RMCGF Team Canada Driver Preview: Francis Mondou

The fourth and final Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals Team Canada member to enter as a 2014 Canadian Champion is Francis Mondou in the Rotax DD2 Masters division.

Mondou returns to the Rotax Grand Finals after getting his feet wet last year in New Orleans, USA. He gained valuable experience 12 months ago that helped vault him to the top of podium at the Canadian Championships, even after switching between a couple different teams in 2014.

He kicked off his season at the Florida Winter Tour as part of KMS North America, powering a Birel chassis, but when he returned home to Canada, Mondou had switched back to where it all began, SH Racing aboard an FA Kart. Although he struggled in the early going, Mondou clicked in Mont-Tremblant and drove a very spirited run to claim his first Canadian title. While his title bid in the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship came up short a month later in Tremblant, Mondou is ready to leave his mark at the Grand Finals.

Very busy preparing for the Rotax Grand Finals, Mondou jumped back into a kart less than a week ago, braving the cold and putting in laps, excited to get to Spain.

Mondou demonstrating his “Killer Whale” celebration in Mont-Tremblant (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Driver Bio:

Name: Francis Mondou
Division: DD2 Masters
Age: 35
Hometown: Shawinigan, Quebec
Years Racing: 3+6, 1992-1995 & 2008-present
Race Team: SH Racing
Past Trips to RMCGF: 2013 New Orleans, USA

Feeling very stressed entering the Canadian Championships and behind the eight ball in the ECKC, Mondou breathed a sigh of relief with his victory on Sunday, knowing it was his last chance to qualify.

After disappointment in 2013, Mondou is very ambitious travelling to Spain. “This is my second year in a row. Last year the speed was there and we had good setup except for the brakes, which I struggled with. My goal this year is finish top-10, and would like to fight for podium.”

And working with his close friend, Mondou feels confident he can make his goals a reality. “As for now I am going with my mecanic and friend Mark Valletta. Its our first year togheter and we are getting better each race.”

Mondou has been preparing often, ready to arrive in Spain and get up to speed (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

No stranger to the Praga chassis after racing all of 2013 on one Mondou likes the fact that everyone is on a spec chassis.

And for those who are attending for the first time, Mondou laughs with his little piece of advice,”Stay focused, don’t arrive late for the driver meeting and go to sleep early.”

Through the month of November CKN has full coverage of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals and Team Canada. CKN will be trackside in Valencia, Spain from November 23-30 to bring you all the action on https://www.canadiankartingnews.com and on our social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.