RMCGF Team Canada Driver Preview: Jeffrey Kingsley

For the third day in a row we preview a Team Canada Rotax Grand Max Challenge Grand Finals driver who won both the ASN Canadian National Championship and the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship titles in 2014 in his respective class. Today’s driver is Rotax DD2 champion Jeffrey Kingsley.

Kingsley was a member of Team Canada a year ago as a Rotax Junior when the Rotax Grand Finals were held in New Orleans, USA. As a Grand Finals rookie, Kingsley was very impressive, qualifying third overall and winning two heat races, but a tough final day of competition didn’t score him the overall results he deserved. Now qualified as a Rotax DD2 driver, Kingsley’s challenge is on a much grander scale in the premier division.

2014 was an excellent year for the Whitby, Ontario native. Claiming both the Canadian and ECKC Championships in fine fashion, Kingsley was also very quick at events in the USA,the Florida Winter Tour and Rotax Pan American Challenge. He also completed a full season in the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship, his first season in an open-wheel race car.

The Rotax Grand Finals will be Kingsley’s first European competition, but as a driver he has shown to adapt well to situations presented to him we don’t expect the culture shock of Spain to hold Kingsley back.

Along with a victory at the Canadian Championships, Kingsley scored ECKC wins Mosport and Goodwood en route to the title. (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Driver Bio:

Name: Jeffrey Kingsley
Division: Rotax DD2
Age: 16
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Years Racing: 6
Race Team: PSL Karting
Past Trips to RMCGF: 2011 Dubai (Spectator), 2013 New Orleans
Career Highlights (To date): 2-time Canadian National Champion (Mini-Max 2011, Rotax DD2 2014), 2-time ECKC Champion (Rotax Junior 2013, Rotax DD2 2014), 2 heat wins at 2013 RMCGF (Rotax Junior)

As mentioned, Kingsley qualified for the Rotax Grand Finals as Canadian Champion in Rotax DD2. With an up and down season in regards to luck in the ECKC, securing the ticket early was a sigh of relief. “It was such a great feeling to get my ticket as all the stress went away. After all the unlucky things that have happened to me, we were relived and super happy.”

Even though it is his first year in the DD2 class, Kingsley still has his focus on winning against a class stacked full of talent from around the world. “My goal is to win. At the previous Grand Finals I learned that it is super important to stay relaxed and become more aggressive at the end (if your at the front). From leading at last years Grand Finals, I noticed people get into trouble by getting to anxious at the start of the race.”

For the 2014 Canadian season Kingsley connected with Sylvain Clair, a legend from the PSL Karting operation. The two will work together at the Grand Finals seeking a third title this year. “Chef has been my mechanic since the first ECKC race this year. We have a great connection, which adds on with great results and great speed.”

After reviewing the Kartodromo Lucas Guerrero circuit in Spain, Kingsley feels confident that he can get up to speed quickly. “I really enjoy the fast flowing style of track. I find that a lot of the speed comes with what you do in the seat that will separate you from the others.”

Kingsley juggled his racing in 2014 between karting and a full season in an F1600 car racing. (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

And finally Kingsley is excited to race on the same CRG chassis that he raced on all season long. While the Grand Finals limits what adjustments and materials can be utilized, having a strong understanding of the chassis will be a nice advantage during the limited amount of practice provided. “I have been running the CRG chassis all year. It will be different running on the standard and limited settings that we are allowed, but wont be a struggle. I think it is the best idea to have every driver on the same chassis. It makes everyone more equal and it makes it come down to the driving.”

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.