Race Report: Montreal
Monday, August 31, 2009

Brumos Racing arrived at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to picture-perfect cool temperatures and sunny skies. We were encouraged by our practice sessions and optimistic about our chances, but as race day arrived, rain moved into the area. The ever changing weather and resulting unpredictable track conditions turned formulating strategy into a guessing game. Our #58 car faced an additional setback, as a minor technical infraction in a post-qualifying inspection bumped them from 4th place on the starting grid to the back of the pack. As rain began to fall during the warm-up, one car spun and crashed,delaying the start and foreshadowing a series of mishaps that persisted throughout the event. 

David Donohue qualified for #58 and started the race.  After starting on rain tires, #58 was the first DP car to gamble on dry tires as the rain stopped.  The strategy paid off and Donohue gained ground quickly as the track dried with most of the leaders still running on rains. Soon after Darren Law took over, rain began to fall again. Struggling with grip, Law went off track and into gravel before pitting for new tires. Pieces of gravel stuck in the air jack prevented lifting the car, slowing the stop considerably. The bright spot of the day came in the last lap as Law passed the #61 car to take 5th position.

David Donohue reflected on the day, saying, “We struggled a bit in practice, but in qualifying we made a pretty dramatic change and it paid off.  Unfortunately, the way this track is set up, our truck and equipment are over a mile from the grid where we spent all day Friday practicing, so we don’t have a chance to weigh the car. When we went through tech we were only four pounds underweight, but it put us in the back for the start. Darren drove a stellar stint, so I think it was a good finish considering how the race progressed. If we hadn’t had the problem with that pit stop, I think we would have done better.  I would have been disappointed with 6th, but I’m overjoyed with 5th, given all our problems. Law agreed, saying, “I only had three laps in the dry, and then there was a yellow, and then it rained.  It was wet up here and dry down there - that race was just a rodeo! We made a good recovery, though, so I’m happy with 5th. If nothing else, we got our position back from the #61 car to make up some for last year when they passed us for the win.”

J.C. France got things off to a promising start for #59, passing three cars on the final lap of qualifying to start in 10th position. He drove a strong opening stint in the rain, even leading the race at one point before the drying track took a toll on his rain tires. A quick pit stop for dry tires got him back on track in good position when he was hit from behind by the #6 car and spun out. A rear tire went flat as he limped back to the pits, where damage was assessed and discovered to be extensive. The crew repaired the mangled suspension to get the car back on track for the closing laps, enabling France to meet his thirty minute points requirement and drawing applause from the fans. Co-driver Joao Barbosa was not as fortunate, saying “It was very frustrating, as we had such a good start. J.C. was running strong before being hit. I was certainly disappointed not to even get in the car, but the crew worked hard and at least J.C. still earned his points. We are certainly due for some better luck at Miller.”

Despite the problems encountered by our cars, there were several positives. Both cars moved up in team point standings, with #58 now in 6th and #59 in 8th place The #58’s performance earned the “Improve Your Position Award” for the Montreal race, and J. C. France retained his Trueman Award lead despite the 59’s disappointing 14th place finish.

Posted on 08/31 at 07:23 PM