PR: Team PSL Karting Wraps Up Two Canadian Series with Stellar Results

“Wins and championships for PSL/CRG at ECKC and Coupe du Quebec finales”

After earning two Canadian National titles at the Jim Russell Karting Academy in August, Team PSL Karting would return to the same 1.294 km, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec circuit for the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship (ECKC) and Coupe du Quebec series finales this past weekend. Entering their always-strong line-up of PSL/CRG entries, the powerhouse team added more race wins and championship titles as they wrapped up their 2014 Canadian karting season.

“This season so far has been incredible; a strong team backed with strong drivers matched with a refined racing program,” explained PSL Karting President, Dominic Labrecque. “Coming to the final rounds, we were well-prepared in all categories.”

Team PSL Karting’s preparedness was apparent in the youngest karting division, Rotax Micro Max. With two drivers flying PSL/CRG colours, both would be on their game in Mont-Tremblant. Clocking P3 in Saturday’s qualifying, Justin Arseneau showed he had something to prove on the weekend. Moving up to second in the prefinal and posting fast lap, the young gun ended up in the top-five at day’s end and with another fast lap. Starting Sunday sixth in qualifying, Arseneau found speed in the prefinal to again move up to second. Playing it cool during rainy conditions, Arseneau then went on to score his maiden win to cap off his ECKC/Coupe du Quebec season. Fellow Micro Max pilot William Michaud also fared well on the weekend, never placing outside the top-six, finishing sixth on Saturday and making a podium appearance on Sunday with his third place result.

Scoring a breakout win in Rotax Micro Max, Justin Arseneau came out on top during a rainy race in Mont-Tremblant (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)

“Justin really proved he is growing as a driver,” added Andrew Campbell, PSL Karting Race Team Manager. “Each race, Justin is faced with a new challenge that he is able to overcome. With the engines powered by JVD, Justin was able to pilot his Hero 950 to the top step without making a single mistake and consistency in the final.”

2014 Canadian National Mini Max Champion Alex Legare looked to add two more titles to his budding resume while in Mont-Tremblant. Showcasing his fine form and championship prowess, Legare completed the sweep of the day’s events on Saturday. Back on track Sunday, Legare continued his domination through qualifying and the prefinal, as his only falter came during challenging wet conditions in the final. Dropping to second place, Legare was able to secure both the ECKC and Coupe du Quebec championships, earning him the Mini Max “triple crown” in 2014.

Charles Regimbal would be the lone entrant in the Rotax Junior class, and continues to show improvement in each on track session. Finishing 15th on Saturday, Regimal would not start Sunday’s final as he looks toward a strong showing in 2015.

European talent Max Timmermans drove to a second place podium result in the rain in Sunday’s Rotax Senior final (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)

Rotax Senior action saw hot shoe Christophe Paquet score yet another win for Team PSL Karting. After finishing seventh on Saturday, Paquet drove a flawless race in the rain on Sunday to take the victory and fast lap honours. Ending his Coupe du Quebec series as the Rotax Senior Champion, and his ECKC run as Vice-Champion, Paquet would also be awarded a spot on Team Canada for this year’s Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF).

Belgian pilot Max Timmermans added another podium result, placing second on Sunday after starting ninth while Tommy Lemaire-Ouellet also claimed third on Saturday before posting an unfortunate DNF Sunday. Luis Costa continues to make gains in the ultra-competitive category, scoring two top-15 results in the weekend as well as cracking the top-ten in Sunday’s qualifying.

“Max Timmermans, a top European driver from Belgium, proved the evolution of the CRG Blackstar is in the right direction,” Campbell continued. “In the final, he made it look easy in the rain, taking each driver one by one to earn a solid P2.”

Even more championship titles would come via the stout line-up of Team PSL Karting DD2 pilots. Jeffrey Kingsley posted two third place podium finishes to add ECKC Champion to his Canadian National title from August. Placing third overall in the Coupe du Quebec series, the team would relish an all PSL/CRG championship podium as teammate Dominic Legrand claimed the title with Alessandro Bizzotto the Vice-Champion. Both drivers would also post top-ten final results in both days, and Bizzotto would also make an appearance on the ECKC championship podium, coming home third overall. The Netherlands Milan Dontje would be back in action with the North American CRG distributor, just narrowly missing the podium on Saturday finishing fourth before posting a top-five result on Sunday.

Kevin King scored a third place finish in an exciting Briggs Senior final on Sunday (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)

Two PSL/CRG DD2 Masters drivers added to the stellar results earned over the weekend. Paul Cavalho added two podium finishes, second on Saturday before moving to the top step on Sunday. The win secured him as the 2014 ECKC Champion, as Carvalho also took the title in 2011. The championship also came with a ticket to the RMCGF, with Carvalho joining his other PSL teammates on Team Canada for the November world event. Dany St-Hilaire also made two podium appearances, scoring the win ahead of Cavalho on Saturday, with fast lap, and then third on Sunday. St-Hilaire’s weekend effort also put him on the championship podium, scoring his fifth straight Coupe du Quebec DD2 Masters title.

Finally Briggs Senior action saw three Team PSL Karting drivers entered for the series finale. Kevin King overcame a DNF on Saturday to place on the podium in third on Sunday. Mattieu Demers added a seventh place finish on Sunday, and while results were not there for Tommy Lemaire-Ouellet, he still managed to place second in the overall Coupe du Quebec points.

“The season is yet to be over; with Pan Am and Vegas still on the list, official FWT 2015 test days will be arranged for December for drivers looking to test prior to the event,” finished Campbell.

Team PSL Karting will be trackside in 2014 at the Rotax Pan American Challenge and SKUSA SuperNationals. Team PSL Karting is associated with CRG, Maxter Kart Engines, Rotax, Tillett Racing Seats, Sniper, Unipro, Douglas Wheels, Vega, MG Tires, Arai, Freem, Alfano, D.I.D. Racing Chains, Briggs & Stratton, KG and ORG.

To learn more about the World’s #1 CRG distributor, sales & service, arrive & drive opportunities, PSL racing engines or dealer opportunities, please visit www.pslkarting.com or www.pslkartingusa.com.

Jeffrey Kingsley added ECKC DD2 champion to his Canadian National title earned in August, and shared the championship podium with teammate Alessandro Bizzotto in third (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)