News Release

Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Rounds 3 and 4

INNISFIL, ONTARIO - June 15 & 16, 2002 - Close to 100 teams made the trip to Innisfil for rounds 3 and 4 of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship on June 15-16. Variable weather and difficult track conditions greeted the competitors for the second straight race weekend, however the mood in the paddock from the drivers was that this series is quickly growing into something special.

Gold Kart's Kyle Herder kept his perfect streak going by taking the pole in Canada Senior. MBA's Justin Mascoll took the Canada Junior pole, while First Kart's Scott Martin captured the pole in Formula Junior. The fastest class, Formula Senior, was headed up by CRG's Tom Cadieux. Each of these drivers is now $100 richer thanks the to new Pfaff Motorsports Fast Qualifier award that was announced at this event.

First up was Canada Junior, and Justin Mascoll won both races from the pole. In race 1, he was pushed hard by Evan Hayden, and Robert Wickens was third. In race 2, Travis Walker and Bryan Sipec rounded out the podium.

Canada Senior followed next and it was a pair of action packed races. Kyle Herder managed to hold on for the win in race 1, followed by Stefano Romano, who pushed Herder hard all race. Brandon Lawson came home third. In race two it was Frank Launi who completed the drive from last on the grid to win. He was followed by Aaron de Heus and Kris Martin.

Formula Junior was once again all Wickens. He outwitted polesitter Scott Martin on the start and never looked back - in either race. Martin however had the fastest trap speed of 111 kph. Rounding out the podium was Dan Twizell, in race one - but he was sent back three positions for an infraction at the weigh-in scales. That gave James Hinchcliffe third in both races.

Formula Senior was heartbreak for Tom Cadieux. He led comfortably from the pole in race 1 until Mike Roth snuck by him. A lap later Cadieux was gone after breaking a chain. Roth held on for the win, followed by Matt Champagne and Frank Launi. Race 2 was all Champagne as he jumped Roth on the start and never looked back. Roth hung on for second and Richard Penfold rounded out the podium.

Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship
Rounds 3 and 4, Innisfil Kart Club
June 15-16, 2002
Results;

Canada Junior
Race 1: 1. Justin Mascoll, 2. Evan Hayden, 3. Robert Wickens.
Race 2: 1. Justin Mascoll, 2. Travis Walker, 3. Bryan Sipec

Canada Senior
Race 1: 1. Kyle Herder, 2. Stefano Romano, 3. Brandon Lawson
Race 2: 1. Frank Launi, 2. Aaron de Heus, 3. Kris Martin

Formula Junior
Race 1: 1. Robert Wickens, 2. Scott Martin, 3. James Hinchcliffe
Race 2: 1. Robert Wickens, 2. Scott Martin, 3. Simon Martin

Formula Senior
Race 1: 1. Michael Roth, 2. Matt Champagne, 3. Frank Launi
Race 2: 1. Matt Champagne, 2. Michael Roth, 3. Richard Penfold.

The objective of the SRFKC is to help foster a professional environment for kart drivers; help create a positive attitude towards appearance, conduct and discipline; help foster the employment of the best practices for the safe and fair running of competitions; and help kart drivers to move up the racing ladder to automobile racing.
Many of the top karters from Ontario and other provinces are scheduled to compete in four classes (Canada Junior, Canada Senior, Formula Junior and Formula Senior). The Formula Senior class features F125cc shifter karts, which are capable of exceeding 100 mph. Both Formula classes make Formula 1 style standing starts.

At the end of the season, two drivers will be selected from each of the four classes plus the two drivers from the ASN Canadian National Championships will be invited to a one-day evaluation test at the Bridgestone/Firestone Racing Academy at Mosport, provided they are 16 years of age prior to the date of the test.
Out of those 10 drivers, two will earn a full scholarship to the 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Toronto Star Wheels F2000 racing series.

Photos available on request, contact
Russ Bond, Inside Karting, [email protected]

For more information, please contact: Brad Brown, Sunoco Motorsports, www.sunoco.ca (416)-233-8727. ASN Canada FIA, Paul Cooke, www.asncanada.com, (905)-403-9000. Russ Bond, www.insidetracknews.com, (416)-962-7223