A 2nd Place Podium & A Big GT Lead!


One of the best parts of my job is getting to travel with Matt. And, one of my favorite places to visit is Canada, any part! After all the success we have been having lately, to find out our next race is at Trios Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, I could hardly control my controls!!

What is so great about this track is that it is a street race!! Le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres is a 1.506-mile, 10-turn, temporary racecourse through the city. There is a Mardi Gras atmosphere, even though there are no floats with trinket throwing, costumed characters. And, the town is full of people who are generally glad we are here. They are out in full support of our efforts.

24 cars are entered, and the SRP and GT classes are separated. The course is dangerous enough, without adding vehicle performance and handling to the equation. In the GT class there are: GT-8, GTS-5 and AGT 3, for a total of 16 cars. Matt qualifies #81 in third place.

We go through the usual parade lap and reconnaissance laps, and now at 3:15, Saturday, August 4, we are grid and Matt and I are waiting for the green flag to drop. This race will only take one hour and 45 minutes, so things should go well for us. The streets are narrower than usual racetracks and in the event of a collision or spin, there is no lace to go but into a wall.

Our stint goes really well—no mishaps. So, now at about 4:00 Matt is told to pit for Driver change. This is one of the smoothest pit stops I think I’ve ever been in. It is quick -- tire change, refuel, Matt exits, Darren enters and he’s GONE!!

The crew is beginning to get excited, as the race is going so well, with no incidence of engine or competitor problems. Remember, we need to be able to get to Watkins Glenn “whole” in 6 days. That’s a lot of pressure for the drivers. At, 5:00, Darren crosses the finish line in SECOND place!!!

This means PODIUM-----2nd place, and a big lead is ours in the GT class. People are whistling and clapping and cheering for the podium positions. If I can still take pictures 100 years from now, I don’t think I will ever feel this proud or excited again.

Canada is GREAT, Matt is GREAT, the race was GREAT, the PODIUM was Great!!!!!!! See you at Watkins Glen and don’t forget to bring your energy with you----there’s another PODIUM waiting for us to take!!!!!!