Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Evaluation day invitees selected
Ten of the best in Canada Matt Champagne, Kyle Herder, Mike Roth, Juliana Chiovitti, Frank Launi Rob Oakman, Aaron de Heus and Alex Penfold join Jordy Vorrath and Jake Thompson as the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship names invitees for evaluation day ` GOODWOOD, ON - The final selection of drivers for the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship evaluation day that will take place on Sept. 27, at the Bridgestone/Firestone Racing Academy at Mosport International Raceway have been announced. At the recent ASN Canada FIA Canadian Nationals in Calgary, British Columbia's Jordy Vorrath was selected based on his strong performance at the Nationals in his Italkart. Also picked at the Nationals was Jake Thompson from Edmonton. Thompson drove his PCR to its maximum at Calgary and he caught the eyes of the evaluation committee. Joining Vorrath and Thompson will be joined Canada Senior Champion Kyle Herder. Herder had a strong year in his Gold Kart and the Goodwood, ON resident is looking forward to the evaulation day. "It will be good to get back in a car," Herder said. "The competition will be tough, but I think I will able to show my abilities there." The other Canada Senior driver going to the day is Rob Oakman. "I am surprised, but very happy," Oakman said. Uxbridge's Aaron de Heus had a very up and down year in his Gold Kart, but it was his sportsmanship that earned him a date with Mosport. "Its incredible what Sunoco and Ron Fellows are doing. I have always dreamed of racing a car, now for at least a day I will do it," de Heus said. Formula Senior Champion Matt Champagne will part company with his MBA F125 shifter kart to try the F2000 cars at Mosport. "I can't wait," an excited Champagne said. "We really had a good year, and to even be invited to the test day is an honour." Also from Formula Senior going to the evaluation are Birel drivers Mike Roth and Sutton, ON's Juliana Chiovitti. "I have been praying to be selected," Chiovitti said. "I started the championship late and I thought that would hurt me, but we had a strong year and I am really, really thankful that I got selected." Alex Penfold powered his Hot Wheels Birel all year with mixed results and he will also be heading to Mosport. "This championship is so tough," Penfold said. "I am happy to be selected and I will try to do my best." Rounding out the group is CMP's Frank Launi. Launi won the 2001 F125 championship, but 2002 has not been kind to the popular Innisfil driver. "It has been a year to forget on the track," Launi said. "By being invited to participate in the evaulation day, this has instantly become a good, no, great year for me. I am - to be honest - shocked, thank you Sunoco and Ron Fellows." Out of these 10 drivers, two will earn a full scholarship to the 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Toronto Star Wheels F2000 racing series. 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 competed in four classes (Canada Junior, Canada Senior, Formula Junior and Formula Senior). The Formula Senior class will featured F125cc shifter karts, which are capable of exceeding 100 mph. Both Formula classes feature Formula 1 style standing starts.