Quebec driver Maryeve Dufault made her maiden start in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres 2010 on Aug. 15.
Dufault, who has mostly raced single seaters during her short career, was for the first time behind the wheel of a stock car powered by a big block V-8 engine.
The Sorel, Quebec native was driving a Dodge owned and prepared by Derek White.
Auto123.com talked to Maryeve prior to the start of the race.
She started the feature race in 27th position out of 28 participants (her car suffered from electrical problems during the qualifying session) and had an eventful time out on the twisty street circuit.
“It was a great experience. I learned so much in just one race,” Dufault told Auto123.com.
“We found a great set up, good speed and the team they did a great job. Early in the race, the engine started running on seven cylinders because of a faulty spark plug wire. We did a pit stop and fixed it, but that put me back in the race at the back of the field,” she said.
“At the restart, I drove hard but got stuck behind a driver who blocked me for one entire lap. He suddenly over braked. I got bumped a little and I bumped him. My hood front hood bent and I had to visit the pits a second time under the green again to get it fixed. We won the VTECH Award, given to the driver that logs the highest race finish after the free pass. Of course, I was disappointed on lap 38 when a competitor bumped me even if I left him enough room. It caused me a spin and a lost of my free pass. But I'm getting to know every competitor and it's part of racing in a new series.”
“This gives me a lot of confidence going to Montreal. I broke the ice and took Trois-Rivieres as a great warm up,” Dufault said.
She will contest her next race in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series in two weeks at the NAPA 200 Nationwide race in Montreal.
Dufault, who has mostly raced single seaters during her short career, was for the first time behind the wheel of a stock car powered by a big block V-8 engine.
The Sorel, Quebec native was driving a Dodge owned and prepared by Derek White.
Auto123.com talked to Maryeve prior to the start of the race.
She started the feature race in 27th position out of 28 participants (her car suffered from electrical problems during the qualifying session) and had an eventful time out on the twisty street circuit.
“It was a great experience. I learned so much in just one race,” Dufault told Auto123.com.
“We found a great set up, good speed and the team they did a great job. Early in the race, the engine started running on seven cylinders because of a faulty spark plug wire. We did a pit stop and fixed it, but that put me back in the race at the back of the field,” she said.
“At the restart, I drove hard but got stuck behind a driver who blocked me for one entire lap. He suddenly over braked. I got bumped a little and I bumped him. My hood front hood bent and I had to visit the pits a second time under the green again to get it fixed. We won the VTECH Award, given to the driver that logs the highest race finish after the free pass. Of course, I was disappointed on lap 38 when a competitor bumped me even if I left him enough room. It caused me a spin and a lost of my free pass. But I'm getting to know every competitor and it's part of racing in a new series.”
“This gives me a lot of confidence going to Montreal. I broke the ice and took Trois-Rivieres as a great warm up,” Dufault said.
She will contest her next race in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series in two weeks at the NAPA 200 Nationwide race in Montreal.