Futec Motorsports expands, Blok and Humble shine at CTMP

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BEACHBURG– The 2025 Super Production Challenge race series roared to life over Victoria Day weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, with Futec Motorsports debuting a new two-car operation.

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Returning for his third straight season in the team’s Nissan 370Z, Beachburg native Nathan Blok was in top form from the outset, topping all three practice sessions with lap times a full half-second clear of his competition. But the damp conditions in qualifying threw a wrench into the mix for the rear-wheel-drive Z, relegating him to third on the grid for Race 1.

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Meanwhile, Futec’s newest driver, rookie Natalie Humble of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, made a promising debut in the Compact class behind the wheel of a Nissan Micra. After a steady learning curve in Friday practice, she shined in the changing conditions during qualifying, grabbing a third-place start for her first-ever race.

Race 1 was cut short by lightning strikes, but not before Blok engaged in a tense duel with reigning champion Guillaume Lab(C)e. Despite setting the fastest lap, the series’ inverted grid rule placed Blok seventh for Race 2. What followed was a white-knuckle drive that saw Blok touch wheels with Michael Habrich at 180 km/h exiting Turn 1. With quick reflexes and no damage, Blok clawed his way back to a photo-finish second place, just 0.021 seconds behind winner Alexandre Fortin.

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Race 3 served up another intense challenge as Blok squared off with former IndyCar star Alex Tagliani, trading positions in a heated midfield battle. After a race-long scrap, Blok ultimately finished sixth, closing the weekend in fifth overall in the Super Production standings.

“We definitely had the strongest car all weekend, but luck wasn’t totally on our side this time,” Blok said.

Great start for Humble

In the Compact class, Humble showed grit under pressure. She fended off veteran Patrik Wittmer and fellow rookie Jade Wilson in Race 1 to claim fourth. Race 2 saw her embroiled in another tight fight, finishing fifth after dicing with Wilson and Yannick Simard. Race 3 looked to be Humble’s breakout drive as she pulled a gap early — but a full-course yellow with 15 laps left neutralized her advantage. Wittmer capitalized on the restart, passing Humble who crossed the line in sixth at the checkered flag.

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Still, it was a standout debut for the American newcomer, who ends the opening round fifth in the Compact standings and leading the Rookie of the Year points.

“Taking part in my first-ever race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with the Futec Motorsports Team was an unforgettable experience,” Humble said. “I’m incredibly proud to represent a team that not only competes hard but looks sharp doing it, thanks to Precision Textiles for making us the best-looking crew in the paddock and on the pit wall. Huge thanks also to Shellbourne Fuels for keeping us running strong with their top-tier oil and fuel enhancer, and to Sunsign Graphics for making both the Micra and the 370Z stand out as the best-looking car on the grid. I’m grateful for the support and excited for what’s ahead.”

Heading east for round 2

Futec Motorsports now sets its sights on Round 2 at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, scheduled for June 20–22.

“Fortunately the track at Nova Scotia should suit our car much better, the Shellbourne fuels powered car performed flawlessly, so we should be in for a good recovery weekend in Nova Scotia,” Blok said.

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