Canadians Taking on World Class Competition this weekend in Florida (Senior Classes Preview)

Last weekend the Florida Winter Tour kicked off their 2014 campaign with it’s Formula Kart weekend. It was a successful weekend with many drivers getting into the seat for the first time of the year.

This weekend, the Florida Winter Tour hosts it’s headline Rotax weekend. The Rotax weekend has grown year after year, not only in numbers but also in quality of drivers. More and more each year the program is seeing international stars hitting the southern US state for some sunshine and kart racing.

This includes many of Canada’s best kart racers, where the maple leaf has been successful year after year, not only with our drivers but our teams too.

Homestead Karting is located at the famous Homestead-Miami Speedway in the very south of Florida. The location is very ideal for the first event, with sunshine and warmer weather almost always on the forecast. The track will be run in the clockwise direction, which is backwards from the usual format. The unique permanent parking lot track always provides great racing action, with lots of fast sections where mistakes are costly. Drivers will need to be on the ball and utilize the draft as much as possible in order to be successful this weekend.

Here is our breakdown of each Senior class, including who from Canada will be hitting the asphalt this weekend. Click Here for our Junior classes preview.

Ben Cooper is looking to add a Senior Max title to his resume at this years FWT
(Photo by: Cody Schindel / CKN)

Rotax Senior

The most international and star-studded lineup on track this weekend is Rotax Senior. The premier single speed division not only has some of North Americas best, but includes Grand Finals Champions and European factory racing pilots as well.

Rotax Senior has been an interesting affair in years past, with TonyKarts dominating the division. However this year that could change.

From Canada, we have five drivers all capable of making something happen this weekend. Three-time Rotax Grand Finals Champion Ben Cooper (KMS/Birel) has returned to Senior Max after two seasons in DD2. Zachary Claman DeMelo (Goodwood/Intrepid) had a strong FWT Formula Kart weekend, standing on the podium Sunday. Steven Szigeti is making his FA Kart debut with SH Racing while Johnny Flute (Mosport/Kosmic) and Zacharie Scalzo (KGK/TonyKart) round out a stellar Canadian group.

Their main competition is the likes of Englishmen Ed Brand (Intrepid) who scored a win last weekend, CRG factory pilot Jordan Lennox Lamb and Luke Varley (Birel). From the US Jack Weprin (CRG), and Kyle Kirkwood (TonyKart) have moved up to Senior, while Dan Roeper (TonyKart) and Oliver Askew (TonyKart) cannot be counted out. Jamaican Thomas Issa (Kosmic) has also moved up to Senior and will be interesting to watch.

The class will clear 30 drivers, with the potential of an LCQ. It will be great to watch.

Fred Woodley will be looking to capitalize on an interesting DD2 class
(Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Rotax DD2

Similar to last year, the Rotax DD2 class isn’t as large as we would have hoped. But it is still stacked with star power and should provide lots of intense action.

Four Canadians are entered with Fred Woodley (Maranello) the most experienced of them all. Zachary Claman DeMelo (Goodwood/Intrepid) will make his DD2 debut, while Jeffrey Kingsley (CRG) and Dominic Legrand (CRG) are also entered.

Defending Rotax Grand Finals Champion Simas Joudvirsus of Lithuania, is set to on the class with Energy Kart Canada, while US Champion Daniel Formal (PSL/CRG) should set the tone for the class. American Nick Neri is making his DD2 debut this weekend after many strong campaigns in the Senior divisions. Multi-time world champion Arnaud Kozlinski (Goodwood/Intrepid)  France will make his FWT debut this weekend. Finally Jordi Van Moorsel (KMS/Birel), Kevin Ludi (KMS/Birel) and Nelson Piquet Jr. (DFR/TonyKart) are making their return to the FWT.

Francis Mondou has joined KMS North America for 2014 and makes his debut this weekend.
(Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Max Masters/DD2 Masters

A pair of Canadians will be seeking the DD2 Masters victory this weekend as Francis Mondou makes his KMS/Birel debut and the ageless Michel Legrand (CRG) will add another FWT to his resume.

Legrand will also compete in Max Masters along with Peter Courteau (Mosport/Kosmic).

Both classes are smaller than expected but should see additional entries come race day.

The event will officially kick off with Qualifying on Friday afternoon setting the grid for both Saturday and Sundays races. Each race day will complete a Prefinal and Final race, with an LCQ for the classes needed.

CKN will be trackside covering the entire event, so be sure to tune in.