Porsche IMSA GT3 to compete at Grand Prix du Canada

Montréal, April 20, 2011 - Another of the world's most prestigious single-marque competition series, the Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama, will complete the 2011 Grand Prix du Canada support-race program next June 10, 11 and 12. Over thirty competitors, driving specially prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars for competition, will be ready to race on Sunday morning on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. For the IMSA sanctioned series, which last competed in 2008 at the Grand Prix du Canada, this event marks its return to Montreal.

"Spectators at the Grand Prix du Canada greatly enjoyed the performance offered by drivers of the Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge during their first visit here in 2008," said François Dumontier, President of Grand Prix du Canada. "Last year, the late announcement of the return of our event on the FIA schedule prevented us from concluding an agreement with their series. It is now a done deal, and we are very happy of the outcome. The series drivers are quite impressive, and with more than 30 cars on the grid, the Challenge will contribute to making our support race program a solid one."

"IMSA is very excited to return with the GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama to the Grand Prix du Canada at the storied Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve after a two-year absence," said Stephen Sewell, Director, IMSA Development Series. "It is always an honour to bring our exciting championship race to the sizeable and enthusiastic Canadian race fans that flock to the Grand Prix every year. All indications are this year is exceptional in terms of competition, and I'm certain we won't disappoint our dedicated supporters.''

Back in 2008 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, German driver Dino Steiner collected two podiums, including a race win and a third-place finish, while American Tony Rivera finished second in the first event before winning the second round. Another American, Bob Faieta, was the only other driver to walk up the podium steps twice, finishing third in the first race and second in the final event.

This year, Venezuelan and Florida resident Henrique Cisneros drove his NGT Motorsport GT3 to the winners circle in the first two rounds of the Cup Challenge, sweeping the season opener double-header in the 12 Hours of Sebring. Three Canadians - Perry Bortolotti of Ottawa, Torontonian Marco Cirone and Randy Oswald of Pickering - are competing full time in the series, whose next event will be held at Miller Motorsport Park, Utah, the series' last stop prior to the Montréal meeting.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in the largest single-make series in North America. Powered by one of the world's most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful 2011 and 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes 2005.5 - 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Both classes race on environmentally-focused Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R2 racing tires.

As a reminder, those wishing to buy grandstand and general admission tickets can contact the Grand Prix du Canada box office seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 514 350-0000, or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca.

 

From Marie-Pierre Laflamme // National Press Officer // Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada

Photo credit: Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama/ FriedrichPhoto.com