St-Roch-de-L’Achigan, Quebec - August 14 - Eric Gerrits Canadian Champion

At the SRA track in Quebec, Ontario karter Eric Gerrits won the 2005 ASN Canada FIA National Karting Championship in Rotax Max Senior, earning him the title of Canadian Champion.

"It was a hard weekend for sure", said Gerrits after the race. Our First Kart was good at the beginning of the weekend, but we still had to work hard to stay at the front".

With the win, came the opportunity for Gerrits to represent Canada in the Rotax Max World Finals, which pits drivers from over 40 countries racing identical Rotax Max karts for the World Championship. "It is one thing to win this race," Gerrits said. "But it is something all together different to have the chance to represent Canada in the World Finals  it is something you only dream about".

For Gerrits, winning the National Championship and the opportunity to represent his country was the culmination of three years worth of work. Gerrits started karting late by karting standards. He made his maiden foray into the sport back in 2002, when he was 16, racing against drivers that already had seven to ten years of experience. His first year in competitive karting he finished second in TKC (Toronto Kart Club) points, then moved up to Rotax for 2004. But to make the weight, he had to loose 25 lbs, which he did in just a few months. To prepare for the 2004 season, Gerrits competed in the Florida Winter tour taking second overall in the championship. Later in 2004, he won three TKC championships, and was named TKC driver of the year. Gerrits also finished 2nd in2005 in the Senior Rotax Florida Winter Formula Kart Championship.

Innisfil, Ontario, September 25 - Gerrits earns spot at Sunoco Ron Fellows Evaluation Day

Eric Gerrits get his chance at cars after successful season in karting

It was the worst of days and the best of days for reigning Canadian Rotax Max Champion Eric Gerrits. Gerrits was nipped for the pole in the final Rotax Max Senior race of the year, placing him second on the grid. “I got beat for the Pfaff Fast Qualifier on the last lap in qualifying,” said Gerrits. “and that turned out to be the difference in the championship.”

At the start of the 30 lap final, Gerrits took the lead, and was never challenged for the lead, then on lap 23 of 30, a broken chain ended his day, handing over first place to another competitor. “It was a killer,” Gerrits said. “I was doing all I could to get second in the championship, and it was working, but when the chain came off, I was done.”

Gerrits was scored fourth, and missed out on second by four points.

That should have been the end of the day, but at the announcement of the invitees to the 2005 Sunoco Evaluation Day, Gerrits’ name was called. “This is a huge opportunity for me,” Gerrits said after the announcement. “The names that have been to Evaluation Day before this year, and having the chance to join them on the Sunoco Team Ultra 94 team for 2005 would be a dream come true. I am looking forward to going to Evaluation Day, and I am happy to be given the chance to try out for the team.”