“Ontario team takes five top fives and two podiums in Quebec Formula Ford Championship opener at Circuit Mont Tremblant”

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Brantford, Ontario – June 2, 2011 – Britain West Motorsport, Canada’s leading Formula Ford competition group, headed to the beautiful Circuit Mont-Tremblant for the Classique du Printemps (Spring Classic) with a four car effort. Looking to score well to open the ultra competitive Formula Tour 1600 series, the multi-time winning team was able to log their first win of the year and secure several great runs throughout the double header weekend. Mother Nature was a big factor all weekend long as drivers battled changing conditions on the4.26 km track. In the Pro Division, Britain West Motorsport ran Ontario driver Nathan Blok, Quebec City native Sergio Pasian and Sofina Foods Driver Development member Garett Grist. As new drivers to the Tremblant Circuit, Pasian and Grist completed a mandatory classroom session put on by Jim Russell Racing School lead instructor JF Dumoulin. Guy Gilian represented BWM in the Masters class. The big factor along with the weather was series competitors learning a new tire, a slick that added another dimension to the racing.

“I’m really happy with how the weekend went. Our cars had good speed and we were able to dial in the slick tire very well,” comments David Clubine, Team Principal for Britain West Motorsport. “Nathan grabbed two nice top fives as he battled it out each race. Garett was a last minute addition to the weekend as we wanted him to get more seat time. It was really exciting to see him get his first win.”

A full Friday practice session saw wet conditions keep the field on the Dunlop treaded tire in the first two sessions. In the afternoon the track dried and drivers were able to test out the new American Racer slick tire. Saturday morning practice was in the wet, conditions the drivers would face all day long. Grist lead the way for BWM in the practice session as he went sixth quickest among the Formula Ford cars with Blok crossing through in seventh. Pasian set the 16th fastest time, while Gilian was 18th, second quickest in Masters division. Blok would go third quick in race one qualifying followed by Grist in sixth place. Gilian would not log a time due an electrical gremlin and Pasian missed qualifying as the team worked to repair his ride from a late practice session incident. Like practice and qualifying the field stayed on the treaded tire as the track conditions started out damp. The track dried throughout the main event giving drivers a chance to drop their laps times and battle for position. After 12 laps it was Grist bringing home third place after running as high as second in the closing laps. Blok crossed the line in fifth place while Pasian recovered nicely from starting on the back row of the thirty three car field to bring home 14th among the Formula Ford cars. Gilian ran a flawless race to cross in 18th, third among the Masters class. The BWM crew would grab three top fives from race one action.

Race two qualifying took place in a huge downpour soaking the track and the drivers as they prepared to head out. Grist set the pace going second quick of the Formula Ford group with Blok in eighth and Gilian in 12th, quickest of the Masters. Pasian clocked through in the 24th spot. After qualifying the sun came out and the track dried giving all the drivers a chance to run on the slick tire. At the drop of the green Grist got a great start and immediately put pressure on the leader. As the front duo checked out, several battles took place deeper in the field. The first caution came out for contact that ended Pasian’s day early. Up front Grist had another good restart and swapped the lead over the next three laps while Blok made his way forward to fifth as be raced wheel to wheel with several series veterans. The next caution came out and again it would bunch up the field and create a four-lap shootout. Grist got the jump on the leader and pushed him through the opening lap as the third place car began to close in. With two to go, Grist charged to the lead and held on to take the win by 0.045 seconds, setting fast lap of race in the process. Blok crossed in fifth for his second top five on the weekend and giving BWM their fifth top five finish on the weekend.

“Garett had a great race at the front with Kevin (Lacroix) and Xavier (Coupal). He was super fast and played it just perfect,” smiles Clubine. “Nathan did great job moving up to fifth as he battled all race long with Didier (Schraenen) and Michel (Bonnet). Sergio and Guy both had some tough luck, but both ran well in the changing conditions. The team is working well and I’m very excited about the Grand Prix event.”

Following the opening round of Formula Tour, Britain West Motorsport will head to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for rounds three and four of the Formula Tour Series taking place as part of the Grand Prix of Canada. On the Grand Prix weekend, Britain West Motorsport will have five drivers under the tent including Nathan Blok, Sergio Pasian, Guy Gilian, Sofina Foods Driver Development member Garett Grist, and Quebec stock driver Isabelle Tremblay, who will both be making her formula car debut.

A fixture in the Canadian motorsports scene for nearly two decades, Britain West has been supplying road racers and British Car Collectors since 1976. As the exclusive Van Diemen Chassis and Dunlop Tire importer for Canada, they also represent AimSport Mychron Data Systems, Penske Shocks and HANS Device. Britain West are also known as the leading engine builder for the popular Formula Ford power plant making use of an in-house machine shop, tooling and test dyno. The staff at Britain West has an eye for detail and put customer service first. For more information on Britain West Motorsport and this news release please contact Dave Clubine at dclubine@sentex.net or call 519-756-1610.