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(Trois Rivières – August 14 2010) Brampton, Ontario based G1 Racing’s Sasha Anis took the Super Touring class win at the 41st Grand Prix de Trois Rivières this morning in the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship after yesterdays winner and pole sitter for today’s race, Marc-Antoine Camirand failed to take the green flag with mechanical problems.
Starting from the second position, the Honda Indy Toronto winner, Anis took control of the race early and led all 21 laps. Close behind was his teammate Bob Attrell who held off a hard charging Lombardi Honda Racing’s Benjamin Distaulo for most of the first half of the race, but Distaulo ran wide entering the front straight and allowed Donnington Motorsports Dave Ciekiewicz in his potent Subaru WRX STi to slip by and take over third spot. Ciekiewicz was able to get by Attrell on lap 15 and attempt to take a run at Anis for the lead.
Audette Racing’s Mathieu Audette had all the pieces falling into place to make a run for the front this morning. From his 31st place starting position on the grid, after previously replacing an engine, he put his head down and ran hard. Lap after lap he made his way by three and four cars at time until after a late race caution and a green flag “last” lap to the finish the St-Anne-des-Lacs driver passed Ciekiewicz to take second place.
“I knew we had a good car, the brakes were great and I knew we had the power to get to the front,” Audette said after the race. Audette went on to thank his team for putting a great race car under him and allowing him to work his way through traffic with ease.
One of this weekend’s biggest highlights had to be in the Touring class. Toronto native, Karl Thomson led the entire Touring class race in his Compass/360 Racing Honda Civic Si followed closely by his teammates, Anthony Rapone (second) and guest driver Greg Liefooghe for an all Durabond/Compass 360 podium.
“This is a fantastic day for us putting all three of our drivers on the podium,” said Thomson. “We brought in a guest driver at the last minute to fill an empty seat in the #73 car and that worked great for our strategy,” Thomson went on to say.
Rapone had a clear track just behind Thomson, but it was Liefooghe who had to battle his way by BMS Racing’s Jacques Belanger who fought hard in an attempt to hang onto the third place spot but Liefooghe was able to make his pass on Lap 12.
The Fastest Lap Powered by NOS Energy Drink award in Super Touring class went to Sasha Anis with a 1:18.878 and to Greg Liefooghe with a 1:16.531 in the Touring Class.
Anze Suspension Hard Luck Award went to Gary Kwok who was unable to make the grid after his M&S Acura CSX suffered terminal cooling issues late in Saturday’s race.
The teams now head back to their shops in preparation for the Grand Prix of Mosport, August 27-29 2010 at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario.
Follow all the action including session reports, live timing and scoring and the latest championship news at www.touringcar.ca.
The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Presented By Toyo Tires is Canada’s Premiere Touring Car Series and features Canada’s Best Drivers Racing Today’s Hottest Touring Cars. The Championship is showcased at seven event weekends in Quebec and Ontario with marquee events at Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres and Honda Indy Toronto.
© RIF | CCTCC
