By: Toyo Tires F1600 Championship
September 13 2016
Toronto, Ontario – The 2016 Toyo Tires F1600 Series will be decided this weekend during the 62nd Annual BEMC Indian Summer Trophy Races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Courtice, ON’s Michael Adams has a commanding lead in the points coming into the weekend, with a cabinet full of 1st place series trophies to prove why. His all or nothing style has rewarded him with spectacular victories but has also cost him a few trips to the stewards’ office, resulting in lost points and some sanctions.
The only challenge to his crown will come from 15 year-old superstar rookie Roman DeAngelis who has burst onto the motorsport scene with podium results in almost every appearance. The last time out at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was a breakthrough weekend for the youngster as he led laps and traded positions with Adams, looking for the first time as a championship contender. Look for him to hang it all on the line this weekend.
Newly crowned Super Series Champion Trenton Estep sits third in the points but is not expected to enter this weekend. That leaves the door open for another young standout, Ben Hurst, who has drastically improved his pace and has a shot at nabbing the third points position.
The B Class, as always, has been hotly contested. Stephen Adams, a former F1600 champion and father to A Class points leader Michael comes in with a good lead over the super consistent Byron Leis. Adams is a regular at the front and is usually in wheel to wheel battles wit many of the A class cars so he will have to make sure not to leave the door open for Leis to nab the top spot in the final 3 races.
Graham Lobban sits in 3rd place and could play a large wild card in the championship outcome. Bullet fast, Lobban will be up front challenging for wins and could take enough points to change the top 2 spots.
Keith Lobban, Graham’s brother, sits in 4th in the championship and will have to keep a close eye on 5th place David Graham who has had several outstanding weekends despite a limited schedule.
Saturday’s feature will be a hard fought shootout. The coveted Al Craighead Memorial Cup is up for grabs and if last year’s race between Michael Adams, Zacharie Robichon and eventual winner Scott Andrews is any indication of how badly these young drivers want to win this trophy we are in for a real treat.
The trophy was renamed last year in honour of our departed friend Al Craighead, a name synonymous with amateur open-wheel racing and the co-founder of the original Can-Am Cup with former colleague Rob Howden in an effort to grow awareness and participation in the class of F1600.
Craig’s passion for the sport at this level took him all over North America as both a writer and a competitor. His knowledge of the inner workings of the sport fostered deep, long lasting relationships with drivers, team owners and series promoters.
We are delighted that Al's wife Denise along with Al’s mother will be in attendance to make the trophy presentation.
Practice for the Al Craighead Memorial Can-Am Cup gets underway Saturday morning. Qualifying will take place shortly before the lunch break with the main event happening mid-afternoon.
The final two races of the 2016 Toyo Tires F1600 Championship Series will take place on Sunday.
Tickets for the event are free to the public if downloaded from the CASC-Ontario Region website.