Calabogie, ON- For the fourth time in five events at the picturesque Calabogie Motorsports Park venue, a BGR driver stood on the top step of the podium when the final checkered flag fell. Jesse Lazare and Zacharie Robichon would once again be in the mix for the overall win, Lazare making his second trip to CMP and Robichon making his first appearance.
Saturday would be a tough day for the duo as they would line up third and sixth respectively on the grid. The order would see Lazare fighting in third trying to find a way by the leader’s teammate who was building a lead in the early laps as the field of pursuing cars were held back.
Robichon’s day was compromised almost immediately as he dropped a couple off wheels of in Turn One and filled his right hand radiator with grass. He would run in fourth for the opening laps but when the temperature climbed he was forced to release the pack and just nurse the car home. He eventually would cross the line a distant fifth overall but still took home fourth in the A class.
Lazare tried lap after lap to get past the second place car and eventually did, he then set after the leader but it was too late as he had been able to escape.
The Sunday qualifying session was much better for the BGR Team Grote duo, Lazare snatching the pole and Robichon improving to fourth.
From the green flag Lazare took control and was never headed. The fight of the race would lie behind him, as Robichon would get around one competitor he would then get blocked in by their teammate and loose the position again. He fought that situation the entire race.
With the big picture in mind, he was reminded to keep focused and not risk the car or a DNF. In the end that meant he was held back to a fifth place finish. Disappointing for sure, but he still leads the overall championship with four rounds remaining.
“Strange weekend for us as we fought through several issues,” comments team owner Brian Graham. “After leading the times throughout the test day we had high hopes for both drivers. Zacharie and Jesse both were very quick but in the Saturday qualifying our fate was sealed as we never got the speed out of the cars we showed on Friday. Calabogie is a very difficult track to pass on and history has shown that the number of incidents for the win here has always been a concern.”
“Our main title combatant was able to make his escape protected by his teammate and by the time Jesse got clear of him it was too late. Zach had to bail early because of overheating and just get all the points he could. Sunday was better with Jesse as he did an outstanding job controlling the race but Zach was boxed in with our opponents and could not do anything without significant risk. So in the end he opted to gather points and maintain his overall points lead. I am very proud of the whole team as we move forward to the final two weekends,” concludes Graham.
Robichon currently leads the Championship with Lazare now moving into third despite missing a couple of rounds early in the year.
The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship returns to CTMP for the BEMC Indian Summer Trophy Races September 13-15.
The team is hard at work in the shop preparing the trio of Piper DF5/Honda’s and will be ready for the home stretch in search of yet another Rookie of the Year title as well as the Championship.
BGR Team Grote has put more drivers in the winners circle than any other team in OFFC history and continues to strive to provide the perfect environment for karters to make the transition to the open wheel ranks. The winners of the past seven consecutive years of Rookie of the Year will be looking to continue that tradition this season.
To learn more about the team visit www.briangrahamracing.com and follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/144083092268782/
From: BGR/ Team Grote PR
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