Cleveland: Antoine Bessette race one notes

Bessette DNF's first race in Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, June 25. -- Antoine Bessette came up empty handed after he brushed corner number 8 of the Bruke Lakefront Airport and had to retire after his Polestar Racing Group #3 UNIK Auto Design car suffered suspension damage on lap 25 of 32 in the first race of the Formula Atlantic Cleveland double header. Starting in fourth place, Bessette was contacted by teammate Katherine Legge in the very first corner of lap 1 and nevertheless drove an ill-handling car from 8th place up to 3rd by mid-race. Exchanging positions with Andreas Wirth, the St-Bruno,Quebec driver fell to fourth only a few tenths from a place on the podium.

Trying to overtake for third from the outside lane, he brushed the wall and had to retire.

"I had to back off after Katherine ran into me, said AB. Then I passed a few guys until I got behind Andreas. I was faster but he braked checked in every corner for about five laps. On lap 25, I tried to go underneath him before the long stretch but I ran out of track and just brushed the wall at corner 8 exit. That was my day. I start tomorrow in third place, ahead of Katherine and Andreas. And I plan to stay ahead, otherwise Tonis (Kasemets) and Charles (Zwolsman) will be out of reach in the standings."

Race #2 is set for 11:45 ET tomorrow at Cleveland, a 2,106, 10-turn temporary road course.

-br-