Momentum Keeps Moving Forward in Montreal for EMS Race Team

by creative | Jun 16, 2016 | EMS Ferrari Challenge

As the great Enzo Ferrari once said, what’s behind you doesn’t matter. Heading into the Montreal Ferrari Challenge, directly behind EMS Race Team was a pair of thrilling victories at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. But in order for driver Jim Weiland and his crew to continue moving forward, there was no time to look back on past accomplishments. Competing in front of over 100,000 fans at the world-famous Circuit-Gilles-Villeneuve in Quebec, they would take full advantage of the opportunity at hand.

Despite a stacked field of talented drivers in a Ferrari Challenge race supporting the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, EMS Race Team turned in another flawless performance. With the support of Coach Conrad Grunewald, along with Ryan Negri, Rudy Courtade, Dave, Daryl and Donald Cameron, Andrew Prendeville and the rest of the Boardwalk Ferrari crew, Weiland and company remained locked in throughout the weekend. By the conclusion of Race 2 on Sunday, Paris—the ems+ Ferrari Challenge 458 EVO—had pushed past the finish line in first place for the fourth-straight time dating back to Texas. 

“To follow what we accomplished in Austin with two more victories like this is truly a special experience for our team,” Weiland said. “And to be able to have the type of success we did at this track, in front of all these amazing fans, it’s hard to describe that feeling. I’m really just proud of my team for continuing to push and continuing to improve in all areas. Everyone pitched in to put Paris in a great position, and I just can’t say enough about these guys.”

Paris earned pole position for Race 1 before securing a commanding victory on Saturday. She took the lead on lap two and defended that spot for the duration, finishing 1^st in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class and 4th overall. On Sunday, it was more of the same. Paris and Weiland earned pole position again before pulling in 1^st in class and 4^th overall as the checkered flag waved on a banner weekend for EMS. Competitors Marc Muzzo and Arthur Romanelli joined Weiland on the podium following Race 1, while Steve Johnson and Patrice Brisebois rounded out the top three in Race 2.

“We dedicated our Race 1 victory to the PETA Cruelty Free campaign on Saturday and the bunnies definitely helped us maintain a great pace,” Weiland added. “During Race 2, we were proud to dedicate the victory to our friends from the Cornerstone of Hope. We encourage everyone to check out each website, and hope that some of the fans who saw Paris proudly displaying those logos throughout the weekend will do the same.”

The Formula One competition began as soon as the Ferrari Challenge race concluded on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes followed his victory in Monaco with a first-place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix for the 45^th win of his illustrious career. He was joined on the podium by Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Valtteri Bottas of Williams. Hamilton vowed to remained focused as the F1 season continued following the win in Canada.

“I feel incredibly grateful and very blessed to have had these two great weekends,” Hamilton told BBC Sports after the race. “I’m just going to keep working hard. As you can see, I’m super-focused. Onwards and upwards hopefully.”

For more behind-the-scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge in Montreal, follow @emsRaceTeam on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to visit EMS Race Team’s Vimeo Page for on-track video action from race weekend.

Riding Momentum of Back-To-Back Victories EMS Race Team Returns to Marquee Event in Montreal

by creative | Jun 6, 2016 | EMS Ferrari Challenge

The Circuit-Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec is the next stop on the 2016 Ferrari Challenge Circuit during a race weekend headlined by the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. From June 10-12, Ferrari Challenge drivers will compete on the same track that Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and others will battle for control of the F1 season standings. Coming off a win in Monaco, Hamilton and Rosberg will fight to keep Mercedes ahead on points while Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari attempt to close the gap. The marquee-racing event is expected to draw a capacity crowd of 100,000 fans who will watch EMS Race Team continue its own charge throughout the weekend.

Fueled by a total team effort in Austin, EMS Race Team driver James Weiland helped push Paris—the EMS+ Ferrari Challenge 458 EVO—to a pair of thrilling victories. She finished 1^st in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class and 7^th overall in Race 1 at the Circuit of the Americas before closing Race 2 with a 1^st and 5^th, respectively. In front of an enormous crowd of race fans in Montreal, a great opportunity awaits for Weiland and company to continue their winning ways.

“We didn’t do as well as we hoped the last time we were in Montreal,” Weiland said. “But with the crowd packed into an amazing venue for racing it was truly a tremendous experience for us. One year later, we’re definitely improving as a team and hoping to build on the success we had at COTA. Win or lose, though, this is always a great opportunity to spread our message of support for the PETA Cruelty Free Campaign and Cornerstone of Hope to the many thousands of fans converging on this event.”

The Circuit-Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal first hosted the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978. Past winners include Michael Schumacher, Jackie Stewart, defending champion Lewis Hamilton, as well as the iconic Aryton Senna. EMS Race Team competed at the legendary track for the first time during the 2013 Ferrari Challenge. This year, however, they will arrive on the heels of two-straight victories as Weiland looks to add another podium finish to Paris’ young resume.

“To be able to compete on Saturday and Sunday as the anticipation builds for the F1 race will be awesome,” Weiland added. “We don’t take these opportunities for granted, and our team will be prepared to put forth our best effort against a deep and talented field. Hopefully we can have a repeat of COTA for Boardwalk Ferrari and Ferrari of San Francisco, I know my teammates and I are looking forward to the challenge.”

For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge in Montreal throughout the weekend, follow @emsRaceTeam on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to visit EMS Race Team’s Vimeo Page for on-track video action following the race.

Article by Brendan Bowers