A few days before the Trois-Rivières Grand-Prix, the Quebec drivers of the NASCAR Pinty’s series will no doubt be ready to impress again this year, on a Trois-Rivières circuit where the walls are not forgiving.
In the general classification, the young Cayden Lapcevich (314 points) has just signed two victories on an oval, in Saskatoon, increasing his lead in the lead of the drivers over the 2022 champion, Marc-Antoine Camirand (283). Kevin Lacroix (280), Alex Tagliani (265) and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (258) line up behind, while last year’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières champion Alex Guenette (255) is in 6th place .
“We’ve had a very good start to the season, but Lapcevich keeps winning,” laughs Camirand. We are really happy with our first races and we managed not to have too many bad luck. Our worst result is a fifth place, so it’s going well. The important thing is always to finish the races and maintain our consistency. Lapcevich is having an exceptional start to the season. Otherwise, we could be in the lead right now. You have to keep a cool head until the end of the season. »
“We’re coming to Trois-Rivières and it’s Trois-Rivières! We race in front of parents, friends and sponsors and the whole gang from Paillé. It’s fun! The competition is so strong year after year, so for sure it’s never easy. What we want is to seek victory, we will not hide. But racing with us adds a little something! »
Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (Photo Matthew Manor)
The NASCAR Pinty’s final was very frenzied last year at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. On lap 58, Louis-Phillippe Dumoulin passed Guenette to climb to third place, behind Jean-François Dumoulin. The latter caught up with Camirand and went to pass him at the end of the boulevard du Carmel to take control of the lead. Then, a dramatic turn at the end of the lap when Jean-François lost control of his car following contact with Camirand, to then hit the wall, then hit his brother on the return, which ended his race.
“It’s hard not to remember, says Louis-Philippe Dumoulin It’s like the end of the movie Titanic, everyone remembers it, huh? (laughs) At the same time, we are professionals and we have a job to do, so we are going there to fight smart. »
“Trois-Rivières, we are here for the victory, adds the Trifluvien. We arrive there every year in the middle of the championship, but it is also at home. It’s important to do our preparations well and push very hard. If you want to win the championship and you are behind points, you have to start pushing and getting big performances. We’ll be there with my brother too. We can’t wait, JF and I, to be there together and be able to get over 2022 by having a great race in 2023.”
Second test
The eldest of the two brothers, who will be in his second race this season, also had a similar speech as the GP3R approached. “Of course we remember and we had a fight with Marc-Antoine (Camirand) and me too in 1996, in Formula 1600, which put an end to my race. We remember, but we’re not going there for revenge either. We are going there to win, to make our place in a clean way and to win in a clean way, ”he commented.
In 2019, the local driver took 3rd position at the finish line. In 2021 he was in 2nd place and last year he was in the top position before his sad incident. This year, he intends to recover and sign a podium, although he is aiming for victory.
“I can’t wait to reconnect with the spectators, because the crowd is always very animated. On the sporting side, I think NASCAR Pinty’s drivers always deliver a good race. The vintage of the competitors is all the more raised so it will be a major challenge. I often won at Trois-Rivières, but not in NASCAR. I often had podiums in NASCAR, but not victory. It’s time! “, he launches.
Jean-Francois Dumoulin (Photo Jonathan Cossette)
Well supported
Jean-François has received the support of several partners in the region, in addition to the Grand Royal Wôlinak, if we add Omnifab, Groupe Bellemare, Trois-Rivières Mitsubishi and Bernier Crépeau Chrysler Fiat, among others. The man who drove Louis-Philippe Montour’s car in Toronto this season said he was excited about the idea of returning to the track in two weeks.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it! It’s my town and it’s my track that got me and my brother racing. I’m eager to! It is certain that it would not be possible for me to be there without the contribution of our partners who are there year after year,” he added.
“I’m a car coach and I drive Ferraris and Porsches so I still drive regularly. The passion is still there! I like the Trois-Rivières circuit and of course we still want to go forward. I know my circuit and I’m a good driver over the longis run saving tires and saving brakes. Last year, we put on a good show and we were there in the lead with one lap and one turn to go. We offered good visibility and this year too we want to fight for victory. »
For his part, if Louis-Philippe wants to sign a 4th coronation in the NASCAR Pinty’s series, he will have to sign a few victories by the end of the season. “We just went for a 3rd place in Edmonton and it’s good for the whole team. It’s not victory yet, but it’s coming. Edmonton is a small track and it took a lot of patience. We are happy with the settings and we are very competitive”, he testifies.
“Nothing is decided yet (in the standings) and everything is possible. On the other hand, we have to find a bit of speed in our cars to be able to fight for the championship at the end of the season. That’s what we miss! »
Remember that the long-awaited event will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday August 6th.
2023-08-03 20:16:58
#Ready #impress #Courrier #Sud
