------------------------ First SRFKC in
2004 ----------------------
Round 1 in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting
Championship took place at Goodwood Kartways in Stoufville this
past weekend. 4B Racing settled in early on Thursday knowing
the weather was going to be a factor. Because this is Tyler's
home track, testing for the weekend was not a serious concern
especially looking at what the weather gods were predicting.
Mid day on Friday the intermitent rain started and would continue
to fall for the entire weekend eventually postponing all the
races scheduled on Sunday. Early word has it that the track
in Hamilton will hold a double header later in May when the
Series rolls into Cameron Motorsports park May 28-30th. All
the entrants scheduled to run the Sunday classes that missed
out at Goodwood will run 2 complete race events on the Sunday
in Hamilton.
As a result Tyler did not get to run the Canada Junior Heavy
class and will be one of the drivers doubling up in Hamilton.
Tyler did run the Rotax on Saturday, his first regional event
in the Rotax Max Junior Division. All the top drivers (24 in
total) from across Ontario and Quebec were on hand, as this
is one of the qualifying races for the National Championship
to be run this summer in Chilliwack B.C. The team decided to
skip the first practice to save the rain tires and also because
of Tyler's confidence in the rain. Qualifying was split into
2 groups with Tyler slotted into the 3rd position in the 1st
group. He quickly passed the 2 karts in front of him and continued
to set the fast time in the first session. Unfortunately with
a break in the weather and the track drying all the team could
do was watch as the 2nd group qualified on a drier track.. When
all was said and done Tyler lined up for the prefinal 10th on
the grid.
By the time the race arrived we were back in the wet. Tyler
focused, and used his wet weather skills to slowly work his
way forward to finish the prefinal in 6th position. As the 25
lap final approached we scrambled to go back to a dry set up.
But both Tyler and the team were focused to finish the day off
as strong as they had started. Unfortunately with all the rain
and constant carburetion changes and maintenance that is needed
on a wet day bad luck would surface. On the 2 warm-up laps Tyler's
carburetor air box would come off causing a substantial loss
of low end power. Instead of taking a chance on blowing up the
Hurricane Racing prepared motor Tyler pulled to the pits after
having completed just 2 laps.
The whole team was incredibly disappointed, but also encouraged
as well. Tyler's Dad and crew chief had this to say about the
day. "Even though we didn't complete the final, Tyler has
proven to both himself and all the competitors in this highly
competitive class that he will be a contender and that is what
we have to remain focused on". Between now and round 2
of the regional series the team will be racing each weekend
on both Saturday and Sundays.
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