The Lombardi Honda Racing team competed in the second-last event of the Canadian Touring Car Championship, held this past weekend at Mosport, near Oshawa. This double-header program allowed Nick Wittmer to maintain his lead in the Super Touring Driver's Championship while teammate Benjamin Distaulo's monumental comeback put him in the weekend's spotlight.

Contested as part of the American Le Mans Series Weekend, this new event on the Mosport track, where Nick Wittmer had won a race in June, was awaited with impatience by the entire Lombardi Honda Racing team. During Saturday afternoon's race, Nick Wittmer and Benjamin Distaulo finished back-to-back in fifth and sixth spots. The following day, Wittmer crossed the finish line in sixth place while Distaulo, who was forced to start last (30th place), made a huge comeback to finish tenth overall.

« Honestly, I was going for a podium but the first race was a bit chaotic so finishing in the "Top 5" is acceptable. During the second race, I had to deal with some mechanical problems so ensuring good points became the essential goal » explains Nick Wittmer. As for Benjamin Distaulo, after finishing behind his teammate on Saturday, he gave an exceptional performance on Sunday by climbing twenty spots. « My biggest handicap was that the entire race was completed without a single yellow flag, which would have allowed me to close the gaps between the competitor with a little more ease. I had to push to the maximum and work really hard to win back spots one at a time during the thirty minutes of competition » explains Benjamin.

Ontarian driver André Rapone was entered by the Lombardi Honda Racing team in a third car for the weekend. Unfortunately, mechanical problems prevented him from competing both races.

Team owner Tony Lombardi has a mixed assessment of their weekend but the important thing for him was to leave Mosport with their championship lead in tact : « we won't hide the fact that it was a challenging weekend mechanically, troubles prevented Nick and Benjamin from performing at their usual level and battling amongst the leaders as we have been accustomed to since early in the season » he explains. « I hold onto the fact that our drivers and mechanics never gave up and that allowed us to earn important points in the hunt for the title. Everything will now play out in two weeks at the final event on the ICAR circuit in Mirabel. According to my calculations, Nick has a 46 point lead in the championship so we can remain pretty optimistic » adds Tony Lombardi. The next event in the Canadian Touring Car Championship is the last of the season. It will take place at the ICAR complex in Mirabel on September 11 and 12.

Lombardi Honda Racing is contesting all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which kicked off the season with two visits to Mosport before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières. The season concludes with this third trip to Mosport and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Gulf and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Trois-Rivières (Québec), August 16, 2010.- The Lombardi Honda Racing team, defending Canadian Touring Car champions, competed in this past weekend's popular Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières with no less than three Honda Civic Si's. Despite problems adapting their cars to this urban track, the team comes away from the weekend with a fifth place for Benjamin Distaulo and two "Top 6" finishes for Nigel Heron, while Nick Wittmer maintains his hold at the top of the championship standings.

After winning four of the eight races since the start of the 2010 season, the Lombardi Honda Racing team knew that their job would be tougher during this, the forty-first running of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Despite everything, the Montréal-based team still had the satisfaction of seeing three drivers qualify amongst the top ten. Saturday's race saw two of the Lombardi Honda Racing Civic Si's finish in fifth (Distaulo) and sixth (Heron) positions while Nick Wittmer crossed the finish line in eleventh place after battling with the leaders for more than half of the event.

The following day, Benjamin Distaulo was in line to earn his first podium and maybe even fight for the victory when he was the victim of contact that eliminated him from amongst the leaders. After being forced to enter the pits for repairs (losing six laps) he finished the race in 34th spot. Nigel Heron once again shined, staying close to the leaders throughout the entire race and crossing the finish line in sixth place. As for Nick Wittmer, his problems relegated him to thirty-first spot, one lap behind the leader. « It's so competitive in this series that the slightest incident or problem adapting the cars to a specific track can result in a quick drop in positions. In Trois-Rivières, we had to limit our losses, which we managed to do in respect to the hunt for the 2010 title » commented Wittmer.

Entered by Lombardi Honda Racing at the wheel of their third Civic Si for the last time this season, Nigel Heron experienced a very positive weekend, as he explains : « my teammates Nick and Benjamin were unlucky, it was a pretty good weekend for me. My goal was to earn a "Top 5" but I'm happy finishing both races in sixth spot. The car ran really well and this will be my fondest memory of Trois-Rivières. In the past, I hadn't necessarily earned the results that I really hoped for but this time, battling alongside drivers that are gunning for the championship is really satisfying ». Trois-Rivières was the final race Nigel Heron would drive for the Lombardi Honda Racing team during the 2010 season but he will remain on the team as a computer consultant during race weekends.

On his end, team owner Tony Lombardi retains several positive points from the weekend at Trois-Rivières : « in a perfect world, we'd love to win all the races. But if we analyze our weekend, we see that Benjamin Distaulo raced two fantastic events. He was headed for the podium on Saturday before settling for fifth. Sunday, he was in second place before being sent into the wall. And Nigel Heron leaving Trois-Rivières with two "Top 6" finishes for the team shows that he fully deserved the confidence we accorded him this summer. As for Nick, he didn't have an easy Grand Prix but his main championship rivals suffered from all sorts of problems as well. He remains in the lead of the championship by over one hundred points so he preserved what is most important ».

The next round of the Canadian Touring Car Championship is set for two weeks from now in Mosport. Lombardi Honda Racing has had multiple successes throughout the years, including their most recent victory here earlier this year when Nick Wittmer won one of the two June races.

Lombardi Honda Racing will contest all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which included two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of the month and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Gulf and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Montréal, August 9, 2010.- Winner of four of the last six rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship, the Lombardi Honda Racing team is entering three Honda Civic Si's for this weekend's Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. These three vehicles will be in the hands of Benjamin Distaulo, Nigel Heron and Nick Wittmer, the defending champion and points leader of the 2010 season. Another win would put Nick, already victorious at Trois-Rivières in the past, one step closer to a second consecutive title.

The two Canadian Touring Car Championship races taking place in Trois-Rivières this weekend mark the mid-way point of the season for the fifty registered drivers. Nick Wittmer, the Lombardi Honda Racing driver from Montreal and winner earlier in the season at Mosport, Mirabel and Toronto, is in an enviable situation at the top of the championship leaderboard. « I've already won at Trois-Rivières before, I know the track, and it's always great to race in front of our supporters » explains Nick, who has a total of four victories since the start of the season.

Nick Wittmer's goal in Trois-Rivières is to win again. His teamamtes Benjamin Distaulo and Nigel Heron will attempt to be make their presence felt in order to earn themselves "Top 10" spots, or even "Top 5" on this, a circuit well-known to both. For Benjamin Distaulo, unlucky last month in Toronto, Trois-Rivières represents an excellent opportunity to return towards the head of the pack while Nigel Heron will make the most of his second outing in a Lombardi Honda Racing car after a good performance at the Grand Prix de Mirabel. « My goal is to finish the two races in the top five and to help my teammates in their hunt for the championship title » mentions Heron, « it's motivating for me to see that the Lombardi Honda Racing team has once again trusted me to drive one of their Super Touring Honda Civic Si's for an event as important as the GP de Trois-Rivières, I hope that we succeed in achieving an excellent team result » he adds.

For the Lombardi Honda Racing team owner, Tony Lombardi, the goal is obvious: « Our drivers know this track and they've often had good results here. In addition, our cars have undergone some improvements just in time to launch the second half of the season » says Tony Lombardi.

The two rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship on the schedule for this, the forty-first edition of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières will take place on Saturday afternoon (starts at 5:40pm) and Sunday morning (9:20am).

Lombardi Honda Racing will contest all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which included two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Gulf and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Toronto, July 18 2010.- Driving his Lombardi Honda Racing Civic Si, Montrealer Nick Wittmer won the first of two rounds at this past weekend's Honda Indy Toronto Grand Prix. The 2009 champion and current 2010 points leader, Wittmer also finished second in the second race of the weekend, increasing his lead in his hunt for a repeat title-winning season.

Taking place in front of the large Honda Indy Toronto Grand Prix crowds, this double-header marked the mid-way point of the Canadian Touring Car season and saw Nick Wittmer execute another very impressive performance, earning the pole position and the victory on Saturday and then finishing second on Sunday. « It's an excellent result and my Honda Civic Si was perfect from start to finish. It's a testament to the entire Lombardi Honda Racing Team's hard work and I definitely thank them for that » declared Nick Wittmer, « I still had to work very hard to win on Saturday; as for Sunday, Sacha Anis had a more powerful car and I needed to save my brakes. For me, the most important thing was getting the points for the championship because, combined with the fact that my closest championship rivals failed to earn a lot of points this weekend, it's a big step forward towards realizing our goal of winning our second consecutive title » added Nick. In addition to the two Canadian Touring Car Championship rounds with Lombardi Honda Racing this weekend, Nick Wittmer was also invited to take part in the American World Challenge series in Toronto, in a Honda Civic prepared by the RealTime Racing Team. Nick made an impact in that race as well, winning the Touring Category.

Ville Lorraine driver Benjamin Distaulo was faced with a more difficult weekend in Toronto. After qualifying on the second row, he was unable to finish Saturday's race as a result of transmission problems. On Sunday, Distaulo made a comeback of incredible proportions, rising from twenty-eighth to tenth in only ten minutes. Unfortunately, an accident (wall contact) sidelined him before he was able to cross the finish line.

Team owner Tony Lombardi comes away from Toronto very positive: « Nick had a perfect weekend, winning on Saturday and making the most of his weekend by finishing second on Sunday and meeting our high expectations. As for Benjamin, even though his final results were disappointing, we were all amazed by his speed, qualifying fourth on a track that he's still learning. His comeback is also something to highlight and for the entire Lombardi Honda Racing Team, it was a good weekend ».

Lombardi Honda Racing is contesting all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which included two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières, where the next rounds will take place on August 13th to 15th. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August followed by a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Gulf and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Mirabel (Quebec), July 4, 2010.- The Lombardi Honda Racing Team had double the pleasure during this past weekend's Grand Prix de Mirabel as their driver Nick Wittmer, defending Canadian Touring Car champion, won both races on the program. This victory enables the Montreal driver and his team to increase the gap in the lead of the championship. In the other two Lombardi Honda Racing Honda Civic Si's, Nigel Heron and Benjamin Distaulo each earned a "Top 5" and a "Top 6" respectively.

Qualifying second on the start line for the first race held on a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon, Nick Wittmer fought for first place during the opening laps. Shortly after the mid-way point, he took the lead on route to his second victory in three races since the start of the 2010 season. « It's an absolutely fantastic victory that I had to work hard for. It's only at the end of the race that I could ease up a little when Mathieu Audette had his mechanical problems » explains Wittmer.

Sixth on the grid, Benjamin Distaulo had a remarkable start and found himself on the heels of his team mate Nick Wittmer when a engine problem ended his race early. The team's disappointment was however diminished by the exceptional result of their third car, driven by Montrealer Nigel Heron. This, his first race with the team and his first time behind the wheel of a Super Touring Honda Civic Si, saw him cross the finish line in fifth place.

On Sunday, the second race of the weekend, Nick Wittmer earned yet another victory for Lombardi Honda Racing. Dominating from the start all the way to the finish and ending his weekend with his fourth victory since the start of the 2010 season. To date, no other team can boast those results.

This second Grand Prix de Mirabel race also marked an impressive showing by Benjamin Distaulo. Starting in last place, the driver from Ville Lorraine climbed his Honda Civic Si a remarkable 28 places in less than 30 minutes to finish the day in sixth place. Nigel Heron finished on Sunday in fourteenth spot.

For the team owner, Tony Lombardi, a weekend with two victories and two "Top 6" finishes is once again very positive: « we'd be hard pressed to ask for more when we win the two races in which we competed ! » indicates Tony Lombardi. He adds: « Nick drove a fantastic race on Saturday, I've rarely seen such an exciting event with such a good battle amongst the leaders. On Sunday, Nick took the lead and never looked back, driving a flawless race ». Regarding his two other drivers, Tony Lombardi mentions: « Benjamin was unlucky on Saturday but the skill he displayed climbing back up the order on Sunday was magnificent. As for Nigel, his "Top 5" on Saturday proves that he deserves the confidence we instilled in him ».

Lombardi Honda Racing will contest all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which included two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois -Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Red Line Oil and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Montreal, June 29, 2010.- After earning four podiums (including one victory) at Ontario's Mosport track during the season's first few rounds, the Lombardi Honda Racing team will participate at the first Quebec event of 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship to be held this weekend in Mirabel. Defending champion and Lombardi Honda Racing driver Nick Wittmer currently leads the championship as his entire team looks forward to these upcoming races with confidence. After a promising start to the season, Benjamin Distaulo also anticipates an excellent result while Nigel Heron makes his team debut in the third Lombardi Honda Racing Civic Si.
 

 
The Canadian Touring Championship drivers will be the stars of the 2010 Grand Prix de Mirabel, taking place at the ICAR complex on the site of the former Mirabel International airport. For Nick Wittmer, the 2009 Super Touring champion, his knowledge of the Mirabel track gives him a definitive edge as he eyes another victory: « our car is ready for this double-header, we worked really hard to ensure that everything's perfect and problem-free. I know this track well, I'm very comfortable here at it's a course that is well-suited to our Honda Civic Si. I'm sure that everything will go well for us, we're in the lead of the championship and our goal is to keep that spot » explains Wittmer.
 

 
Familiarity is an advantage that will also come into play for Benjamin Distaulo, who performed well in the early season as a newcomer to the Lombardi Honda Racing team and on a track that he was learning (Mosport). « ICAR is one of my favourite tracks and I feel very relaxed there » declares the driver from Ville Lorraine, QC. « We tested there in April and everything was great. It will be my third double-header with the team and I am feeling more and more comfortable, I think that I am now at a point where I can prove that I can compete at the top, not far from Nick, and regularly be in the "Top 5" » he adds.
 

 
The young Ontarian Alex Healy departed the team at the mercy of his own budgetary constraints, opening the doors for the team's third car to be driven at the Grand Prix de Mirabel by Nigel Heron. The Montreal driver has excelled in the Touring class during the last few seasons and this weekend, he will be with the Lombardi Honda Racing Team for his first time. « I am lucky to have been presented with this opportunity, I can learn a lot driving for Lombardi Honda Racing » explains Nigel. « It's a dream come true to be part of the championship winning team for my start in Super Touring class and it's the first time I will drive such a powerful car. My goal is to finish in the "Top 10" and if possible, to help solidify an overall successful weekend for the team. I want to prove that I deserve the team's confidence » comments Nigel. This affiliation with Nigel Heron is solely for the GP de Mirabel. In the upcoming weeks, the Honda Lombardi Racing team plans to select from amongst their candidates as to who will finish the season as their third driver.
 

 
For team owner Tony Lombardi, the Grand Prix de Mirabel will not only be a time to welcome the team's many supporters, but it will also be an opportunity for the team to increase their lead in the championship: « I hope to see Nick and Benjamin in the "Top 5". It's a technical track that suits our Civic Si's, which are disadvantaged in power on ultra fast tracks like Mosport. In addition, Nick, Benjamin, and Nigel, who holds the Touring class lap record in Mirabel, really know this track » he explains. The two rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship at the Grand Prix de Mirabel will take place this Saturday (scheduled start at 2:55pm) and Sunday as of 2pm.
 

 
Lombardi Honda Racing will contest all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which included two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois -Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners: Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Red Line Oil and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Mosport Park (Ontario), June 14, 2010.- Defending Canadian Touring Car champion, Montrealer Nick Wittmer, lead the Lombardi Honda Racing Team to a new high this past weekend at the Mosport track in Ontario. At the wheel of his Honda Civic Si, Wittmer finished the two races in first and third place respectively. His teammates, Ontarian Alex Healy and Quebecker Benjamin Distaulo completed the two races in the Top 10, rounding out an excellent showing for the Lombardi Honda Racing Team.

Qualifying in second position at the start of Saturday's event, Nick Wittmer advanced to first just after midway through the race and never looked back, crossing the finish line with a lead of 23 seconds over his nearest competitor. « We took the gamble of starting the race with slick tires regardless of the fact that it had rained shortly beforehand. But we were proven right because the track dried as we were racing » explains Nick.

Alex Healy, 2009 Rookie of the Year, and Benjamin Distaulo, new this season to the Super Touring class, had also selected slick tires for Saturday's race but were less comfortable in the changing traction conditions. They nevertheless maintained their positions, finishing in 8th (Healy) and 9th (Distaulo).

Sunday, the second race of the weekend, saw Nick earn yet another podium finish (third place overall) while Alex Healy earned a Top 7 finish for the second time this season. As for Benjamin Distaulo, he capped the weekend off with another ninth place finish.

Team owner Tony Lombardi has no doubt that Nick Wittmer's experience was a determining factor in the weekend's success : « it's an excellent weekend for the entire team. Nick drove extremely well and his experience benefited the whole team. As for Alex and Benjamin, they are less familiar with the car and it's therefore understandable that they do not yet push the Honda Civic Si to its maximum potential when the track conditions are as challenging as they were on Saturday. I am satisfied that they were able to drive their cars to finish in the Top 10 » mentions Tony Lombardi.

Lombardi Honda Racing will contest all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which includes two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before heading to the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois -Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Red Line Oil and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Mosport Park (Ontario), May 23 2010.- Montrealer Nick Wittmer, Lombardi Honda Racing Team driver and winner of the 2009 Canadian Touring Car Championship, debuted the 2010 season with two podium finishes at the first two rounds held this weekend at Mosport Park, near Oshawa (Ontario). Other than Wittmer's two second place finishes, the Lombardi Honda Racing team is also enjoying the satisfaction of seeing their new drivers attain excellent results. Quebecker Benjamin Distaulo finished fifth and sixth while Alex Healy, of Ontario, completed Sunday in seventh place after suffering a mechanical problem on Saturday.
 

 
The results from this weekend's double-header at Mosport are very encouraging for the Lombardi Honda Racing team, especially after the small issues that the team was forced to deal with, as explained by the reigning champion Nick Wittmer: « we had power steering problems and had to change my car's engine in between the two races. Faced with these conditions, finishing both races on the heels of winner Marc-Antoine Camirand and his BMW bodes really well for championship points ». Nick Wittmer and his Honda Civic Si crossed the finish line behind the winner by only seven tenths of a second on Saturday and 1.4 seconds on Sunday.
 

 
Benjamin Distaulo proudly launched his new collaboration with the Lombardi Honda Racing Team by showing that he is among the candidates vying for the victory. Distaulo was particularly pleased with his "Top 5" finish on Saturday: « I was feeling the pressure when I arrived at Mosport, a track that I am less familiar with than my challengers. I pushed my Civic Si to the maximum and I achieved fifth place, which was my goal ». He adds: « it really is a start to the season that I was hoping for ». Sunday, Benjamin crossed the finished line in sixth place.
 

 
As for the young (20 years old) Ontarian driver Alex Healy, the first round of his career wearing the Lombardi Honda Racing colours was a tough start. While fighting for fifth spot alongside his team mate Benjamin Distaulo as well as Dean Fantin (BMW), he suffered a broken fuel line. This rare occurrence forced Healy to the back of the grid for Sunday's start. Alex demonstrated the extent of his talent, climbing positions one by one to finish in seventh place. « I had a lot of fun, my car was fantastic and I climbed from thirty-second all the way up to seventh in thirty minutes of racing; it shows how competitive we're going to be for the rest of the season » explains Alex Healy, 2009 series Rookie of the Year.
 

 
Team owner Tony Lombardi sums up the weekend : « as the reigning champions, we always want to win but given the circumstances, seeing our three cars amongst the top seven is very encouraging. Nick was always impressive regardless of the challenges and he never let up the pressure on Camirand. As for Benjamin, he proved that he is amongst the top in the series. Alex was unlucky to not be able to complete Saturday's race but when we look at what he did on Sunday, there's no doubt: we knew he had talent and he just proved that he is very talented! I'm proud of what our three drivers achieved and we are eager for the next round » he concluded.
 

 
Lombardi Honda Racing contests all rounds of the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, which includes two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before heading to the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois -Rivières. The season ends with a third trip to Mosport at the end of August and a second visit to Mirabel in mid-September. The team receives support from the following partners: Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Red Line Oil and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership can be accessed on the web site www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or visit the Lombardi Honda Racing page on Facebook and team videos on Youtube.

Montreal, May 17, 2010.- Lombardi Racing Team, last year's Canadian Touring Car winners, is throwing their hat back into the ring as of this weekend when the 2010 season begins at Mosport Park in Ontario. Defending champion, Montréaler Nick Wittmer, Ontarian Alex Healy and Québecker Benjamin Distaulo will take commande of three Super Touring Honda Civic Si's with one common goal : to continue their string of success.
 
The 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship is comprised of fourteen races taking place over seven race weekends. For the Lombardi Honda Racing Team, the primary goal will be to repeat their winning 2009 season but also to win as many races as possible and to see their three drivers amongst the top throughout the entire season.
 
The off-season testing was very conclusive, explains 2009 champion Nick Wittmer, who is eager to start the new season : « My goal is to maintain my title, I want the #1 on my car again next year! We worked hard to develop the car during the off-season and I'm convinced that we'll be even faster this year ».
 
Multiple karting champion Alex Healy also joined the Lombardi Honda Racing Team with a Touring Car title to his name, that of 2009 Rookie of the Year. « I am really very excited by the thought of getting the season started. I'm certain that it will be a great year for the team. We're a strong and ambitious team and everyone is working really hard towards a common goal. We're ready to take to the Mosport track on Friday » confides the young twenty year-old driver from Ontario who earned ten 'Top 10' finishes in sixteen attempts last year.
 
Nick Wittmer and Alex Healy will drive the #1 and #5 Honda Civic Si's respectively. At the wheel of the #6 will be Benjamin Distaulo, who is also anxious to start competition this weekend : « The winter has been way too long! This is the first time I've been so eager for things to get under way, especially with such a competitive and well-prepared car by Lombardi Honda » explains the Ville-Lorraine resident and former open wheel driver (F1600, Atlantic), who joins the Lombardi Honda Racing Team this year after several successful Toyota Cup seasons and one transition year with his own Civic in the Canadian Championship's Touring class.
 
Team owner Tony Lombardi is confident that the off-season work will be rewarding for the yellow and black Lombardi Honda Racing Honda Civic Si's. « We have worked really hard since December. I maintain that our three drivers will all have the same chances and as a result, the three Civic Si's have all been prepared equally. It takes a lot of teamwork to enter and be committed to such a competitive series as the Canadian Touring Car Championship, in which we're expecting almost fifty entrants. Our drivers will work together on race weekends, as will our mechanics » he indicates. « Our objective is to keep the title. We know that it won't be easy but we're confident and I believe we will see our drivers in the "Top 5" » concludes Tony Lombardi.
 
Lombardi Honda Racing will compete at all events in the 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship, including two visits to Mosport to kick off the season before the Grand Prix in Mirabel, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières. The season will end with a third competition at Mosport at the end of August and a mid-September return visit to Mirabel. The team receives support from the following partners : Lombardi Honda, Trim Line Montréal, Discount, Pole-Position Magazine, Distaulo Racing (Puma), Perry Auto Parts, Red Line Oil and Pneu Nicoletti. All information concerning the dealership is available at www.lombardihonda.com. For more information on the racing team, visit the site www.lombardiracing.com or look for Lombardi Honda Racing on Facebook and team video on Youtube.