Latifi Wins Florida Winter Tour DD2 Title
Tweetpress release
Nicholas Latifi, a member of the Sofina Foods Drivers' Development Program, took the first major championship of 2012 by winning the Florida Winter Tour DD2 Championship. Latifi was strong through all three rounds held in the Sunshine State, leading the championship chase from the very first weekend. A dominant season saw the sixteen-year-old racer take two wins and score five podiums in the six round series that wrapped up this past weekend at the Ocala Gran Prix in Ocala, Florida. This will mark Latifi's third trip to the Rotax Max Grand Finals, his second in the DD2 classification. Even more impressive is that Latifi took the title while preparing to make his debut in European open wheel racing.
Above: Nicholas Latifi's Florida Winter Tour DD2 Championship secured his place on Team Canada for the 2012 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
"To win the Florida Winter Tour DD2 Championship feels amazing because it means I earn a ticket to return to the Grand Finals in Portugal," smiles Latifi following the podium ceremonies in Ocala, Florida. "It was a hard fought championship battle which came down to the last race so that made it just that much sweeter."
Heading into the final weekend of two-speed action, Latifi needed to run strong and be at the front to stay ahead of a hard charging field of seasoned karting professionals. Friday action saw Latifi grab P2 in the first qualifying session that set the Sunday grid order. That was followed by the Toronto resident hitting the top of the time sheets and securing pole position in the second qualify session that set the grid for the Saturday race.
On Saturday Latifi was only able to take third place in the prefinal under hot, sunny conditions. Looking to grab more points, Latifi advanced to get to the second spot in the final as his main competitor took the win. On Sunday Latifi was promoted to pole as the original pole sitter dropped out of the competition. From the front row Latifi took the prefinal win and set fast lap of the race. More importantly his main rival would not finish, giving Latifi a boost in the point standings. Needing to only finish fourth or better in the Sunday final, Latifi went into cruise mode and brought his kart home in second place to secure the title and a trip to Portugal for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
"I could not be more pleased with Nicholas's performance at the Florida Winter Tour," states David Tennyson from the Sofina Foods Drivers' Development Program. "Nick has been working on his transition to car racing over the past few months. To be able to jump back and forth and still take this difficult championship is a real testament to his commitment to motor racing."
Earning a return to the Grand Finals was a major goal for Latifi and he did it in the one of the toughest international karting series in the world. Last year, in his rookie campaign in DD2, Latifi put on a stellar performance at the World Finals in Al Ain, UAE, nearly winning the world title. Latifi won a heat race and started the final on the front row. Leading several laps, Latifi lost the lead to fellow Canadian Pier-Luc Ouellette who went on to win the world title. Latifi will return to Europe to formally begin the next stage of his racing career.
"I have so many people to thank. You don't win a championship on your own," continues Latifi. "I would like to thank my mechanic Coy, PSL Karting, CRG, my engine builder Alex and my parents. Also I want to thank Bell Racing and Censport Graphics for their support this season."
The Sofina Foods Drivers' Development Program was created to help Canadian karting series offer young drivers a goal and a prize to work towards. In 2010 and 2011, the Sofina program supported the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship as well as Team Canada drivers going to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The Sofina Foods Drivers' Development Program is proud to support Canadian drivers reaching the international motorsports stage.
