PR: Ben Cooper Racing Drivers Battle the Elements at ICAR

The second round of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship was held at the ICAR circuit in Mirabel, Quebec and Ben Cooper Racing’s presence was known as the team battled for podiums in every class they entered, through the varying and challenging weather conditions.

The BCR trio in Rotax Junior were in podium contention this weekend and they started off strong, sweeping the heat races on Saturday. Ryan MacDermid won the first two followed by Patrick Woods-Toth taking heat three, ranking them 1-2 as well and locking down the front row for both Finals.

Ryan MacDermid has three ECKC wins in 2016 so far for BCR (Photo by: Cody Schindel / CKN)

In Final 1 under cool and dry conditions, MacDermid managed his third win of the season while Woods-Toth joined him on the podium with a third place effort followed by Emma Delattre getting her best finish to date in the category finishing in sixth. Delattre wouldn’t stop there however as she was the teams lead driver in the Final 2, finishing on the third step of the podium in extremely wet conditions. Woods-Toth backed his podium in final 1 with a fourth in final 2. For Macdermid it was a heartbreaking race as water got into his airbox on the pace lap, forcing him to retire after six laps.

In Rotax Senior, BCR led all on track sessions as Samuel Lupien took the pole in Qualifying, following it up by winning the first two heats. Then Cedrik Lupien went on to win heat three, meaning both drivers would start the main from the front row. In the Final Sam lead most of the race until his engine started to struggle past halfway, falling to sixth giving the victory to Cedrik, who extended his championship lead with his third straight win. Carson Kapica joined the team for the first time this season and he finished third as well.

Emma Delattre (Photo: Cody Schindel / CKN)

In Rotax Mini-Max, BCR was in the thick of the action where Dale Curran Jr. and Justin Arseneau both stood on the podium in Final 1. Just behind the two was team newcomer Liam Rhodes in fourth with Chloe Chambers finishing in seventh.

Simon Belanger recovered well in Briggs & Stratton Senior with a third place run. Didier Carre and Dev Gore both showed pace in Rotax DD2 where the duo had the speed to fight for a spot on the podium, with Carre closing out the weekend in third place in Final 2.

Simon Belanger (Photo: Cody Schindel / CKN)

Ben Cooper, BCR Team Manager

“The team this past weekend really proved just how strong we have become. In Mini Max, Senior Max, Junior Max, DD2 and Briggs Senior we are a real force for podiums with all our drivers. The highlight of our week has to has to be seeing Emma Delattre take her first Junior Rotax podium at the ECKC. She has come on leaps and bounds since she first started working with us back in 2015.”

With the first half of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship behind them, the team sets focus to the Jim Russell Karting Academy in Mont Tremblant for round three of the Coupe de Montreal on July 3rd followed by ECKC round three a week later. All team drivers have been quick at the facility in the past and should battle for victory in all classes.

Ben Cooper Racing is a karting team based out of Mont Tremblant and Mirabel, Quebec. In 2016 the team will be competing in the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Coupe de Montreal, ASN Canadian National Championships and the US Open Championship. For those interested in joining Ben Cooper Racing please contact us at bencooperracing@gmail.com.