Tristan DeGrand continued his perfect streak with a win in race 1 of the BARC Grand Prix of Ontario.(Photo-Ryan Dupont)

DeGrand Wins Race 1 of BARC Grand Prix

Bowmanville, Ontario - Race 1 of the BARC Grand Prix of Ontario goes to Tristan DeGrand, his 5th victory in a row.

Caitlin Johnston led the field to the green after a very impressive qualifying session earlier today. She was pipped by DeGrand on lap 1 but had a spectacular race and was involved in some major battles.

DeGrand did not have things as easily as the last event and could not lose the pack of 6 cars in tow, challenged at times by Johnston, Jeffrey Kingsley and had to fend off a major charge from teammate Max Hanratty over the latter stages of the race.

At lap 5 there was a bit of a scare for Bruce Kitchen. He had a slight off in corner 3, knocking the body loose along with the fuel line. He got going again, only to notice by corner 5 that he was on fire. He stopped at the marshal's stand, and the fire was quickly put out.

The race resumed on lap 9 with Hanratty chomping at the bit to snag his first win. He hounded DeGrand over the last 3 laps but came up just short. Hanratty was followed by Caitlin Johnston in 3rd, Craig Willis in 4th and Chase Pelletier in 5th. Pelletier had a wild first couple of laps going side by side with Kingsley through corner 2 and losing some spots and almost spinning in corner 10 after being put onto the grass in a battle with Reid Arnold. He did post the fastest lap of the race however, and will be a factor in tomorrow's race.

In the B Class battle Connor Wagland and Graham Lobban traded the top spot several times, with Lobban getting back by on the next to last lap. Amy Castell got the final step of the podium followed by Keith Lobban and Mike Lee.

Day two at the BARC Grand Prix of Ontario gets under way with practice at 9am.

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, Cove Dentistry, Stäubli, Lincoln Electric, Braille Battery, Johnston Research and Performance, MK Technologies and Rod Ends Mechanical. The series is comprised of a six event, double-header format and competes at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the Honda Indy Toronto and Calabogie Motorsport Park.