RMCGF Team Canada Driver Preview: John Buzza

Ten Team Canada drivers previews down, three to go, all of whom qualified for the 2014 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals through international competition.

In 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba’s John Buzza saw an opportunity and pounced on it. Wanting to make the move to the Rotax DD2 category, he purchased a 2013 RMCGF CRG and set the wheels in motion at the Rotax CAN-AM ProKart Challenge. Unfortunately for Buzza, the competition failed to really show up, giving him nobody to race against. Fortunately, by completing all four rounds he earned himself a ticket to Spain as part of Team Canada.

After completing the cross-country trip from Chilliwack, BC to Mont-Tremblant, QC in unspeakable time, Buzza was set to finally place himself into some DD2 competition at the ASN Canadian National Championships, only to have the chassis fail him in practice and forcing him to shift his attention to his Briggs & Stratton machine for the remainder of the weekend.

John Buzza qualified as the 2014 Rotax CAN-AM ProKart Challenge Rotax DD2 Champion (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Driver Bio:

Name: John Buzza
Division: Rotax DD2
Age: 18
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Years Racing: 7
Race Team: Rolison Performance Group
Past Trips to RMCGF: None
Career Highlights (To date): Rotax Can-Am Challenge Champion (Rotax DD2, 2014), Western Canadian Champion (Junior Briggs, 2011), Canadian Nationals Podium (Junior Briggs, 2011)

With it being his first trip to the Rotax Grand Finals, Buzza couldn’t believe it when he secured the ticket at the final round in Chilliwack, BC. “When I was confirmed for Team Canada, I could hardly believe it and the feeling was something you only get once in a lifetime.”

As a father and son race team, Buzza has built an excellent connection to his dad and the two are very excited to get to Valencia, Spain together as their first European adventure.

Knowing the competition will be stiff, Buzza has set quite respectable goals as Rotax Grand Finals rookie. “As it is my first time at the Grand Finals, my initial goal is to qualify for the main event without needing the LCQ.”

A broken chassis at the Canadian Championships ended Buzza’s chance to compete against Canada’s best DD2 racers (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

And after having a review of the track video, Buzza feels the track will suit his driving style. “What stands out to me is the long straight and potentially high top speeds. All my favourite tracks are fast and flowing so I think that I will enjoy the Valencia track layout.”

Finally, Buzza is excited to work with Canadian teammates Ben Cooper, Fred Woodley and Jeff Kingsley in the DD2 category.

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.