‘Driving Awareness’ Racer Takes Second at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Milton, Ontario (June 09, 2014) – Stuart Clark made a successful career debut at Montreal’s famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as the Canadian Touring Car Championship rookie raced his way to a second place podium finish in the Touring Class in Race 1 on Saturday 7th June.
While a gearbox failure robbed him of a second consecutive podium in Race 2 later the same day, Clark was satisfied with a strong showing in just his second ever weekend of car racing.
A long-time attendee of the Canadian Grand Prix as a spectator, the Milton racer’s first weekend competing at the 4.36km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve started well as he qualified his #85 Blanchet Motorsports Honda Civic Si fifth on the grid for the opening 30-minute race.
A strong outing in the morning’s race would see Stuart claim his first series podium as he finished second to Touring Class rival and race winner Michel Sallenbach, with Samuel Laquerre completing the top-three at the checkered flag.
The afternoon’s second race would prove to be less fortunate for Clark, who is proudly supporting SOS Children’s Villages – the world’s largest orphan-focused charity, through his racing endeavors under the motto ‘Driving Awareness’. Ultimately gearbox failure ended his crack at a second straight podium, having run as high as third in class.
Saturday afternoon’s Touring Class race was subsequently won by Jocelyn Herbert with Michel Sallenbach and Samuel Laquerre second and third respectively.
“Naturally I’m delighted to have scored my first Canadian Touring Class Championship podium, especially at a track as renowned as Circuit Gilles Villeneuve,” commented Clark. “It’s just a shame we couldn’t repeat it later in the day but we were chasing a gearbox issue all weekend. We made some repairs but ultimately we didn’t prevail to last both races.
“That said, I was definitely happy with my pace, not least as it was my first time racing at the circuit and only my second ever start racing a car. I really want to thank Phil from Battery Experts, Howard from Great Lakes Brewery and Tyler from Miltowne Collision for supporting me in the #85 SOS Childrens Villages Honda this weekend. Without their support I wouldn’t have been on track so thanks again to them.”
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