Frédéric Gabillon will be Jean-François Dumoulin's teammate at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
august 5, 2018
FREDERIC GABILLON READY FOR THE GRAND PRIX DE TROIS-RIVIERES
First race for the international NASCAR driver exchange project between
Canada and Europe
First race for the international NASCAR driver exchange project between
Canada and Europe
As part of an international driver exchange between Canada and Europe, Frédéric Gabillon will race alongside Jean-François Dumoulin on the streets of Trois-Rivières at next weekend's NASCAR Pinty's Grand Prix (GP3R, August 10-11-12). He will be driving the #07 Spectra Premium car prepared by Dumoulin Competition.
In 2013, Gabillon chose to run in European NASCAR after his previous racing experience in the Porsche Carrera, Porsche GT3, International Megane Cup and EuroCup Clio series. Since then, the French driver has become one of the most accomplished and respected drivers in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 1 with 11 wins and 43 podium finishes. He was also the first driver in the series to complete a season with a top-5 finish in every race. Currently leading the series' championship points, his goal is to win his first championship in the Euro Series this year, after runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2016.
"I want to thank Spectra Premium and Dumoulin Competition for all the work they accomplished to bring about this exciting event today. This is a fantastic opportunity for me, as racing in Trois-Rivieres, one of the most important races in Canada, will allow me to discover how NASCAR operates in Canada, and race against the best drivers in the country on a technical urban track like I like them!" declared Frédéric Gabillon.
Dumoulin Competition, Frédéric Gabillon and the #07 Spectra Premium crew will benefit from Guest Crew Chief Billy Burns' vast experience as crew chief. The latter admitted to the media that he "hates losing", as his many victories since his 1992 NASCAR beginnings in Canada confirm. He has worked with several teams, including those of Don Thompson Jr., Kevin Dowler, Cole Pearn, Derek and Shaun Polack, and spent many years with Andrew Ranger.
"I have been working in Europe in the NASCAR Euro Series this year and have had the privilege to meet Fred Gabillon. Fred and his team do an outstanding job in Europe. I think Fred and I are a good fit as I am familiar with both the Canadian and the European cars. I also have a lot of experience at the tricky GP3R with four poles and two wins. I believe I should be able to bring Fred up to speed very quickly. In Europe, the races are considerably shorter in distance so things like saving tires and brakes don't come into effect. Being able to survive to the end of the race with good brakes and tires always comes into play at GP3R," explains Billy Burns.
"Billy Burns has won multiple championships and races. We are very happy to have him on the team for our home race, an important plus for all of us," added Jean-François Dumoulin, Spectra Premium Brand Ambassador.
"We wish Frédéric a warm welcome and our returning friend Billy. As a major partner, seeing this driver exchange come to fruition with Dumoulin Competition's unwavering commitment is a source of pride for us. I am confident that the race next weekend will prove memorable, and I wish the best of luck to Jean-François, his teammate and to our #04 and #07 teams," said Jason Best, Senior Vice-President, Aftermarket, Spectra Premium Industries.
The GP3R NASCAR Pinty's series race will air live on television Sunday, August 12thstarting at 2 p.m. ET and on the web on fanchoice.tv.
Photo : Danny Massicotte
Additional Information
Frédéric Gabillon
Born: March 30, 1976
Car owner: RDV Compétition
Home town: Uzès, France
Crew chief: Claude Gallopin
2016 - 2nd place in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 1 Division.
2016 - First driver to finish all 12 races in the top-5.
2013 - 2nd place in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 1 Division.
2013 - "Race and Win" Pole Award winner.
2013 - won both oval races at Tours Speedway in his first race on oval.
(source: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series)
Jean-François Dumoulin
First podium in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series on May 17, 2015 (3rd place - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park);
NASCAR Pinty's Series Championship since 2015;
The first Quebec-born driver to win twice the Rolex 24 in Daytona; 2004 (SGS and 2007 (GT);
Caught the attention of the renowned Player's Driver Development Program scout (Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic), became one of the youngest drivers ever to be recruited, and was touted as a strong contender for the championship title in Formula Ford (1996 and 1997 seasons);
Champion of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS, USA in 2003 (9 podiums);
Champion of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sport Car Challenge ST, USA in 2002 (5 podiums);
In Montreal's 2009 edition of NASCAR Nationwide, he finished his first race in 7th position aboard a badly damaged car and won the hearts of numerous fans and reporters;
In 2000, he was the Motorola Cup Series Vice-Champion, during a season that included a 1st place podium finish after having begun the race in 52nd position at the Molson Indy event in Ontario, Canada.
Spectra Premium Industries Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Spectra PremiumTM is a team of more than 1,300 dedicated employees specialized in the design, manufacturing and distribution of cooling systems, fuel delivery, ignition and engine management, climate control, and under car components for automotive vehicles, light and heavy trucks. The Company owns and operates four manufacturing plants, 18 warehouses and a distribution networks in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Backed by an unparalleled customer and after sales service, Spectra PremiumTM is the automobile manufacturers,' auto technicians' and handymen's choice for reliable, quality parts and automotive systems. Trust your vehicle to Spectra PremiumTM.(spectrapremium.com)
Dumoulin Competition. In 2009, Jean-François Dumoulin partnered with his brother, also driver, Louis-Philippe to create Dumoulin Compétition race team. They united with experts of finance, marketing, logistics and sports management fields, in order to offer their sponsors and partners a solid organizational structure. Their motto: "Passion, Performance and Partnership" corresponds to their mission of offering their sponsors more than on-track performance, but also optimal value for their invested dollar in terms of visibility, driver involvement and organization (dumoulincompetition.com)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was founded in 2008 and established the NASCAR official European Series in January 2012 thanks to a long-term partnership signed with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), Team FJ, a Motorsports company located in Blois, France, and Whelen Engineering as title sponsor of the Series. The season is made up of 24 races, equally split among ELITE 1 and ELITE 2 divisions, on the best European tracks. Euro NASCAR introduced a stunning innovation on July 7-8, 2012 by organizing the first ever NASCAR race on an oval track in Europe on a half-mile speedway built in the downtown of Tours (France). With four races in two days, these 400 HP V8 monsters provide pure racing action and thrilling bumper-to-bumper battles as well as a lot of family fun around the track! In the pure NASCAR tradition, race fans can get closer to the action than ever and feel the unique in Europe paddock atmosphere thanks to drivers, teams and cars always available for the spectators. The series attracts drivers from all over the world, all willing to fight on track for the win and take the first step towards becoming a NASCAR star in the U.S. (hometracks.nascar.com/international/whelen-euro-series/)
NASCAR Pinty's Series. NASCAR's main sponsor in Canada, Pinty's, has committed to a long-term engagement in automobile racing and is partnering with NASCAR and TSN to build a strong motorsports heritage in Canada. These NASCAR events benefit from extensive media coverage through television, written press and internet publications. NASCAR racing offers fans a thrilling edge-of-the-seat experience like no other. Skillful and intense competition, admirable teamwork, and an "open to all" environment create NASCAR's genuine appeal to both spectators and drivers alike. Fans of the sport agree that NASCAR racing unites the most varying demographics through a shared passion for racing, and creates a lifestyle committed to the sport, the drivers, and the sponsors' brands (hometracks.nascar.com/international/pintys-series/)
Spectra PremiumTM High-Performance Radiator Features & Benefits
Frédéric Gabillon
Born: March 30, 1976
Car owner: RDV Compétition
Home town: Uzès, France
Crew chief: Claude Gallopin
2016 - 2nd place in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 1 Division.
2016 - First driver to finish all 12 races in the top-5.
2013 - 2nd place in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 1 Division.
2013 - "Race and Win" Pole Award winner.
2013 - won both oval races at Tours Speedway in his first race on oval.
(source: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series)
Jean-François Dumoulin
First podium in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series on May 17, 2015 (3rd place - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park);
NASCAR Pinty's Series Championship since 2015;
The first Quebec-born driver to win twice the Rolex 24 in Daytona; 2004 (SGS and 2007 (GT);
Caught the attention of the renowned Player's Driver Development Program scout (Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic), became one of the youngest drivers ever to be recruited, and was touted as a strong contender for the championship title in Formula Ford (1996 and 1997 seasons);
Champion of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS, USA in 2003 (9 podiums);
Champion of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sport Car Challenge ST, USA in 2002 (5 podiums);
In Montreal's 2009 edition of NASCAR Nationwide, he finished his first race in 7th position aboard a badly damaged car and won the hearts of numerous fans and reporters;
In 2000, he was the Motorola Cup Series Vice-Champion, during a season that included a 1st place podium finish after having begun the race in 52nd position at the Molson Indy event in Ontario, Canada.
Spectra Premium Industries Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Spectra PremiumTM is a team of more than 1,300 dedicated employees specialized in the design, manufacturing and distribution of cooling systems, fuel delivery, ignition and engine management, climate control, and under car components for automotive vehicles, light and heavy trucks. The Company owns and operates four manufacturing plants, 18 warehouses and a distribution networks in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Backed by an unparalleled customer and after sales service, Spectra PremiumTM is the automobile manufacturers,' auto technicians' and handymen's choice for reliable, quality parts and automotive systems. Trust your vehicle to Spectra PremiumTM.(spectrapremium.com)
Dumoulin Competition. In 2009, Jean-François Dumoulin partnered with his brother, also driver, Louis-Philippe to create Dumoulin Compétition race team. They united with experts of finance, marketing, logistics and sports management fields, in order to offer their sponsors and partners a solid organizational structure. Their motto: "Passion, Performance and Partnership" corresponds to their mission of offering their sponsors more than on-track performance, but also optimal value for their invested dollar in terms of visibility, driver involvement and organization (dumoulincompetition.com)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was founded in 2008 and established the NASCAR official European Series in January 2012 thanks to a long-term partnership signed with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), Team FJ, a Motorsports company located in Blois, France, and Whelen Engineering as title sponsor of the Series. The season is made up of 24 races, equally split among ELITE 1 and ELITE 2 divisions, on the best European tracks. Euro NASCAR introduced a stunning innovation on July 7-8, 2012 by organizing the first ever NASCAR race on an oval track in Europe on a half-mile speedway built in the downtown of Tours (France). With four races in two days, these 400 HP V8 monsters provide pure racing action and thrilling bumper-to-bumper battles as well as a lot of family fun around the track! In the pure NASCAR tradition, race fans can get closer to the action than ever and feel the unique in Europe paddock atmosphere thanks to drivers, teams and cars always available for the spectators. The series attracts drivers from all over the world, all willing to fight on track for the win and take the first step towards becoming a NASCAR star in the U.S. (hometracks.nascar.com/international/whelen-euro-series/)
NASCAR Pinty's Series. NASCAR's main sponsor in Canada, Pinty's, has committed to a long-term engagement in automobile racing and is partnering with NASCAR and TSN to build a strong motorsports heritage in Canada. These NASCAR events benefit from extensive media coverage through television, written press and internet publications. NASCAR racing offers fans a thrilling edge-of-the-seat experience like no other. Skillful and intense competition, admirable teamwork, and an "open to all" environment create NASCAR's genuine appeal to both spectators and drivers alike. Fans of the sport agree that NASCAR racing unites the most varying demographics through a shared passion for racing, and creates a lifestyle committed to the sport, the drivers, and the sponsors' brands (hometracks.nascar.com/international/pintys-series/)
Spectra PremiumTM High-Performance Radiator Features & Benefits
- All-aluminum construction, using optimally balanced material thickness to minimize weight;
- Heavy gauge tubes for increased durability;
- In-tank or external oil cooler as required;
- Universal anchor points available for quicker installation and removal - no special tools required;
- Integrated lightweight fan brackets available to provide a secure mounting point that fits a wide range of electric fans;
- Universal connection ports allow a variety of coolant hose adaptors to be used.
In 2017, the high-performance radiators were introduced in the NASCAR Pinty's Series. Two models of the Spectra PremiumTM high-performance radiators are also available for the stock-car APC United Late Model series in Ontario. (http://www.spectrapremium.com/high_performance_radiator.html)
