Trois-Rivières, Que. – July 18, 2022 — This morning, Festidrag development proudly unveiled the title sponsor of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series race for the 52nd Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières – Les 60 tours Rousseau Métal.
During the press conference it was also announced that 1997 Formula One Champion, Jacques Villeneuve will be re-joining the series for the event, driving the No. 07 Prolon Controls Dodge, prepared by Dumoulin Competition.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I accepted the invitation from Martin D’Anjou of Festidrag Développement to participate in the GP3R,” said Villeneuve. “My last race in Trois-Rivières was a few years ago and I can’t wait to come back and meet the NASCAR and car racing fans.”
“During my presence at the Daytona 500 last winter, I had the pleasure of meeting Martin who was a great help with the logistics. When he
suggested that I ride under the colours of Festidrag Development and its partners, I was quick to accept,” Villeneuve continued.
Festidrag Development is taking charge of Villeneuve’s stay on Canadian soil as well as all the marketing activities related to the F1 champion’s visit.
RACING REFERENCE: Jacques Villeneuve
“I would like to personally thank all the partners who joined the adventure. I would like to underline the involvement of Dominic Fugère, general manager of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, and the Dumoulin Competition team for the preparation of the car,” said Martin D’Anjou. “NASCAR fans will be able to see one of the greatest Canadian drivers at work.”
Prolon Controls. “The company has been involved in motorsports for several years. We sponsored Alex Labbé in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. My son, Jean-Philippe Bergeron, who works in the company, is also a NASCAR Pinty’s Series driver.”
“It is an exceptional opportunity to have an F1 champion like Jacques Villeneuve drive a car in Prolon’s colours,” said Marc Bergeron, of
“It will be interesting to see two cars with Prolon logos on the track! I wish you an exceptional Grand Prix and good luck to our racers,” continued Bergeron.
Villeneuve will be teaming up with reigning NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion, L.P. Dumoulin for the affair, and his fifth start in the series.
Jacques Villeneuve is one of the greats. No other Canadian driver has achieved what he has done in his career in terms of championships and victories,” explained L.P. Dumoulin. “We grew up with the Villeneuve family’s motorsport accomplishments and it is a source of pride to welcome Jacques to our team, at home, for the most important event of the NASCAR Pinty’s season. It will be a historic moment.”
“The teammates are pulling out all the stops to prepare a high-performance car,” continued J-F Dumoulin, co-owner of Dumoulin Competition. “The mechanical team will be led by one of the best crew chiefs, Billy Burns, who has worked with Dumoulin Competition for several years. Jacques Villeneuve knows him well since he also works with him, notably in the NASCAR Euro Series and, this year, in the Daytona 500”
A start in the 2022 edition of GP3R will mark a return to racing in Canada for Villeneuve. Earlier this year the 51-year-old made his first start in the Daytona 500, finishing 22 and also has two wins in the NASCAR Euro Series back in 2021.
Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal will take place from Augutst 5-7, 2022 in Trois-Rivières, Que., the series’ 15th race at the track. Villeneuve has raced the event a total of three times, with his best finish of third, coming in 2013.
“We are pleased to support the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières by sponsoring the title name of the prestigious Pinty’s NASCAR series,” said Mélissa Barrette, marketing coordinator at Rousseau Métal. “As a Quebec company, we are delighted to be involved in North American motorsports, but especially in local events.”
Tickets for Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal are on sale now. The race will also be live streamed on TSN.ca/TSN App in Canada, as well as FloRacing in the United States.