September 11 2015
Deep, Talented Field Will Fight For The Prestigious Honour With Craighead Family In Attendance
Toronto, Ontario – Al Craighead, a name synonymous with amateur open-wheel racing, co-founded the Can-Am Cup with former colleague Rob Howden many years ago in an effort to grow awareness and participation in the class of F1600.
His 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.
Al was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and his time with us was cut short so the custodian of the Can-Am Cup, team owner Brian Graham, decided to re-name the trophy last season while Al was still with us. The newly named Al Craighead Can-Am Cup was arguably one of the best races of the season with Zacharie Robichon edging Tristan DeGrand to the checkered flag in a photo finish – the closest in series history. It was very fitting that Robichon’s car adorned Al’s name and was also presented the trophy by him.
Al lost his battle with cancer just a short time ago so this year’s event will be very special and hotly contested with Al’s wife Denise and his family in attendance to make the trophy presentation.
The best in Canadian F1600 talent have signed up for the event, 25 cars in total, making it the largest field of the season.
Newly crowned F1600 Super Series Champion and former Toyo Tires Series title-holder Michael Adams of Courtice, Ontario leads a star-studded lineup including defending winner Zacharie Robichon of Ottawa, Ontario and Scott Andrews of Australia who swept the weekend in his series debut at the last event. Andrews is also the points leader in the F1600 Championship in the US.
They will be joined by “A” Class points leader Reid Arnold, of Keswick, Ontario and a couple of very fast “B” Class cars in Graham Lobban of Caledon, Ontario and former “B” Champ Craig Willis, of Guelph, Ontario, both of which are capable of running all day long with the lead “A” Class group.
New for this year is a “B” Class award, a trophy donated by Britain West owner David Clubine and formerly won by his late father Oliver Clubine.
Lobban and Willis are favoured for this prize but points leader Connor Wagland will be pulling out all of the stops as well as perennial podium finisher Amy Castell.
Practice for the Al Craighead Memorial Can-Am Cup, part of the BEMC Indian Summer Trophy Races gets underway Saturday morning. Qualifying will take place shortly before the lunch break with the main event happening mid-afternoon.
Tickets for the event are free to the public if downloaded from the CASC-Ontario Region website.
The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship Series is the premiere open wheel series in Ontario, sanctioned by CASC Ontario Region and proudly supported by Toyo Tires, Honda HPD, Heather’s Heros, Cove Dentistry, Stäubli, Lincoln Electric and MK Technologies. The series is comprised of a six event, double-header format and competes at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Shannonville Motorsport Park and Calabogie Motorsports Park.