikorian 19 2:00.710
16 43 Jacques Gravel 19 2:10.877
17 13 Dean Fantin 18 1 Lap
18 74 Glenn Chaplin 18 12.999
19 88 Bob Attrell 18 1:01.791
20 31 Michael Delle Donne 18 1:03.506
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 40 Gilbert Tomaro 6 13 Laps
DNF 2 Etienne Borgeat 0
DNF 75 Lee Chaplin 0
DNS 53 Paul Dargis 0
Class Touring
1 47 Alain Lauziere 19
2 72 Anthony Rapone 19 1.192
3 90 Nigel Heron 19 40.973
4 48 Frank Blanchet 18 1 Lap
5 80 Patrick Seguin 18 23.645
6 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 18 32.530
7 85 Brad Young 18 34.543
8 51 Eric Laporte 18 1:00.831
9 50 Sylvain Laporte 18 1:18.540
10 84 Ryan Blanchet 18 1:19.375
11 58 Andrew Bearss 18 1:59.934
12 79 Pieter van Doorn 18 2:07.984
13 55 Tom Kwok 17 2 Laps
Not classified (70% = 14 Laps)
DNF 20 Roger Bowes 13 6 Laps
DNF 4 Aldo Lombardi 12 7 Laps
DNS 00 Steve Greiner 0
Notes:
Car 4 - Loss of one lap for passing under yellow
Car 58 - Loss of one lap for passing under yellow
Car 55 - Loss of one lap for passing under yellow
EVENT 1 - VICTORIA DAY SPEEDFEST WEEKEND MOSPORT MAY 16- 17, 2008
May 18 2009
Canadian Touring Car Series Dominates Victoria Day Speedfest Bowmanville, Ontario - 36 of Canada's best drivers came to show the fans they had the "right stuff" this past Saturday & Sunday during the Mosport International Raceway's Victoria Day Speed Fest Weekend. Canada's biggest racing series, The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires, brought out their A game for a fantastic double header set of races.
Saturdays practice session began with typical Mosport spring like weather, cold and rainy, and an especially slick racing surface that the drivers would have to deal with during the 30-minute session. Nick & Kuno Wittmer, driving for Lombardi Honda followed closely by Dave Ciekiewicz in his BMW we're the top three fastest in the Super Touring Class.
The Touring class top three quickest drivers were Frank Blanchet piloting his Acura Integra, Anthony Rapone in his Honda Civic SI and Quebec native Alain Lauziere in his BMW Mini. 23 of the 36 registered drivers participated in the rain soaked practice while others opted out to either wait for the mid-morning qualifying session or just didn't have their cars sorted out yet for the wet track conditions.
During the 30 minute morning qualifying session 33 drivers made their way out to yet another rain filled session that would result in slower lap times than each driver would have liked, but they did everything they could to make their way to the front of the starting grid. Just as in the earlier practice session Nick Wittmer lead the field with a solid 1:45.560 to take the poll in the afternoon heat race. Kuno Wittmer, not to be outdone by his brother laid down a lap less than 2/10th behind Nick with Mathieu Audette trailing behind by only 4/10th's off the leaders time.
Touring car class driver Anthony Rapone ran a 1:53.350 relegating Alain Lauziere to second spot with a 1:53.510 and Frank Blanchet a strong 1:55.918 securing 3rd spot on the starting grid.
For Saturday afternoon's race, Nick Wittmer (pole sitter), & Nigel (position 4) and Nicolas Krikorian (position 9) and Richard Boake (position 7) made a last minute decision in their pit to switch to rain tires, which in turn led to them being late to the mock grid. Once the three-minute warning on mock grid was displayed all four drivers had to start from the back of the pack, losing out their prime starting positions.
Now presented with the pole starting position, Lombardi Honda driver Kuno Wittmer along side Mathieu Audette in his Acura RSX and just ahead of the two BMW drivers Etienne Borgeat and Dave Ciekiewicz took the field to the green flag for some intense racing action.
Audette held the lead for the first 5 laps while Nick Wittmer was making his assault from the back of the pack. By lap 2 Wittmer had passed 12 cars and was making a charge to the front. After a brief stint as the leader on lap six, Kuno was passed by his brother who would lead the balance of the 16 laps eventually taking the win. Richard Boake rocketed from 30th position and followed Wittmer to the front of the field in similar fashion to finish 2nd overall with Dave Ciekiewicz rounding out the third spot on the podium.
Other impressive drives in Super Touring class were Versace Subaru driver Nigel Krikorian who started 26th finishing 5th overall, his brother Nicolas from 29th to 11th and Arek Wojciechowski 24th to 10th.
The battle in Touring class was hard fought by BMW Mini driver Alain Lauziere, and the trio of Acura drivers Frank Blanchet, Steve Greiner and Nigel Heron. The four did exactly what was needed to keep them ahead of the rest of the touring class pack while mixing it up with the leading Super Touring class cars for the entire 16-lap race. On lap nine Blanchet's hopes of a spot atop the podium were dashed when the pins that secure the hood failed and resulted in having to retire early handed over the second place spot to Greiner.
In a post race ruling Nick Wittmer and Richard Boake were penalized for not holding their position during the warm up pace laps and were stripped of their finishing positions awarding the race win to Ciekiewicz.
34 drivers answered the call to the grid for Sunday's 30-minute feature race with Dave Ciekiewicz and Kuno Wittmer leading the field to the green flag on a bright sunny yet cold afternoon. Wittmer held off a hard pressing Ciekiewicz for the first four laps only to have the lead snatched away by 2008 Super Touring Class champion Nigel Krikorian on lap five. Etienne Borgeat had a fantastic start and made his way to the fifth place spot from his 15th place starting position by lap two. Borgeat surgically weaved his way through traffic to find himself chasing down the leader by only the 6th lap. Wittmer had fallen to third spot where he continually attempted to catch & pass Borgeat.
Alain Lauziere led the Touring class for the first seven laps but a hard charging Anthony Rapone took the class lead away from him on lap nine. The two battled back and forth switching positions on laps 11, 13 and finally on lap 17 when Rapone's Civic SI proved to be just slightly faster than Lauziere's Mini at the end of 19 laps. Rounding out the podium in third spot was Acura driver Nigel Heron, who through most of the race kept his distance from fourth place Honda driver Aldo Lombardi.
The championship now is on a two week hiatus as the teams prepare to do it all again in Round 2 at Shannonville Motorsport Park, just east of Belleville Ontario on May 30 & 31 2009 as part of the Deutscher Automobil Club regional race series.
_________________________________
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #1 - Victoria Day Speedfest, May 16, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class: Super Touring
1 56 Dave Ciekiewicz 16
2 44 Kuno Wittmer 16 18.947
3 1 Nigel Krikorian 16 37.102
4 66 Gary Kwok 16 1:56.928
5 15 Paul Dalla Lana 16 1:51.105
6 06 Nick Wittmer 15 1 Lap
7 96 Richard Boake 15 0.545
8 14 David Bensadoun 15 3.239
9 9 Arek Wojciechowski 15 7.684
10 74 Glenn Chaplin 15 1:03.513
11 92 P.J. Groenke 15 1:44.239
12 2 Etienne Borgeat 14 2 Laps
13 40 Gilbert Tomaro 14 4.120
14 25 Nicholas Krikorian 14 16.563
15 16 Gregory Pootmans 14 1:33.704
16 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 13 3 Laps
17 12 Mathieu Audette 12 4 Laps
Not classified (70% = 12 Laps)
18 13 Dean Fantin 11 5 Laps
DNF 87 Jonathan Rashleigh 5 11 Laps
DNF 75 Lee Chaplin 2 14 Laps
DNF 88 Bob Attrell 1 15 Laps
DNF 5 Alex Healy 1 15 Laps
DNS 64 Andrew Wojteczko 0
DNS 65 Andy Wojteczko 0
DNS 10 Arek Wojciechowski 0
Class Touring
1 47 Alain Lauziere 16
2 00 Steve Greiner 15 1 Lap
3 90 Nigel Heron 15 26.588
4 4 Aldo Lombardi 15 51.576
5 72 Anthony Rapone 14 2 Laps
6 79 Pieter van Doorn 14 14.277
7 80 Patrick Seguin 13 3 Laps
Not classified (70% = 12 Laps)
DNF 48 Frank Blanchet 10 13 Laps
DNF 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 5 11 Laps
DNS 84 Ryan Blanchet 0
DNS 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 0
DNS 20 Roger Bowes 0
Announcements
Car 12 - Loss of one lap for pit lane speed violation
Car 25 - Loss of one lap for passing under yellow
Car 80 - Loss of one lap for failure to respond to flag
Cars 06& 96 - Loss of one lap for failure to maintain proper grid position
__________________________
RESULTS OF CCTCC - RACE #2 - Victoria Day Speedfest, May 17, 2009
POS NO NAME LAPS LAG
Class Super Touring
1 1 Nigel Krikorian 20
2 2 Etienne Borgeat 20 3.891
3 44 Kuno Wittmer 20 5.789
4 56 Dave Ciekiewicz 20 6.366
5 16 Gregory Pootmans 20 17.802
6 12 Mathieu Audette 20 21.183
7 06 Nick Wittmer 20 38.698
8 15 Paul Dalla Lana 20 39.814
9 14 David Bensadoun 20 46.342
10 96 Richard Boake 20 1:04.360
11 66 Gary Kwok 20 1:15.592
12 25 Nicholas Krikorian 20 1:24.468
13 5 Alex Healy 19 1 Lap
14 11 Eric Hochgeschurz 19 8.485
15 9 Arek Wojciechowski 19 49.703
16 92 P.J. Groenke 17 3 Laps
Not classified
DNF 74 Glenn Chaplin 12 8 Laps
DNF 75 Lee Chaplin 9 11 Laps
DNF 13 Dean Fantin 7 13 Laps
DNS 40 Gilbert Tomaro 0
DNS 64 Andrew Wojteczko 0
DNS 65 Andy Wojteczko 0
DNS 87 Jonathan Rashleigh 0
DNS 88 Bob Attrell 0
Class Touring
1 72 Anthony Rapone 19
2 47 Alain Lauziere 19 0.175
3 90 Nigel Heron 19 23.962
4 4 Aldo Lombardi 19 1:12.591
5 48 Frank Blanchet 19 1:13.869
6 3 Jean-Guillaume Shooner 18 1 Lap
7 84 Ryan Blanchet 18 6.883
8 80 Patrick Seguin 18 34.247
9 00 Steve Greiner 17 2 Laps
Not classified
DNF 79 Pieter van Doorn 12 7 Laps
DNS 20 Roger Bowes 0
DNS 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 0
Announcements
Car 5-transponder working intermittently-some times done manually
Recap of Event #3 June 14- 15, 2008 at Mosport of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires in 2008.
FINAL 2008 SEASON POINTS STANDINGS
DRIVER NO CAR POINTS TEAM
TOURING CLASS POINTS
Andre Rapone 73 Acura Type R 1643 Durabond Racing
Christian Raymond O4 Mazda Protege 1595 TwoFast Racing
Anthony Rapone 72 Acura Type R 1549 Durabond Racing
Nigel Heron 90 Acura Type R 1402 Heron Motorsports
PJ Groenke 8 Honda Civic 1286 Groenke Racing
Brad Young 85 Honda Civic 1239 Dow Honda
Perry Iannuzzi 22 Nissan Sentra 979 Mad Macs Racing
Frank Blanchet 48 Acura Type R 929 Mad Macs Racing
Alain Lauziere 47 Mini Cooper 926 Octane Promotions
Eric Leblanc 40 Mazda Protege 870 TwoFast Racing
Roger Bowes 20 Nissan Sentra 857
Andrew Bearss 58 Honda Civic 592 Dow Honda
Tom Bork 26 Mazda Protege 458 Doc B Racng
Alex Healy 15 Honda Civic 439
Steve Greiner OO Honda Civic 421 Team 00
Kenneth Lau 39 Honda Civic 419 Durabond Racing
John Lockhart 91 Saab 93 Sport 320 JL Racing
Daniel Blanchette 89 Acura Type R 305 89 Racing Team
Kyle Marcelli 91 Saab 93 Sport 220 JL Racing
Rejean Vincent 89 Acura Type R 204 89 Racing Team
Vic Simone 86 Nissan 200 SX 143
Stephane Trahan 7 Honda Civic 138
Jim Kenzie 47 Mini Cooper 88 Octane Promotions
Jocelyn Hebert 89 Acura Type R 00 89 Racing Team
DRIVER NO CAR POINTS TEAM
SUPER TOURING CLASS POINTS
Nigel Krikorian 52 Subaru Sti 1511 Krikorian Motorsports
Etienne Borgeat 2 BMW 328 1458 GT Racing
Peter Lejbjuk 45 Honda Civic 1301 VMC
Nicholas Krikorian 25 Subaru Sti 1269 Krikorian Motorsports
Arek Wojciechowski 10 BMW 328 1029 8Legs Racing
Eric Hochgeschurz 11 BMW 328 1013 8Legs Racing
Gary Kwok 66 Acura CSX 899
David Bensadoun 14 BMW 328 840 Aldo Racing
Scott Nicol 41 Honda Civic 815 VMC
Lee Chaplin 75 Hyundai Tiburon 807 Fastco Motorsports
Kuno Wittmer 44 Honda Civic 722 Lombardi Honda
Andrew Wojteczko 64 Lexus IS 300 673 Auto Analyser Racing
Glenn Chaplin 74 Hyundai Tiburon 544 Fastco Motorsports
Greg Pootmans 1 BMW 328 450 GT Racing
Sylvain Laporte 6 Honda Civic 447 Lombardi Honda
Mathieu Audette 12 Acura RSX 433 Audette Racing
Paul Dargis 53 BMW 328 341 Dargis Motorsports
Charles-Andre Bilodeau 1 BMW 328 329 GT Racing
David Ciekiewicz 56 BMW 328 289 Spin2Win
Rob Mcauley 56 BMW 328 224 Spin2Win
Nick Wittmer 6 Honda Civic 190 Lombardi Honda
Pascal Carre 24 Honda Civic 185 PCS Motorsports
David Pratte 34 Honda Civic 180
Jean-Luc Bergeron 77 BMW 328 175
Andy Wojteczko 65 Lexus IS 300 140 Auto Analyser Racing
Gunter Schmidt 38 Chevrolet Cobalt 100 Schmidt Racing
Nigel Heron 90 Honda Civic 90 Heron Motorsports
Alex Healy 5 Acura RSX 89
Tyler Givogue 5 Acura RSX 85
Marc-Antoine Camirand 96 BMW Z3 coupe 75 Production Le Carrossier
Jacques Deshaies 27 Audi A4 68 Inglostadt Competition
Andrew Danyliw 38 Chevrolet Cobalt 56 Schmidt Racing
Jocelyn Hebert 98 Honda Civic 11 89 Racing Team
Bruno Desfosses 18 Acura RSX 11
