Autodrome Granby results 2003-05-31

Two in a row for Steve Poirier

Granby, Qc., May 31, 2003--After having experienced some problems at the beginning of the evening and escaped a pile-up, Steve Poirier behind the wheel of his Teo/FM Industries, made a stong comeback to take the honors of the 18th edition of the Eastern Townships Championship, last Friday night at Autodrome Granby. By doing so, Poirier was able to take the first spot from Claude Brouillard in the Modified Carquest Auto Parts championship.

Poirier who was forced to go into the consi, like Kayle Robidoux and Clement Therrien, two other drivers in the top five on the standings, avoid a pile-up at the beginning of this 40-lap feature. Involved in this accident between the first two turns were Claude Brouillard, Alain Boisvert, Kayle Robidoux, Real Lafrance and Jasmin Leveille. From this moment, the night was over for Robidoux and Lafrance while the others were able to get back in the action after some repairs in the pits.

At the restart, Mario Lajoie continued his lead followed by Vince Quenneville Jr and Ian Bussière while Poirier and Clement Therrien who were respectively 15th and 17th on the starting grid were beginning their ascension to the top. On lap 12, Poirier was already in the second spot and engaged a good battle with Ian Bussière who was very fast. Four laps later on the third restart of this feature, Bussière was able to keep his place but, wasn't able to do so on lap 22.

With the situation in hands, Poirier was able to clinch his third victory of the season. He is now on top of the standings with only a one point margin over Clement Therrien who had the best on Bussière, Martin Roy and Richard Chauvin at the checkered flag. For Bussière, it was a very encouraging result and the competition will have to watch him in the coming weeks.

As for Brouillard, after a few laps in his pits, he was able to get back in the action to save some points. Finally, he finished 12th to slide in the fourth place in the standings with 225 points, a deficit of 31 points on Poirier. Alain Boisvert managed also to get back on the track, but he was forced to quit before the checkered flag. Luke Plante was also plagued with mechanical problems and had to withdraw.

If Poirier, Therrien and Robidoux experienced some problems at the beginning of the evening, it was not the case of Mario Lajoie and Luke Plante who were the winners in their respective heats.

A win but--

In the Sportsman division, Yannick Ledoux was in the winner's circle for the second night in a row. Ledoux didn't have success at the technical inspection and was excluded from the results by the officials due to a misplaced differential.

In this 25-lap feature, Francois Becksted did very well with a solid second place finish in front of Pierre Raymond, Jean Boissonneault and Andre Gauthier.

Denis Tremblay became the fifth driver to win in the Semi-Pro division. His victims were Normand Voghell and Steve Denis while in the 4 Cylinders division, Francois Bernier made his third visit of the season in the winner's circle.

RESULTS MODIFIED (30 laps)

1- 61p, Steve Poirier; 2- 39, Clement Therrien; 3- 21, Ian Bussière; 4- 90, Martin Roy; 5- 31, Richard Chauvin; 6- 4, Leon Gonyo; 7- 66, Mario Lajoie; 8- 11J, Jerry Pennock Jr.; 9- 78, Vince Quenneville Jr.; 10- 8s, Christian Salvas; 11- 3, Claude Brouillard; 12- 22m, Matt Gonyo; 13- 4k, Jasmin Leveille; 14- 73, Alain Boisvert; 15- 2, Luke Plante; 16- 66w, Wallace Stacey; 17-46, Kayle Robidoux; 18- 11, Real Lafrance.

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