Nissan: Record number of entries anticipated, and many fan activities planned for this weekend’s GP3R Nissan Micra Cup

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The second half of the 2018 Nissan Micra Cup season commences this weekend at the popular Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, featuring a pair of 40-minute races and an anticipated record number of participants. As the principal automobile partner of the GP3R, Nissan Canada’s involvement does not stop at the track – there are multiple activities planned downtown and in the paddocks for the public’s enjoyment.

Created in 1967, the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières has a rich history in the North American motorsports world and brings in tens of thousands of spectators annually to the city’s temporary street circuit. 

Celebrity comedian versus civil servant, series champion chasing another victory and long-time competitors return to contribute to almost 30 cars on the track

For Nissan Micra Cup drivers, the 2018 edition is expected to be the best yet, featuring intense battles at the head of the pack plus several new and returning competitors making their debuts. Among the returning drivers is actor and comedian Michel Barrette, who will be racing in his second Nissan Micra Cup event. He will be joined again by sons Nicolas and Martin, who earned an individual podium finish in the Novice class at last year’s event.


Travis Cormier, two-time series champion Olivier Bédard and Étienne Dano (pictured here from left to right). Download image, here.

 

The Novice class will be one to watch this weekend with the mayor of Trois-Rivières, Yves Lévesque, making his series debut. Lévesque and Barrette have a friendly challenge for who will finish higher by the end of the weekend’s two Nissan Micra Cup races. 

The Micra Cup’s all-time record number of participants is 28 for a race weekend, which took place at last year’s Grand Prix de Trois- Rivières. With 27 drivers already entered and several days still to go before the event, that record could be broken this weekend. This proves that interest in the series still runs high in the Canadian motorsport community, for drivers from all backgrounds and across the spectrum when it comes to level of experience.

At the top of the series standings is Olivier Bédard; the two-time champion (2015, 2017) is attempting to bring home a third title this year. Bédard has racked up four victories in six races so far this season, with the other two wins going to his closest rival, Kevin King. Among those to watch also challenging for a victory include Normand Boyer, leader of Senior class, Valérie Limoges – joined by a second female driver for the first time this year, local Josée Samson – Fadi Mourad, leader of the Novice class and Englishman Jake Exton. Jean-Michel, who had two victories in the 2017 season, will also be back in his Perry Performance car for the special event.

Nissan to host live entertainment, firework show and VIP events for Nissan customers

The public are invited to greet the Nissan Micra Cup drivers in the paddocks and attend one of the many activities that will be held for Nissan owners, who can gain access to the VIP area simply by showing their Nissan car key. There will also be two autograph sessions – one on Saturday from 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and one on Sunday from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 


The second edition of “From the Track to the Nissan Stage” will be presented Saturday evening in downtown Trois-Rivières. Download image, here.

On Saturday night at Parc Portuaire in downtown Trois-Rivières, Nissan Canada will be presenting a highly anticipated show, “From the Track to the Nissan Stage.” After the success of last year’s show, this year’s presentation will showcase comedian Étienne Dano and singer Travis Cormier. “From the Track to the Nissan Stage” will start at 8 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge. A VIP area in front of the stage will be reserved exclusively for Nissan owners who show their Nissan car key as admission. They will also benefit from an ideal spot to watch the fireworks display, “La Magie des feux,” which will take place immediately after the performance. 

In addition, more than 750 Nissan clients in the province of Quebec received an exclusive invitation to join the Nissan Micra Cup festivities at the GP3R. As well as all the events being held at the track, they are invited to attend a macaroni and cheese dinner on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., near the main stage at Parc Portuaire.

Schedule and how to follow the festivities

  • Practice session: Friday, August 10, 2:25 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
  • Qualifying: Friday, August 10, 5:10 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
  • First race: Saturday, August 11, 10:25 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
  • Second race: Sunday, August 12, 11:15 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. (before the NASCAR race)

Both races will last 40 minutes.

Fans can find weekend and series information as well as live updates from the track, through the series’ Twitter account: @micracup. They can also watch interviews and exclusive reports on Facebook Live through the Coupe Nissan Micra Cup Facebook page all weekend long. 


Mario Berthiaume, André Lapointe, Kevin King and Marc Héroux: The local heroes on track this weekend in the Nissan Micra Cup. Download image,
here.

For fans who can’t attend the Grand Prix de Trois Rivières, they can watch the Micra Cup action unfold live on the series’ YouTube channel: Micra Cup TV.

Overall 2018 Championship Standings after six races: https://www.coupemicra.com/2018-Resultats_ClassGen.

For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please visit: www.micracup.com.

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