Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge heats up at Canadian race tracks

Scion has been involved heavily in motorsports and aftermarket car scene since inception. Most of that effort was concentrated in the United States where the brand has been around since 2004, but Scion Canada has stepped it up in terms of promotion at various events with the Scion Tuner Challenge. While the program last year saw three show cars produced during the contest, this year the focus has shifted to the Scion FR-S platform and promotes cars that drive... fast, as well as turn and brake.

With a scheduled 11 events planned for 2012, the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge got off to late season start since the car only hit showrooms recently. The debut event was held during the ASN Canada National Autocross Championship at the Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario on August 26th. Three finalists have built FR-S racecars that are modified enough to tackle the track but pretty enough to show off at events. Present at the event were Team Swag Racing from Quebec driven by Dany "Babu" Bernier, Team VCMC driven by Richard Basford from B.C. and Team Top Tuner from Ontario driven by former Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) winner, Sasha Anis.

During a break in the ASN action, the Scion racers hit the pylon course. Basford has a strong AutoX background so he was favoured to click off the best times but Anis does have a CTCC title under his belt and competes in the Koni Challenge. However, the odds-makers were right and Basford clicked off the best time with a 57.865 run compared to the 59-second run of Top Tuner and the sideways antics of drifter Bernier. It is important to note that Basford's run was also the fastest on the entire day including the 60+ competitors out there for the ASN Autocross event! Scion was also proud to point out that although the FR-S is modified, the engine is stock except for a custom exhaust and an upgraded air intake.

With 10 more events remaining in 2012, the action heads to Autodrome St. Eustache just outside Montreal, Quebec on September 3rd.

Click here for a video introduction to each team and the Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S Edition.


Source: Toyota Canada

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Ste Ho / AOL