PR: PSL Karting set to contest Eastern Canadian Karting Championship Opener

Trois-Rivières, Quebec – May 24, 2012 – After wrapping up two successful winter series and recently embarking on two regional series in Canada, Team PSL Karting is ready to take on the ultra-competitive and highly regarded Eastern Canadian Karting Championship (ECKC). With the 2012 ECKC schedule set to begin this weekend at the famed Goodwood Kartways in Stouffville, Ontario, 14 talented drivers will take to the ten-turn, 1.2km track looking to continue PSL’s glory. Several strong international competitors have also made the trek to the opening round of the ECKC to take in the rising popularity of the Rotax Max Challenge-sanctioned event with the championship-caliber CRG team.

Most notable on the driver line-up for the karting powerhouse is none other than two-time Rotax DD2 World Champion Pier-Luc Ouellette. The reigning Eastern Canadian Karting Championship DD2 titleholder is back for another season in the two-speed class after contesting the 2012 Florida Winter Tour (FWT) in the Rotax Senior category, as he will look to score a repeat title and corresponding invitation to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. Joining the PSL DD2 contingent will be Ouellette’s younger brother, Hugo, a former Rotax Senior Canadian National Champion and Team Canada member. The two have been known to put on a great show in the past, and with both taking on the DD2 category it is sure to be a treat for all. 2011 US Rotax DD2 Grand National Champion Kristina Vorndran will join the PSL Karting team north of the border, as the talented female pilot will take on the deep DD2 fields the ECKC has become known for. Alessando Bizotto will complete the PSL DD2 drivers.

Three PSL/CRG drivers will take on the DD2 Masters category, and with the added incentive of a direct invitation to the RMCGF on the line in 2012, the competition is sure to be fierce in the over 32 class. Luc Sauriol, the 2006 Rotax Masters World Champion, is sure to be on top of his game in Goodwood and will be joined by Enrico Bolduc and Marc-Andre Bourgeois.

“I am really happy have to have a mix of international competitors join in the PSL driver line-up for this year’s ECKC” – Andrew Campbell

Rotax Junior will also see three drivers carrying PSL colours in the ECKC series. Newly acquired CRG driver Zachary Claman-DeMelo enters as the defending ECKC Rotax Junior champion and will look to use his experience as a factory CRG pilot to his advantage in hopes to retain his title against a deep and talented Junior field. Another new recruit will join the PSL stable, as Brazilian Gustavo Bandeira will add to the international flair of the entire PSL ECKC line-up. 2011 Canadian National Championships top-five finisher Samuel Fontaine will complete the PSL Junior contingent.

Florida Winter Tour standout and Miami, Florida resident Matt Thomas will make his ECKC Mini Max debut with Team PSL Karting. Finishing fourth in the overall FWT point standings, Thomas will certainly give the Canadians a run for their money in Goodwood. Gianfranco Mazzaferro will took to make gains on a tenth place finish in the 2011 ECKC Mini Max standings, as the third place podium finisher from the 2011 Canadian Nationals surely has what it takes to compete for the overall title. Completing the trio of PSL Mini Max drivers is Alex Murphy.

Finally, one lone Micro Max driver will enter the Goodwood rounds as Matthew Latifi is set to make his ECKC debut. The younger brother of DD2 standout Nicholas Latifi will be one to watch in the youngest class in the ECKC program.

“I am really happy have to have a mix of international competitors join in the PSL driver line-up for this year’s ECKC,” stated PSL Karting’s US Sales Manager Andrew Campbell. “The ECKC is becoming more well-known for their huge fields and incredible competition, and it really shows with our four international drivers joining us here in Goodwood.”

Team PSL Karting is already on site at Goodwood Kartways, taking in pre-event testing with official practice kicking off May 25. Two full days of racing action will follow on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 to start of the 2012 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship series.

Team PSL Karting will be trackside in 2012 at the Florida Winter Tour, Pan American Rotax Max Challenge, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Quebec Cup, Le Monaco de Trois-Rivieres, United States Grand Nationals, ASN Canada FIA Canadian National Karting Championships 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, Bell, ULV, Mir, Freem, Elf Fuels, Alfano, MaxJet Software, D.I.D. Racing Chains, KC and Power Mist

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.

A new recruit to Team PSL Karting, Brazilian Gustavo Bandeira will contest Rotax Junior in the ECKC season opener (Photo: Autosports Media Group)