Un Deux Trois Roviéres
Performance Tech Motorsports’next challenge for the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda is the demanding Grand Prix of Trois Rivières on the streets of Trois Rivières, Quebec.
Trois Rivières is the only course on the seven-event schedule not to take place on a permanent track. The short run off and tight turns of the 1.52-mile course provide additional pressure for drivers to turn perfect laps. The slightest error could result in significant damage. The weekend schedule only adds to the stress with Race One and Race Two both taking place Sunday, Aug. 13.
This weekend is the last chance for drivers to build momentum and a point gap before heading into the final rounds of the 2017 season at Road Atlanta. Kyle Masson enters the weekend with the most confidence. He currently leads the MPC class points championship by 68 points. Dr. Robert Masson is neck and neck with Stuart Rettie for the MPC Masters points championship. Dr. Masson is one point behind Rettie with 95 points.
Howard Jacobs takes on Round 10 and 11 with renewed energy after landing on his first podium in Round 9. Jacobs finished third in MPC Masters at Lime Rock Park. Teammate Stephen Dawes nearly missed out on his first podium at Lime Rock. A last-minute spin kept Dawes from the podium, but it didn’t stop him from turning some of his fastest lap times of the season. He’ll hope to finish in front of the competition and bring home some hardware.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill has had his drivers on the simulator to help prepare them for the challenge ahead, but overall, he’s focusing on the fun environment Trois Rivières presents.
“It is one of those tracks that even if everyone pays attention, it can go wrong fast,” O’Neill said. “We’ve prepared the guys for it. I told them the way the schedule is we have to make it through the first race to make it to the second race. They’ve all spent time practicing on the sim in the office. If they do well here, then there’s not so much pressure going into Road Atlanta. The trick to this track is to not make a mistake.
“I look forward to this event. This schedule is hectic but the event is awesome, and the town is cool. The fans are really into it, and they’re everywhere. They know everybody, all the drivers. After one practice, they talk to you like they’ve known you. The fans are amazing. But we’re focused, it’s near the end of the year, but we still have a race that we have to go do, and it has to go well.”
Performance Tech’s weekend begins Friday, Aug. 11, with a full day of practice. Qualifying takes place Saturday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m. ET. The week is capped off with Race One, and Race Two held on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 8:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. The races will be broadcast Thursday, Sept. 14, on FOX Sports 2.