Guenette Just Misses Podium At Canadian Nationals
press release
Canadian karting standout Alex Guenette had a solid outing at the recent ASN Canada FIA Canadian National Championships held at the Jim Russell Karting Academy in beautiful Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. As the most recent winner at the picturesque 16 turn, 1.4-kilometer circuit, with Guenette taking the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship finale win, the Terrebonne, Quebec resident entered the event as one of the favourites. Although not able to take the title in the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior class, Guenette was always seen near the top of the charts and earned a solid fourth place result in the final.
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
Getting started on Thursday with official timed practice, Guenette placed his J3 Competition prepared Kosmic chassis in the top-ten in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Looking strong the very first time out on the track, the up-and-coming pilot clocked the third quickest time during the initial practice laps and then scored the eighth place later that same day.
Heading into Friday for the all-important qualifications, Guenette was feeling confident but unfortunately missed the mark after posting the 12th fastest time in the 30-kart field. With qualifying places setting the grid for the three heat races, the J3 Competition team member would have some ground to make up to secure a solid position for the prefinal. With heat one taking place the afternoon after qualifying, Guenette completed a great race moving up five positions to finish in the seventh place.
After going fifth quickest during Saturday morning’s warm-up, Guenette was able to match that place during the second heat race. The final heat would produce a tenth place finish, setting up the Kosmic driver with a solid fifth place on the grid for the prefinal event the next day.
Getting going the next morning, Guenette looked to get Championship Sunday started off right and did just that by posting the second quickest time in the morning warm-up. After getting shuffled back in the prefinal to finish eighth, Guenette worked through the 20-lap main event against the toughest and quickest Rotax Junior competitors in all of Canada. In a cutthroat battle for position, Guenette was able to cross the stripe a respectable fifth and ultimately was moved up to fourth after penalties were assessed. Just off the podium, Guenette’s impressive fourth place finish at the 2011 Canadian Nationals is a significant improvement from his 2010 25th place result and is a testament to the growth and confidence the Terrebonne teenager has gained this season.
“The competition in the Rotax Junior class at the Nationals this year was so tough. There are so many great drivers in my class, and to earn a top-five position in the final is something for me to be proud of,” stated Guenette post event. “I really need to thank J3 Competition and Justin Stefani, Motos Illimitees and Supertune USA. Also, I must congratulate Jesse Lazare on his championship title.”
Guenette will next see action when he travels to France for two weeks to compete in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge event September 7-11 in Angerville, France. Once back in North America, Guenette will head to the Pan American Challenge finale September 21-25 at New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana. As a Pan Am qualifier race winner, Guenette will enter the event as one of the front-runners vying for the trip to Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
