The Formula 1600 Super Series wraps up it's first season in Trois-Riviers. (Photo-John R Walker).

DeGrand, Pelletier & Bedard To Battle For Inaugural Crown

Trois-Rivières, Quebec – The Formula 1600 Super Series combining the Quebec based Toyo Tires Formula Tour and the Ontario based Toyo Tires F1600 Championship wraps up this weekend at the 45th running of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.

27 competitors from all over North America will take part in the oldest street race in North America and one of the favourites on the calendar. There is a great party atmosphere surrounding the entire event so it is a fitting choice as the final pair of races crowning the best formula car racer in the country.

Eureka MO's Tristan DeGrand comes into the event with a near perfect record, 5 wins of 6 races. His only defeat coming at the hands of Brandon Newey in Toronto a few weeks ago when the pair locked wheels in a hard fought battle for the lead. DeGrand has accumulated 540 points. He had a pair of podiums last year at this event and will look to take the top step and take maximum points away from his rivals.

Chase Pelletier, of Brampton, ON sits 2nd in points with a total of 440, within striking distance of DeGrand and showing great pace in the last couple of rounds. He has challenged DeGrand this season, won a pole and led some laps so it will be time for him to go for it and force the issue.

Hot on Pelletier's tail is Olivier Bedard, of Terrebonne, QC. He will no doubt have the hometown advantage over DeGrand and Pelletier and sits solidly in 3rd with 390 points. He has beaten DeGrand once this season in Formula Tour action but had some bad luck in Montreal and was not in his regular ride for the Toronto rounds. He will most certainly be one to watch this weekend.

There are a lot of very fast competitors entered this weekend that could factor into the outcome and play the spoiler. Michel Bonnet has been very quick all season. The 53 year old competitor had a pole at Montreal and has run in the front group at every race entered this year. He also won both races here last year.

Didier Schraenen is always quick and has momentum on his side after a solid outing in Mt. Tremblant 2 weeks ago. Jayson Clunie is fresh off a Master's win in Formula Tour competition and was very quick in Toronto. He will be joined by Max Hanratty and Jeff Kingsley, a pair of fast youngsters as Exclusive Autosport teammates. In a surprise entry, F2000 regular Sergio Pasian has entered the event with Britain West and will most certainly be one to watch.

Pelletier is joined by 5 competitors under the Britain West awning, Yves Beaudoin, who grabbed his first career Master's podium here last year, Brian Fowler, Josiase, Gilain and Pasian.

The schedule itself could also play a factor in the ultimate outcome of the championship with both races on the Saturday of the event. If there is any trouble in the first race, and the damage severe enough, it could have huge ramifications on the 2nd race. it will be interesting to see how the tactics play out for those in contention versus those looking for nothing but a victory.

The F1600 cars will take to the track on Thursday for practice and qualifying. There is no on track action Friday as the World Rallycross takes over the circuit. Saturday Race 1 will go green at 10:05 am for 30 minutes and Race 2, also on Saturday, will start at 4:50 pm, for 30 minutes.

NOTABLE FACTS

The Race: This is the final two rounds of the 2014 Formula 1600 Super Series.

The Format: All race weekends are double-headers, with an equalization package for the Honda and Ford motors. Chassis are open.

The Formula 1600 Super Series is the combined premiere events of the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship Series from Ontario and the Toyo Tires Formula Tour 1600 Series from Quebec. The series is comprised of a four event, double-header format and competes at CTMP's Victoria Day SpeedFest, Formula One Grand Prix of Montreal, the Honda Indy Toronto and the Grand Prix of Trois Rivières.