Zachary Opens Canadian Season With A Win
press release
ZCD Autoports was back on track again this past weekend as they traveled to Goodwood Kartways for the opening round of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship (ECKC). Taking place in Stouffville, Ontario, a small town north of Toronto, ZCD Autosports lead driver Zachary Claman DeMelo walked away from the weekend with a pair of top ten results including a dominating victory in Sunday's racing action.
Above: Zachary Claman DeMelo starts Canadian karting season with a win at ECKC
pic - Autosports Media Group
After qualifying third for Saturday's events, Claman DeMelo quickly jumped into the second position at the start of the prefinal. Battling hard with the eventual heat race winner, Claman DeMelo held his own against the older and more experienced driver swapping the lead on several occasions. When the fourteen-lap heat race came to a close, the young Tony Kart driver would secure a second place result and an outside front row starting spot for the main event.
The main event would start in dramatic fashion, as the pole sitter would look to crowd Claman DeMelo at the drop of the green flag. Encroaching on his driving line as they entered the first corner, Claman DeMelo would be hit by his competitor and sent spinning into the grass while being relegated down the running order to the tail of the field. From 28th in line, Claman DeMelo would recognize the challenge that laid ahead as he began his stellar drive through the talented field of drivers scoring the fastest race lap on route to a fifth place finish. Post race discussions would be see Claman DeMelo classified in the sixth position.
Sunday would prove to be a much better day for the ZCD Autosports team as Claman DeMelo would drive to a dominating victory in the main event. After qualifying in the fourth position, Claman DeMelo used his aggressiveness to quickly move to the lead of the prefinal and never looked back. The main event would provide the same dominating drive as Claman DeMelo took the lead early. Despite a mid race red flag, the Canadian pilot held all his competitors at bay driving to more than a three second victory on one of the most technical tracks in all of North America.
"Zach drove like a true professional all weekend and I can't be more proud of my driver," expressed driver coach Lee Bentham. "He has shown an increase in maturity and prowess every time out on the track and as we continue to develop him. He is proving over and over that he will soon be ready for the next level. I want to thank the entire ZCD Autosports team for their brilliant efforts this weekend."
ZCD Autosports would also welcome a new driver to their stable, as Tyler Ripani would fly the team's colors competing in the Rotax Mini Max class. Ripani returned to the seat after a seven-month layoff to compete at the ECKC Regional event weekend.
