October 5, 2001

Bowmanville, Ont.---  Back on familiar soil and energized by their resounding win south of the border last time out, PRT earned what was long overdue to them – their first top-five finish of the CGTCC season.  Coincidentally, this result came at the infamous Mosport Park, which played host to the CASC’s Celebration 2001 and the 12th and final round of the series.  Anyone who is familiar with the Pettipas Racing Team’s endeavours at Mosport over the past few seasons will attest to the fact that despite the team’s best efforts, they have not been fortuitous at this particular venue.

Starting from 8th on the grid, team driver Aaron Pettipas quickly moved past the similar Trans-Am Camaros of Gord Vipond and eventual 3rd place finisher Blaise Csida, moving up to 6th place by the end of lap five and lowering the teams personal best lap time to a 1.23:2 in the process.  A rapidly deflating rear tire at around the lap 10 mark - following the team’s planned early pit stop - and the necessary visit to pit road to replace it would keep PRT off the elusive Mosport podium on this day, but the team - Aaron, Leigh, Eugene, Barbara, Debbie and devoted crewmembers Paul Machan, Paul Chaddock, Casey Hendricks, and Jeff Hendriks - were well-pleased with their strong showing to close out the 2001 campaign. 

Everyone at PRT would like to congratulate perennial Canada GT Challenge Cup champ and series founder Klaus Bytzek on his race win and on wrapping up his fifth straight title.  PRT would like to extend thanks to their sponsors, Dairy Queen and Mark Swire at Synergyn Racing Oil,  for helping the team to a safe, successful, and fun 2001 season.  Stay tuned to prtracecars.ca as the team will soon be announcing some exciting developments they have planned for the 2002 season…

-AP-