Exclusive Autosport Set for F1600 at Watkins Glen
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (May 13, 2015) – Exclusive Autosport returns to F1600 Formula F Championship Series action this weekend as the Canadian team heads to New York’s famed Watkins Glen International Circuit for Round 2, Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May.
The official North American factory Spectrum chassis team enjoyed an impressive start to its 2015 campaign, its first full-time effort competing in the United States, last time out at the season-opener at Road Atlanta. Australian rookie Scott Andrews (24) reached the podium in all three races, scoring the team’s first win in Race 2, and subsequently heads the Driver Standings arriving at Watkins Glen with a five point margin over America’s Kyle Kirkwood (124pts-119pts).
Chicago’s Jack Mitchell Jr. (19) scored the second of Exclusive Autosport’s victories at Road Atlanta, the 2013 Canadian Toyo Tires F1600 Champion a top-five lock throughout the opening weekend. He currently sits third in the standings on 112 points with the obvious potential to add to his win tally in New York.
Completing the trio of Exclusive Autosport racers, Saskatoon’s Thomas McGregor (23) was again a front-runner at Road Atlanta, collecting three top-six finishes to place sixth in the points with a total of 94. The 2013 Formula Tour F1600 Pro-Class Champion was unlucky to miss out on a podium finish after some intense battles but his consistency ensured he exited Road Atlanta with a decent points haul.
The Canadian has however sealed the South East Division of the SCCA Majors Championship and currently leads the SCCA Majors National Standings in the FF division.
This weekend’s second round triple-header event at the 5.43km Watkins Glen International Circuit has Team Principal Michael Duncalfe excited to the prospects of what his team can deliver.
“To win twice in our F1600 Formula F Championship Series debut was pleasing,” stated Duncalfe. “I said at the time I wasn’t satisfied though and that still rings true. I’d like to see all three of our drivers up there fighting for wins and podiums because I know we have the capability to do that. We have an exceptionally strong line-up, coupled with some great engineering so I do expect a lot each time we race and represent Spectrum.
“That said, given we did enjoy race wins and hold the series lead with Scott (Andrews), I’m sure we’re being seen as the team to beat at Watkins Glen. I think we’ll respond to that pressure well. Our goal, as always, will be to roll off the back of the truck and be fast. Thomas is hungry for a better showing and I’m confident he’ll bounce back, not least having celebrated his SCCA Majors South East title. Scott’s relishing racing in the United States, he looked very comfortable last time out and Jack’s going to be up there fighting too. It’s another busy weekend but I can’t wait to get all three cars out on Friday.”
F1600 Formula F Championship Series - Exclusive Autosport Driver Quotes:
Scott Andrews (@scottandrews44): #94 Exclusive Autosport / Exclusive Management Inc. / Helmart / Automobility PTY Ltd / Spectrum / Sparco / Honda Racing HPD
Championship Position: 1st (124pts)
Quote: “I’m excited to get going again especially after such a positive start to the season at Road Atlanta. It’s way too early to be focused on the title but it’s obviously nice to have an early lead and hopefully we can maintain our competitive edge and keep our winning ways going at Watkins Glen.”
Jack Mitchell Jr (@JackMitchell80): #92 Exclusive Autosport / Exclusive Management Inc. / Spectrum / Sparco / Honda Racing HPD
Championship Position: 3rd (112pts)
Quote: “Winning the final race of the first round was a great boost but we were fast all weekend which was an encouraging way to start the season. Needless to say I’m hoping we enjoy more of the same this weekend. If the pace is there then I’m sure we’re going to enjoy some tight battles with the other Exclusive Autosport cars.”
Thomas McGregor (@TMacRacing): #93 Exclusive Autosport / Exclusive Management Inc. / Dairy Queen / Spectrum / Sparco / Honda Racing HPD
Championship Position: 6th (94pts)
Quote: “I definitely want more from this weekend than we had at Road Atlanta. That was a disappointing outing for me, missing out on the podium was not what I expected. The positives were that we were still top-six throughout and the team worked exceptionally hard. I’m happy that we’ll get right up there this weekend. I’m confident in our race package and look forward to competing at such an amazing circuit.”
Round 2 of the SCCA sanctioned F1600 Formula F Championship Series at Watkins Glen International Circuit gets underway with Friday practice. Saturday hosts Race 1 at 4:30pm EST followed on Sunday with Race 2 at 10:55am EST and Race 3 at 4:25pm EST.
Formed in 2013, Exclusive Autosport has quickly forged a reputation as one of North America’s premier junior formula outfits. Championship success came quickly under Michael Duncalfe’s leadership with notable achievements including back-to-back driver titles in 2013 and 2014 in the Canadian Toyo Tires F1600 A-Class Championship and in the Quebec Formula Tour 1600 Pro-Class Championship.
Exclusive Management Inc. is the official North American Importer and Distributor for Spectrum Chassis, designed and produced by Borland Racing Developments in Australia.