2013 CKN Year in Review Awards: Senior Driver of the Year

Looking back at the successful year that 2013 was, we here at Canadian Karting News decided to create our own set of awards, all pertaining to categories we feel worthy. Throughout the final weeks of 2013, we will highlight an award for categories such as Junior and Senior driver’s of the year, helmet design of the year, Canadian event of the year, best appearing kart among many others.

While these are all the opinion of CKN, you can let us know who you think deserved each award. Using the comments below each article, let us know who you feel was worthy of the award and a short blurb why you believe so.

*Senior Driver of the Year*

Nominee’s:
– Scott Campbell (DD2 Masters)
– Bryce Choquer (Senior Max/ROK Sr)
– Zachey Claman DeMelo (Senior Max)
– Stuart Clark (DD2 Masters)
– Ben Cooper (DD2)
– Skylar Dunning (Senior Max)
– Pier-Luc Ouellette (Senior Max/DD2)

Winner: Pier-Luc Ouellette

Picking just one driver as our Senior driver of the year was very challenging with drivers from four different class disciplines all making a case to earn the honour. From rookies to veterans they all showed the potential throughout the year with drivers across the country in Rotax Senior, DD2 and DD2 Masters as well as the ROK Cup had us picking our brains, just trying to narrow it down to one.

When the dust in the CKN Nation settled we decided on DD2 driver Pier-Luc Ouellette for the title. While Zachary Claman DeMelo’s ECKC and Canadian titles impressed us, as did Stuart Clark’s Canadian dominance in DD2 Masters. Scott Campbell’s Florida Winter Tour and Rotax Grand Finals podiums also caught our eyes, along with the little guy Skylar Dunning winning the Western Canadian Championship. But it is Ouellette that take’s our honour after displaying his ability to compete in two different categories across the continent, always a threat for victory.

Although it looked like Ouellette was going to take 2013 off, he returned to the seat just after the Canadian season began and went on a tear. He kicked it off with a Rotax Senior win in Coupe du Quebec competition at SRA, then won at Goodwood in ECKC DD2 action, also scoring a second place that weekend in both DD2 and Senior Max. Next up, he again enjoyed another double-podium weekend, this time in his Rotax Senior machine at Le Monaco de Trois-Rivieres; first on Saturday, second on Sunday.

The Canadian Championships were next on his list and Ouellette was unstoppable in Rotax DD2, scoring himself another National title and booking his ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals. Also competing in Rotax Senior at the Nationals, Ouellette was always in the hunt eventually finishing second.

Internationally Ouellette sought out victory at the Rotax Pan American Championships in New Orleans, Louisiana, ultimately finishing third in Rotax DD2. Capping his shortened season off searching for another Rotax Grand Finals title, Ouellette qualified third in a stacked DD2 class. After a DNF in the prefinal, Ouellette went on a mission in the final moving into the top-ten only for his engine to expire with five laps to go. A tough end to a stellar season.

Successful every time out in 2013, no matter the class or competition, Ouellette is our Senior Driver of the Year.

Pier-Luc Ouellette