Gerrits to represent Canada at World Finals

August 24, 2005

Gerrits to represent Canada at World Finals
Ontario karter Eric Gerrits heads to Malaysia to represent Canada

SHARON, ONTARIO  Last Sunday, Ontario karter Eric Gerrits was probably one 
of the happiest people in Canada. Earlier that day, Gerrits won the 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

Gerrits also has a little work left to do this year as he is gunning for a 
Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship in Rotax Max. With it will come a 
chance to participate in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Evaluation day, and a 
chance to earn a spot on the 2006 Sunoco Team Ultra 94 team.

For now, Gerrits is happy with his new title, Canadian Champion, but he is 
already looking forward to Langkawi, Malaysia, site of the 2005 Rotax Max 
World Finals. "It will be a great experience," Gerrits said. "Canada has 
always sent good teams to the world finals, and this year, I am happy to be 
one of the drivers. I am already starting to prepare because racing all 
week in the heat of Malaysia will take its toll physically."


Eric Gerrits fast facts;
Eric Gerrits is the 2005 Canadian Rotax Max Champion. He is 19 years old 
from Sharon, Ontario. Gerrits has been racing karts since 2002, and he 
finished second in the 2004 Florida Winter Tour, and won three TKC (Toronto 
Kart Club) championships and was named TKC driver of the year. Away from 
the track, Gerrits enjoys camping, fishing and hockey  which he played (rep 
hockey) until he started to karting.
Gerrits is supported by Royal Woodworking Ltd. Aurora, Ontario, Royal 
WoodshopAurora, Ontario www.royalwoodshop.com, and Rutherford Contracting 
of Gormley, Ontario