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| Features |
| eKartingNews.ca Canadian Driver Rankings - Rotax Junior - 2009 |
With major regional races across Canada now in the books, the numbers are in for 2009. In 2008, our ranking database for Junior Rotax had 129 names with 99 drivers taking at least one start for a total of 510 starts in 32 races for an average grid of 15.9 drivers. For 2009, the database grew by 40 names to 169 with 86 drivers taking at least one start for a total of 427 starts in 25 races for an average grid of 17.08 drivers. With nearly half the grid made up of new faces and a 7% increase in average grid size, all-in-all, it was a good year for regional and national racing in Rotax Junior Max.
Topping the charts in his first full season of Rotax Junior was Top Kart racer Garett Grist, making the move up after three seasons running in the Cadet class in the Stars of Karting. In second spot was Intrepid pilot Spencer Todd who started the year winning round one of the BSRKC. In third spot was Tony Kart driver Steven Szigeti who was able to match last year's performance and complete a great 2009 that includes a second trip to the World Finals. In fourth was the highest ranked rookie as Tony Kart driver Cameron Morrison had a great start to his junior career. Rounding out the top five was CRG hot shoe Tommy Beshro who hit the podium at the Nationals and was also in the top five in 2008.
Rotax Junior Driver Rankings Top-Ten
| Pos | 2008 Pos | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 71 | 70 | Garett Grist | 7 | 4720 | | 2. | 64 | 62 | Spencer Todd | 7 | 4630 | | 3. | 3 | N/C | Steven Szigeti | 11 | 4616 | | 4. | - | - | Cameron Morrison | 7 | 4608 | | 5. | 4 | -1 | Tommy Beshro | 7 | 4534 | | 6. | 10 | 4 | Reid Arnold | 6 | 4440 | | 7. | 25 | 18 | Austin Milwain | 7 | 4429 | | 8. | - | - | Alex Guennette | 8 | 4407 | | 9. | 32 | 23 | Michael Adams | 9 | 4403 | | 10. | - | - | Nicolas Latifi | 7 | 4400 | | |
For the complete Rotax Junior Driver Rankings, click HERE
 | Garett Grist with tuner and coach Kyle Herder made their mark in junior for 2009
(Photo by: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Rotax Junior #1- Garett Grist
Grimsby, Ontario
In 2008 Garett Grist was able to get a taste of things to come. Getting permission to race as a junior by Stars of Karting officials allowed Grist to run in the BSRKC final two races and still be eligible to compete in the 2008 season ending finale in Las Vegas. With a second and a fourth, the Team Top Kart USA driver was excited to enter the 2009 season and would start the year with four straight podiums in regional action. Grist, along with tuner Kyle Herder, would not miss the podium until a lap one crash at Shannonville put him back to 20th, and he was able to get back to eighth running fast lap of the race. In seven starts in ranked events, the Alpinestars-backed driver never missed the top ten and completed every lap.
The highlight of the 2009 season was winning the ASN Canada FIA Canadian National Championships at Goodwood Kartways in early August. This was followed by winning the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship Rotax Junior title in September at Kawartha Downs. Grist will join fellow juniors Steven Szigeti and Bruce Choquer on Team Canada in December before setting his sights on the 2010 season.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| BSRKC #1 Sutton | 8 | 3 | 892 | | BSRKC #2 Sutton Reverse | 8 | 1 | 898 | | BSRKC #3 Mosport | 8 | 2 | 901 | | BSRKC #5 Shannonville | 9 | 8 | 903 | | 2009 Canadian Nationals | 10 | 1 | 1126 | | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 3.0
Average points: 944
Total points: 4720
Junior Rotax’s Iron Girl – Josianne Plante
Montreal, Quebec
No driver is more committed to winning than SH Karting’s Josianne Plante. For the second straight year the shy 16-year-old would run more ranked races than any other driver. In 2008 Plante competed in a record setting 15 ranked events - two more than the next highest. In 2009 she would again stand alone at the top running 13 events to the next best 11. The Tony Kart driver would podium in three events in 2009 including pole in the final Vega Cup round at Grand Mere.
Karting is a family affair with older sister Jessica in Senior Honda and younger brother Maxime in Mini Max, all under the watchful eye of their father and tuner. She can be found at the track practicing at every opportunity, carrying with her a great attitude and incredible focus. For 2009 Josianne will move to Rotax Senior, a challenge she is looking forward to meeting.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| Coupe de Montreal #1 | 8 | 4 | 841 | | Vega Cup #2 | 8 | 4 | 826 | | Coupe de Montreal #3 | 8 | 4 | 844 | | Coupe de Montreal #5 | 8 | 5 | 835 | | Coupe de Montreal #7 | 8 | 7 | 826 | | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 4.8
Average points: 834.4
Total points: 4172 |
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