Zacharie Robichon hit the podium for BGR Team Grote at Mt Tremblant in the new Piper DL7. (Photo-Jean-Francois Gagne/Flagworld.com)
The Ontario based team headed to the beautiful Mont-Tremblant Le Circuit for the final two rounds of the Formula Tour F1600 Series with their two regular drivers Bruno Chapinotti and Zacharie Robichon. The pair would be making their first visit to the track and both were very excited to drive the historic race track. Despite it being the first time there, the pair quickly got up to speed and both lined up for the first round well inside the top 10. Robichon made a great start and found himself in 3rd and from that point on was in a battle for the podium.
He was also aware that the two title contenders were fighting for the championship and played a waiting game as he did not want to interfere with their season long battle. He remained glued to them to keep himself in a position to take advantage should things get interesting. At the finish line he was a superb 3rd in the new Piper DL7 in just it's 3rd outing and just 4/10ths from the win. Bruno was enjoying a great run moving up as he continued to learn the track but ultimately had a spin on the last lap as he attempted to make the pass for 5th. He still recovered to finish 10th on his first visit to the track.
The incredible weather that everyone was enjoying held on through the weekend and qualifying for the final race of the season was held in near perfect conditions. Zach who was working hard with the team to keep learning the new car made the most of some changes as the team continues to develop the new car. He was the lead car for most of the session and was just nipped for pole by less than a tenth of a second for a great front row starting spot. Bruno put in another solid run for the 8th starting spot and was looking forward to afternoon race. The outside lane is not always the best spot to start from and this day would not be any different as Zach was held on the outside and lost a spot as the field raced through the opening set of corners that features 3 right handers in a row.
He settled into 3rd and as the leaders entered the heavy braking area at the end of the long backstraight he was challenged by a competitor. He fought off the attack leaving plenty of room but the car trying to pass could not hold his line and ran into Zach forcing him off the track. The race was over before it really began as the car was stuck in the tire wall. Bruno did make his way forward but a mid race spin dropped him to the back and he worked hard to get back into the 8th spot for another top 10 finish.
"It is always a great time of the year to visit Mont-Tremblant as there are few places anywhere as beautiful in the fall. We had two great drivers making their first trips to the challenging circuit, but we had the upmost confidence in them delivering their best efforts and making us proud. Our new car, the Piper DL7/Honda is early in it's development and already is a match for any of our competitors machines and we are barely getting started. Taking a first time driver and a new car to a new track and grabbing a podium and then an outside pole shows the potential of our team and we are very excited about 2015. We will have a full stable of the DL7/Honda's for next year and will be competing in both the Formula Tour and Toyo Tires F1600 Championships.
It was a tough year waiting to debut our new cars but in the end we accomplished what we wanted to in the final month of the season. I am proud of our drivers for not only what they do on the race track but the sportsmanship and respect they show to their competitors and officials off track as well. " comments team owner Brian Graham.
Watkins Glen is up next for the team as they will be making a return to the series in which they have a winning history in the F2000 Championship Series. Zachary Robichon will be making his F2000 debut and also his first visit to the former Grand Prix track. Off season testing begins shortly after that with two private test days at Shannonville Motorsports part in late October. Drivers interested in getting in one of the teams Piper F1600 cars or the teams F2000 Cars are encouraged to contact the team through their website www.briangrahamracing.com
As the winner of "Rookie of the Year" seven times, BGR Team Grote has put more drivers in the winner's 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.To learn more about the team visit www.briangrahamracing.com or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/144083092268782/For private testing opportunities, please contact Brian Graham at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.