This season we have added a selection of drivers from across the country to blog their karting experiences exclusively on CKN. From rookies to veterans, in both Rotax Max and Briggs & Stratton categories, these drivers will go beyond just their results and elaborate on their struggles and successes. If you are interested in becoming a CKN blogger, please contact info@canadiankartingnews.com.
Introducing: Dale Curran Jr.
CKN has been kind enough to allow me to blog this year about my experiences.
I have been karting for four years now. My first trip to a race track was when I was less than three months old. My father drag raced at Grand Bend Motorplex with both of my grandfathers, my mother and my sister. He ran a dragster for eight seasons and we were all hooked on racing.
When I was 8 years old I started in the arrive and drive program at Goodwood Kartways as it was close to my grandfather’s house and it wasn’t too far away from our house. The following year, I started running in the Rotax Micro Max division with help from the Di Leo family.
Last year was an amazing year for me. Under the direction of Ben Cooper Racing, I won my first ECKC race at Goodwood Kartways with my dad as my mechanic. We then raced the rest of the ECKC championship races with incredible results, having ended the season with six podium finishes. My two biggest achievements for the 2015 race season were finishing second in the ECKC championship, coming runner up to my teammate Justin Arseneau and by far the most exciting achievement for me was winning the ASN Canadian Nationals in August.
At Nationals, I had Zacharie Robichon as my mechanic. The week of nationals was a lot of pressure for me but the result was worth every bit of it. I had received pole position from the super pole and in heat 1, I had won the race with an exciting battle with Justin, which was the case all weekend and just about every race my teammate and I battled together. In heat 2, I ended up finishing in second place, which I then started pole for the prefinal finishing in second place. Sunday was by far the most nerve racking day out of the whole week. In the final, I began in second place and during the race I made a move on Justin putting myself into the lead, ending in a win.
This year I am now in the Mini Max division with new challenges. My transition to Mini Max has been difficult as the kart is totally different. During the first couple of races this season in the Florida Winter Tour it was difficult learning the new aspects of the kart but with the help of Ben Cooper, Phillipo Gauvreau and the Ben Cooper Racing team I was able to finish the last race at Palm Beach in seventh position.
Once I got back to Canada, and over the last couple of club races, I have learned and improved with my new mechanic by my side, Mathieu Demers.
We are very excited for the ECKC championship that starts this weekend. I am also extremely excited to race the ASN Nationals in Mont-Tremblant. With my family by my side and Ben Cooper Racing supporting me, I am looking forward to racing in Mini Max this season.
Dale Curran Jr
Mini-Max #131
