After a mandatory one week break, we found ourselves at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the 4th round of this seasons WTCS. Tom was unable to make this round and Chris was feeling more than slightly feeling under the weather. Perhaps the break had cooled off any heat from the hotly contested first three rounds?
Well temperature wise, no, with an uncharacteristically hot qualifying on offer. With a setup that promised faster times as the race went on, both Ryan and Chris went out for the full 20 minutes with a tow being required for some seriously fast times. Ryan just placing above Chris, 30th and 37th. Respectable given Ryan has little experience around here and Chris not having much practice due to illness.
Race 1 began with everyone trying to make early gains in the scorching conditions. A car park developed at Moss Corner that made Ryan and Chris stationary, although both managed to come through unscathed and gaining positions. A spirited strong finish lead to Chris gaining 12th in Am (36th overall) and Ryan breaking into the top 10 in Am with a 31st place finish overall.
The cooler conditions made for cooler heads in race 2, until a coming together of Pro's and Am's on lap 5 at the Esses cascaded to Chris who did very well to avoid the maelstrom to finish in 11th in class and 31st overall. A hard fought battle between Ryan, Håkon Ask and James Parker gave Ryan the opportunity of a top 24 position, but a tyre dropped at the exit of Quebec Corner scuppered what would have been a 6th place. Nevertheless a strong 8th in Class and 26th overall for Ryan.
Race 3 started well into the evening with nice cool track temperatures. It was time to come out fighting. A big crash that collected most of the midpack between Quebec Corner and Moss Corner, expertly navigated by the lads, gave them a great start. Further issues for others and some nice overtakes, with fastest laps of the round aplenty ended in Ryan taking 5th in Am (19th overall) and Chris finishing 9th in Am (24th overall). A very strong team performance despite the circumstances.
Round 5 will be at the bumpy Sebring circuit. Be sure to hit up the stream and cheer the guys on in what seems to be a close Am team championship with NOMAD holding 2nd place and gaining on 1st.