A VERY GOOD NIGHT FOR CLAUDE BROUILLARD
GRANBY, Qué., May 26, 2001 -- Veteran driver Claude Brouillard, for his second start with his own Eau Labrador/Teo, had an excellent night last Friday at Autodrome Granby with two visits in the winner’s circle. He not only won the 30-lap feature race for Modified but also took the honors of a special 10-lap Dash Cash involving the 10 best drivers in this category. On each occasion, Réal Lafrance took the second place.
Brouillard who has now joined Lafrance on top of the Carquest Championship for Modified with this perfect result, took advantage of Richard Chauvin’s problems to take home the victory. Eleventh at the green flag, he made his way up front of the 25-car field pretty soon and at halfway, he was fourth. Mario Moreau gave up the third spot on lap 20 due to mechanical failure. Three circuits later, it was Richard Chauvin’s turn, the leader since lap 3, to do like Moreau. At the restart of this sixth yellow flag, Brouillard easily passed Mike Romano and held back Réal Lafrance who was unable to catch up.
Third at the start, Richard Chauvin had the fastest car on the speedplant. Decided to stay out of trouble, he took the early lead. He was really untouchable till a head gasket caused his lost. For one, Mike Romano who caused a well received surprise by showing up at Autodrome Granby, was forced to slow his pace due to a flat tire. With two laps remaining, he drove his car to his pit. Mario Lajoie who is making a comeback finished third followed by Gino Clair and Carl Labonté.
It was a night to forget for young Kayle Robidoux who was involved in an accident on lap 9. Clément Therrien had also his share of problems as well as American drivers Leon Gonyo, Bruce Sawyer, Chad Miller and Jerry Pinnock.
Early in the evening, Mario Moreau, Francis McNeil and Carl Labonté were the winners in their respective heats.
Then at the end of the program for that special Dash Cash, Brouillard needed only one lap to get by Réal Lafrance and fly home with the victory. Following Lafrance were Carl Labonté, Réjean Fortier and Kayle Robidoux.
This season, there is only one class in the Modified division which is 358s’. First place for a 30-lap feature pays $1,500..
Return
After one year of absence, the Sportsman class is back at Autodrome Granby. For the second program in a row, veteran driver Robin David took the checkered flag. His victims were Alain Mathieu and Daniel Messier.
In the other categories for the Prolab championships, Marcel Tessier (Late Model), Michel Coderre (Tourism) and Patrick Dupont (4 Cylinders) were the feature race winners.
Results
3, Claude Brouillard 2- 11, Réal Lafrance 3- 6, Mario Lajoie 4- 22J, Gino Clair 5- 24L, Carl Labonté 6- 90, Martin Roy 7- 66, Martin Gagné 8- 83, Lloyd Sturtevant 9- 66W, Wallace Stacey 10- 09, Réjean Fortier 11- 61N, Marc Nadeau 12- 26, Jocelyn Perreault 13- 06, Francis McNeil 14- 0, Craig Ormsby 15- 21P, Jacques Poulin 16- 2, Clément Therrien 17- 1, Mike Romano 18- 31, Richard Chauvin 19- 5, Mario Moreau 20- 91, Michel Pelletier 21- 11J, Jerry Pinnock 22- 46, Kayle Robidoux 23- 32, Guy Ouellette 24- 61, Chad Miller 25- 21S, Bruce Sawyer 26- 4, Leon Gonyo