Brumos Racing Heads North for Montreal Rematch

As Brumos makes preparations for their trip across the border to Montreal’s historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, they have a much better idea of what to expect than when they journeyed there last year. The 2007 season marked the Grand-Am Rolex Series’ debut at the legendary racetrack, home of the Canadian Grand Prix and host of Formula 1 racing since the 70’s. That race was set for 2.5 hours, while the 2008 event has been shortened to a two hour time limit. As in 2007, the track will also play host to NASCAR, with their Nationwide and Canadian Tire Series sharing track time with the Grand-Am competitors during the weekend.

Brumos, along with much of the combined DP and GT field, faced a host of challenges on the 15-turn track in last year’s race, which was marred by numerous incidents resulting in five full course cautions that consumed 28 laps of green flag racing. Both the #58 and the #59 cars were involved in separate incidents during that event, and while both did complete the race mostly intact, the 8th and 13th place finishes were certainly not the result the Brumos team had hoped.

Although he did not compete there last year, #59 driver Joao Barbosa has raced at the Montreal track once before. He competed in the Formula Toyota Atlantic Series back in 1997, the year he won that series’ Rising Star Award. Recalling that race, he said, “ I liked the track at Montreal and remember I was having a really good race and was in 4th place. Then I was rear-ended with only a few laps to go, and unfortunately wasn’t able to finish.” Barbosa believes a major challenge will be in getting the car set up properly, saying “This track requires a compromise of top speed and good mechanical grip to get through the chicanes and the slower corners.”

The #58 drivers are both returning with plans to use last year’s experience at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to their advantage. After finishing in second place in three out of the last four races, both David Donohue and Darren Law are more ready than ever to break the final barrier for a Brumos win. Law spoke about the upcoming Montreal race, saying, “I am really looking forward to going to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It is a great venue, the track is a lot of fun, and the city is great as well. I feel confident about our chances in this race, as our program has really come together this season. The crew has done an outstanding job getting the car ready, and their hard work is reflected in our results. All that’s left is to get to that final step of the podium before the end of the year!”

As for the #59 drivers, they have plans of their own, with their sights set on Montreal for their first 2008 top three finish. The podium has proven elusive this year, despite scoring top ten finishes in all but two races out of the nine completed so far this season. They recently scored their season’s best finish, taking 4th place at their signature race, the Brumos 250 in Daytona. As Barbosa said, “J. C. and I will keep aiming for the podium in the remaining races of this season. With the strong car our crew continues to give us, I believe we will get there, and hopefully, we will make Montreal the first of many.”

Hurley Haywood considers Montreal to be home to some of the most dedicated sports car racing enthusiasts around. He also remembers it as the host city of Brumos’ historic 1-2 finish in 2003’s Grand-Am competition. “I really enjoy the city of Montreal - it has always been a pleasure to race in front of such a large group of enthusiastic fans. I would love nothing better than to see our cars take those top two steps on the podium here. We did it before in Montreal, and considering the strong year both of our cars are having, we could easily see history repeat itself. The Brumos drivers and crew deserve nothing less.”

The Brumos team will take to the track at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday, August 1st, for the two hour timed race, which starts at 4:15 PM ET. It will be broadcast via tape delay on Speed TV August 1st, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

Article posted on: 08-Jul-29