The second round of the 2012 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship is happening this weekend at the ICAR Circuit just north of Montreal. The facility is located on the defunct Mirabel Airport tarmac, and provides drivers with quite the exciting lap around the track designed by former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Here are a couple notes from Friday’s practice days:
2011 Rotax Junior Champion Jesse Lazare pulling double duty this weekend
After making his debut in the two-speed Rotax DD2 class a couple weeks ago at the Quebec Cup, Jesse Lazare will compete in both Rotax Max Senior and Rotax Max DD2 this weekend. Aboard a TonyKart Chassis, Lazare was very quick two weeks ago at SH Karting, and has shown speed today too. Only time will tell how he ranks among the already stacked field of DD2 drivers, but it should be a great challenge for the young driver.
American drivers invade ICAR
Energy Kart factory driver Santino Ferrucci is among many of the new notable names competing this weekend at ICAR. The New York state driver is here this weekend racing under the Energy Kart Canada banner as he prepares to return to Europe next week. Ferrucci has been very quick thus far this weekend and will definitely be one to watch. Other American drivers in the paddock include a duo of PSL Atlantic drivers. 2012 Gatorz Challenge of the America’s Rotax DD2 Champion Fritz Leesmann is entered in the Rotax Senior class, while 2012 Florida Winter Tour Rotax DD2 Masters Champion Alan Rudolph is competing in DD2. With the international interest in the ECKC, who knows, maybe next year the series will open up its doors to more international flavour.
New Factory CRG mechanic joins Team PSL Karting
There is a new face under the Team PSL Karting tent. Glenn Keyaert, previously known for working with Michelle Gatting and currently Felice Tiene among other CRG factory drivers, Keyaert brings yet another set of assets and experience to the powerhouse PSL Karting team. Keyaert will be working closely this weekend with double Goodwood Rotax DD2 winner Pier-Luc Ouellette, hoping to increase his ECKC DD2 points lead.
Larger class numbers for Briggs & Stratton classes this weekend
After the disappointing entry count in Goodwood, the entries for both Briggs & Stratton classes is up for this weekend’s double feature. Nearly a dozen Senior drivers took to the track today, with many from the home province of Quebec.
