PR: PSL Karting adds more victories at second round of Coupe du Quebec

Alessandro Bizzotto celebrates with the checkered flag during his maiden win (Photo by: Bruno Dorais - PolePosition.ca)

After starting off the 2012 Canadian karting season with strong results at the first round of the Coupe du Quebec series, as well as the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship (ECKC) opening weekend, Team PSL Karting added several more wins to their season tally this past Sunday. Taking on the second round of the Coupe du Quebec program at the SH Karting facility in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Alessandro Bizzotto and Gianfranco Mazzaferro added wins in the Rotax classes, while two PSL Karting pilots topped the blocks in the Briggs & Stratton classes as well.

After scoring a fifth place result at Round #1 of the Coupe du Quebec earlier in the month, Team PSL Karting pilot Alessandro Bizzotto had the breakout event of his karting career at SH Karting. Taking on the Rotax DD2 category, Bizzotto would start his effort off with a qualifying time good for the off-pole position. The ten-lap prefinal saw Bizzotto fall to fourth on the start, with the rising talent moving up to third by lap two. Completing the remaining circuits in third, Bizzotto set himself up with the preferred inside row two starting position for the day’s final race. Slotting into second at the drop of the green for the 18-lap feature, Bizzotto made his way into the lead by lap six. From there, Bizzotto cruised to a three second victory and was finally able to celebrate his maiden win.

“This win for Bizzotto was a long time in the making. Alessandro has really shown great improvement in the last six months, and I’m proud to say I was present for his first ever DD2 win!” stated Andrew Campbell, Director of Race Development. “They have an excellent program with J.F. Valour, who also contributed to the success of Nicholas Latifi’s karting career. I’m confident Alessandro will be a driver to watch at the next round.”

In the Rotax Mini Max class, recent ECKC winner Gianfranco Mazzaferro was back as one of the drivers to beat. After being denied the sweep at the opening round of the Coupe du Quebec series, Mazzaferro would return to the six race championship looking for redemption. Clocking sixth quick in the qualifying session, the hot shoe would work his way to third by the end of the prefinal. A great start in the final saw Mazzaferro jump into the lead, and from there the PSL/CRG driver was untouchable and he went on to score a dominating eight-second victory over his Mini Max competitors. Fellow Mini Max driver and teammate Thierry Cote was also looking for a little redemption, after missing out his first ever podium finish at Round #1. Posting third in qualifying and then taking the prefinal win and fast lap honours, Cote would again miss out. Despite displaying some of his best driving skills to date, Cote would end his Coupe du Quebec effort with another fifth place finish.

“Gianfranco was fast from the get-go, I wasn’t surprised to see him on the top step,” continued Campbell. “Thierry Cote, really enjoyed himself this weekend – they were great in the rain and even better in the dry. I’m sure there is a podium finish for him at ICAR for the ECKC.”

Recent ECKC winner Gianfranco Mazzaferro claimed another victory in the Mini Max category (Photo by: Bruno Dorais - PolePosition.ca)

Newly acquired team member Zachary Claman-DeMelo continued to post some impressive results with PSL Karting. Coming off a win with the ECKC series, DeMelo would put his CRG chassis off-pole in Rotax Junior qualifying, just one-tenth shy of the top spot. A disastrous prefinal saw the red-hot driver out of the race on lap five. Scored in the 17th position, Claman-DeMelo would need to power through a strong field of 18 karts in the final. Gaining several spots at the drop of the green for the feature race, Claman-DeMelo would show his prowess, as the always-racy pilot charged through the field to finish in the second place by the checkers.

“DeMelo always puts on a show when he must charge from the back of the pack,” concluded Campbell. “He drove clean, and made some great passes. It would have been a different race if it wasn’t for some mechanical issues in the prefinal.”

In the Briggs & Stratton classes, Nicholas Michaud emerged the victor in the Senior class, taking the win over two Rotax Canadian National Champions. Sarah McKay also added another win, taking top honours in the Junior category to make it two-for-two for the female pilot in Coupe du Quebec action.

The Coupe du Quebec will resume with Round #3 June 16 as PSL Montreal hosts a doubleheader weekend at the Circuit ICAR facility in Mirabel, Quebec. Round #3 of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship will follow on June 17 as Team PSL Karting pilots will continue vie for wins in both series.

Team PSL Karting will be trackside in 2012 at the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Quebec Cup, Le Monaco de Trois-Rivieres, United States Grand Nationals, ASN Canada FIA Canadian National Karting Championships and SKUSA SuperNationals. Team PSL Karting is associated with CRG, Maxter Kart Engines, Rotax, Tillett Racing Seats, Sniper, Unipro, Douglas Wheels, Vega, MG Tires, Arai, Bell, ULV, Mir, Freem, Elf Fuels, Alfano, MaxJet Software, D.I.D. Racing Chains, KC and Power Mist.

To learn more about the World’s #1 CRG distributor, sales & service, arrive & drive opportunities, PSL racing engines or dealer opportunities, please visit www.pslkarting.com or www.pslkartingusa.com.