BURROWS AND HOPWOOD A STRONG SECOND IN SOPHOMORE YEAR

After scoring a remarkable championship in their rookie season of KONI Challenge competition in 2007, Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood returned to the category with an entirely different challenge in 2008.

While most drivers would be recalcitrant to eschew what they were familiar with in order to try something completely different, Burrows and Hopwood instead pounced on the opportunity after being invited to drive for Compass360 Racing, the same team that chased them to the championship in 2007.

Even though that move meant moving from rear-wheel drive to the Acura TSX’s front wheel drive platform, it was a change that the two took in stride as Burrows and Hopwood showed their championship mettle in 2008 by coming through for a pair of big wins and another strong championship showing while keeping a positive focus after setbacks not of their own making prevented a return to the top of the championship rostrum.

“I’d just like to thank Karl and Ray from Compass360 for giving us this opportunity this year, Fischer Skis for hopping on board and making it happen,” said Hopwood. “I also want to thank Adam for being the best co-driver anyone would want. It was an interesting year going to the front wheel drive, having to throw out basically everything we knew was a difficult challenge but I believe we showed everyone in this business that we can drive any kind of car and be fast, smart, consistent and successful. I wish there was another race this weekend!”

The duo formed a fast friendship in SpecRacer competition, and proved to be a potent 1-2 combination the moment they moved to the KONI Challenge ranks.

“I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments this season,” said Burrows. “Admittedly, there was a sense of uncertainty after Trevor and I got our first taste of a front wheel drive racecar at Daytona last January.  But, as the season moved forward, we began to get cozy with our Acura. And, as our wins at the Glen and Three Rivers showed, I think we got the hang of it pretty quickly.

“The competition in ST was tremendous this year, and I can’t thank everyone from Compass360R enough for giving us everything we needed to get the job done this season . . . all of those guys are simply a massive part of the successes that we had this year,” continued Burrows. “A big thanks also goes to Dave Auer from Fischer Skis for helping us come back to KONI competition for another year and to Acura for giving us a great car to drive all season. Their support was really important. And, of course, a big thanks to my co-driver, Trevor Hopwood . . . for being a bad-ass on-track and a great guy off track."