CAN: Audette Racing Mirabel event summary

Mathieu Audette makes the podium at the Grand Prix de Mirabel

Mirabel (Quebec), July 4, 2010.- Brothers Mathieu and Remy Audette were competing in two categories this weekend at the Grand Prix de Mirabel at the ICAR Complex. In the Canadian Touring Car Championship, Mathieu Audette earned himself another podium, maintaining his chances in a bid for the championship title while in Formula Tour 1600, Remy Audette's return had its share of ups and downs. He eventually finished in seventh place.

At the wheel of his Portes Dimensions-supported Acura RSX S-Type, Mathieu Audette started in fourth place for Saturday's race. " We had a few issues adjusting the suspension and I believe that's what held me back from qualifying first " he confides. The start of the race proved to be a little complicated for the Quebec driver but he quickly made it known that he was going for the win : " I got caught in the traffic at the start and I dropped two spots but I gained them back and then the battle for the victory was on between four cars. It's been a long time since I've been part of a race with so much passing, we were all driving at the limit and changing positions on every lap, it was awesome ! " expressed Mathieu. Just a few laps before the end of the race, an oil cooler problem forced the Audette Racing driver to back off as his limped to the finish line in eighteenth place.

The following day, Mathieu Audette demonstrated one of the best comebacks of the race. Starting in eighteenth place, he clawed back fifteen spots in the first fifteen minutes to finish on the third step of the podium. " It's a great finish for the entire team and I actually think I could've even climbed into second place. But, the race was prematurely halted due to an accident, so I eventually ended up just two-tenths of a second behind the BMW I was chasing " he explains. This result allows Mathieu to remain in the title hunt against his rival Nick Wittmer, winner of both weekend races at Mirabel.

Remy Audette seventh in F1600

Remy Audette returned to the pack in the Formula Tour 1600 this past weekend, the series in which he was crowned champion in 2007 before graduating to American Formula 2000. His Formula Tour 1600 program consists of three events including this weekend's Mirabel race, as well as the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières and NASCAR Montreal in August.

Driving an open wheel Van Diemen, prepared by the reputable David Clubine, Remy Audette qualified in third place on Saturday. A collision ended his race almost as quickly as it started. " We knew before the race started that our car wasn't completely adjusted and that we had to improve on it during the weekend. Unfortunately, I got sandwiched between two other drivers on the first turn which resulted in a broken half-shaft " he explains.

After Saturday's unfinished race, Remy Audette qualified fourth for Sunday's event, during which he was fighting for third spot when a spinout dropped him down to seventh. " It's just part of racing, nothing more, and the car didn't get damaged. What's really positive was to see how everyone from Audette Racing and David Clubine worked really well together. I am confident that as of the GP de Trois-Rivières, we'll be ready to battle for the victory " concludes Remy. Jerimy Daniel won both Formula Tour 1600 races held this past weekend at the 2010 GP de Mirabel.

-source: audette racing