After competing last weekend in South Bend, Indiana, it was off to Canada for DeFrancesco Racing (DFR) for the first annual Kart Stars Grand Prix of Toronto. Taking place adjacent to the Honda Grand Prix of Toronto pit lane entrance and next to the BMO Field near Exhibition Place, B.R.M. Manufacture sponsored drivers Devlin and Lachlan DeFrancesco had the opportunity to race in front of thousands of fans, while their idols and heroes raced alongside at the same venue. Competing on a seven-turn bullring circuit, the brothers performed well as both would end the day in the top five.
“This event is truly something,” expressed DFR Team Manager Nick Mitchell. “I am sure it is a thrill of a lifetime for the boys to race alongside the professionals they watch on TV. The event was a huge success and will definitely be on our 2013 racing calendar.”
With six Rotax classes on the docket, a split schedule would see three classes compete in the morning, while the remaining three would be on track in the afternoon. Giving karting competitors the chance to compete as well as enjoy the sights and sounds of the IndyCar paddock, a true street race would complete the event weekend on Sunday. With only two morning warm-ups and two practice sessions scheduled, drivers and crews would be forced to dial in their equipment early, as qualifying and long finals would determine the inaugural event winners.
Recent Rotax Summer Shootout winner and 2011 Pan American Champion Devlin DeFrancesco would compete in the Rotax Mini Max class while Lachlan would see action in Micro Max as the pair would look to fight for the race win. With two of important practice sessions behind them, DFR Racing would claim two of the top five positions in qualifying with Devlin clocking the second quickest time of the session, while Lachlan garnered the fourth fastest lap of his. With the field now set for the first ever Karts Stars Grand Prix of Toronto, the DeFrancesco brothers would line up outside row one and two in the second and fourth positions in their respective classes.
Sunday’s unique schedule would see karting main events take place between 9:30am and 12:15pm, ending just in time for the start of the Honda Grand Prix of Toronto.
Looking to attack early, Devlin would battle for the top spot early and often. With passing difficult, Devlin would have to settle for the second position when the checkered flag had flown. Lachlan, looked to challenge for the Rotax Micro Max class race win, would run consistently in the top five but fell back one position from his qualifying efforts to end the day in the fifth position.
Mitchell added, “A big congrats to Devlin and Lachlan for their performances this past weekend. We have several big races remaining through the second half of 2012 and will continue to push and achieve great finishes for both our team, sponsors and supporters.”
For more information on Bernard Richards Manufacture, please visit them online www.brm-manufacture.com.
For more information on DeFrancesco Racing, please contact Andy DeFrancesco via e-mail to Info@DFRUSA.com or visit them online at www.DFRUSA.com. For more information on Devlin DeFrancesco, please visit him online at www.DevlinDeFrancesco.com. For real time updates from DFR Racing and Devlin DeFrancesco live trackside, please follow them on Twitter at @DFR_USA and @DevlinD00.
