THREE-RIVERS | Following his brilliant victory in qualifying on Saturday evening at the winter Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, Quebec hopeful Gregory Michaud received congratulations from Jamaican Fraser McConnell, one of the tenors of the premier class Nitro RX, who made his first visit to Mauricie this weekend.
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“It’s a nice mark of appreciation,” said Michaud, who dreams of the day when he can face him.
The 19-year-old has been flying the side-by-side class since the start of the year in the United States where he leads the championship in the Nitro Series. On Saturday evening, he dominated the pack of ten racing cars by crossing the finish line in first place with a fifteen-second lead over his closest competitor.
Among his adversaries is his father, Serge, who also manages the McGregor team he founded a few years ago.
“My successes, I owe them to several factors, to continue son. It’s a mix of talent and equipment, but our successes are built first on the hard work of a dedicated team. »
In front of parents and friends
It was at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières in August 2019, during the last visit of the World Rallycross Championship cars, that Michaud’s career took off when he climbed to the top step of the podium in the group. side by side.
“I am happy to reconnect with the public of Trois-Rivières, he explains. I’ve only been racing in the US for about two years. However, it is a pleasure to count on the presence of my parents and friends. »
Michaud may skip the stages, he is looking for sponsors to continue his ascent to the highest peaks of the specialty.
“Me, it’s the off-road that interests me. The ultimate goal is the electric Nitro RX category, but participation in this series requires a fortune”, he regrets.
Quebec drivers were approached to race in the main winter GP3R event, but would have had to shell out around $75,000 to get a steering wheel.
The passion for racing
“After selling my construction company, which I worked for for 20 years, seven days a week, I was finally able to have more time to indulge in running. It’s a passion that I developed when I was young,” says 51-year-old Serge Michaud.
“I give myself a few more years before hanging up my helmet to devote myself to my son’s career. I know that he will have to find financial support to climb the ladder. We are fighting against the Monsters and Red Bulls of this world. Our goal is to convince them to eventually support us. »
“We hope that my son’s performances will arouse great interest on their part. He deserves it,” he concludes.