Nick Wittmer remains second in the standings with Lombardi Honda Racing

Mosport International Raceway, June the 15th, 2009 – The second double header that was held on mythic Mosport facility for the third program of the Canadian Touring Car Championship was not what Lombardi Honda Racing drivers expected this weekend. Both Nick Wittmer from Montreal and Jean-François Dumoulin from Trois-Rivières experienced unexpected mechanical problems and had setbacks in one round. Saturday, Dumoulin spent four laps in the pits trying to repair a cracked injector while Wittmer had to slow down in the last laps when his fuel pump became intermittent. Nevertheless, with a sixth place Saturday, Wittmer remains second in the season standings. On the other hand, Dumoulin started deep in the field (22nd) on Sunday but was 7th at the stripe.

“It’s disappointed for our results”, claimed Nick Wittmer. “Usually, we never wonder about our Civics because the Lombardi crew always provides us with perfect cars. The problems we had were totally unexpected. After a fourth row start, I ended up sixth in the Saturday round and was looking for a podium in the second race. I fought hard with Mathieu (Audette) for the first ten laps but had to back up afterwards when my fuel pump had some hiccups. I slowed the pace to earn as much points as I could instead of parking it. I’m still second in the points standings but Mathieu is only four points behind.”

“I encountered my problem on Saturday with a cracked injector” added Dumoulin. “I was starting in seventh place, was very strong when it happened. I spent almost seven minutes in the pits and returned just in time to score a few points. Sunday, I took the start from last place but carved my way up to seventh. It’s always fun to reel in so many cars on that track. I long to race with Nick so we can team up and work our way to the front.”

Mirabel in two weeks
The next program will take the Canadian Touring Championship to Mirabel at the new ICAR complex north of Montreal for the Grand Prix de Mirabel in two weeks. “It will be a new layout, states Wittmer. But we have raced there last year and it is quite special on concrete. There will be a new ruling effective in this double header, allowing us to get more power against a few very quick competitors. I hope we can spend a day testing our new engine before the GP.”

Lombardi Honda Racing team is competing in the Canadian Touring championship for a fourth season. The 2009 schedule shows 15 rounds heading to six facilities, It will feature twice on the new ICAR complex in Mirabel, starting from June 26 to the 28, and the most important double header of the summer will obviously be the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.”

For more information, go to Lombardi Honda web sites at www.lombardihonda.com or www.lombardiracing.com