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After a twelve-year absence, it was announced at the Montreal Auto Show that the Honda Michelin Challenge Series would return
in 2004 with a ten-race schedule featuring the Honda Civic DX Coupe. Unfortunately, as quickly as the popular series appeared, it vanished.
After just two seasons, the title manufacturer pulled its support. However, there was still interest among the existing teams.
Through the combined efforts of Ontario Race Director Gunter Schmidt and Quebec’s FSAQ President, Marcel Demers, the series was revived with a new name, the Canadian Civic Championship and an eight-race schedule. The 2006 Canadian Civic Championship kicks off on the Victoria Day weekend at Mosport International Raceway. This event is followed by a doubleheader at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Then it is back to Mosport for the second of three stops at this track. Round four sees teams competing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a support race for the Canadian Grand Prix. In mid-July, the series competes at Shannonville Motorsport Park. The penultimate round is a return visit to Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. A week later, champions are crowned in the series finale at 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. Round four of the 2006 Canadian Civic Championship was held at Mosport International Raceway as a support event for the CASCAR Super Series. Drivers would compete in a sixteen-lap race around the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course.
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The pace lap for round four of the 2006 Canadian Civic Championship at Mosport International Raceway and eleven drivers enter the front straight in anticipation of the Starter’s flag. On the pole and making his first appearance of the season is Frederick Lelievre in the No. 4 Lelievre Karting Honda Civic DX. On the outside of the front row is the No. 6 Lombardi Honda sponsored Honda Civic DX driven by Robert Boyer. |
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The 2004 Honda Michelin Challenge Series champion, Steven Laporte, drove the No. 22 Lombardi Racing Honda Civic DX. Heading into round four at Mosport International Raceway, Laporte had two victories in three starts. In qualifying, he was third-fastest. Laporte passed Robert Boyer on lap-3 of the race for second place. Midway through the contest, he got by Frederick Lelievre and won by a margin of 0.283-seconds. |
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In last year’s Honda Michelin Challenge Series, Frederick Lelievre earned four podium finishes. Lelievre didn’t return to the season’s Canadian Civic Championship until round four at Mosport. Despite his absence from the earlier races, he was competitive. During the qualifying session, he put the No. 4 Honda Civic on the pole. However, in the race, Lelievre could not hold off Steven Laporte and finished in the runner-up spot. |
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Robert Boyer’s 2005 Honda Michelin Challenge season also included some highlights, but 2006 was even better. In three starts, Boyer had scored three runner-up finishes. At Mosport International Raceway, he put the No. 6 Honda DX on the outside of the front row. Boyer moved into first place at the start but was passed by Steven Laporte on the seventh circuit and one lap later by Frederic Lelievre to finish third. |
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The round four podium for the 2006 Canadian Civic Championship at Mosport International Raceway. In the center is the winner, Steven Laporte. This was the third victory of the season for the 2004 Honda Michelin Challenge Series champion. On the left and making his first appearance of the year is the runner-up Frederic Lelievre. Completing the rostrum is the third-place finisher and Laporte’s teammate, Robert Boyer. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR / ENTRANT | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Steven Laporte | Honda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda | 16 | - |
| 2 | 1 | Frederick Lelievre | Honda Civic DX / Lelievre Karting | 16 | - |
| 3 | 2 | Robert Boyer | Honda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda | 16 | - |
| 4 | 4 | Tyler Givogue | Honda Civic DX / Dow Honda | 16 | - |
| 5 | 5 | Didier Schraenen | Honda Civic DX / Radio Energie | 16 | - |
| 6 | 6 | Kris Rams | Honda Civic DX / Ready Honda | 16 | - |
| 7 | 8 | Emmanuel Boivin-Moreau | Honda Civic DX / - | 16 | - |
| 8 | 10 | Jimmy Laporte | Honda Civic DX / - | 16 | - |
| 9 | 11 | Steve Kent | Honda Civic DX / Schmidt Racing | 16 | - |
| 10 | 9 | Justin Holtom | Honda Civic DX / Dow Honda | 16 | - |
| 11 | 12 | Benoit Gagnon | Honda Civic DX / Lombardi Honda | 16 | - |
| Did Not Start | 7 | Normand Boyer | Honda Civic DX / - | - | - |
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