MOSPORT, ON - JL Racing competed in the opening 2 rounds of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship this weekend at the Mosport Victoria Day Speed Fest doubleheader.
Competing in the premier Super Touring Class, driver P.J. Groenke started at the rear of the 37 car field in Saturday’s race and proceeded to drive through the field in very difficult conditions to impress many with an 11th place finish.
“Saturday’s race was the most difficult race I have ever participated in. Due to the weather, the windshield was fogging badly and it was a struggle just to keep the car on the track. Aside from the fogging, the Saab 93 Sport Sedan handled very well in the rain allowing me to pass over half the field! I was very impressed with the speed of the car in Sunday’s race and the crew is one of the best I have ever worked with. The next race weekend will not come soon enough. I am looking forward to posting positive results for the team.”
Sunday’s race was contested in much better conditions with the day being sunny but cool. Groenke again impressed with a steady drive and was competing for a top ten finish when with only 2 laps to go in the 30 minute race, an inner drive shaft joint broke leaving Groenke with out any drive power.
“P.J. did a great job under very difficult conditions,” said John Lockhart Team Principal of JL Racing, “the weather on Saturday was unpredictable and the rain coming and going made the driving very challenging. P.J. was in the car for the first time on Friday and was still learning the attributes of the car when he was thrown into the deep end on Saturday. He was very much in control and drove as very smart race getting to the finish and staying out of trouble and coming so close to a top ten finish. It’s a shame that on Sunday after such a great drive that the driveline let go, but that’s racing and I know P.J. will rebound from this and be a strong contender at the next race.”
JL Racing will be back at Mosport at the High Octane Weekend June 12th to 14th competing in the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 93 race cars. The team has made headlines several times with a first race, first place finish and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 93.
For more information: www.jlracing.net.
About P.J. Groenke: P.J. Groenke has been racing professionally in Canada since 2001. Highlights of Groenke's racing career include winning the 52nd Annual Indian Summer Trophy and finishing as a semi-finalist on Discovery Channel Canada’s Star Racer in 2006. Most recently, Groenke finished fifth in The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, Touring Class in 2008 and will be competing in the Super Touring Class in 2009.
P.J. Groenke is sponsored by Cheung’s Taekwondo, The Downsview Group, and Clairhaven Ltd. Other supporting sponsors include Affinity Luxury Car Rental, Atlas Restoration, Confident Paintless Dent Removal, Desson Manufacturing Ltd., Eventscape Inc., Payne Capital Corp., Proprint Services Inc., Ro-ro Property Management Corp., and Studio Property Consultants Ltd.
Media Contact: Phil Reilly – JL Racing // info@jlracing.net // 416 503 8086
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