Competitive Spirit Fuels Cirone's Desire

pkelly

Subtitle:Toronto Driver Aims For Hometown Victory

Marco Cirone started racing Porsche GT3 Cup cars in 2010 to feed an addiction that began 10 years previous. 

Cirone began his racing career driving Corvettes and racing in regional events in Ontario before debuting in the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2007. 

In 2010, Cirone made the leap to a Porsche GT3 Cup car in the International Motor Sports Association-sponsored series in the United States, a huge step up from his previous racing experience. 

“I wasn’t racing at the level I wanted to compete at,” Cirone said. “I have always been attracted to the Porsche GT3 car. I would go a watch races and just think about what a phenomenal car it was. It is incredible to get in and be able to race it now.”

The debut of the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin was a perfect fit for Cirone, who lives and operates a business in Toronto. He raced in the new Canadian series and continued racing in the Porsche GT3 Cup championship in the United States that season.

Cirone won the Platinum Masters title and finished third overall in the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin last year. He is focused on the Canadian series this season in his No. 88 Mark Motors Racing Porsche, although he finished third in the season-opening American series round in March at Sebring. He likes the Canadian series because he can stay close to home while being challenged by the rising level of competition in the series.

“It’s always good to race in front of the home crowd,” Cirone said. “But even more than that, the level of competition is as good as anywhere else. I’ve raced in the U.S. series, and I can tell you these (Canadian) guys are good. This series makes me a better racer as I improve my skills, and I hope that I continue to get better.”

Cirone will be back in front of the home crowd, including many friends and family, this weekend for Rounds 5 and 6 of Canadian series at Honda Indy Toronto on the Streets of Toronto. Two 45-minute races are scheduled, one at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday, July 19 and another at 1:20 p.m. Sunday, July 20.

“This is probably the most important race of the season for me,” Cirone said. “It’s a prestigious event, and I want to do well. I always try, but even more so knowing so many friends and family will be there watching. I’m really looking forward to it.”

He enters the weekend fourth overall in points and leading the Platinum Masters championship despite a rough season opener in May at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. But Cirone bounced back in June at Calabogie Motorsports Park by winning both rounds in the Platinum Masters Championship and finishing fourth overall in both races.

“I was very disappointed with my weekend at Mosport,” Cirone said. “But I think I made up for it at Calabogie.”

Despite that success, he isn’t content. Cirone is always looking to be better, to be faster. 

“I guess it’s just the stubborn Italian in me,” Cirone said. “I’m not content with fourth. I go out every race looking to finish first and to be the fastest. It’s the competitive nature of a race car driver.”

The GT3 Canada competitors aren’t making it easy for Cirone. His closest competitor in the Platinum Masters championship is his Mark Motors teammate, 2011 overall season champion Perry Bortolotti.

“Perry and I are actually really good friends,” Cirone said. “And I would do just about anything for him off the track. But on the track I want to beat him just as much as he wants to beat me. You always want the bragging rights of being the fastest.”