Driver News - Mike Vincec goes for two karting Championships this weekend
Championships on the line in final race Mike Vincec looks to finish Sunoco Ron Fellows Series with two September 12, 2006 - Stouffville, ON. - For 15 year-old Mike Vincec it has all come down to the final round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship (SRFKC) as he goes for his second series championship in 2006 - and just maybe a third. The series was last on track over the Labour Day weekend at the Mosport Driver Development Track and weather would play a big role in most races. Mike would hit the track on Saturday in Rotax where a win could move him into first place. Going out in the wet, Mike built a strong lead in the early laps but by mid-race his rear bumper had worked loose and was dragging behind the kart. Mike was given the "meatball" flag, which is given when there are mechanical issues, and he was forced to retire. With half the race done and a number of other drivers off the course, Mike would be awarded eleventh place giving him enough points to stay in the hunt for the final round. He still has a mathematical chance to win the championship, by the slimmest of margins, provided a lot of other things fall into place. With a good result however, Mike is looking forward to finishing in the top three. With strong results all season long, Mike has locked up the championship in Senior F1-K with a 156-point lead. At the front of practically every race this year, he would lead the pack from pole for Sunday's final at Mosport but an early spin moved him back in the field. Mike would fight his way back to finish on the podium and add to his overall point lead. "I'm looking forward to the final race at Goodwood" offered Mike. "It's been my home track since I started karting and it would be great to end the season there with a win." Mike looks to put an exclamation point on this championship run Sunday afternoon. All the excitement however, will come Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. when the Stouffville, Ontario native tries to put a cap on the Formula Senior (ICC) class. Mike's first season in the senior shifter category started out a bit slow in the Sunoco Ron Fellows series, but he has clawed his way back. Now, with perseverance and timely results, he sits atop the leader board going into the final round. According to Mike, "It all came together at Barrie. After a tough, very close race in Hamilton, it was great put a win in the books." Mike would continue with back-to-back wins at Mosport and will take a 39-point lead into the final race. "We took a gamble at the second Mosport event" Mike noted. "It had been raining quite a bit, but the track was drying and our decision to go out on slicks worked." Mike had been sitting second in the championship at that point, having moved forward with each event. On a very rainy weekend, the decision to put slicks on could have proved disastrous as Mike fell well off the pace in the early laps. But as the track dried, he picked up the pace and was soon catching and passing the leaders when their rain tires went away. "Winning Formula Senior is really the ultimate goal this year. We wanted to show what we could do at this level and hopefully continue our success into the 2007 season." Mike is also hoping that with a strong showing in all three classes his performance will be noticed by those choosing the drivers for the Sunoco Team Ultra 94 tryouts. The final races in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship take place this coming weekend, September 16 &17 at Goodwood Kartways located just Northeast of Toronto. Mike will race Rotax Senior on Saturday with F1-K and Formula Senior on Sunday. For additional information on Mike Vincec and BIG Racing visit www.mikev.ca Photo credit: Ed Gatner Hi-res images available upon request Media Contact: Chris Jameson Level Ten Communications +1 416.730.1024 media@mikev.ca -- 30 --