Calabogie, ON (June 2, 2019) - Zachary Vanier and Matt Gidman came into the Kyle Nash weekend looking to capitalize on a very strong start to the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship season.
Vanier paced the first practice session and qualified outside pole for race 1. Gidman had a mishap and ended up backed into the armco with damage to the car. He would post the 7th fastest time however and the team scurried to get the car ready for the race.
Race 1 played out well, with Vanier crossing the line in 2nd place behind race winner Olivier Bedard, but a post race technical infraction had him Dq’d, forcing him to have to start race 2 from the back of the field. Gidman had a solid run and brought his car home in 9th.
Sunday morning the skies opened up and the competitors were faced with a new track configuration as well as wet conditions.
Vanier made quick work of most of the field shortly after the drop of the green and set his sights on the leaders. At the checkered he would place an impressive 3rd, earning a podium appearance and the hard charger award as well. Gidman had a good race and battled hard to a 9th place finish.
In Race 3 Vanier chased Bedard for the entire race but felt a lack of power may have hampered his efforts somewhat but he soldiered on and grabbed his 2nd podium of the weekend with a 2nd place finish. After starting 11th Gidman made up several spots, earning the hard charger award and coming home in 8th.
Next up for the team is the popular Quebec series race at the F1 Grand Prix du Canada, June 7-9.