- Details
- Category: Road Racing
July 18, 2023
It was a hometown event for Canadian Radical Cup team RySpec Racing as the Blue Marble Radical Cup North America program traveled north of the border to battle the Streets of Toronto. Entering unchartered territory, RySpec Racing entered a pair of drivers in the Pro 1500 class as Austin Riley and Robert Soroka earned three podium results and five top-five finishes in six attempts. Additionally, RySpec Racing entered three drivers in the Emzone Radical Cup Canada (ERCC) program earning four additional podium results. In an incredible feat, four out of the five cars under the RySpec Racing banner were on the podium.
With only a single practice session prior to qualifying, Soroka would lead the way for RySpec in the first official session as he was able to clock the third fastest lap of the session while Riley was back in the sixth position and started the first wheel-to-wheel racing from the outside of row three.
Saturday morning greeted Radical Cup competitors with the first opportunity to fight for the podium and it was Soroka who was able to secure the team's first trip to the box in Toronto. With both drivers inside the top-five, Soroka was able to cross the stripe third while Austin Riley earned the fifth position as the duo shifted their focus to race two later that afternoon.
With rain threatening the area, a gentle mist made the track difficult for race two as drivers tiptoed around the barrier-lined, 1.786-mile circuit. Soroka couldn’t keep his positioning from the day before and ended the second race of the weekend in the eighth position, but it was Riley who rose to the occasion. Using his talent to move forward in an incredible drive in the final ten minutes of the race, the Racing With Autism driver put himself in a position to earn a podium result and was able to overcome all the challenges to finish third giving RySpec Racing their second podium result in as many races.
Race three took place Sunday morning in front of a packed crowd as rain once again fell overnight making the track damp and slick. With the Race Director providing the option of slick or wet weather Hankook Tires, it was split amongst the field, but RySpec played their cards right and earned the best team result of the weekend. Austin Riley scored his second podium result in as many races and third for the team in Toronto, while Robert Soroka put a pair of RySpec drivers in the top-five earning the fourth position when the checkered flag flew.
“I think we proved this weekend that we have the ability to compete on both permanent and temporary street circuits as unlike others, our results for both drivers remained consistent from event to event,” explained RySpec Racing's Richard Yin. “We keep pushing the envelope further and our results keep coming. Looking forward to the Texas event later next month.”
In the Emzone Radical Cup Canada (ERCC) program, Jake Cowden led the way for RySpec Racing grabbing a trio of podium results as he finished second in each wheel-to-wheel race. Pushing hard for the win, Cowden came up just short but showed the pace of his RySpec Racing-prepared machine in both dry and wet weather competition. Connor Bell joined Cowden on the podium in race one with a third-place result as RySpec Racing drivers took up two-thirds of the podium. Bell was also poised for a podium result in race three until contact from a lapped car took him out of contention.
Yin added, “Our RCC efforts continue with four more podium results this weekend for a total of seven for RySpec Racing in Toronto. Congrats to all the RySpec Racing drivers, crew, and supporters for the hard work. On to the next one.”
Always looking to add to their driver lineup, RySpec Racing will travel to the famed Circuit of the Americas at the end of August for the penultimate round of the Blue Marble Radical Cup North America program. Are you looking to race at one of North America’s premier facilities? Contact RySpec Racing today.
To keep up with RySpec Racing and for more information from the event including photos and results, please follow RySpec Racing via their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram by searching ‘RySpec Racing’.
For more information on RySpec Racing, please visit them online at www.RySpec.ca.
- Details
- Category: Road Racing
July 18, 2023
Toronto, Ontario – FEL Motorsports is excited to announce that they have entered into a new 3-year contract with Michelin Motorsports to be presenting sponsors of both the Sports Car Championship Canada and the Emzone Radical Cup Canada.
Since its inception in 2021, FEL Motorsports has been focused on moving the needle in homologated racing in Canada. Michelin has been a partner from the beginning, supplying tires and support for the GT4, TCR, TCA and Radical race teams.
Michelin will continue to support both series with their world-class sports car tires, trackside logistical support and weekend engineering support through 2026. The Michelin Motorsport tires used in Canada are the very same tire used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in the US.
“The FEL Motorsports-Michelin relationship has been a win-win,” said FEL Motorsports President, Chris Bye. “The teams are extremely happy with the Michelin race tires and trackside support. It is no secret that Michelin is the benchmark when it comes to sports car tires around the world and we could not be more proud of our relationship,” Bye continued. “We would be remiss not to thank Jason Anzalone, Tom Sullivan, Casey Halbrook and Craig Doggett from Michelin for all their support, and we look forward to extending our relationship together,” Bye concluded.
“Renewing our relationship with FEL Motorsports shows the commitment Michelin has to being a true North American partner in motorsports,” says Jason Anzalone, North American director of Michelin Motorsports. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Sports Car Championship Canada and the Emzone Radical Cup Canada, and we look forward to the exciting races that will continue to be on Michelin tires.”
About Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech.
Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,000 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)
- Details
- Category: Road Racing
July 18, 2023
Competing at his home event and the first time on the Streets of Toronto, Canadian Austin Riley walked away with three top-five results, including two podium finishes, in the Blue Marble Radical Cup North America program. Taking on the 1.786-mile, 11-turn temporary circuit, Riley overcame adverse weather conditions to have his best weekend in the Pro 1500 ranks to date.
With one practice session on Friday morning, it was straight into qualifying that afternoon where Riley slotted into the fourth position, just one spot behind his RySpec Racing teammate. Shifting his focus to the wheel-to-wheel competition that would follow on Saturday and Sunday, it would be a jam-packed event weekend alongside the NTT INDYCAR Series.
Arriving at the track Saturday morning and with the weather threatening, rain fell just before the start of the first race of the weekend which posed a challenge for drivers, but a bigger challenge for Austin. With anxiety high, the team was able to convince Austin to get out there and do his best. Crossing the line fifth in class and ninth overall overcoming several caution periods, restarts, and tricky conditions, Austin turned the second fastest lap in the Pro 1500 class which awarded him a front-row starting spot for race two on the weekend Saturday afternoon.
With momentum from race one, Riley entered race two with high hopes, but the challenge would become difficult at the initial race start. Falling down the running order due to a slow start from the driver in front of him, Austin was in the wrong place at the wrong time as he entered the first corner on the outside of a five-driver-wide scenario. With the hopes of a podium all but gone, Riley put his head down as he began to make good of a bad situation. Passing a few cars before the caution flag flew, the green flag would fly with 11 minutes remaining as Riley was just inside the top-ten. Driving like a man possessed, the young Canadian rocketed his way through the order to P3 and celebrated on the podium with a third-place result at his home event.
With rain falling overnight, a damp but drying track greeted Radical competitors on Sunday morning as a tire choice to go to either slicks or wets was quickly becoming apparent. Taking the safe choice to start on the wet weather Hankook Tires, Riley was able to keep his car off the barriers and out of trouble as he battled hard in the latter stages of the race to finish third, his second podium result of the weekend.
“Great weekend in Toronto, my hometown race,” explained Austin Riley. “The support this weekend has been overwhelming, and it is an honor to be able to race at this track, at this event. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible.”
Racing With Autism and Austin Riley would like to thank their partners and supporters. A huge thank you to Spark Power Corp., Lincoln Electric, ACL Bearing, Hagerty, Ady’s Army, Hammond Manufacturing, Cal Chip Connected, 6 Sigma Sim Racing, B2C Transport, Forest Contractors, Utech Electronics, Braidan Motorsport as well as all family, friends, and supporters.
Austin Riley is a multi-time champion, the first race car driver with autism to win a major championship, and above all, an inspiration for all who've met him. His motto, “Just because you have autism, it doesn't mean you can't do great things,” is backed by his success both on and off the track.
- Details
- Category: Road Racing
July 18, 2023
It was time French Canadian and Turn 3 Motorsport driver Louka St-Jean competed on the Streets of Toronto. Taking on the challenging and bumpy 1.786-mile layout, St-Jean gained experience as a rookie in the USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires program. With only one short practice session that led into a pair of qualifying sessions and two races, St-Jean increased his knowledge but had some issues when the wheel-to-wheel action began.
After finishing ninth in the one and only practice session, St-Jean struggled in the first qualifying session as he was only able to turn the 18th quickest lap of the session and would start race one from the outside of turn nine. Improving in qualifying two that set the grid for Sunday’s race two, St-Jean slotted himself into row seven with the 14th quickest lap.
After two disappointing qualifying sessions behind him, St-Jean started the first wheel-to-wheel race of the weekend from 18th on the grid with the goal to move forward and gain additional experience in his first USF Pro 2000 street race event. Moving into the top-15 by the mid-way point, St-Jean was on pace to earn a top-ten result before contact on lap 13 while trying to overtake a fellow competitor who saw him nose his entry into the tire barrier and out of the race.
Race two on Sunday did not end well for St-Jean as contact on the opening lap in the wet weather conditions ended his race just as it began.
"It wasn't the weekend I had hoped for,” said St-Jean. “I would have liked to prove myself at my home race. I made a few mistakes, but I also had a lot of bad luck. I know my abilities, and I know I can do much better. I'm already looking forward to the race at COTA in Texas to show what I'm capable of."
For more information on Louka St-Jean, be sure to check out his racing website at www.LoukaStJean.com. Additionally, be sure to follow Louka St-Jean on his social media pages by searching Louka St-Jean Racing.
Louka St-Jean acquiert de l'expérience à Toronto
Le moment était venus pour le pilote québécois Louka St-Jean de participer aux courses sur les rues du circuit urbain temporaire de Toronto. Affrontant le tracé difficile et cahoteux de 2.8 km, St-Jean a acquis de l'expérience en tant que débutant dans le programme USF Pro 2000 présenté par Cooper Tires. Avec une seule courte séance d'essais qui a conduit à deux séances de qualification et deux courses, St-Jean a accru ses connaissances mais a connu quelques problèmes lorsque l’action a commencé.
Après avoir terminé neuvième lors de la seule séance d'essais, St-Jean a éprouvé des difficultés lors de la première séance de qualification, n'ayant réussi qu'à réaliser le 18e meilleur temps de la séance et partant de l'extérieur du virage neuf pour la première course. S'améliorant lors des deuxième qualifications, qui ont déterminé la grille de départ de la deuxième course du dimanche, St-Jean s'est placé en septième ligne avec le quatorzième temps le plus rapide.
Après deux séances de qualification décevantes derrière lui, St-Jean a commencé la première course du week-end depuis la 18e place sur la grille, avec pour objectif de progresser et d'acquérir une expérience supplémentaire lors de sa première course Pro 2000 sur un circuit urbain. En se hissant dans le top quinze à mi-parcours, St-Jean était en bonne voie pour obtenir un résultat parmi les dix premiers avant un contact au treizième tour alors qu'il tentait de dépasser un concurrent, ce qui l'a fait heurter les barrières de pneus et l'a contraint à abandonner la course.
La deuxième course du dimanche ne s'est pas bien terminée pour St-Jean, car un contact dès le premier tour, dans des conditions météorologiques humides, a mis fin à sa course dès le début.
« Ce n'était pas le week-end que j'espérais », a déclaré St-Jean. « J'aurais aimé me prouver lors de ma course à domicile. J'ai commis quelques erreurs, mais j'ai également eu beaucoup de malchance. Je connais mes capacités et je sais que je peux faire beaucoup mieux. J'ai déjà hâte de participer à la course à COTA au Texas pour montrer de quoi je suis capable. »
Pour plus d'informations sur Louka St-Jean, assurez-vous de consulter son site web de course sur www.LoukaStJean.com. De plus, n'oubliez pas de suivre Louka St-Jean sur ses pages de médias sociaux en recherchant Louka St-Jean Racing.
- Details
- Category: Road Racing
July 13, 2023
Toronto, Ontario - The 35th edition of the Honda Indy Toronto - a three-day motorsports festival featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and five other racing series - begins with Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Honda Fan Friday in support of Make-A-Wish® Canada tomorrow. Gates open at Exhibition Place at 8 a.m. ET.
To kick off the exciting festival weekend, spectators can make a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada and receive complimentary general admission tomorrow, July 14. More than $905,000 has been raised during Honda Fan Friday and race weekend festivities since its inception over 11 years ago. Honda Canada Foundation will double match donations made by generous race fans up to a total of $100,000 during the Honda Indy Toronto weekend.
There are multiple ways for fans and festival-goers to make contributions this year. The easiest method is to visit the Racing Towards Wishes Make-A-Wish® Canada Zone located in the Enercare Centre where there will also be activities for kids, chances to win prizes, an opportunity to take a picture of the friendly Make-A-Wish® Canada mascot Roary, plus more. Online donations are also accepted at https://makeawish.ca/honda-indy-donation/.
As Make-A-Wish® Canada celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, a 50-50 raffle is being held for the first time, accessible online at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/mawc-on. The drawing will be held Monday, July 17 after the Honda Indy Toronto weekend.
“We encourage our Honda Indy Toronto patrons to get involved by making a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada as part of Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Honda Fan Friday,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of Honda Indy Toronto. “We are extremely grateful for our partnership with Honda Canada and the Ontario Honda Dealers Association and the positive impact this collaboration is having. We encourage everyone to come out and take advantage of our great General Admission pricing, and kids 12 and under are admitted free.”
Friday’s on-track action will be headlined by the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in the Tiffany Gate Grand Prix of Toronto. Canada’s top stock car drivers will battle for 80 minutes on the 2.874-kilometre, 11-turn circuit to conclude the day.
Those purchasing General Admission tickets will have access to an array of off-track features to experience. Honda Canada presents its massive Honda World display near the Turn 11 Honda pedestrian bridge throughout the weekend. It is a cornerstone of the festival experience with engaging displays and immersive activities adding to a memorable weekend for the whole family. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Thunder Alley also provides an array of food and beverage choices and additional activations.
Honda Indy Toronto 2-Day General Admission tickets are available for $75, offering the best weekend value. Single Day General Admission is $50 for Saturday and $60 for Sunday.
All spectators are encouraged to use Toronto’s GO Lakeshore West Train to Exhibition Station for the easiest commute without the worry of traffic or parking at the Honda Indy Toronto. Go Transit has a special offer of general admission plus round trip fare at hondaindy.com/GO. Children 12 and under are admitted free throughout the event when attending with a ticketed adult and can also ride Go Transit for free. For complete ticket pricing and event information, visit hondaindy.com.
About Honda Indy Toronto
Honda Indy Toronto is a world-class motorsports festival which takes place annually on a 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary circuit using the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario in downtown Toronto. The event features many attractions, food trucks, interactive displays and activities, and supports local charities. Honda Fan Friday offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation. To date, $905,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish® Canada.
As one of Ontario's largest annual sporting events with the first race held in 1986 first known as the Molson Indy, it has become a prestigious meeting place for some of the world’s fastest race car drivers including past NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions like Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power as well as Canadian racing greats Scott Goodyear, James Hinchcliffe, Greg Moore, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Wickens, and more. Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco is planned to be in the 2023 starting field.
Honda Indy Toronto is owned and operated by Green Savoree Toronto, ULC, whose affiliates also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (March 3-5, 2023), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid (June 30-July 2, 2023) and Grand Prix of Portland (Sept. 1-3, 2023).
For more information, visit hondaindy.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @HondaIndyToronto or follow the event on Twitter @HondaIndy and Instagram @HondaIndy using #indyTO.