2012 was the sixth season for the Canadian Touring Car Championship. The series continued to offer racers an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents at some of eastern Canada’s most widely recognized and well-established race circuits. The series provided amateur competitors with professionally organized events that would attract fans and sponsors. The success of the championship was reflected in the number of drivers who participated during race weekends.

In the off-season, there were a number of significant announcements.

  • After a five-year run, the marketing relationship with Castrol ended and the series did not have a title sponsor.
  • For the first time, the Canadian Touring Car Championship would be competing at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant.
  • The championship would make their second visit to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, but this time it was during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Toronto would be dropped from the 2012 calendar.
  • Also, the Canadian Touring Car management introduced a new class – B-Spec.
  • Finally, in June, a new weekly 30-minute show called, ‘This is Canadian Touring Car’ would appear on Sportsnet One featuring series personalities.

This 2012 schedule consists of eight race weekends at six different tracks. The format at each venue includes two races – generally, thirty-minutes in length. As has become tradition, the season kicks off on the Victoria Day long weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Next on the calendar was the series’ first of two visits to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Grand Prix of Canada weekend. Two weeks later, teams were at ICAR for rounds five and six. This is followed by the championship’s first visit to Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The second and final stop at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was conducted during the American Le Mans Series weekend. The next two events would be held in Quebec. First up is the series only stop on the street circuit at Trois-Rivieres, followed the NASCAR weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Series champions will be crowned when teams visit Calabogie Motorsports Park on the Labour Day weekend.

In 2012, there were three classes. To help fans distinguish between the groups, the cars are fitted with different coloured windshield banners.

  • B-Spec – (White Window Banner) – B-Spec became the Canadian Touring Car Championship’s entry-level category. As a result, all adjustments made to a vehicle must be within the manufacturer’s specifications. Brake pads and rotors may be changed, but they have to retain the original dimensions. The maximum wheel size is 15X7 fitted with Continental 205/50R15 tires. There was an extensive list of cars that qualified for this class – Mazda 2, Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris.
  • Touring - (Blue Window Banner) – Vehicles competing in this class are allowed a minimal amount of performance enhancements. This group is limited to a maximum engine displacement of 2.0-liters. The suspension components are unrestricted, but vehicles have a minimum ride height of three inches. Brake pads and rotors may be changed, but they have to retain the original dimensions. The maximum wheel size is 17X8 fitted with Continental 225/45R17 tires. Manufacturers represented in this group include the Mini Cooper S, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Sentra and Acura Integra.
  • Super Touring – (Orange Window Banner) - Super Touring is the series fastest class. This category allows engine modifications and aerodynamic enhancements. The maximum engine displacement for this group is 3.0-liters. The suspension components are unrestricted, but vehicles are required to have a minimum ride height of four inches. Unlike the other two classes, the brake components are not subject to any restrictions. The maximum wheel size is 17X9 fitted with Continental 225/45R17 tires. Manufacturers competing in the group include BMW, Subaru, Honda, Pontiac and Hyundai.

The first two rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tires were held at the newly renamed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on the Victoria Day long weekend. There were two thirty-minute races conducted Saturday and Sunday around the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course.

The first lap through Moss corner for the opening round of the 2012 Canadian Touring Car Championship. Leading the way is Mathieu Audette in the No. 12 Audette Racing Acura RSX Type-S. Behind Audette is the No. 14 G1 Racing Hyundai Genesis of the third-fastest qualifier, Sasha Anis. Trailing Anis is the Honda of Scott Nicol, David Cieklewicz driving a BMW and the Pontiac Solstice of Philip Fayer.
The Audette brothers, Mathieu and Remy, were sharing the family-owned Acura RSX Type-S in 2012. Mathieu had the honour of competing in the opening rounds of the season. He made good use of this opportunity. On Saturday and Sunday, Audette started on the overall and Super Touring pole position. He swept the races both days and left Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with a commanding points lead.
The two-time Canadian Touring Car Super Touring champion, Nick Wittmer, decided to change classes and moved to the new B-Spec category. Wittmer competed in the No. 91 Ste-Rose Honda Racing sponsored Honda Fit. Like the Super Touring winner, Mathieu Audette, Wittmer also dominated the weekend, capturing two class pole positions and a pair of victories to start his quest for another title.
The Touring category wasn’t as ‘cut and dried’ as the other two classes. Saturday’s contest went to Karl Thomson, driving the No. 47 Octane Motorsport prepared Mini Cooper S. Thomson started on the class pole both days. But, in the finale, he was challenged by his teammate, Michel Sallenbach. Sallenbach was able to pass Thomson and held the position to the checkered flag leaving Thomson with a runner-up finish.
The B-Spec class podium for round one of the 2012 Canadian Touring Car Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. In the center is the former two-time Super Touring champion and winner, Nick Wittmer. On the left side of the rostrum is another former Super Touring competitor, Greg Pootmans, who finished second. The final position on the podium is occupied by Simon Dion-Viens.
Octane Motorsports brought a total of six Mini Cooper S to the opening round of the Canadian Touring Car Championship. Four were competing in the Touring category and the other two raced in the new B-Spec class. Their No. 46 entry was driven by Michel Sallenbach. Sallenbach battled with his teammate, Karl Thomson, for Touring class honours. In race one, he finished in the runner-up spot and captured a win the following day.
Former Super Touring driver, Greg Pootmans, vacated his seat in the GT Racing BMW for a B-Spec category Honda Fit from Lombardi Honda Racing. Pootmans qualified twenty-ninth overall and second in class for the weekend’s first contest. He chased the eventual winner, Nick Wittmer, and finished in the runner-up position. On Sunday, Pootmans repeated his performance.
This season G1 Racing entered three Super Touring class, Hyundai Genesis, for Bob Attrell, Jonathan Rashleigh and Sasha Anis. Anis driving the No. 14 Castrol Edge sponsored Genesis was the fastest of the trio. He qualified third for the opening round but finished second overall. On Sunday, Anis started on the outside of the front row but could not match the pace of the winner, Mathieu Audette and captured the runner-up spot.
The Touring class podium for round two of the 2012 Canadian Touring Car Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. In the center from Octane Motorsport is Saturday’s second-place finisher and today’s winner, Michel Sallenbach. Standing on the left side of the rostrum is Sallenbach’s teammate and the runner-up, Karl Thomson. Completing the podium is John Young from M&S Racing.
M&S Racing was another team that cars entered in more than one class. The Kwok brothers, Gary and Tom, competed in the Super Touring category with the only Mistubishi Evo X and Acura CSX in the field. The group’s third car was a Honda Civic prepared to Touring class specs for John Young. In the first contest of the weekend, Young finished fourth driving the No. 99 Civic. The next day, he captured the final spot on the podium.
The third member of the Lombardi Honda Racing B-Spec squad was Simon Dion-Viens. Dion-Viens was fourth fastest in B-Spec qualifying for round one. At the conclusion of race one, he twenty-ninth overall and third in class. In the finale, he chased Nick Wittmer and Greg Pootmans to earn another third place in the B-Spec category.
Velocity Motorsport’s Scott Nicol recorded the second-fastest time for the opening round of the season. Nicol drove the No. 41 Honda Civic Si-R, but fell out of contention in race one and finished one lap behind the leaders – fifteenth in the Super Touring category. On Sunday, he redeemed himself. Starting mid-pack, Nicol battled his way to the front and earned the final position on the class podium.
Canadian Touring Car Championship veteran, Damon Sharpe, piloted the No. 84 Blanchet Motorsports prepared Honda Civic Si. Sharpe qualified third fastest in the Touring category for Saturday’s contest and chased the two Octane Motorsport Minis to a third-place finish. The following day, he fell a lap behind the Touring leaders and finished seventh in his group.
The Super Touring class podium for round two of the 2012 Canadian Touring Car Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. In the center is Mathieu Audette, who swept the opening weekend with victories on Saturday and Sunday. Standing on the left side of the rostrum is Sasha Anis, who would score a pair of runner-up finishes. In the final spot is Bob Attrell, who later penalized two positions.

FINISHCLASSDRIVERCAR / SPONSORLAPSRETIREMENTS
1Super TouringMathieu AudetteAcura RSX Type-S / Audette Racing20-
2Super TouringSasha AnisHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
3Super TouringDavid CieklewiczBMW 330i / 8Legs Racing20-
4Super TouringMarc-Antoine CamirandBMW 330i / Camirand Compétition20-
5Super TouringGary KwokMitsubishi Evo X / M&S Racing20-
6Super TouringBob AttrellHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
7Super TouringAlex HealyAcura RSX Type-S / Alex Healy Racing20-
8Super TouringJonathan RashleighHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
9Super TouringPhilip FayerPontiac Solstice GXP / GT Racing20-
10Super TouringTom KwokAcura CSX / M&S Racing20-
11Super TouringEric LacoutureHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing20-
12Super TouringRoger LedouxHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing19-
13Super TouringPascal CarréBMW 330i / PCS Motorsports19-
14TouringKarl ThompsonMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
15TouringMichel SallenbachMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
16TouringDamon SharpeHonda Civic Si / Blanchet Motorsports19-
17Super TouringBenjamin DiStauloHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing19-
18TouringJonathan YoungHonda Civic / M&S Racing19-
19Super TouringScott NicolHonda Civic Si-R / Velocity Motorsport19-
20TouringJocelyn FecteauScion TC / Media Racing Team19-
21TouringMarc-André BergeronMazda RX-8 / Masif 47 Racing19-
22Super TouringMichel Dulong Acura RSX Type-S / Lombardi Honda Racing19-
23Super TouringEtienne BorgeatPontiac Solstice GXP / GT Racing19-
24TouringPaul GravelMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
25TouringRoger BowesAcura Integra Type R / Engineering Seismology19-
26Super TouringLuc LesageScion TC / Media Racing Team19-
27B-SpecNick WittmerHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
28B-SpecGreg PootmansHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
29B-SpecSimon Dion-ViensHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
30B-SpecP.J. GroenkeMini Cooper / Durabond Team Octane17-
31B-SpecAndre RaponeMini Cooper / Durabond Team Octane17-
32B-SpecValérie LimogesMazda 2 / DM Compétition17-
33B-SpecMark HackingMazda 2 / CTCC Media Race Car17-
34Super TouringNormand BoyerMazda 3 / Boyer Motorsports4Did Not Finish
35TouringJacques DeshaiesMazda 3 GT/DM Compétition0Did Not Finish
-Super TouringScott GiannouBMW 330i / Amico Racing-Did Not Start
-Super TouringDean FantinBMW 330i / Amico Racing-Did Not Start
-TouringAlain LauziereMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport-Did Not Start

FINISHCLASSDRIVERCAR / SPONSORLAPSRETIREMENTS
1Super TouringMathieu AudetteAcura RSX Type-S / Audette Racing20-
2Super TouringSasha AnisHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
3Super TouringScott NicolHonda Civic Si-R / Velocity Motorsport20-
4Super TouringPhilip FayerPontiac Solstice GXP / GT Racing20-
5Super TouringBob AttrellHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
6Super TouringTom KwokAcura CSX / M&S Racing20-
7Super TouringJonathan RashleighHyundai Genesis / G1 Racing20-
8Super TouringBenjamin DiStauloHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing20-
9Super TouringMarc-Antoine CamirandBMW 330i / Camirand Compétition20-
10Super TouringRoger LedouxHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing20-
11Super TouringEtienne BorgeatPontiac Solstice GXP / GT Racing20-
12Super TouringEric LacoutureHonda Civic Si-R / Lombardi Racing20-
13Super TouringPascal CarréBMW 330i / PCS Motorsports19-
14TouringMichel SallenbachMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
15TouringKarl ThompsonMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
16TouringJonathan YoungHonda Civic / M&S Racing19-
17TouringPaul GravelMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport19-
18Super TouringAlex HealyAcura RSX Type-S / Alex Healy Racing19-
19Super TouringMichel Dulong Acura RSX Type-S / Lombardi Honda Racing19-
20TouringJocelyn FecteauScion TC / Media Racing Team18-
21TouringRoger BowesAcura Integra Type R / Engineering Seismology18-
22TouringDamon SharpeHonda Civic Si / Blanchet Motorsports18-
23B-SpecNick WittmerHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
24B-SpecGreg PootmansHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
25B-SpecSimon Dion-ViensHonda Fit / Ste-Rose Honda Racing17-
26B-SpecAndre RaponeMini Cooper / Durabond Team Octane17-
27B-SpecMark HackingMazda 2 / CTCC Media Race Car17-
28Super TouringDavid CieklewiczBMW 330i / 8Legs Racing7Did Not Finish
29TouringMarc-André BergeronMazda RX-8 / Masif 47 Racing5Did Not Finish
30Super TouringLuc LesageScion TC / Media Racing Team2Did Not Finish
-Super TouringGary KwokMitsubishi Evo X / M&S Racing-Did Not Start
-B-SpecValérie LimogesMazda 2 / DM Compétition-Did Not Start
-Super TouringNormand BoyerMazda 3 / Boyer Motorsports-Did Not Start
-TouringJacques DeshaiesMazda 3 GT/DM Compétition-Did Not Start
-Super TouringScott GiannouBMW 330i / Amico Racing-Did Not Start
-Super TouringDean FantinBMW 330i / Amico Racing-Did Not Start
-TouringAlain LauziereMini Cooper S / Octane Motorsport-Did Not Start
-B-SpecP.J. GroenkeMini Cooper / Durabond Team Octane16Disqualified

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