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| Features |
| eKartingNews.ca Driver Rankings – Rotax DD2 as of May 31, 2011 |
The first of the 2011 eKartingNews.ca DD2 Driver Rankings doesn’t see a lot of change inside the top ten from the 2010 rankings. The number of two-speed racers stays virtually the same at 74 drivers with two or more starts versus 76 at the end of September. There were a total of 333 starts among the May 2011 Ranking for an average number of starts of 4.5 per driver. A total of 12 rookies hit the charts with three new drivers from the Western Canadian Championship, five in the Quebec Cup and four new faces in the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship. Of note is the absence of Michael Vincec in the DD2 Rankings as the 2011 Florida Winter Tour DD2 Champion and Team Canada member takes his CRG Karting factory-supported effort to Rotax Senior Max for the Canadian part of his 2011 program.
Leading the way remains Kyle Herder (CRG) as he heads into 2011 exactly where he left in 2010. While the Grand Finals didn’t go according to plan, Herder is back in a kart and looking for some redemption. On his tail is Cory Luciano (CRG) who remains in second place as he runs a solid karting program and tests a Legends stock car program. Keeping his third place spot from 2010 is perennial front runner Darren White (Tony Kart), who had an up and down Winter Tour as he looks to get back to Team Canada. Up one spot to take over fourth place is globe trotting kart racer and formula car driver Matthew DiLeo (Intrepid). Down one spot to sit in fifth, Enrico Menotti (Intrepid), who is hoping for a solid 2011 season following a break out 2010 that saw him take wins in the ECKC. Tyler McEwen (CRG) was one of the busiest racers in 2010 and remains in the top ten in the sixth spot. The top rookie in the 2010 EKN.ca Rankings, Reid Arnold (CRG) is ready to make a run for the top spot as he works his second season of DD2 action. Marc Andre Bourgeios (CRG) has quietly moved his way into the top ten as he gains races in some the largest fields in the country. Veteran campaigner and multi time champion Michael Glaze (EA Kart) moves into the ninth spot, while Travis McDonald (ItalKart) represents the best of the west sitting in the tenth spot to round out the top ten to kick off 2011.
Looking into the rankings we see some familiar names making their way toward the top spot. Christophe Boisclair (Birel) is back in the DD2 ranks in the 15th spot. World Champion Pier-Luc Ouellette (CRG) is sizing up the DD2 field and he makes his presence felt in 35th. The highest rookie in the field is Nicholas Latifi (CRG), while the biggest mover on the charts is Quebec’s Francis Mondou (Intrepid) who is up 29 spots from 49th to hold down 20th.
Rotax DD2 Top Ten - as of May 31, 2011
| May-11 | Sep-10 | Change | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 1. | N/C | Kyle Herder | 6 | 4743 | | 2. | 2. | N/C | Cory Luciano | 9 | 4703 | | 3. | 3. | N/C | Darren White | 8 | 4634 | | 4. | 5. | 1 | Matthew DiLeo | 6 | 4596 | | 5. | 4. | -1 | Enrico Menotti | 6 | 4594 | | 6. | 6. | N/C | Tyler McEwan | 11 | 4458 | | 7. | 7. | N/C | Reid Arnold | 8 | 4436 | | 8. | 14. | 6 | Marc-Andre Bourgeios | 13 | 4371 | | 9. | 12. | 3 | Michael Glaze | 7 | 4358 | | 10. | 11. | 1 | Travis McDonald | 7 | 4348 | |
For the complete Rotax DD2 Driver Rankings, click HERE
 | Rotax DD2 Number 1, Kyle Herder
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Rotax DD2 #1 - Kyle Herder
Stouffville, Ontario
Last year's DD2 National Champion and Team Canada member is splitting his time between racing and tuning. Looking to make a return trip to the Grand Finals, Herder is running in the WCC with GBR Karting on a Lewis Hamilton kart, all part of a joint venture with PSL Karting of Quebec and Karts and Parts of Ontario. A great opening weekend at the Greg Moore Raceway saw Herder take back-to-back wins to kick off 2011. Combining racing and tuning keeps Herder and the Karts and Parts crew hopping as they look to win races right across the country. Versatile is the best description for Herder who has been to Rotax Grand Finals as both a tuner and a driver. The DD2 ranks continue to attract very seasoned drivers looking to compete for some of the best prizes in karting. With Herder not in the mix in the East, look for some of the new kids in town to take a shot at his title as his participation in the Canadian Nationals remains up in the air.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| 2010 ECKC #5 - Monaco Trois-Rivieries | 8 | 1 | 920 | | 2010 Coupe de Montreal #4 | 8 | 1 | 954 | | 2010 ECKC #6 | 8 | 2 | 923 | | 2010 Canadian National Championships | 10 | 1 | 1122 | | WCC #1 | 8 | 2 | 824 | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 1.4
Average points: 948.6
Total Points: 4743
 | Nicholas Latifi
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Nicholas Latifi
Toronto, Onatrio
Latifi hits the ranks as the highest position rookie driver in the field sitting in 35th place. With just four races to his credit so far in 2011, look for Latifi to move up quickly as he reaches the critical five race mark. An extremely busy off season had the 15-year-old driver run both the FWT and the Gatorz Challenge, where he took the DD2 class championship and earned an extra spot at the Grand Finals for Team Canada. Now in the Canadian portion of his 2011 campaign, the Sofina Foods Driver Development Program member is looking to make a mark here in the ECKC. Also the talented teen has qualified for the Pan Am Challenge Finals taking place at New Castle Motorsports Complex later in the year. Consistently running in the top five against some of the best two speed drivers in the world, Latifi along with coach David Tennyson, continue to make an impact at each event and are always a threat to hit the podium.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| ECKC #1 | 8 | 5 | 870 | | ECKC #2 | 8 | 4 | 879 | | Quebec Championship #2 | 8 | 19 | 734 | | ECKC #3 | 8 | 4 | 850 | |
Inside the Stats
Average finish: 8
Average points: 833.3
Total Points: 3333
Up next Senior Max. |
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