F1600: Kerin Returns to Mosport
26 August 1998
Mosport UAP/NAPA Race Review
Round 6-1998 Canadian Formula Ford Championship
Success for local racing phenom crucial this weekend
Once again, Cobourg's Brendan Kerin will be running on his own turf this weekend. The local racer is entering the sixth event of the eight-race Formula Ford F1600 series this weekend at Mosport track, near Orono.
The Formula Ford's will be part of a huge weekend, highlighted by the CASCAR Racing national series, Canada's most prestigious Late Model group who are holding a 300-mile event on Sunday. In the last event, also held at Mosport, Kerin pulled off one of his best results of the season, leading 12 of 15 laps before a late spin took him back for a sixth place finish with his Key Motorsports/Grafton Utilities/Eagle.CA/Limelight Communications RF98 Van Diemen.
However, over the weekend, Kerin showed his knowledge of the track posting the fastest Qualifying time in both of the two Qualifying sessions. This summer has been a roller coaster ride for the young racer as he has shown repeatedly, he is the fastest racer in the series qualifying on pole for three of the five previous races and on the front row four times. However, in the races, Kerin has seen the mistakes of other racers cost him in two events and a mechanical failure in another cost him a chance to finish races and collect needed series points.
As a result, Kerin enters this race with a disappointing 14th position in the overall series and 101 points behind series leader Didier Schraenen of Quebec. Top spot in the series is but a dream now, but Kerin realizes with two of the final three events being held at the Mosport track and the other going at another of his favorites, Mont. Tremblant, Quebec, he still has a chance to make some noise and top five is a legitimate goal of his for the season.
However, in order to get a top finish, Kerin needs good results in the final three events of the year. Kerin still has some goals for himself entering into the series homestretch.
"I would really like a win out of the next three, says Kerin adding, "The next three races are at tracks where our package shines the most." As for the series, Kerin says, "I would like to sneak into the top five in terms of points."
With his qualifying success, Kerin has set himself a goal that would help him leave a mark in the series.
"I am going for the record for most pole positions in a season," says Kerin confidently. That record is currently five pole positions, held by Steve Adams. However Kerin insists there he is not feeling the pressure in qualifying sessions.
"It is fun pressure," says Kerin adding, "There is prestige to taking pole position."
This is obviously the weekend to do it, as Kerin has been a dominant force in past races at this track. Kerin says his success at Mosport comes from his driving style.
"I think Mosport suits my style --it is one of the fastest road circuits in the world and I enjoy the faster tracks. It also needs a certain degree of smoothness from the driver. For me smoothness is one of the things I work on as a driver constantly. It is paying off at circuits like Mosport."
Unofficially, Kerin has stood on podium three times this season to collect his 'Fastest Qualifier' award, but he longs for a spot on the podium and a little celebrating.
Kerin was touched by the amount of support he received at the fifth race, held at Mosport and says he is hoping for an even larger local showing this time out.
While it can be intimidating 'racing for' the fans, Kerin always looks forward to hitting the track and hopefully getting a good result for everybody
"It gives you some extra pressure," says Kerin of the fan support, "But overall, I am focused for every race the same way. After a while it becomes a routine and that is what helps you with the home race pressure. During the race you can see the crowds waving and cheering you on and that makes all of the hard work worth it --it's a pleasure to put on a show for the fans."
Kerin begins the weekend with a full day of Testing and Practice on Thursday.
On Friday, Kerin has two Practice sessions running from 10:30-11 a.m. and 2:10-2:30 p.m.
Qualifying sessions are on Saturday from 10:50-11:20 a.m. and 1:30-2 p.m.
Race time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Along with the Formula Ford and CASCAR series, there will also be the Motorola Cup, a popular series for stock closed wheel cars, the Canada GT Challenge Cup, an exciting series included factory model cars and the Champ Car Lights Series, an up and coming series for F2000 racers.
