July 2 2015
The month began with the biggest F1600 race in the country as the Canadian Grand Prix was host to the Quebec based Formula Tour 1600 Series. It was a four car effort for the BGR squad and the pole and Sunday main event win for 1600’s went to Zacharie Robichon. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park would be the next stop for the team as they were part of the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix weekend and this time it was Mikhail Goikhberg who took the win and Robichon snagged his second win in the Sunday round. Reid Arnold joined the pair with a hard fought 2nd place to split his teammates after a DNF on the Saturday when he was involved in an incident.
Just one week later the team was once again back in action at CTMP running rounds 5-6 of the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship. The BARC Grand Prix of Ontario hosted the F1600 series and it was a sweep for Robichon as he enjoyed the perfect weekend with two poles and two wins in his Piper DL7/Quicksilver Honda. The Sunday round was not an easy affair for him however as teammate Arnold closed on him relentlessly and came within a second of stealing the win. It was Arnolds second runner up run of the weekend as he took over the points lead from absent teammate Goikhberg who was competing at the Six Hours at the Glen.
BGR’s rookie candidate Ben Hurst, has been making strides all season and grabbed his first ever podium on the Saturday and came very close to making it two in a row but settled for 4th on the Sunday in the tricky conditions.
“Another great weekend for the team and our drivers. Zach is really doing a terrific job for us right now and Reid is showing that he is ready for the next step and I believe the first win for him is getting close. It is always fun to see a driver get his first podium and Ben sure did earn his in some very slippery conditions. He never put a wheel wrong and I think it won’t be long before he makes this a regular thing. Mikhail got his first win as a BGR driver and has now come to grips with the tires which are so very different than he is used to in his other racing series. It was a fun weekend for the team and a big thanks to Move Motorsports for the Saturday evening BBQ they hosted for the teams and supporters. Thanks to our crew who once again performed so well and made a miserable weather weekend so smooth.”
Next up for the team is the DAC Bay of Quinte Grand Prix July 17-19 at Shannonville Motorsport Park. The F1600 cars will be racing on the Pro Circuit for the first time in several seasons and it should offer some close racing for the touring series. Following the stop at SMP is a visit to Le Circuit at Mont Tremblant for the Summer Classic with Formula Tour 1600.
BGR is the Canadian distributor for Piper Racecars and is a factory supported team of the popular chassis which is built in California, USA. The all new Piper DL7 debuted late last season and grabbed its first win at CTMP winning the Al Craighead CanAm Cup. BGR has put more drivers in the winners circle than any other team in OFFC history and had a lock on the Rookie of the Year for 8 season in a row. With an alumni list that boasts drivers who have gone on to Championships all over North America to several starters in the Indy 500, BGR is well known as the place to begin a career in open wheel racing. To learn more about the team visit www.briangrahamracing.com and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/144083092268782 and follow on Twitter @TeamBGR1