Castrol Super Series - Trois-Rivieres Preview
Castrol Super Series For immediate release / August 2, 2001 CASTROL SUPER SERIES MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE AT TROIS-RIVIÈRES Castrol Super Series // G.P. de Trois-Rivières // Round #8 - Aug. 3-4, 2001 // Trois-Rivières, QC LONDON, ON - This weekend, the Castrol Super Series makes its first ever appearance at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. The event is one of the oldest and most prestigious road racing weekends on the Canada racing calendar. The challenging street circuit - which is narrow and lined with concrete barriers - is similar to the Toronto Indy track where the Castrol Super Series competed in mid-July. But virtually none of the competitors has been to the track before. In fact, beyond the Toronto example and a look at the track map, most will be heading to the track with a blank sheet of paper in terms of chassis and engine setups. Following the first seven rounds of the chase for the Castrol Cup, Don Thomson leads the Super Series point standings by 31 points. The Home Hardware Chevy driver is an accomplished road racer and has one victory to his credit this season. At Toronto, Thomson started second, led on two occasions, and finished runner-up to race winner Robin Buck. Asked about what he knows of the Trois-Rivières track, Thomson was brutally honest. "I have no idea what to expect. Fortunately, the Lapcevich brothers said they'd give me an in-car video from their Camaro days [in the Player's/GM Series]. At least with that, I can sit down and at least see what the track looks like, because I have no idea. The only good thing is that none of the other guys have an idea, either. I'm just going to go there and play it cool, and take what I can get." If Thomson is as quick to get a feel for the Trois-Rivières course as he has been at other Castrol Super Series tracks, he should have little difficulty. Just over a month ago, the Hamilton, ON racer captured the first ever Super Series checkered flag to be awarded at Kawartha Speedway. Confidence and motivation could be a powerful motivator for another CASCAR Late Model driver this weekend in Trois-Rivières. Last Saturday night at Autodrome St-Eustache, two-time and defending Castrol Cup winner Peter Gibbons finally put together a good qualifying and race effort. The result was his first victory of the 2001 campaign. The Canadian Tire Chevy driver is also intent on making amends for his disappointing Toronto Indy result. Prior to leaving their Stouffville, ON shop to head for Trois-Rivières, the Gibbons team spent two days testing their road course car. Coming off a win and wanting to erase the memory of failing to take the green flag in Toronto, Gibbons could be a force at Trois-Rivières. "I have heard it is a great event and we will be looking to redeem ourselves after the huge disappointment we suffered in the Molson Indy Toronto event." Robin Buck also has to be included among the list of possible favourites at Trois-Rivières. The UAP/NAPA Pontiac driver is concentrating his racing program on the four Castrol Super Series road races in 2001. So far, the strategy has paid off. Following his win on the streets of Toronto last month, the Oakville, ON driver is 'one for two'. His considerable road racing experience will no doubt be an advantage in his quest to become this season's first two-race Super Series winner. WEEKEND SCHEDULE: The Castrol Super Series cars take to the track at Trois-Rivières for the first time on Friday morning (Aug. 3) at 8:10 a.m. for a 40-minute practice session. Their first round of qualifying takes place from 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. A second round of qualifying will occur Saturday (Aug. 4) morning from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. The Castrol Super Series feature race is slated to commence at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. CASCAR NOTES: Also on the schedule at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières will be: the CART Toyota-Atlantic Championship, the Canadian Formula Ford Championship, as well as the Grand-Am series... The 'Blue Streak presents the Mosport 250' road race from Mosport Int'l Raceway will air next Tuesday (Aug. 7) on Sportsnet. The race will be broadcast at 8 p.m. in the East and at 7:30 p.m. in Ontario. Those in the West and Pacific regions can see it on Monday night (Aug. 6) at 7 p.m. ... Congratulations to Castrol Super Series driver Scott Steckly and his wife Penny, who gave birth to their first child on Tuesday. Baby girl Jordan was delivered safely and is expected to take up her spot on the #22 ERB Pontiac team at a future date, which has yet to be determined. POINT STANDINGS (After Round #7 of 12): 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (Chevrolet / 1027 points); 2. #02 Kerry Micks (Ford / 996); 3. #76 Al Turner (Intrepid / 992); 4. #88 Dave Jacombs (Ford / 946); 5. #17 DJ Kennington (Intrepid / 924); 6. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Intrepid / 917); 7. #35 Kevin Dowler (Ford / 903); 8. #9 Robbie Thompson (Intrepid / 901); 9. #31 Kelly Williams (Pontiac / 892); 10. #64 Mark Dilley (Ford / 891); 11. #99 Pete Vanderwyst (Pontiac / 887); 12. #33 Neil Fair (Chevrolet / 878); 13. #04 Andy Farr (Intrepid / 876); 14. #14 John Fitzpatrick (Chevrolet / 860); 15. #8 Teri MacDonald-Cadieux (Chevrolet / 840); 16. #22 Scott Steckly (Chevrolet / 830); 17. #19 Brad Graham (Chevrolet / 816); 18. #80 Donald Theetge (Chevrolet / 806); 19. #3 Chris Fowler (Chevrolet / 798); 20. #57 Joe Goncalves (Chevrolet / 770); 21. #1 Peter Gibbons (Chevrolet / 739); 22. #98 David Whitlock (Ford / 717); 23. #25 Jim Lapcevich (Chevrolet / 532); 24. #00 Bill Innes (Ford / 530); 25. #41 John Tsoumaris (Chevrolet / 444) Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca Prepared by Inside Track Communications. 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