After a twelve-year absence, the Honda Michelin Challenge Series returned in 2004 with a ten-race schedule featuring the Honda Civic DX Coupe. Encouraged by the positive support for the series from competitors and fans, the championship returned in 2005.

The first race of the 2005 season will be held on the Victoria Day weekend at Mosport International Raceway. Next on the calendar is the series most prestigious event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a support race for the Canadian Grand Prix. Then teams will return to Mosport for the second of four visits to this track. Another high profile event takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto during the Molson Indy weekend. Round five of the championship sees drivers compete on the temporary street circuit at Trois-Rivieres. This is followed by the third weekend at Mosport, when the teams will be a support event for the American Le Mans Series. Then it is back to Quebec for the next two races – the Molson Indy Montreal and the penultimate round at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The finale is held where the season began, Mosport.

The cars competing in the series are Honda DX Coupes. The Honda DX is powered by a 1.7-liter 16-valve SOHC engine, which produces 115-horsepower at 6,100-rpm. The DX is also equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. There is an improved suspension package and exhaust system for the 2005 season. All cars are required to race on Michelin Pilot tires - Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires 205-50x15 (dry) and Michelin Pilot XGT V4 tires 205-50x15 (wet) – on 15-inch Honda alloy wheels. Modifications to the Hondas such as a padded roll-cage, braided stainless steel flex-lines, FIA five-point seat harness and window net are mandated for safety.

On the Labour Day weekend, Honda Michelin Challenge Series competitors made their third visit of 2005 to Mosport International Raceway for round six of the championship. Drivers would race around the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course for eighteen laps.

A month earlier at Trois-Rivieres, Nick Wittmer won his second race of the season. On the Labour Day weekend it was his brother Kuno’s turn to match his record. Kuno, driving the No. 82 Honda de Sigi / Honda Ste-Rose Honda Civic DX, started round six in the second position. During the eighteen lap race, he exchanged the lead with Steven Laporte. Wittmer moved into first place for the final time on the twelfth circuit.
After a disappointing outing at Trois-Rivieres, the reigning Honda Michelin Challenge Series champion, Steven Laporte, was back on form. Laporte was the fastest qualifier in the No. 1 Lombardi Honda sponsored Honda Civic DX. He led the first four circuits before being passed by the eventual winner, Kuno Wittmer. Laporte retook first place but lost it again on lap-12 and finished in the runner-up position.
Frederick Lelievre’s performance was improving with each race. In round six at Mosport International Raceway, he collected his third consecutive podium result. During the qualifying session, Lelievre recorded the fourth-fastest time in the No. 4 Lamontagne Auto Honda Civic DX. In the race, he could not challenge the leaders but could maintain their pace and finished 1.273-seconds behind the winner.
After his victory at Trois-Rivieres, Nick Wittmer entered round six at Mosport International Raceway as the series points leader. In qualifying, Wittmer set a time that put him sixth on the starting grid. During the race, he passed Didier Schraenen and advanced another spot when Robert Boyer faded. Wittmer was not able to keep pace with the leaders and finished in fourth place. The results dropped him to third in the standings.
Didier Schraenen’s season began with so much promise as he led flag-to-flag in the opening round. However, a fourteenth place finish at the Toronto Indy dropped him to fourth in the standings. Collecting points were critical to his title aspirations as sponsorship commitments would prevent him from participating in the qualifying session at the finale. In round six, Schraenen started and finished fifth.
The podium at Mosport International Raceway for round six of the 2005 Honda Michelin Challenge Series. In the center is the winner, for a second time this season is Kuno Wittmer. Standing on the left side of the rostrum is the runner-up and defending champion, Steven Laporte. The result moved Laporte into the points lead. Completing the podium is the third-place finisher, Frederick Lelievre.

FINISHSTARTDRIVERCAR / ENTRANTLAPSRETIREMENTS
12Kuno WittmerHonda Civic DX / Honda de Sigi16-
21Steven LaporteHonda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda16-
34Frederick LelievreHonda Civic DX / Lelievre Karting16-
46Nick WittmerHonda Civic DX / Honda Ste-Rose16-
55Didier SchraenenHonda Civic DX / Radio Energie16-
69Tyler GivogueHonda Civic DX / Dow Honda16-
710Kris RamsHonda Civic DX / Ready Honda16-
812Jim KenzieHonda Civic DX / Honda Canada16-
93Robert BoyerHonda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda16-
108Emmanuel Boivin-MoreauHonda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda16-
1114Philip MajorHonda Civic DX / Dow Honda18-
1213Jeff PabstHonda Civic DX / Lakeshore Honda18-
1315Matt ChampagneHonda Civic DX / Centre Honda18-
1416Perry IannuziHonda Civic DX / Lakeshore Honda18-
158Denis BaillargeonHonda Civic DX / Hamel Honda18-
1517Andrew BearssHonda Civic DX / Dow Honda18-
1718Michel AugerHonda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda16-
187Ryan KellyHonda Civic DX / London Honda10Did Not Start

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