The GP3R, the only Nascar Canada race on Raphaël Lessard’s 2025 program … but a success!

He was back at the end of last week at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix in a car in very local colors, those of the Lions of Trois-Rivières. Moreover, Raphaël Lessard lived, unlike 2024, a clean test, marked by a rise from the last to 4ᵉ place. Nevertheless, His place among the leaders at the end of the race was well deserved. Moreover, but he obviously lacked some tenths to hope to challenge the podium to put away, Camirand and Dumoulin.

A specialist in oval. Similarly, Lessard could however have played his only event of the season in Nascar Canada, on the GP3R urban circuit. For example, In fight for the title of American champion of the ACT series this year, he still enjoyed his Trifluvian experience. For example, Back with gp3r, only nascar canada race him on this 55ᵉ GP3R very successful …

Raphaël. Similarly, what was it for you to run in front of Quebec supporters at GP3R with this visual identity?

It was really special for me to represent the Lions, especially this year as a winning team. In addition, I am. Similarly, with the team that committed me to this event, very happy to have been able to pay tribute to them on the track. This car is beautiful and it was competitive both on Saturday for qualifications and Sunday in the race. I qualified 7ᵉ but unfortunately, because of a change in the transmission which broke after qualification, I had to leave last. My rise was fast.

Since the start of your career. you have rolled in several high -level series, including the Nascar Craftsman Truck a few years ago, which only rolls on oval and some permanent road circuits. Trois-Rivières, with its gp3r, only nascar canada race temporary urban track, must represent a particular challenge for you every year. How do you approach your strategy for this race?

On the strategy side. it was simple: to go up the peloton as quickly as possible but, with the warmth that was on Sunday and the fact that usually there is a lot of “camade breaststroke” in this race, I knew at the start that it would not be easy. I especially wanted to bring the car back into a song and keep the brakes until the end. With the heat, I knew they were going to heat, that it was necessary not to abuse it. All, the objective was reached with this 4ᵉ place and the car intact on arrival.

Nascar Canada’s car is different from what you have piloted in Truck series in the United States. what you are driving this season in Act (LMS). What are the gp3r, only nascar canada race main differences in terms of behavior – braking. motor skills – of these vehicles, especially on an urban circuit as tight as that of the GP3R?

I cannot compare with the LMS since they are currently going only on oval. In Nascar Truck. I drove on the Daytona road circuit and also in Mosport, so the comparison with a car from Nascar Canada is easy. I would say that at the level of the weight. it is very similar but with better brakes and better suspension on the vans. In Craftsman Truck. it’s a bit like karting, we push from start to finish, you can burn your tires but you are not afraid to burn the brakes. In Nascar Canada, it’s a little more difficult for me and I have to pay attention to the car. It should also be taken into account that I drive against guys who make complete gp3r, only nascar canada race seasons. They know well the limit of brakes. tires, car, while for me, it is always to start again every year with changes in regulations and all adaptation.