Team Octane announces alliance with Durabond Racing – Joint team to run 2-car B-Spec effort; Andre Rapone coming back to CTCC. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) – Durabond Racing and Team Octane jointly announced today that they have come to an agreement to enter a pair of MINI Cooper race cars in the newly announced B-Spec Class. The team will run a two-car operation in the Canadian Touring Car Championship. 2008 Canadian Touring Car Champion Andre Rapone will be driving the Team`s MINI Cooper and will be sponsored by Durabond Products Ltd., MINI GENUINE PARTS and Castrol. “The MINI Cooper race cars campaigned by Team Octane have been the only cars preventing us from winning more races and championships. After competing and trying to beat them for so many years, we know how well-engineered they come straight from the factory; the MINI has the potential to be a front-running platform in the new B-Spec class. When combined with the experience provided by Team Octane in campaigning the same chassis, we knew this was an alliance we wanted to be part of†commented Andre Rapone. The newly-formed alliance is no stranger to the Canadian Touring Car Series podium-finishes as the two teams have managed to capture four of the last five championships in the Touring class. The Mega-team will be run out of Toronto and be managed by Sean Asselin who will also be responsible for the complete build and operation of the two B-Spec MINI Cooper race cars, as well as acting as crew-chief. P.J. Groenke will be driving the other team-car, as previously announced and sponsorship will be provided by MINI GENUINE PARTS, Castrol and will feature Tundra and Verax.ca. Team partners also include Carrosserie Touchette and La Clinique du Pneu Granby. Team Octane will make further announcements before the beginning of the season about their four other cars and drivers. The 2012 season of the Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental tire will start on May 19-20 at Mosport International Raceway in Ontario for the Victoria Day Speedfest. The Championship competes throughout 8 weekends of racing.