The MotoMini Canadian Series: A Thrilling Showdown at Shannonville
The MotoMini Canadian Series is heating up, and the recent round at Shannonville's Go-Kart inner loop delivered an exhilarating spectacle. The GP2 category, featuring Ohvale 190 racers, witnessed a dramatic shift in fortunes as both championship leaders faced setbacks. Jager Stockill's reign ended abruptly due to ignition issues, allowing Stefan Tanasic to seize his first National victory and shatter his streak of runner-up finishes. Tanasic's triumph marked a turning point in the series, showcasing the intense competition and the unpredictability of the sport.
In the 190 Ohvale four-stroke singles, Eric Sergi demonstrated consistency, securing second place in both races. Cohen Byberg, a formidable contender, pushed Sergi hard in the second race, finishing in third. The standings reflect a tightly contested battle, with Tanasic leading the rankings with 130 points, Sergi in second with 104, and Stockill close behind at 100. Byberg, with 72 points, rounds out the top four. Stockill's past representation of Canada at the Valencia, Spain World Finals in the 160 class adds to the intrigue, leaving the door open for a potential 190 division appearance this season.
The qualifying session set the stage for an exciting race, with Stockill claiming pole position with a lap time of 46.95 seconds. Tanasic closely followed, posting a time of 47.86. The initial race saw Stockill take an early lead with a time of 46.79, but Tanasic matched his pace, achieving a time of 47.62. The RACE Moto Regional Series, held in conjunction with the event, showcased Tanasic's versatility, as he claimed victory in the Lightweight category on a Snow City Kawasaki, while Stockill secured second place on a Super Sonic Roadrace School Yamaha R3, setting a new lap record in qualifying.
The 160 Ohvale GP-0 category qualifying was a chaotic affair, with Mateen O'Brien setting the pace on his purple machine, achieving a best lap of 50.28. The pre-season favorite, Martina Cardenas, started from the second row with a top tour of 50.80. The race unfolded as a tight pack battle, with Tommy Molnar leading most of the way. O'Brien, however, executed a daring move, diving past Molnar for the lead entering the tight turn one complex on the last lap, claiming a slender .15-second victory. Cardenas, in a display of aggressive racing, secured third place, just seven seconds behind O'Brien, with Will Brown completing the podium.
The opener's quickest racer was Austin Da, who ran off track but managed to place sixth, setting a lap time of 49.11. O'Brien's second-best lap of 49.60 and Cardenas' third-best lap of 49.63 showcased the competitive nature of the race. The second race witnessed another thrilling battle, with Molnar leading for most of the time, followed by O'Brien, Cardenas, and Da. Molnar's edge of 1.4 seconds secured his fifth win of the season, solidifying his lead in the standings with 145 points. Cardenas, in second place with 108 points, and Will Brown, in third with 73 points, complete the top three.
The MotoMini Canadian Series continues its journey at Lombardy, north of Kingston, ON, on September 4-5. The championship will culminate at Shannonville on September 25-26, marking the 50th anniversary of the venue's opening on Thanksgiving weekend, 1976. This highly anticipated event will be televised on REV, promising an exciting showcase of the series' top young racers.
