July 12, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4 podiums for Team Octane duo in Toronto! (Toronto) -- Teammates Michel Sallenbach and Alain Lauzière knew they had a good package coming to the streets of Toronto for the 2011 edition of the Indy Car race weekend. Arriving to the Queen City with a respectable performance during their last presence in Ontario at Mosport Speedway, two weekends ago (where Sallenbach stole a third and fourth position from strong competition while Lauzière driving the GENUINE MINI PARTS Cooper JCW could only manage a pair of sixth places), the dynamic Octane drivers knew they had to deliver the merchandise if they intended to keep fighting strong competition in the championship standings. Qualifying set the tone for the weekend as Lauzière behind the wheel of the #47 Simone Performance Imports-sponsored Cooper, took 3 laps to set fastest time of the weekend. Sallenbach would follow him in second position, 6 tenths of a second behind, staying clear of the competition. “It doesn’t happen very often that all conditions are lined-up to establish a perfect lap on a street course, but this was as good as they get†claimed Lauzière after choosing to start the session at the back of the field, well clear of any competitive traffic. While #46 Sallenbach was caught in second position with mid-pack traffic at the start of race #1, Lauzière managed to stay up-front clear of most traffic until a full course yellow bunched-up the competitors. Championship leader Tom Kwok in third place, was setting fast laps after fast laps, closing-in fast on the MINI duo and setting the race fastest pace. His charge was interrupted by a full-course yellow ending race #1. Kwok behind the wheel of his fast Honda was able to continue his charge in race #2 on Sunday morning, while Lauzière put the heat ON filling his rear-view mirrors for most of the race after being passed early after another full-course yellow flag. Sallenbach was patiently waiting from a safe distance for action that was not meant to be. The MINI duo would end-up in second and third position for race #2. The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship next stop will bring competitors back to Ontario on July 22-24 for the Grand Prix of Mosport, featuring the American LeMans series. Michel Sallenbach sits a strong second in the season point standings, only 22 points behind leader Tom Kwok. Lauzière jumped from fifth to third, another 16 points behind his teammate. Team Octane is supported by GENUINE MINI PARTS, Castrol, Simone Performance Imports and revolutionmini.com. Contact: Alain Lauzière – 450-455-2468 ([email protected])