(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 21, 2014) The revitalization of Ontario’s Formula 1600 Championship continues as the series announces it will be making its Canadian Motorsports Expo debut in 2014. The eighth edition of the Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News runs February 7, 8 & 9 in Hall 5 of Toronto’s International Centre.
As part of its display at the CME – which will feature a Van Diemen F1600 race car – the series’ booth will be staffed by representatives eager to answer questions about the series and their companies’ involvement in Canadian motorsports, including chassis manufacturers and an engine expert from Honda HPD in the US.
“This is where our race season gets up to speed,” explains Jason Sharpe of Move Motorsports Management, promoters of the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship. “It’s the show that all the racers come to, but it’s also very ‘fan-centric.’ We’re here to increase awareness of the series, to show exactly what kind of competition and excitement the series has to offer.”
For over 45 years, this open-wheeled, entry-level division has been the launching pad for many of the world’s top racers. Canadian stars such as Gilles Villeneuve, Greg Moore, Scott Goodyear, Paul Tracy and Kyle Marcelli all spent time behind the wheels of Formula 1600 cars. The list of recent Toyo Tires F1600 participants includes Canadians Garrett Grist and Scott Hargrove, and American drivers Conor Daly and Trent Hindman. All of them are currently advancing their careers in other racing divisions south of the border.
“This series is totally dedicated to developing young race drivers and to getting Canada back to being a powerhouse in motorsports,” continues Sharpe, who will also take part in the Road Racing Panel discussion, on theCME Stage, on Sunday, February 9.
“You just have to look at the list of talented drivers who have flocked to this series to see the benefits of racing here.”
Sharpe reveals that the F1600 Championship will use the Canadian Motorsports Expo as a forum to detail new developments, including sponsorship news, information on the new, inter-provincial F1600 Super Series, and to confirm details surrounding the new Fuel MediaLab television broadcast package.
Sharpe also hints at a “special, surprise development” he’s hoping to unveil at the CME.
Notes Sharpe, “I expect that almost all of our registered drivers will be at the show over the course of the weekend to meet and greet the fans. We’ll have videos of our recent races running throughout the CME, and we’re going to be running some contests with lots of prize giveaways for the fans.”
He concludes, “Everyone is totally re-energized and looking forward to the start of the season. We’ve got some great races on our schedule, and I truly believe that we’re going to see huge fields, and some incredible racing, the likes of which we haven’t seen in years.”
ABOUT THE TOYO TIRES FORMULA 1600 CHAMPIONSHIP: This entry-level racing division is recognized worldwide as a premiere step in a racer’s career development. The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship features custom-built open-wheeled cars powered by normally aspirated 1600 c.c. motors, manufactured by either Ford or Honda. The regular 2014 schedule includes six doubleheader events with four optional Super Series races. In Ontario, the series will contest multiple events on the four-kilometer Canadian Tire Motorsport Park course, with single visits slated for Calabogie Motorsports Park and the Honda Indy Toronto. For further information on the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship series, visit their website, www.formula1600.com, or follow them on the Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs site, www.casc.on.ca.
ABOUT THE CME: The 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Ryan Newman will be at the CME on Saturday, February 8. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.
