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Lazare strong in Senior debut
January 23, 2012
MONTREAL, QC - Dollard-des-Ormeaux karter Jesse Lazare kicked off his 2012 karting season last weekend at the opening round of the 2012 Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), which took place at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida.
There has been a big change for Lazare heading into the 2012 season. "This year I have moved up to Senior from Junior," Lazare said. "Everything else is basically the same, Steve Chapman is my tuner and coach, and we still use Intrepid chassis. I am really looking forward to this weekend."
The weekend got off to a good note as Lazare put his Intrepid third on the grid. It didn't take long for him to score his first race win in Senior, as he won the pre-final.
"It was a good race, I was able to get the win, but I knew holding that spot during the final would be tough," Lazare said.
In the final, Lazare fought off the challenges of the others for the most part, but in the end he finished up third, his first podium finish in a final event in Senior competition.
On Sunday, Lazare again showed speed, qualifying sixth, then moving up to third in the pre-final, but a mishap in the final pushed him back to 17th.
"I think the biggest difference in Senior versus Junior is that there are a larger number of really competitive drivers. There are lots of good drivers in Junior, but there are way more in Senior," Lazare said after his first weekend.
All in all Lazare was happy with the weekend, saying it was "nearly perfect", and now he gets ready for the second round of the FWT in a few weeks' time.
Lazare reflective on World Finals experience
December 7, 2011
MONTREAL, QC - 2011 Canadian National Rotax Max Junior Champion, and Team Canada driver Jesse Lazare didn't get the final result he was looking for at the recent Rotax Max World Finals in Dubai. The 14-year-old from Dollard des Ormeaux proved his speed by qualifying 3rd overall, and won a heat race, but it all came undone in the pre-final.
Showing maturity beyond his years, Lazare was honest about what happened. "I pushed too hard too early, and attempted a very risky pass that didn't work out," Lazare said of the incident that ended his pre-final run with a broken chain.
"It was totally my fault," Lazare added bluntly.
From 32nd on the grid in the final, Lazare put on a great drive to come home 17th in the final, but that wasn't the result that he was looking for. "I just had to do the best I could from where I started," Lazare said. "It was tough because that was the final race of my Junior career, and I wanted to end it with a good finish."
Lazare now moves up to Senior level competition, and he is expected to contest the upcoming Florida Winter Tour in the Rotax Max Senior division.
"I am looking forward to moving up to the Senior ranks," Lazare said. "I know it will be a tough challenge, but I think Steve [tuner Steve Chapman] and I are up for the challenge."
Jesses Lazare scores top Five in Rotax open
November 2, 2011
ZUERA, SPAIN - Reigning Canadian Rotax Junior champion Jesse Lazare had a solid result in Spain at the Rotax International Open last weekend. Lazare, who was second coming onto the front straight for the final time managed to hold onto a fourth place finish at the line.
"That was very difficult," Lazare said after the race. "The straight here is very, very long, and I just make too big a hole in the wind. Still, I'll take the result and now focus on the Rotax Max World Finals at the end of November."
For Lazare, who is in his final year of junior competition, is looking forward to moving up to the senior ranks in 2012. "I am looking forward to the challenge of racing in the senior class next year," Lazare added.
In Spain, Lazare qualified a strong fourth, just .2 off pole but he knew his fate rested in the hands of the gods. "If the wind kicks up, we're in trouble," Lazare said. "The long straight here means we lose some top speed."
In the final, Lazare was able to match the pace of the leaders, and even after passing them, he wasn't able to build a gap. "I could run at the front, but couldn't make a break, so I tried on the last lap to get the win, but it just didn't happen."
Now Lazare will direct his attention to the Rotax Max World Finals in Dubai at the end of the month where he will part of Team Canada. "I am really looking forward to the event," Lazare said.
Lazare continues to build momentum
September 29, 2011
MONTREAL, QC - Reigning 2011 Canadian National Rotax Max Junior Champion, and Team Canada driver Jesse Lazare shows no sign of slowing down after being crowned Canadian Champion. The 14-year-old recently was on the podium in France at the Rotax Euro Challenge - the first Canadian to ever be on a podium in the Euro Challenge - and last weekend added the title of Pan Am Rotax Junior Champion with a solid win at New Castle, Indiana.
"It has been quite a good few weeks," Lazare said after returning from the USA. "At the Euro Challenge we struggled a bit early on in the week, but in the end it worked out quite well."
In fact, the Euro Challenge final was a lot of work for the young Canadian. After starting near the front, he was punted off and sent back to 18th. Lazare methodically picked of one driver after another to end up in 3rd place, the highest ever recorded finish for a Canadian in a Euro Challenge event.
At the Pan Am weekend in the US, Lazare started the final from pole and once again showed his potential in the rain. The Dollard des Ormeaux driver built a healthy lead and took the win and the championship in Rotax Junior.
Lazare knows however the biggest challenge of his karting career is yet to come. He will be one of the drivers that represents Canada at the Rotax Max World Finals later this year in Al Ain, Dubai.
"Racing for Canada is a big honour, and I know it will be a big challenge competing against the best in the world," Lazare said. "Canada has a great team this year and I am sure we all will represent Canada well."
JESSE Lazare is 2011 Canadian Champion
August 14, 2011
MT-TREMBLANT, QC - Quebec racer Jesse Lazare has just added a very important credential to his racing resume. The 14-year-old is the 2011 Canadian National Champion in Rotax Junior. Lazare put on a brilliant performance at the National Championships, held once again this year at the Mt-Tremblant circuit, by taking the pole and all three qualifying heats. Lazare went on to win the pre-final and the final on Sunday.
"It was a perfect weekend," a very happy Lazare said after winning the final. "What else can I say about the weekend?
Noted tuner Steve Chapman was equally as happy as Lazare. "He did a brilliant job of driving," Chapman said. "Very consistent and very fast."
Along with being crowned Canadian Champion, Lazare earned a spot on the coveted Team Canada entry to the Rotax Max World finals which will be held in Al Ain, Dubai this November. The World Finals feature 260 drivers from 60 countries, and the opportunity to race for Team Canada is not lost on Lazare. "It's a big honour, something I have always wanted to do," Lazare said. "I am really looking forward to the World Finals."
After having the chance to enjoy the moment at Mt-Tremblant, Lazare took time to thank everyone that made the win possible. "I first have to thank my family, who have really supported my racing. Steve gave me a perfect Intrepid kart for the finals under difficult weather conditions and I also want to thank Nigel from HRS Engines for coming over from the UK to support us this weekend. This win is really a team effort, and I thank everyone for their support."
JESSE LAZARE READY FOR 2011 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 8, 2011
Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec - August 8, 2011 - Goodwood Kartways / Intrepid Canada pilot and 2008 Mini Max Canadian National Champion Jesse Lazare is ready to descend upon the Jim Russell Karting Academy at Circuit Mont-Tremblant in the picturesque town of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec for the 2011 ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championships presented by Canadian Tire this weekend. Coming off a strong podium finish at the recent Coupe du Quebec event at the same track a few weeks ago, the 2010 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship Rotax Junior champion looks to walk away the victor and claim the spot on Team Canada for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
At the 2010 edition of the Canadian Nationals, Lazare got off to a strong start with a fourth place in qualifying. A disappointing 25th in the first heat had Lazare looking to play catch up to ensure a solid starting position for the all-important prefinal race. Bouncing back with a fifth in heat two and third in heat three would be of little consequence as the Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec resident suffered a DNF in the prefinal, which set up the starting positions for the final. Putting on a drive to remember, the up-and-coming pilot picked off kart by kart to charge through the pack of 36 drivers to finish an astounding sixth place.
Lazare will be back for the 2011 event looking for redemption, and he will be looking to add a second Canadian National Champion title to his already impressive resume and earn a berth on Team Canada to represent his country at the 2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals set for November 19-26, 2011 at Al Ain Raceway in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. With strong showings in both the Florida Winter Tour and Eastern Canadian Karting Championships this season, Lazare will enter the event as one of the favorites in the highly-contested Rotax Junior class. Always a threat in every race he enters, all eyes will be on the Intepid pilot this weekend in Mont-Tremblant.
The ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championships presented by Canadian Tire will be broadcast via live internet stream on the Kart Racing Network starting Friday, August 12 at www.kartracingnetwork.com. Event coverage can also be followed at www.eKartingNews.ca.
Lazare wins at ICAR
May 17, 2011
MIRABEL, QUE - Quebec's Jesse Lazare dominated the opening round of the 2011 Coupe du Quebec karting championship at the ICAR circuit in Mirabel, Quebec last Sunday. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux youngster took the pole, won the pre-final and final for a clean sweep on the day.
"It was nearly a perfect day," Lazare said. "We suffered a bit in practice, but we were getting ready for the afternoon. Once it came time for qualifying, we had our true speed."
The pole position gave Lazare the inside line to the first corner in the pre-final, and that became the only blemish on a perfect weekend. "I went straight..." laughed the youngster about the first corner. "It was still a little wet on that side of the track and I couldn't stop."
After dropping back to third, by lap 3, Lazare took the lead and would never be headed. "We had great speed because Steve [Chapman] had the Intrepid at its best."
In the final, Lazare was gone early, building up a substantial lead, and he won by over 6 seconds. "It was a great way to kick off my home championship, the Coupe du Quebec, now I look forward to the second round of the ECKC in two weeks."
Lazare shines at ECKC opener
May 9, 2011
GOODWOOD, ONTARIO - Quebec's Jesse Lazare kicked off his Canadian racing year this past weekend at the opener of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship (ECKC), which was held at Goodwood Kartways.
"It is good to be racing back in Canada," Lazare said. "I want to get the year off to a good start this weekend."
Lazare got off to a good start by putting his Chapman tuned Intrepid mount at the top of the timing charts in qualifying. A broken ground wire ended Lazare's chances for victory on Saturday, but he managed to salvage valuable points by hanging on for fourth overall.
"It was a freak thing," Lazare said. "The motor just started to miss, but it didn't quit completely so I was able to score points today."
Sunday saw Lazare qualify off pole by 0.001 of a second. "It doesn't get any closer," Lazare said, happy to be on the front row. After a second in the prefinal, Lazare set his sights on the final, but a chaotic first corner let the leader get away from the chasing pack, which was headed by Lazare.
"I could match the times, but not make any head way in the first few laps," Lazare said. A red flag for an incident in the paddock stopped the race, and on the restart, Lazare wasted no time and passed for the lead. "I tried to hold on, but the draft was hurting me while I was leading," Lazare said. That draft saw Lazare drop to second place, and that is where he would finish Sunday's final.
"I would like to have won, but there wasn't much I could do," a disappointed Lazare said after the race. "Still, I got good points here, and now we begin to prepare for the next race."
Lazare takes two podiums in Pan Am opener
April 15, 2011
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - The opening round of the Pan American Rotax Max Challlenge was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway Karting facility, and a very determined Jesse Lazare showed he would be a force to be reckoned with as he took a win on Saturday, and a second in Sunday's final - even after starting 20th.
Lazare, fresh off a plane from Europe, where he competed the week before was more than ready to kick off the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge. His speed in qualifying earned him the outside of the front row, but he was disappointed about not having the pole. "I really wanted the pole, but the outside of the front row is not a bad place to start," Lazare said.
Sunday brought with it one of the most unusual circumstances Lazare has ever seen. After qualifying fourth, in the warm up lap, Lazare was hit by another competitor and his race was over before it even started. "I was just warming up my tires and...bang," Lazare said. "I was now a spectator!"
That set the stage for what is quickly becoming the classic Lazare drive-through-traffic race. Lazare from 20th on the grid made it to the front quickly, then took the lead, only to be on the losing end of a bump-and-run in the last corner, which cost Lazare the win. "It is disappointing not to get two wins here at the opener, but a win and second is a good start for us."
Tough challenge for Lazare
April 15, 2011
GENK, BELGIUM - Quebec racer Jesse Lazare had an eventful outing at the Rotax Euro Challenge in Genk, Belgium last weekend. The top ranked Canadian Rotax Junior driver took on the best in the world in a field that included three past World Champions in the class.
"When I saw who was racing there, I knew it would be a tough challenge for me," Lazare said.
Practice went well for the Intrepid mounted Lazare, as he was comfortably in the top five overall with a time that was good enough for the third spot. "We were fast in practice," Lazare said.
Qualifying was a different story, and Lazare - who wound up 29th of 79 drivers - knew where the problem was. "Quite simply, I messed up qualifying," a very honest Lazare said. "I just really still have trouble getting the ultimate lap with the amount of rubber that gets built up on the track over here."
Starting from the mid-pack in the heats, Lazare found himself fighting for positions and he got caught up in someone else's accident, which ended his chance for a direct transfer to the final.
"Having to race in the last chance was a lot of pressure for me," Lazare said. "I really wanted to make the final as I knew we had good pace if we could just get the chance to race."
In the last chance, it was typical Lazare, who was starting to find his form. He sliced through the pack from his 13th starting spot to finish 5th, and earn a spot in the final.
In the final, from 30th on the grid, Lazare had a first lap most drivers only can dream about. He ended the first lap in 15th overall, and then moved up into the top 10. "It was going good in the final...but...." Lazare said. He was punted off the track, but was able to rejoin back in 30th, and moved up to 25th by the end of the race.
"Clearly, not what we had hoped for," Lazare said, be he added, "We showed we had the pace to race here, and I learned a lot from this event, so I know we will be stronger next time. Steve did a great job with the Intrepid Kart, and he consistently gives me a great kart to race with."
Jesse Lazare sets fastest race lap in Spain
February 14, 2011
MALAGA, SPAIN - Quebec karter, Jesse Lazare traveled back to Spain last week to compete in the Rotax Winter Cup, held at Karting Campillos. After a long week, Lazare was able to set the fastest race lap in the final.
The young Canadian contested the Rotax Junior class, and from opening day, Lazare proved how quick he learns new tracks. He was constantly scored in the top five, and that gave him confidence heading into the Winter Cup weekend. "Testing has gone very well," Lazare said. "We have good speed, Steve [Chapman] has worked very hard to get me up to speed quick."
Lazare was disappointed after qualifying only 14th, but he knew why. "I had real trouble with the ever growing new rubber on the track," Lazare said. "It really gave me problems, and it is something that I will have to get more experience with."
Undeterred, Lazare battled well in the heats to earn himself a 10th place start in the pre-finals, but it was on the first lap of the pre-final that he was taken out, resulting in a 24th place finish. "That was disappointing after I was making my way forward," Lazare said.
In the final, Lazare put on what is now becoming a classic drive for him, carving his way through the field. From starting 24th, he finished 11th, and he left Spain by setting the fastest race lap in the final. "It's really tough over here," Lazare said. "Even the guys in the back fight really hard, and it was difficult to move up. I think overall it was a decent weekend, but I know now that I have to get better when there is a lot of rubber down to make the most of qualifying."
Lazare will now have refocus his attention to the Florida Winter Tour, where he sits second in Rotax Junior points.
Jesse Lazare leaves opener second in FWT points
January 27, 2011
ORLANDO, FL - Jesse Lazare was quietly confident heading into the 2011 Florida Winter Tour Series opener at Orlando Kart Center after some great test results with a new tuner - Steve Chapman - and a new chassis.
"I think we were well prepared for the season opener," Lazare said. "Steve [Chapman] and I quickly got up to speed with the new Intrepid chassis. The testing went well, and we were fast, so I was hopeful of a good weekend."
That weekend started off well with Lazare taking a pole and 2nd place for the two weekend races. "It was good to be on the front row for both races," Lazare said.
Saturday went well for the Quebec driver until the first lap of the final. Lazare was run into from behind and sent off the track on the first lap, sending him back to a position in the mid-20's. From that position, Lazare did his best to battle back to a fifth place position on the track, but a late penalty cost him two positions. "I was pushing so hard to get back to the front," Lazare said. "I made a really late pass on one guy and just clipped him a bit, and they gave me a penalty."
Even with the 7th, place finish, Lazare would still be in the hunt with a good finish on Sunday. When the final came around, Lazare leaped into the lead from the pole - a position he would hold until lap 16 of the 20 lap final. "I just made one small mistake on lap 13 or 14, and that was all he needed to close the gap on me," Lazare said of the resulting pass for the lead that regulated him to second place.
Lazare made one solid attempt to regain the lead on the last lap, but couldn't make the pass stick. "I was close enough that I thought I had a shot, so I took it," Lazare said. Lazare had to settle for second, and he was reflective on his weekend overall. "To get a podium and a seventh isn't what we wanted for the opener. But this is the first weekend, and to leave here second in points in Rotax Junior is a good position to be in."
Lazare will have a week off before heading to Spain to compete in the Winter Cup before returning to Florida for the remaining rounds of the Florida Winter Tour.
Lazare ready to kick off 2011 at FWT
January 19, 2011
ORLANDO, FL - Quebec standout racer, Jesse Lazare is ready to kick off his 2011 racing season at this weekend's Florida Winter Tour event at Orlando Kart Center. Lazare has been busy in the off season getting ready for 2011.
"We have made some changes over the winter," Lazare said of his new look at Orlando. Lazare will now be tuned by Steve Chapman, whose most recent success came at the 2010 Rotax Max Grand Finals, where he tuned for 2010 DD2 World Champion Daniel Morad. "Basically, we just be doing ground work so far," Chapman said. "Jesse has been great to work with, he drives well, now we are just getting familiar with each other and moving forward."
"Steve is great to work with," Lazare said. "We have spent some time together getting ready for the Florida Winter Tour, and I am very happy with the speed we have shown in practice."
In addition to a new tuner, Lazare will be competing on an Intrepid Kart this year. Lazare picked up his new chassis from Goodwood Kartways' Marco Di Leo. "So far I really like the Intrepid chassis," Lazare said. "Steve is very experienced with this chassis brand, so I think that will really help me this year."
One thing that hasn't changed this year for Lazare is that he will be back at Lindsay Place High School in Pointe Claire this year. "There have been a lot of changes for me over the winter, but I am happy to be back at Lindsay Place again this year. I am really ready to get back to racing and see how all the changes come together in 2011," Lazare added.
Florida Winter Tour
2012 Florida Winter Tour #2
