OREANDA-NEWS. A first in Canadian motorsports takes place in one week when the Nissan Micra Cup kicks off its inaugural season. Canada's most affordable racing series, the Nissan Micra Cup, will commence on Friday, May 22, at the legendary Circuit Mont-Tremblant, as part of the annual Spring Classic, and heralding in a new era of one-make racing.

What was still but a dream six months ago became a reality for promoter JD Promotion & Competition and Nissan Canada. This series, considered the most affordable in Canadian motorsport, is already an apparent success with more than twenty-five drivers expected to contest the first race this Saturday and Sunday.

"The Nissan Micra, this subcompact, fun-to-drive car, is extremely well-suited to the track, as proven through over 35 hours of extensive testing, in addition to the long hours each of the 25 Micra Cup race cars spent in weekend-long testing sessions this month with their respective drivers," says Jacques Deshaies, owner of JD Promotion & Competition. "Seeing the idea to offer Canadians an affordable, exciting racing series come to fruition brings me immense joy. I am thankful to Nissan Canada for helping me realize this dream, and with a car that has truly risen to the challenge – the stock Nissan Micra S."

Drivers from a plethora of different backgrounds and experiences will be on the track: from Marc-Andr? Bergeron - well-known to the Canadian sports fans for his fruitful hockey career, will be driving for Nissan Trois-Rivi?res; as well as two female drivers, Val?rie Chiasson and Val?rie Limoges. After shining last year in the Canadian Touring Car Championship and in prototypes, Val?rie Chiasson has set her sights high for her Groupe Nissan Gabriel Micra. Val?rie Limoges returns to the competitive fold with the H. Gr?goire Team Nissan Micra.

The Nissan Micra Cup will also have two global track stars on the grid, coming from the Nissan GT Academy. Abhinay Bikkani from India and Thanaroj Thanasitnitiket from Thailand, will kick off their Canadian motorsport debuts this weekend at Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

In total, no less that nine rookie drivers are expected at Circuit Mont-Tremblant next weekend, including three drivers representing Groupe Albi Le G?ant: Olivier Pelletier, Claude Leclerc and Marc-Antoine Demers, who, albeit a novice road racer, has displayed his talent in NASCAR competitions these past few years. The six other novice drivers are Fr?d?ric Bernier, Mario Berthiaume, Yves Aub?, Chris Sahakian, Metod Topolnik and Canadian karting champion Francis Mondou. Also entered is veteran Quebecker Jacques B?langer, a multi-time past champion in different categories and someone who is very familiar with all of the tracks being used for this first season of the Nissan Micra Cup.

"The Nissan Micra Cup race cars are ready, the competitors have been anxiously waiting months to race, and their excitement is contagious! Everyone at Nissan Canada and motorsport fans across Quebec will be on the edge of their seats when the Nissan Micra Cup commences next weekend," says Christian Meunier, president of Nissan Canada Inc. "For some drivers, victory and the title are clearly their goals. For others, it's the idea of being able to practice motorsports in the best possible conditions, and Nissan is delighted to help offer that through the Nissan Micra Cup."

Next Friday May 22, the drivers will be in action for the two half-hour free practice sessions. On Saturday, May 23, qualifying is scheduled as of 9:30 a.m., followed by the first of the two races at 1:30 p.m. The second round will be contested on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. The Nissan Micra Cup races will all be 30 minutes in duration.