“Formula Ford lap record shattered at Mosport International by Britain West and Garett Grist as team takes a win and a second”
Brantford, Ontario - September 21 - Britain West Motorsport, Canada’s leading Formula Ford competition group, not only celebrated another pole and another victory on the weekend, but they also celebrated a new lap record for the Formula Ford class in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge. Saturday qualifying was the scene of the near perfect lap of 1:26.916 set by Garett Grist in a Britain West prepared 2011 Van Diemen chassis. This new best lap eclipsed the old mark of 1:27.716 set by Kyle Marcelli. Marcelli, now a race winning driver in the American Le Mans Series LMP class, was excited when reached about the news. Grist was the lone driver under the BWM tent as team principal David Clubine opted not to race and focused on Grist’s weekend effort.
“I really wanted to get the lap record in a Formula Ford. If I couldn’t do it myself I was hoping one of my drivers would,” comments Britain West Motorsport owner David Clubine. “We knew Garett could lay down a fast lap from the data we had all season long. He has been fast all year and this weekend showed it. That lap record could stand for some time to come.”
With the new record came pole position for the Saturday race. Grist took the lead from the drop of the green flag and led all 15 circuits to take a comfortable win, his third of the season. Sunday brought sunny skies and warmer temperatures to the famous circuit just east of Toronto. Grist would qualify second and enjoy a front row start. A great jump at the flag had Grist with a slight advantage into one, but he was not able to hold the spot. Settling into second place, Grist would pace the leader early on but would fall back in the closing stages taking second at the line, his second podium of the weekend and ninth of the season.
With three straight wining weekends under their belt, the Britain West team now returns to Quebec, this time to the rolling terrain of Mont Tremblant. Nathan Blok of Pembrook, Ontario will look to take his first Pro Class title as he heads into the weekend leading the points chase. Sergio Pasian of St. Jean de Arc, Quebec is coming off his best weekend of the season at the recent ICAR round of the Formula Tour and will look to be a factor this weekend as he joins Blok in the Pro Division. Rounding out the BWM effort will be Masters driver Guy Gilain of St. Eustache, Quebec who took the win and a second just two weeks ago.
“We are really excited about this weekend and a possible championship. Nathan has been driving really well and is in a good spot going into the final weekend,” comments Clubine. “Sergio and Guy had great weekends at ICAR and will be very strong at Tremblant, a track they both enjoy very much.”
The Britain West Motorsport team will head back to Mosport International after this weekend for the final round of the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge. Making the trip will be Garett Grist, a member of the Sofina Foods Driver Development Program. Grist currently sits second in the series points tally in his rookie season of racing.
A fixture in the Canadian motor sports scene for nearly two decades, Britain West is 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. All the staff at Britain West has an eye for detail and put customer service first.
For complete team information be sure to check out www.britainwestmotorsport.com. For more information on Britain West Motorsports and this news release please contact Dave Clubine at [email protected] or call 519-756-1610.
