2016/09/26

Mississauga, Ont. – The 2016 season of the Nissan Micra Cup came to an end this weekend at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant as part of the Fall Classic, attracting thousands of spectators. Under sunny autumn skies, they were treated to two spectacular races, both won by Xavier Coupal, who earned the first title of his career in this, the second season of the Nissan Micra Cup.

Following the qualifying session leading into the first race, the anticipated duel between 2015 champion Olivier Bédard, and his teammate Xavier Coupal, caused a lot of excitement at the front of the pack. The only two drivers to break the two-minute and three second lap time, Bédard and Coupal found themselves side by side for the start of the race that afternoon. Longtime leader, Bédard, eventually conceded the front spot to Coupal, who was on his way to his eighth victory of the season. 

Behind them, the battle for third place kept spectators on their toes right from the start until the very last lap.  Kevin King completed the podium, ahead of Stefan Rzadzinski and Bruno St-Jacques, who made his series debut. The former Canadian Formula 1600 champion crossed the finish line moments ahead of Valérie Limoges, who was slightly slowed down after making contact with Bertrand Godin on the last turn. Penalized following this incident, Godin gave up a Top 10 finish, therefore advancing Jean-Michel Isabelle (seventh), Normand Boyer, Yves Aubé and Marc-Antoine Demers. For the rookies, Ashley Sahakian finished first, followed by Peter Dyck and Stefan Gauthier, who was forced to retire before the race finished after a multi-vehicle accident.

The following day, it was an almost identical scenario at the front of the pack as Olivier Bédard earned the pole position and led for the first laps, before St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec native Xavier Coupal took over, en route to his ninth victory of the season and his first title in this series. Kevin King finished third, ahead of Stefan Rzadzinski, Valérie Limoges, Jean-Michel Isabelle, Normand Boyer, Chris Sahakian, Stéfan Gauthier and Mario Berthiaume.

In the final drivers' championship standings, Xavier Coupal wins over Olivier Bédard, Kevin King, Stefan Rzadzinski, Valérie Limoges and Nic Hammann. In the rookie standings, Stéfan Gauthier, class winner of the second race, was crowned champion ahead of Peter Dyck and Ashley Sahakian. Lastly, in the team championship, the title goes to the #572 Albi Nissan Team, ahead of Perry Performance/Hull Nissan (#86) and Total Canada (#220).

"It was an exhilarating finale to the 2016 Nissan Micra Cup with a tight race on the track and excitement filling the paddock," said Joni Paiva, president of Nissan Canada Inc. "At the podium ceremony we crowned a new champion, Xavier Coupal, who I'd like to congratulate, once again, for his perseverance and success throughout the season. But it's not just the champion who is a winner in this series. Everyone involved, from the drivers and their teams, to the sponsors and the fans, are part of the excitement and adventure this series offers."

The Nissan Micra Cup will return in 2017, with its calendar and other news to be announced during the winter.

For full race results, visit:
http://www.micracup.com/Results_2016_Race?RID=15Opens in a new tab.
http://www.micracup.com/Results_2016_Race?RID=16Opens in a new tab.

Final championship standings : 
http://www.micracup.com/Results_2016_ClassGen.phpOpens in a new tab.

For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please visit: www.nissan.ca/micracupOpens in a new tab.

Nissan Micra Cup 2016 Season Calendar :

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