Shannonville (Ontario), July 27, 2014.- CTCC Presented by Continental Tire held the fifth outing of the 2014 season this weekend at Shannonville Motorsports Park in Ontario. Victories of the two races on the program were split between Rémy Audette and Roger Ledoux in Super Class, while in Touring Class, Michel Sallenbach won on Saturday and Damon Sharpe on Sunday.
This Shannonville doubleheader, on a track that most drivers had to learn, marked the mid-point of the 2014 season. For Rémy Audette, it was an opportunity to reduce the gap that separated him from Super Class championship leader Roger Ledoux.
At the wheel of the Acura RSX Type-S normally driven by his older brother Mathieu, Rémy showed right from the start what he had in mind, earning pole position for Saturday’s afternoon race. As soon as the green flag was waved, Audette and Ledoux, in his Subaru WRX STI, embarked on a great battle at the front. Victory eventually went to Audette, with a slim three-tenths of a second margin over Ledoux.
The podium was completed by 2013 champion, Ontarian Scott Nicol (Honda Civic Si) with a lead of only two seconds ahead of Gary Kwok. Nathalie Hénault (Subaru WRX STI) rounded out the list of top five finishers.
Another great race played out in Touring Class, with less than a second separating first and second and the victory going to Michel Sallenbach in his Mini Cooper S. Already leading the drivers’ championship in this class, the Quebecer edged out 2013 champion Ontarian Damon Sharpe by eight-tenths of a second. Martin Crisp, a rookie in the series, was the revelation of the race, finishing third ahead of Kristian Jeffrey, Paul Gravel, Karl Wittmer, Alain Lauzière and Samantha Tan, who rounded out the “Top 8”.
Sunday’s race shook up the scenario and the podium results. Qualifying in pole position, Roger Ledoux had a perfect start while Rémy Audette conceded two positions as he was passed by Nick Wittmer and Scott Nicol. Even after climbing back two spots in the first three laps, passing Ledoux would prove to be impossible. Roger Ledoux’s victory allowed him to recover the points he gave up to Rémy Audette during the previous day’s race.
Gary Kwok claimed third spot over Scott Nicol while Nathalie Hénault earned herself another fifth place finish.
In Touring Class, Damon Sharpe drove his Honda Civic to victory ahead of Alain Lauzière, Kristian Jeffrey and Michel Sallenbach, with Karl Wittmer finishing in fifth.
The next CTCC presented by Continental Tire event will take place at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, from August 7th to 10th. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the season, in front of full grandstands for the ever-popular event.