Latifi Qualifies For Pan Am Challenge Finale
press release
Nicholas Latifi of Toronto, Ontario, a member of the Sofina Foods Driver Development Program, made two trips to the podium at the opening weekend of the 2011 Pan American Challenge. Having run the final weekend of Gatorz Challenge of the Americas, where he took the DD2 class title, Latifi also logged the first qualifier weekend for Pan Am.
Aobe: Nicholas Latifi made two trips to the podium at Homestead with one win and one third place finish
pic - Cody Schindel,Autosports Media Group
This past weekend was the opening of the Eastern division and the first opportunity on the east coast to collect qualifying races. The two weekends combine to give Latifi the four-race requirement to head to New Castle Motorsports Park in September where drivers from all of the Americas will run for invitations to the 2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. For Latifi, already qualified for a trip to Dubai, the international level RMC racing gives him an opportunity to hone his skills in his rookie year of senior action.
"The field was light for DD2 which was disappointing. But it did give us a chance to work on a number of parts of our program," comments David Tennyson, former sports car racer and now driving coach for Latifi. "Homestead always breeds great racing and the action was really close. We are looking forward to New Castle in September."
The weekend started out perfect as Latifi managed a clean sweep on Saturday taking pole in qualifying, winning the prefinal and setting fast lap. The last piece of business was winning the final for top spot on the box. On Sunday the action got even closer as Latifi went P3 in qualifying followed by third in the final. Wheel-to-wheel action in the final saw Latifi regain third place on the last lap to take the final step on the podium.
"This past weekend played out very well. On the Saturday race day we managed to take the win. On Sunday it was a bit different as the other drivers found more speed and it made things really competitive," commented Latifi. "Overall it was a productive weekend because we resolved some problems that we were facing in Ocala. I really want to thank my mechanic Coy, my coach Dave and my parents for all of their hard work and support."
Following the opening Eastern round of the Pan American Challenge Latifi, the Sofina Driver Development Program will set their sights on the opening of the Canadian karting season. The Eastern Canadian Karting Championship will kick off in May at Goodwood Kartways just outside Latifi's hometown of Toronto, ON.
The Sofina Foods Driver Development program is proud to support Canadian drivers reaching the international stage