“Ontario-based race team earns great results with four cars in the Ontario Formula Ford Championship division”
Brantford, Ontario – May 16, 2011 – Britain West Motorsport, Canada’s leading Formula Ford competition group, wrapped up a successful opening weekend of their 2011 campaign. Running in the British Empire Motor Club 61st Annual Spring Trophy Race at the famous Mosport International Raceway, the weekend also marked the opening two rounds of the Ontario Formula Ford Championship. Britain West Motorsport owner David Clubine oversaw a five car effort that included Gord Ross of Woodstock, ON along with Steve Tzountzouris of Uxbridge, ON, Mackenzie Clare of Barrie, ON and Garett Grist of Grimsby, ON. The fifth car raced in the Formula Libra class with Sergio Pasian running in his 1998 Formula Mazda to gain some extra seat time. The team collected five podiums on the weekend in Formula Ford action including one win, three seconds and a third place trophy.
“I am really happy with how the weekend went for us,” comments Clubine, himself a multi-time OFFC series champion. “All the cars ran well and improved over the course of the weekend. We earned a few trophies so that’s always a good indication of how the team did.”
On Saturday in Group A, Grist took pole in timed qualifying with Tzountzouris going third quickest and Clare in at ninth. Ross went fifth quick overall, second of the Group B cars. In the main event there were plenty of good battles throughout the race. Tzountzouris and Grist battled for the lead while Ross diced for the win in Group B. At the line it was Grist in second with Tzountzouris grabbing third just at the line to join him on the podium. Clare moved up three spots to take sixth after 15 circuits of the Mosport track. Ross recovered from a late race spin to take the B class win, fifth overall on the track.
“Steve and Garett had a great battle at the front in race one,” continues Clubine. “They made several passes up the back straight when Garett got shuffled back to fourth. It was some excellent racing.”
On Sunday it was again Grist on pole for the race with teammate Tzountzouris slotted behind him in third. Teammates Ross and Clare would line up beside each other on row three for the start of the main. A great start by Tzountzouris saw him grab second into turn one with Grist in tow. The two would switch places heading into turn eight on the opening lap. Grist would look to chase down the leader while Tzountzouris battled for third all race long. At the line it was Grist with his second P2 finish and Tzountzouris settling for fourth in a tight battle for the final podium position. Ross took sixth on track and second in Group B for his second top-three finish while Clare, having another great run, took seventh at the line.
“Mac (Mackenzie Clare) did a great job. It was a last minute deal and he had no time in the car. We were still adjusting it for him on the Friday,” states Clubine. “He knocked tons of time off his laps and moved up nicely in both final events. Gord had a solid weekend and was able to pull in some good results to start off his season.”
Up next for the Britain West Motorsport team will be a trip to Mont Tremblant for the opening round of the Quebec Formula Tour 1600 series. BWM will have four drivers under the tent with Sergio Pasian, Nathan Blok and Xavier Coupal running in the Pro division along with Guy Gilian running in the Masters class.
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 Motorsports and this news release please contact Dave Clubine at dclubine@sentex.net or call 519-756-1610
