Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix Fairs Well for Mundill

(Trois-Rivières, Québec) August 17, 2008 – For over forty years the streets of Trois-Rivières have been transformed into a premier racing event. The Trois-Rivières Grand Prix is the place for a driver to get recognized, as did Gilles Villeneuve and Paul Gentilozzi. Standing alone as the only street circuit in the 2008 Star Mazda Championship, it gathered the largest crowd, prestige, and media attention.

Last season in his rookie year of Star Mazda, Alex Ardoin got the attention of the racing community by qualifying on pole at Trois-Rivières. A crash in the race put Ardoin three laps down, to finish in eighteenth place. Looking for resolve Ardoin came into Round Seven with drive, and conviction, and in Friday’s practice he demonstrated just that.

Ardoin’s Mundill team mate Dave Mundy found himself without breaks, and only was able to complete one lap in the second practice session. Caio Lara arrived in Trois-Rivières new to street course racing. Lara felt that racing on a street course was, “more exciting, more dangerous and, [pushed] your limits.” He became easily acquainted with the track, and wrapped up the second practice session sixth quick. Scott Rettich was also able to navigate his way around, into ninth by the end of the day.

Saturday’s qualifying went smoothly for Mundill, finding again that three of their drivers were back in the top ten. Ardoin’s time of 1:01.962 was quick enough for third place on the starting grid, while Lara qualified sixth with his best time of the weekend, a 1:02:817. Rettich found himself in tenth with a 1:03.091 and Mundy coming in 20th with a 1:07:163. Prior to the start of the race Mundy expressed his high spirit’s about the race, saying that “it is a really cool event. The city does a great job putting on this event.”

Lara and Ardoin, kept their positions off of the start of Sunday’s Trois-Rivières Grand Prix; however Rettich found himself being boxed in with “nowhere to go.” Throughout the race Ardoin, and rival #7 John Edwards duelled for second place. On lap five, during the second restart of the race, Ardoin overtook Edwards; though was passed back by Edwards on the same lap. Clearly happy about a strong third place finish, Ardoin felt that he had “pushed the car” to the limits. Lara gained a position to finish in seventh spot. At the end of the day Lara spoke about his passion and commitment to making his dream as a professional racer come alive. “I’ve chosen to race here, in North America. I want to work my way all the way to the top,” Lara said. Rettich pushed his car all the way to the end of the Grand Prix to finish ninth. His fastest lap of the race surprisingly was his last lap, 1:03.415. Mundy found himself in 18th with an improved best time of the weekend a 1:05.409.

After this weekend’s results, Ardoin still stands second in points in Star Mazda. Having a favourable chance at winning the Championship Ardoin could potentially win sponsorship for the 2009 Champ Car Atlantic Series; cash award of $100,000 and a brand new Mazda RX-8 sports car.

By: Jennifer Carlson