Matthew Latifi, a member of the Sofina Foods Drivers’ Development Program completed a stellar drive to earn the 2012 ASN Canada FIA Canadian National Karting Championships Rotax Micro Max title. The nine-year-old racer put on a great display of focus and determination to rebound from a difficult start to the weekend. The Ferrolati Corse Karting pilot was able to close out the weekend with three straight victories to secure his first title at his first national event. Latifi found himself in unfamiliar territory after qualifying fifth, putting him inside row three for all three heat races. The rookie driver had only missed pole once this entire season and he was determined to work hard to get himself and the kart perfect for the heat races. The hard work paid off as Latifi put together a string of three wins to take the national crown, his second major title of the year.
“It was a great weekend for Matthew,” comments David Tennyson, coach for Latifi. “It was a very challenging circuit for him with 16 corners. This was also the first time Matthew has driven on that much rubber on a high-speed circuit with high g-loads. The physical effort to drive the track also played a factor in his performance leading up to the heat races. I was very proud of him as he worked so hard to give us feedback on the kart and also how analytical he was. He was incredibly self aware of his own driving and where he needed to improve.”
In heat race one Latifi was able to take third spot and notch a solid score to start the heat race round of the program. In heat race two a slight spin from contact had Matthew cross the line in fifth, but he was able to set fast lap of the race as he charged forward. In heat race three, the PSL Karting/CRG driver took first place and set another fastest lap. In the prefinal Latifi started from outside row one taking point off the start and leading all the laps to secure pole position for the final. In the Super Sunday feature final race Latifi was incredible as he overcame the physical challenge of 16 laps and the longest race he has ever done on the most physical track he has driven. At the line it was Matthew taking the win and securing his first national title.
“I am so excited to win my first Nationals. The track was really challenging and I was a bit sore from testing the week before. I had all my family there and everyone worked so hard for me all year. I was really determined to do my best for them,” comments Matthew. “I want to thank David, Coy and Alex for all their help all season long. Also I want to thank my mom and dad for their support at every race.”
The Sofina Foods Drivers’ Development Program was created to help Canadian karting series offer young drivers a goal and a prize to work towards. In 2010 and 2011, the Sofina program supported the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship as well as Team Canada drivers going to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The Sofina Foods Drivers’ Development Program is proud to support Canadian drivers reaching the international motorsports stage.
For more information about this release, please contact David Tennyson at davidten@h10media.com.
About Sofina Foods Inc.
Sofina Foods Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company headquartered in Markham, Ontario dedicated to providing great tasting, high quality food products for retail and foodservice. As one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of primary and further processed protein products, Sofina Foods has a broad portfolio of branded and private label pork, beef, turkey, and chicken products. Sofina’s family of branded products consists of: Lilydale, Janes, Mastro, San Daniele, Fearmans Pork, Fletcher’s, Vienna, Cuddy and Quality Meats. Sofina Foods currently operates 18 HACCP-approved manufacturing facilities (17 in Canada and one in the northwestern United States), three hatcheries and has over 4,700 employees.
