TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec – Having the quickest car is only part of the strategy at Trois-Rivieres, and Automatic Racing plans to have all of the necessary elements for a victory on the street course as they head into this weekend’s KONI Challenge race.

 

The Canadian circuit is notoriously tough both on the cars and the brakes, and having just the right brake package will be a key factor in Le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. The 1.521-mile circuit should favor the nimble and well-balanced Fresh from Florida/Automatic Racing BMW M3s.

 

Last year’s results are an indication of just that: Automatic came away from the track in 2006 with two top-ten finishes. The No. 09 Fresh from Florida/Automatic BMW M3 finished eighth. This year, co-drivers Jep Thornton and Jeff Segal will be striving to maintain their points lead in the series with another top finish in the No. 09.

 

Segal drove to a finish of ninth last year in the No. 90 Automatic BMW. Jon Miller and Serge Glazunov will have the task of taking that car to the checkered flag this year. It will be Miller’s first time at Trois-Rivieres, but he is ready for the challenge.

 

“This will be my first time on a street circuit, but from what I hear it should be fun,” said Miller, whose car is also sponsored by Weeden Consultants. “I know it’s a short track that’s pretty intense and hard on brakes, but our recent testing went great and we have a really good brake package.”

 

 Another Trois-Rivieres and street course rookie is Tim George, Jr. in the No. 91 BMW. As a newcomer to KONI Challenge, many of the tracks on the schedule have been new to him, but nevertheless he has earned one top-ten finish after another and is up to the task of mastering Trois-Rivieres.

 

“I’m definitely going to have my work cut out for me,” commented George, who is co-driving the No. 91 entry with Conrad Grunewald. “I’ve been doing kart training on a bumpy course and combined with the testing we did at Sebring, I think it will really pay off. Hopefully it has all prepared me for what’s to come.”

 

David Russell and Tom Long will be in the No. 99 Fresh from Florda/Automatic BMW, and they are hoping to move into the top five in the driver championship. They have earned a top-ten finish in five of the past six races, and they hope to make it six this weekend.

 

The four Automatic Racing cars will qualify along with the rest of the Grand Sport class at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, and the race begins at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

 

News and information about Automatic Racing can be found at www.AutomaticRacing.com. More information about Fresh from Florida, a campaign of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, can be found at www.Florida-Agriculture.com.