Jesse Lazare expected to be right at the front of the Rotax Senior class at the ECKC this year, but a last minute change of chassis to a Tony Kart right before the season opener at Goodwood Kartways this past weekend had the Quebec driver a little nervous.
“I have raced a Tony Kart before – earlier in my karting career – so I kind of knew what to expect, but still changing this close to the opener had me a bit nervous,” Lazare said of the change.
In practice, Lazare got up to speed quickly, and then qualified third for the opener on Saturday. In the pre-final he finished second, then after leading the final for many laps, he came home fourth.
“It wasn’t a bad day, but it’s disappointing not to win when I lead so many laps,” Lazare said. Noted tuner Steve Chapman was coming to grips with the new chassis. “We have to learn what this chassis likes and how it responds to changes, but I am happy with the performance today.”
Sunday, Lazare qualified fourth, the moved up to third in the pre-final. In the final, Lazare settled into third but couldn’t mount a challenge on the front two. “I am not sure what we could have done different,” Lazare said. “We have to go back and look over our notes so we can improve at the next race.”
With some solid points from the opening two rounds, Lazare and Chapman are confident they can mount a challenge for the championship in 2012.
Jesse Lazare Quick Facts: Jesse Lazare is a 14 year old kart racer from Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec and he is the current Coupe de Montreal Rotax Max Jr Champion. Lazare’s meteoric rise up the karting ranks has been nothing short of amazing. In 2006, as a Cadet, he was second in the Coupe Vega. In 2007, as the youngest driver in Mini Max he was the Champion in both the Coupe Vega and Coupe de Montreal. Lazare set new records in 2008 by starting out as vice-champion in the Florida Winter Tour, then winning both Honda Jr and Mini Max in both the Coupe Vega and Coupe de Montreal. He was also Canadian National Champion in Mini Max. In 2010, Lazare won the ECKC Rotax Jr championship and the Coupe de Quebec Rotax Max Jr Champion. He also was runner up in the Coupe de Montreal championship.
Away from the track, Lazare enjoys skiing and hockey, and he attends Lindsay Place High School, (Pointe Claire, Quebec ). For more information on Jesse Lazare, visit www.jesselazare.com
