Hankook Championship: eagerly awaited penultimate event in Sanair

By Dominic St-Jean

Montreal, September 7, 2005 – The fight intensifies as Auto-Quebec Federation Hankook Championship drivers start the last leg towards the double-header season finale at the Mont-Tremblant Circuit at the end of September. Once again, more than 60 cars will take to the Sanair track in Ste-Pie-de-Bagot this Saturday. After a month off, everybody is eager to go racing once again.

“We have an exciting race day ahead of us in Sanair with all classes still in contention, and two with less than ten points between the first and second place drivers, comments series promoter Dominic St-Jean. We will also finish the May GTO/GTU race that was postponed due to extreme weather. Track activities will start at 9:30 am, and we’re expecting great participation and lots of action.”

Touring Hankook:
The Touring class is the tightest this season, with only thirteen points between leader Jocelyn Hébert (Acura Integra) from St-Gregoire and fourth place Bobby Hamel (BMW 328i) from Pintendre. Hamel’s DNF in Trois-Rivieres cost him first place in the championship, a situation he’ll be hard pressed to fix. Between them, Montreal driver Yves Bédard (VW Golf GTI) is second and Kirkland’s Jacques Gravel (Hyundai Tiburon) third. Both have shown consistency and patience, and can aspire to the top billing.

Of note while we are on the topic of consistency, Kensai Racing drivers Valerie Limoges and Travis Walker (on a pair of Acura RSX Type S), respectively fifth and sixth in the standings, still have a shot at the top. Race fans will also pay close attention to the rookie of the year fight, with Stephane Carrier (VW Jetta GTX) leading Vincent Basile (Honda Civic) by only seven points. Musique-Plus video-jockey Babu will be back in action, still a contender in the rookie Championship.

Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup:
Grand-Mere driver Philippe Gelinas will try to bring his winning streak to three in a row and put some distance between him and second place Olivier Bonnet, of St-Damase. The two drivers are separated by a five-point gap. They will have to watch Marcel Lafontaine, racing in his backyard, who placed second earlier this year in Sanair.

“I’ll try to attack Sanair as if it was any other race, explains Gelinas. With only three races left, everything is left open. I’ve had good moments in Sanair in the past, but it’s harder this year with the 92 Swift compared to last year’s Reynard. I actually hope we’ll hit some rain before the season ends, since I’m usually quick in those conditions.”

GTO/GTU/GT:
Many cars are expected in GTO, GTU and GT classes. In GTO, Ontario’s Malcolm Strachan (Chevrolet Corvette Z06) will try to continue on his winning form and cement his lead against defending champion Fernand Leblanc (Porsche 911 RSR). Leading by fourteen points, he won’t be allowed to relax. “Sanair should be a turning point in the GTO Championship for the Konica-Minolta Corvette. We’re hoping that the tuning done by Agostino Racing Engines should get us closer to the lap record and hopefully the win.”

In GTU class, Normand Robert (Mazda RX7) is back with a revised, more powerful car after missing Trois-Rivieres. He’ll aim to take the lead back from George Moutafis (BMW M3), and break the tie between him and Louis-Sebastien Dubord (VW Golf GTI) at 104 points. Two drivers to watch will be the quick Louis-Charles Cadieux (VW Rabbit) who’ll want to put his Trois-Rivieres problems behind, and returning Mathieu Jarry (Honda Civic).

Finally, Fernand Leblanc (Porsche 911 RSR) will work at strengthening his lead in GT class. Alain Goulet (Porsche 944 Turbo Cup) and Paul Bissonnette (Ford Mustang GT) will be hot on his heels.

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.