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 1st in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class and 7th overall in Race 1 at the Circuit of the Americas before closing Race 2 with a 1st and 5th, 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
