Alex Guenette Takes Victory At Mont-Tremblant
press release
Canadian karting standout Alex Guenette continued in his winning ways, scoring the main event victory at the final round of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship. Battling some of the top Rotax Junior drivers in all of North America, Guenette bested the field of 29 other competitors at the scenic Jim Russell Karting Academy in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.
Above: Alex Guenette scored his first victory in ECKC action at Mont-Tremblant
pic - Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group
Guenette started the weekend off with the fourth round of the Quebec Cup Championship, which took place on Saturday before the ECKC premier event. Using the race as not only prep for the Sunday ECKC round, the Canadian National Championships are set for the same track mid-August allowing Guenette valuable seat time at the picturesque circuit. In a massive 36-kart field, the Terrebonne teenager qualified in the ninth position during official qualifying, and steadily made his way up as the day progressed. Clocking the fastest lap during prefinal action, Guenette moved up to seventh before finishing fifth in the day's final.
"I really enjoy the Mont-Tremblant track - it really suits me. I am glad I was able to put in all the laps here over the weekend leading up to the Canadian Nationals in less than three weeks time," stated the Montreal native.
With a solid top-five finish in the Quebec Cup event, Guenette really turned up the wick on Sunday for the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship finale. The 15-year-old J3 Competition pilot was able to better his Saturday qualifying time, scoring the sixth fastest time during qualifications. Avoiding the opening lap melee, Guenette was on the move from the start of the prefinal. Working up three positions in as many laps, the rising talent was able to keep his Kosmic kart in the third place after the eight lap heat.
An inside second row starting position for the final event saw Guenette work into second place in the opening laps. A dicey move from another competitor allowed Guenette to capitalize and take over the lead working lap nine. From there, the up-and-coming driver was smooth sailing, taking both his and Kosmic kart's first victory in ECKC action.
"Going into the weekend I was really relaxed and confident. Not being in any championship battles, I had no expectations for this event, but to walk away with the win is great! I managed to stay focused, keep out of trouble during the starts and be patient enough to make the right moves at the right times. Although they couldn't be with me this weekend, I would like to thank everyone at J3 Competition. I am proud to give them and Kosmic kart their first win at the ECKC," continued Guenette.