A disappointing field of only 10 cars turned up to the chicane central layout of Montreal. Racing at the layout that was used back in 1979 showed that, in the reverse of current trends, Montreal has actually see a reduction in chicanes.
Despite that the layout was still fun with some challenging high speed chicanes and the general feel of the place wasn't much different to the modern layout.
During Qualifying Berti lined up on pole just ahead of Paul Langford and a hugely impressive Sal Tallini. At the back of the grid Katier lined up last with a qualifying penalty meaning a back of grid start for the sprint and pitlane for the feature.
Paul made the best start and was soon pulling away from Roberto with a series of impressive laps. Behind him, with Tallini missing due to technical issues, Bret slotted into third but not without contact with Marcus Adams.
Adams was forced to retire when contact sent him into the famed 'Wall of Champions'. A lap laters Rouke made his way past after a mistake.
At the back of the field Ralph Maiph had a bad first lap but a series of competitive laps allowed him to close in and pass Ted Ball. Over the first couple of laps Ted had looked like he might challenge Katier who had dropped back a bit from Graham. She was, however, just easing herself in with one 'eye' on her licence points.
She soon increased her pace and soon her chase became the main interest of the race. She closed the gap to 6th with a series of good laps culminating with a personal best lap before a slide on lap 6 ended her charge and forced her to settle for 7th.
An impressive win for Paul ahead of Roberto and Rouke. Rouke had become under pressure from Bret in the last couple of laps but held on for the final podium spot.
The feature race started shortly after with Tallini back in the field, all be it at the back, and Marcus Adams now absent. Rouke made the best start and was soon pulling slightly away from Berti.
First race winner, Langford, however was soon in trouble though and had to limp round and pit for repairs. Katier, heavy on fuel, was thus not running last, but was also not running fast. For some reason, possibly the fuel load, she was struggling to make inroads into Ted Ball ahead.
This was strange after the way she had pulled clear of him in the sprint. The main battle, therefore, was for third place. Martin Cooper, Tallini, Palfreyman, Maiph and Bret all running close together.
By Lap 6 the battles separated slightly with Graham and Bret dropping back slightly. Then on Lap 8 the battlers lost two drivers. Both Bret and Ralph crashing and ultimately retiring, Bret just making half distance before he was forced to pull out with an ill handling car.
Katier and Ted both pitted around lap 14 with Scott's strategy ending up with her crew unable to fill any fuel. Therefore her stop was lightning quick and she was able to leapfrog a surprised, and confused, Ted Ball up to 7th.
Up Front the pitstops caused Rouke to lose the lead, he would chase hard but be unable to record the win. Berti holding on well especially over the last few laps.
Cooper and Tallini had continued their battle and on lap 23 Tallini got into third place. A mistake on the following lap, however, forced him to settle for fourth ahead of Graham who had had a lonely end to the race after an impressive start.
So Berti took the win ahead fo Rouke and Cooper. Tallini finished with a consolation 4th after missing the sprint while Graham made it into 5th. Langford recovered to sixth but in doing so his championship suffered a slight dent.
Overall two good races despite the field sizes.
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