Canadians McGregor & Clunie Score Class Podiums at Sebring
Sebring, Florida (January 19, 2015) – Exclusive Autosport added to its SCCA Majors trophy haul this weekend as both Thomas McGregor and Jayson Clunie enjoyed podium finishes at the Winter Vacation Double Majors hosted at Sebring International Raceway, Florida, 17th-18th January.
The second-leg of the Majors tour in Florida saw success for the Canadian Factory Spectrum team on Saturday with McGregor taking a hard earned second place in the FF Class racing the No.91 Exclusive Autosport / Spectrum / Sparco / Dairy Queen / Exclusive Management Inc. / Honda Racing HPD entry.
In the FC Class Jayson Clunie raced his way to third at the checkered, the F2000 rookie steering the No.91 Exclusive Autosport / Sparco / Spectrum / Exclusive Management Inc. entry to his second podium of 2015 following a second place finish the previous Majors weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Sunday’s outing on the 3.74-mile Sebring International Raceway brought mixed results for Michael Duncalfe’s squad. For Clunie, the 2014 Quebec Formula Tour Masters Champion and Rookie of the Year, it proved to be another solid race and opportunity to learn the car. The Prince Albert racer finished the 15-lap charge in third, his second straight podium appearance behind Americans Robert Allaer and Chuck Moran.
McGregor, the 2013 Quebec Formula Tour Champion, put on a spectacular race demonstration in the FF Class after starting at the rear of the 43-car field due to a clutch issue. Firmly on a charge, the 22-year-old from Saskatoon passed over 30 cars before a full-course caution bunched the grid. He wasted no time in claiming the class lead from John Robinson at the re-start, the battling duo checking out from their rivals.
Unfortunately contact at Turn 17 resulted in instant retirement for them both on the final lap. David Livingston, in his new Spectrum Honda, would claim the win but McGregor’s efforts were at least rewarded with fastest lap of the race after a frantic session of racing.
“Well it’s obviously disappointing to see Thomas’ outstanding race craft come to zero,” stated Michael Duncalfe, Exclusive Autosport team owner. “He was a man on a mission having been forced to start from the rear. The fact he passed almost the entire field in the various classes and took the lead of the FF Class shows how determined he was. Ultimately it didn’t work out but he certainly proved his speed and ability once again.
“Jayson had an excellent weekend learning both the F2000 car and Sebring. It’s only his second visit here so to come away with a couple of podium finishes is a great result. Seat time is our priority for him and he definitely showed his aptitude for stepping up after a great season in F1600 last year. He ran Saturday on used tires so we unleashed him on a sticker set on Sundayand again, he raced extremely well.”
Formed in 2013, Exclusive Autosport has quickly forged a reputation as one of North America’s premier junior formula outfits. Championship success came quickly under Michael Duncalfe’s leadership with notable achievements including back-to-back driver titles in 2013 and 2014 in the Canadian Toyo Tires F1600 A-Class Championship and in the Quebec Formula Tour 1600 Championship.
Exclusive Autosport Inc. is the official North American Importer and Distributor for Spectrum Chassis, designed and produced by Borland Racing Developments in Australia.
ENDS: www.exclusiveautosport.ca / @ExclAutosport
