@nissancanada • @micracup • @infiniticanada • MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Canadian motorsport community is celebrating this week as it gears up for its biggest event of the year, the Grand Prix du Canada 2015, held on the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montréal, June 5-7.
After having treated spectators during its big debut two weeks ago at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, the Nissan Micra Cup will play an integral role in this weekend's world-class event. Two races are scheduled, one on Saturday afternoon and the other on Sunday morning, shortly before the start of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which will no doubt be in front of thousands of spectators in the stands.
The Nissan Micra - the reliable and fun car to drive both on the road and race on the track - has already provided plenty of excitement and several novelties for the Nissan Micra Cup, the most affordable series in Canadian motorsports. This second meeting will mark the series debut of veteran driver Richard Spénard, Gilles Villeneuve's former teammate (Formula Atlantic, 1977), who built his reputation in the racing community by being a racing instructor and winning a multitude of championships. Richard Spénard, whose résumé is surely one of the most exceptional of all Canadian drivers, will be behind the wheel of the fourth car for the ALBI le Géant team.
Other newcomers in the series will be Kevin King (pictured above), a young Québec driver from karting, and television host Benoît Gagnon, who competed in the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2013.
These drivers will have a demanding task ahead of them against the 23 others expected to contest the two races. Among the competitors is the young Nissan GT Academy driver and winner of the first two races, Thanaroj Thanasitnitike* from Thailand, as well as drivers matching the calibre of Olivier Bédard, who is the very first pole position winner in the history of the Micra Cup series and second place finisher in Mont-Tremblant's second race.
It will also surely be of interest to follow the novice drivers, who for the most part, were turning heads during the first two races as they battled tenaciously near the front of the pack.
On the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve this weekend, at least 15 different drivers have the potential of stepping onto the podium, where just a few hours later, the winner of the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada winner will spray champagne! However, interest in the series will not be restricted to just the track. The paddock, which is located behind the eastern hairpin, is accessible to all general admission ticket holders and the Nissan Micra Cup teams and organizers are inviting everyone to come see the race-spec Micras and the series drivers.
On Friday, the drivers will be in action for free practice from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., prior to their only qualifying session of the weekend from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The first of two races will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with the second taking place on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The Nissan Micra Cup races will be 30 minutes in duration.
Don't miss Micra Cup news on the Facebook page Coupe Nissan Micra Cup and see the posts/live results during practice and qualifying sessions, and races on Twitter: @micracup
For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup and its driver, please visit www.nissan.ca/micracup.
Nissan Micra Cup 2015 Season Schedule:
May 22-24 Classique de printemps, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
June 5, 6, 7 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada
July 25-26 Classique d'été, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
July 31-August 2 Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
August 15 Circuit St-Eustache
September 25-27 Classique d'automne, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
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. With offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC), NCI directly employs 250 full-time staff. There are 187 independent Nissan dealerships, 38 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.
From Nissan Canada & Cohn Wolfe
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