Confirming Lindsay Rice to their Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) race program last week, M1 GT Racing and The Racing Company (TRC), are pleased to announce Matthew Taskinen to their 2019 program. Commencing his season at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the first event weekend of the year, Taskinen hopes to pilot his Venables Machine Works / Snubco Group / HUB International Audi RS3 LMS to victory lane and the top step of the podium.
“I am very please to confirm Matthew to a full season program with M1 GT Racing and The Racing Company,” explained Remi Lanteigne. “Matthew was a top kart racer and made a big splash in cars last season. He is quick and has the skills to win races and the championship in his CTCC rookie season. I am expecting big things from him in 2019, and he seems to be the perfect fit in our three car program.”
“I am really excited to be joining the M1 GT Racing and TRC this year as it will be my first time driving a touring car,” explained Taskinen. “Touring Car Racing is the first step into GT Racing and that is my goal for the future. I cannot wait to get started and work with the team as well as be a Brand Ambassador for one of the most recognizable brands in the world. I can’t thank Remi enough for believing in me and providing this amazing opportunity as this is the first step, and a huge step, in my career to become a professional race car driver.”
“I am very exited to have a young driver like Matthew in our development program for the full 2019 season,” explained Jerimy Daniel of The Racing Company. “He had a promising start in Formula Ford 1600, and I am sure he will do great in our Audi RS3 LMS. With our three car program the team is very strong and the development will go fast. We have very big expectation for 2019 and aiming for a strong debut at CTMP next May 17-19.”
Taskinen, a multi-time winner and champion in karting, made the move to formula car racing in 2018 after getting a late start in the motorsports world compared to his peers. While drivers often get into karting at the ages of seven or eight, Matthew did not begin his career until 13. Making up for lost time, Taskinen’s natural skills and abilities took him to the top step of the podium in regional, local and national events throughout North America. 2018 saw the move to cars for the young Canadian and he immediately continued his winning ways scoring five victories. With the goal of GT and sports car racing, the move to get behind the wheel of an Audi R3 LMS with M1 GT Racing and The Racing Company is a step towards his ultimate goal of being a professional race car driver.
Taskinen continued, “I have a lot to learn and understand the learning curve will be difficult, but I will give it my all. Remi has a solid crew, a great bond with Audi and a media and promotions program behind him. Their trackside image is second to none and their resume is rich with results. I feel like all the necessary pieces are in place, and I am entering a program with a chance to win right out of the gate.”
As one of the most professional teams in sports car racing, M1 GT Racing and The Racing Company are continuing their relationship with Audi and their Audi Sport customer racing efforts. Furthermore, M1 GT Racing is also linked with Audi Canada, providing unparalleled trackside support, online promotion and working towards common goals.
For more information on Matthew Taskinen, please visit him online at www.MatthewTaskinen.com or on Facebook and Instagram by searching @MatthewTaskinen.
For more information on M1 GT Racing, please visit them online at their new website, www.M1GTRacing.com and be sure to follow M1GTRacing on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/M1GTRacing), Twitter, Instagram and You Tube all at @M1GTRacing. To contact Remi Lanteigne please email to Remi@M1GTRacing.com. For marketing and media inquiries, please contact Media@M1GTRacing.com.