SCC: Trois-Rivieres: Freedom Autosport preview

Freedom Autosport Undaunted by the Challenges of Trois-Rivieres

TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec--Hard braking, a tight layout, and no room for error might sound daunting to some, but for Freedom Autosport it sounds like a track designed to suit their stable of Mazdas.

This weekend, Freedom Autosport returns to the challenging street course of Circuit Trois-Rivieres, where they earned a double Street Tuner podium last year in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.

Andrew Carbonell scored his first professional race win co-driving with his father Alfredo, while Derek Whitis and Tom Long brought home third place. It marked the first career win for Freedom Autosport.

Carbonell returns in the No. 26 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 that he co-drives with Rhett O'Doski. Trois-Rivieres is a memorable track for Carbonell, and not just because he won there last year.

"Trois-Rivieres is the only street course of the season, so that really separates it from the bunch," he says. "You have no error for mistakes on a street course. I like it: it keeps me on my toes."

For Carbonell, there's another reason to enjoy the Canadian circuit. He says, "We always have a great crowd at that track. They're really into roadracing in that area."

"After missing the action at Trois-Rivieres last year, I'm ready to jump in and get a podium finish," says O'Doski. "We're due for another one, and we've proven we can win at this track."

Whitis and Long have proven to be an exceptional driver pairing behind the wheel of the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. They scored their first win at Virginia International Raceway in 2009, and followed that up this season with wins at Homestead -Miami Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park.

"We're hoping for the best at Trois-Rivieres, where Freedom got its first ever team victory a year ago with the Carbonells," says Whitis. "It's flat and fast, which usually serves the Mazda MX-5 well."

"Last year was such a special event for the team," agrees Long. A recent weight adjustment should mean that the MX-5s are more competitive this weekend. "Our cars are lighter, and there is a lot of hard braking at Trois-Rivieres. The race is even longer this year, and I think we'll be able to manage our equipment well given our size and weight."

-source: freedom autosport