St Louis, Missouri (November 12, 2014) – Tristan DeGrand’s outstanding 2014 season competing in F1600 will conclude down-under after the 18-year-old St Louis racer earned a coveted spot on the inaugural Spectrum International Scholarship to compete in the season finale of the Australian Formula Ford Series at Phillip Island, Victoria, 29th – 30th November.
DeGrand, who this year dominated both the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship and the Quebec F1600 Championship in Canada – taking 18 wins from 24 starts racing a Spectrum chassis for Exclusive Autosport, heads to Australia on Monday 17th November to begin preparations for his one-off appearance for the factory Spectrum team, Borland Racing Developments.
The American’s trip kicks off with a test with the team at Winton Motor Raceway onFriday 21st November, the opportunity allowing DeGrand to get to know the team and run his Spectrum 014 on the Avon ACB-10 tires used in the Australian Formula Ford Series. Following this he’ll head to Borland Racing Developments to spend a few days with the team to see how the Spectrum chassis is developed.
“I can’t wait to make my way down-under and race against Australia’s best emerging talent,” stated DeGrand ahead of his trip. “I’m really grateful to Spectrum and Exclusive Autosport for selecting me as one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship. We had a great season together racing in Canada and I look forward to representing them once again at the end of the month.
“Formula Ford is the number one training ground for young drivers fresh out of karting and I know the Australian racing scene is no less competitive than other markets. Phillip Island looks like a very impressive track, I’ve checked out a few videos of it and it looks like a great track. It’s a fantastic way for me to wrap the 2014 season, I can’t wait to get going.”
With the factory Spectrum team focused on current Australian Formula Ford Series points leader James Golding, Spectrum championship winning team Ellery Motorsport Enterprises will run DeGrand’s entry on behalf of Borland Racing Developments.
A solid field of 30 entries is expected for the sixth and final round of the Australian Formula Ford Series – taking place as part of the ‘Island Magic’ event at the 12-turn, 4.445km Phillip Island circuit, Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th November.
ENDS – www.degrandracing.com / @TristanDeGrand
