By: Wingho Racing
July 12 2017
Montreal, Quebec - Martin Harvey, driver of the number 08 Wingho Racing Porsche sponsored by McDonald's of Berthierville and Joliette, and Porsche Prestige of Montréal, returns to the streets of Toronto this weekend for the fourth doubleheader of the Ultra 94 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama schedule. Round seven will be held Saturday on the 2.82-kilometre, 11-turn temporary street course located near downtown Toronto on the grounds of the former Exhibition Place, while round eight of the GT3 Cup will be run on Sunday prior to the main event of the weekend: the Toronto Indy race.
Over the past two years, the semi-pro driver, who resides in Repentigny, Quebec, registered wins in all four races in the Porsche GT3 Gold class for older first-generation Porsche 911. This weekend, Harvey will have his work cut out for him as he now competes in the tougher Platinum Masters championship for drivers 45-years and over, a separate contest within the highly competitive Platinum Cup main class.
Following the massive second lap pile-up in the first race at Watkins Glen fifteen days ago, the field of 911 Porches could be reduced by a few on the starting grid in Toronto. This means probable changes in the driver standings following the two weekend races.
"It won't be as rough a ride in Toronto," said Harvey, recalling what happened at the Glen. "At least, I hope not. I know cement walls are all around the track and they are very close as they are on all street courses. But, I have nothing but great memories in Toronto with all those victories. This year however, it won't be as easy in the Platinum Cup. I am up against more seasoned drivers on a narrow track where there are not too many places to pass. The outcome of the race could be decided in qualifying, I think!"
On tap this weekend for drivers of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on the streets of downtown Toronto are two 30-minute practice sessions on Friday, July 14, The first at 9:20 am and the second one at 4:50 pm. On Saturday, the lone qualifying session will be run from 9:15 to 9:45 am followed by the first race of the weekend from 5:20 to 6:05 pm. On Sunday, July 16, the 45-minute sprint will start at 1:40 pm prior to the IndyCar Series race.
In the driver standings, Martin Harvey is fifth in the Platinum Masters championship, 10 points behind Etienne Borgeat from Montreal. In the overall Platinum Cup standings that includes pros and semi-pros, the McDonald's Porsche driver sits in 11th place, one point outside 10th position.
Fans can follow the action from Toronto on live timing and scoring as well as live streaming video for all practice sessions, qualifying and the two races on the IMSA website network at http://scoring.imsa.com/ or at http://porschegt3cupcanada.imsa.com/ by clicking on Live Video and or Live Timing & Scoring.