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| Features |
| eKartingNews.ca Canadian Driver Rankings - Rotax DD2 - 2009 |
The two-speed crowd is enjoying expanding ranks and great competition as Rotax DD2 Max is in a growing stage here in Canada. In Ontario, the grids at the regional level have seen a marked increase as drivers look for more performance and speed. Within our ranking system, 62 drivers took at least one start in 2009, up 12 drivers or 19% over the 50 drivers in the rankings in 2008. In 2009 there was 211 starts or 3.4 starts per driver. In 2008 we had only 193 starts from the 50 listed drivers who averaged 3.9 starts. So the field grew in size and number of drivers this year, but drivers ran fewer races on average in the 2009, with many doing just one off’s like Shannonville or the Nationals. The biggest field was at BSRKC Round #3 at Mosport where the current 2009 National Champion Frank Launi beat a field of 25 karts to take an emotional win. Many club and local drivers are testing the regional racing events, which looks good for 2010. In Quebec, the DD2 class was treated to an appearance by Indy 500 winner and former Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve.
The driver taking the top spot in the EKN.ca Driver Ranking for DD2 category was Darren White of GreenSpeed/Tony Kart with a total tally of 4584 points. The second year DD2 pilot followed up an amazing 2008 season with an even more impressive 2009. In our last ranking White was tagged as the driver on the move, and he proved that was the case in 2009. White was followed in rankings by Innisfil Indy/GP pilot Frank Launi, buoyed by a big win at the 2009 ASN Canada FIA National Championships. Launi had a great second half of the 2009 season, missing the first two BSRKC races and proved to be fast each time out. A trio of Cameron Motorsports/CRG drivers make up the rest of the top five rankings. This group is lead by Stoney Creek, Ontario’s Eric Simon in third spot, Enrico Menotti, winner of the 2009 Hinchtown Driver Award and last year's number one ranked driver in fourth place and Tyler McEwan, a rookie in DD2 action, who rounds out the top five.
Rotax DD2 Driver Rankings Top-Five
| Pos | 2008 Pos | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 2 | 1 | Darren White | 7 | 4584 | | 2. | 20 | 18 | Frank Launi | 5 | 4487 | | 3. | 11 | 8 | Eric Simon | 7 | 4423 | | 4. | 1 | -3 | Enrico Menotti | 7 | 4366 | | 5. | - | - | Tyler McEwan | 7 | 4361 | | |
For the complete Rotax DD2 Driver Rankings, click HERE
 | Darren White stood atop the podium many times in 2009, and going into 2010, he holds the EKN.ca number one ranking
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Rotax DD2 Max #1 - Darren White
Port Hope, Ontario
Darren White is turning out to be one of Canada’s top racing talents and his diversity is showing in spades. He followed up his 2008 Canadian title with a 2009 Florida Winter Tour title, which immediately placed him on Team Canada for the 2009 Rotax Max Grand Finals. This allowed White to enter the regional racing scene knowing he already had a seat on Team Canada in hand. White would make the switch to the new GreenSpeed Karting team after taking two straight DD2 titles aboard a CRG, a bold move that some might have questioned. Along with tuner Mike Roth, the two would quickly set the pace in BSRKC action taking the win in the opening two rounds and looking unbeatable. Like many things in racing the obvious doesn’t always apply and in round three, in the biggest field of the season, disaster struck with White crossing the stripe in 12th in a 25-kart field. White would fight back with good results in the Nationals just missing the podium in fourth spot and three more top fives in BSRKC including a season ending win at Kawartha.
The highlight of the 2009 season was beating a huge international field at the FWT to take the DD2 championship with one round to spare. White would also take the BSRKC DD2 title to add to his collection. With a trip to Egypt as part of Team Canada, White can head to the Grand Finals with one more important step are ready completed. That final step to take over the number one position in the EKN.ca Driver Rankings.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points
| BSRKC #1 Sutton | 8 | 1 | 867 | | BSRKC #2 Sutton Reverse | 8 | 1 | 879 | | BSRKC #4 Flamboro | 8 | 4 | 870 | | BSRKC #5 Shannonville | 8 | 3 | 895 | | 2009 Canadian Nationals | 10 | 4 | 1073 | | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 2.6
Average points: 916.8
Total points: 4584
 | Thomas McGregor stands as "The Best from the West"
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Rotax DD2 Max “The Best from the West” – Thomas MacGregor
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Western Canadian Challenge produces great racing and great racers. This year the top DD2 pilot was Thomas MacGregor, who took eighth in the final standings, up one from 2008. The second year senior driver can be seen running in both Rotax DD2 and Rotax Senior throughout the Western provinces. This past summer MacGregor made the trek east to participate in the 2009 ASN Canada FIA National Championships, a trip that no doubt helped him move up the rankings. The Arrow Kart driver can be seen in the paddock with his father working the wrenches as this independent team takes on the big teams. In just his second season, the quiet Saskatoon Kart Racers club member does his talking on the track, running at the front every time out. Look for MacGregor to run strong in 2010 as he continues to march towards the top of the EKN.ca Driver Rankings.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| Western Canadian Challenge #1 | 8 | 2 | 825 | | Western Canadian Challenge #2 | 8 | 2 | 825 | | Western Canadian Challenge #4 | 8 | 3 | 817 | | Western Canadian Challenge #5 | 8 | 2 | 828 | | 2009 Canadian Nationals | 10 | 14 | 963 | | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 4.6
Average points: 851.6
Total points: 4258 |
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