“New Diversity Driver Already Turning Heads”
OTTAWA, Ont (May 26th, 2006) - - At a time where driver diversity is at a high peak, the newest newcomer to the program, Pierre Bourque storms onto the racing circuit with goals as strong as any veteran driver, victory. The Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) driver has got a jump start to his racing career by taking an early stab at the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series is well-known to be a circuit where up and coming competitors get their feet wet into the fierce competition of stock car racing. Thus far, Bourque has made an impression.
Latching himself with 1995 ARCA champion Andy Hillenburg has already started to pay off for the successful businessman. Under the guidance of Hillenburg, the duo headed to the treacherous and fast short track of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana earlier this month for his “stock car debut”.
The goal for Bourque in practice was feel the track and get comfortable with his Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Goals were easily met in practice after turning a lap good enough for 27th best (17.356 seconds, 103.711 mph). Without the proper security to guarantee the credentials for the starting grid, Bourque would have to race his way into the lineup by qualifying on time.
During his two-lap session, Bourque turned a lap of 16.974 seconds or 106.045 mph quick enough for 24th on the starting grid. It was a competitive lap for the rookie, allowing him to further learn about the cars, series and his team.
Short tracks usually bring out a brawl and that race was no exception. Throughout the course of the 202-lap event, Bourque raced hard and clean. While many used the race as a chance to aim towards a championship, Bourque used it as a rookie session. By the time the checkered flag flew, the No. 11 Full Metals Minerals Chevrolet was 13th. Many teams lost their cars to the rollback, but not this rookie. He performed brilliantly leaving the team with confidence and Bourque satisfied.
“Winchester was a grueling race, but I am very happy with the way that weekend went,” recalled Bourque. “We made the show, raced well and the car was in one piece, I don’t think we could have asked for anything more.”
With a clean finish under his belt, Bourque recently headed to the open test session at Michigan International Speedway with Andy Hillenburg and his crew in toe preparing for Bourque’s first Superspeedway attempt in the ARCA RE/MAX Series later this year.
22 teams endured an eight hour test with Bourque turning in the 16th fastest time of 42.290 seconds equaling a fast speed of 170.253 mph. While it wasn’t the fastest time on the board, the AHR (Andy Hillenburg Racing) was exceptionally pleased with their efforts.
“The Michigan test went very well,” continued Bourque. “Tuesday’s test marked the first ever time I drove on a Speedway and it was exciting. We did exactly what we wanted to do, gather seat time and post some respectable laps. We surpassed the team’s expectations for the event, so no one on this team is feeling off the pace.”
The remainder of the 2006 racing season will be a very busy one for Bourque and Andy Hillenburg Racing. In addition to selected starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the group will run the full NASCAR Busch East Schedule beginning in a few weeks aiming for the championship and Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
Thursday (May 25th, 2006) marked the second testing session of the week for the team leaping from Superspeedway to the short track at Greensville-Pickens Speedway. Greensville-Pickens is the first race on the NBE tour and the team wants to get a jump-start on the rest of the competition.
Drivers in any form of auto racing deal with the heat. Thursday, Bourque experienced that first hand as sizzling temperatures in the mid 90s greeted the team. Before climbing into his car for the first time at the demanding short track, the team had an open mind.
Bourque kept a solid pace all day long turning competitive times and just a half-second off of the fastest car at the track driven by Sean Cassie under the direction of former NASCAR Busch East champion Andy Santerre.
“The test was a learning curve,” remarked Bourque. “I’ve never experienced the heat before like that in a racecar and it was a good experience, it prepares me for the future. Overall, the test went exceptionally well and I know that we’ll be in good shape when we come back for the race.”
With testing complete and the start of the 2006 NBE (NASCAR Busch East) Series drawing near, Bourque feels that he is ready for this new endeavor.
“We are ready to make a difference and I want everyone to know that we are not going in to run last,” explained Bourque. “I am very comfortable with my driving abilities and I feel having the guidance and coaching of Andy Hillenburg has already made me feel in the winner’s circle.”
The 2006 NASCAR BSE schedules consist of 11 races beginning with the Busch Series East 150 at Greensville-Pickens Speedway on June 10th, 2006. Bourque will pilot the No. 10 Full Metals Minerals entry all season.
“While the goal is to win, I want to finish the races this season in the Busch East schedule. We’ve set a couple goals for ourselves for the rest of the year and I think we can achieve them. The goal is to use the remainder of the year as a “test session” preparing for 2007 which we plan to run the full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. I know that Andy Hillenburg and his staff will provide me with the equipment allowing me to be very competitive off the truck, I’m really looking forward to the future.”
In the coming weeks, Bourque will unveil a new racing website.
Prepared by Chris Knight for Bourque Newswatch/Andy Hillenburg Racing
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