- Three drivers have a shot at the 2016 title, which will be decided next weekend during the Fall Classic -
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Launched on May 14th of this year, the second Nissan Micra Cup season has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the drivers, the teams, and the thousands of spectators that have followed this exciting season, which is now coming to a close. The final two races of the season will take place next weekend in Quebec at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, and will decide the drivers' championship title. Two Quebeckers and one Albertan make up the three candidates that are in contention for the prestigious trophy.
Current series leader in points and 2015 champion, Olivier Bédard, will attempt to claim his second consecutive championship title, but this challenge will put him head-to-head against his teammate Xavier Coupal. Coupal is ranked second in the championship at this point in the season, but with the 2016 regulation stipulating that each driver's top 12 results count towards the championship title, he could finish directly behind Bédard in both races and still clinch the title. However, given that points are also awarded for pole position and fastest race lap, it is safe to say that nothing will be decided ahead of time and that both drivers will have the same strategy going forward - to win the last two rounds of the season!
Bédard and Coupal will likely show up to the Circuit Mont-Tremblant in the same frame of mind as two Formula One drivers heading into their season finale showdown. At the same time, while it will be exciting for fans to witness their battle, if these top two drivers record poor results, Albertan Stefan Rzadzinski will have a chance to claim the title. Currently third in the championship standings, the driver from Edmonton has enjoyed a remarkable season as a driver consistently among the leaders.
In addition to the three title contenders, ten other drivers will compete with the hopes of ending their season on the podium. For example, Kevin King, who ranks fourth in the rankings and winner of no less than three races since the start of the season. Marc-Antoine Demers, who won the last event in the 2015 season and is currently seventh in the championship, is another contender for a podium finish. As well, Valérie Limoges, who earned herself a podium three weeks ago in Ontario and is currently sixth in the standings could finish in the top three.
Other drivers to watch are veterans Normand Boyer and Jacques Bélanger; Stéfan Gauthier, who already secured the Rookie title after an exceptional season; and fan-favourite, Bertrand Godin, who is returning to the Albi Nissan Team for this event.
The Fall Classic at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant will also be the chance for the Nissan Micra Cup to celebrate the completion of the series' second season. In the 2016 calendar's eight events, they were contested by more than 40 drivers.
The Nissan Micra Cup drivers will be on the track for two practice sessions on Friday, September 23rd from 9:30 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. On Saturday the 24th, the day will start with qualifying for the first race at 9:25 a.m., for a 20-minute session. The first 30-minute race will then be held at 1:05 p.m. On Sunday, September 25th, qualification for the season race will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. with the final race of the season starting at 1:15 p.m.
For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please visit:
www.nissan.ca/micracup.
Overall championship standings after 14 races:
http://www.micracup.com/Results_2016_ClassGen.php
Nissan Micra Cup 2016 Season Calendar:
| May 13 - 15 |
Calabogie Motorsports Park, Ontario |
| May 27 – 29 |
Spring Classic, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Québec |
| June 19 |
Autodrome St-Eustache, Québec |
| July 8 - 10 |
IMSA Weekend, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ontario |
| July 22 - 24 |
Summer Classic, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Québec |
| August 12 - 14 |
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, Québec |
| September 2 - 4 |
NASCAR Weekend, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ontario |
| September 23 - 25 |
Fall Classic, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Québec |
About the Nissan Micra Cup
Sanctioned by Auto Sport Québec (ASQ) and presented by JD Promotion & Compétition with the support of Nissan Canada, the 2016 Nissan Micra Cup exclusively features the stock Micra 1.6 S M/T model with minor modifications, including NISMO suspension - to render it race-ready.
Unlike most motorsport events, each competing Nissan Micra race vehicle has the exact same specifications, resulting in a competition that truly reveals the most skilled drivers. The Nissan Micra Cup race vehicles were equipped with the Nissan Micra's stock 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) and stock 5-speed manual transmission. In its inaugural season last year, more than 25 Nissan Micras competed on each race weekend which included two hours of track time consisting of: a 30-minute trial, a 30-minute qualifying session and two 30-minute races.
Young karting drivers, the average Canadian looking for an entry point into motorsport competition, or anyone who wants to experience the rush of adrenaline inherent with racing cars are all well-suited to this series. In summary, the Nissan Micra Cup is for people who are passionate about motorsports, want to experience all the fun and thrills of racing, but without spending staggering amounts of money.
For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please go to the website www.nissan.ca/micracup.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
About Nissan Canada Inc.
Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. NCI directly employs 306 full-time staff across offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC). There are 191 independent Nissan dealerships, 39 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers across Canada. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards.
More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.
SOURCE Nissan Canada Inc.
Image with caption: "Olivier Bédard (#1) and Xavier Coupal (#572) will be competing for the championship title this weekend. (CNW Group/Nissan Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160919_C6073_PHOTO_EN_776136.jpg
Image with caption: "Stefan Rzadzinski, from Edmonton (AB), is third in the standings after his victory at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. He's still in the running to secure the championship title. (CNW Group/Nissan Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160919_C6073_PHOTO_EN_776138.jpg
Media contacts: Didier Marsaud, Director, Corporate Communications, Nissan Canada, Tel: 905-629-6400, Email: [email protected]; Jenn McCarthy, Cohn & Wolfe, Tel: 647-259-3305, Email: [email protected]
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