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| September 20, 2011 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Zane Smith - August 2011 |
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 | Zane Smith scored four Duffy's and the Lake Speed trophy at the IKF 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
The high-profile event of the month of August was the IKF 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals at the CalSpeed Karting facility in Fontana, California. Each and every Grand National event for the International Kart Federation hands out the ‘Duffy’ trophy to the winners. The ‘Duffy’, named after one of karting’s pioneers - Frank “Duffy” Livingstone, is one of the most prestigious trophies to have sitting on your mantel. Following August’s event, 12-year old Zane Smith has four sitting on his shelf following his performance at the Grand Nationals, earning him the title of eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month.
Smith began the first of three days by earning Duffy #1 in the Rookie Sportsman class. After qualifying third, Smith was shuffled back in the Prefinal to sixth against a competitive field. In the 16-lap Final, Smith moved through the field like a shark, eventually making it up to second and looking to cut into a 20-kart gap to the leader. With the fast laps of the race, Smith cut into the advantage lap after lap to set up for a last lap move. Making the move with only a few corners remaining, Smith went side-by-side with the leader until he was able to secure the point. At the line, Smith scored the victory by just 0.099-seconds.
The following day, Smith kept the momentum going into the KPV 1 Heavy category. Scoring the ‘Screaming Eagle’ for fast time in qualifying, Smith transferred that into a win in the Prefinal by just under one-second. In the Final, Smith drove away to lead every circuit of the 16-lap race for a two-second margin of victory, and his second Duffy of the event. Also on the day, Smith put in a similar performance in the Junior 1 Comer division. Qualifying second, Smith drove on to score the Prefinal win by two-seconds and the Final by four-seconds - very uncharacteristic for Cadet style racing, especially in Southern California.
Day three brought on the KPV 1 Cadet division and PRD Junior 1. The KPV class was a hard-fought contest against national Cadet champion Colton Herta, as the two put on a great show with Herta the driver raising his fists in the air celebrating the victory as Smith settled for second. The chance at a fourth Duffy looked slim in the PRD class with Smith qualifying sixth but the youngster drove his butt off to score the win in the Prefinal. After a great early battle in the Final, Smith was able to break away and take the checkered flag ahead of the field by nearly two-seconds for his fourth Duffy.
For his performance, Zane was awarded the Lake Speed Achievement of Excellence award. Smith recently completed the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series season at the New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana. The event was the Grand National for the World Karting Association with their coveted ‘Eagle’ trophy on the line. Zane ran strong all weekend long, earning one victory and added his name to the list of the few drivers able to score Grand National victories in IKF and WKA in the same season.
 | Zane Smith - EKN Driver of the Month - August 2011
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
August 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - Zane Smith
Bio
Born: 6/9/1999
Hometown: Huntington Beach CA
Parents: Mike & Debbie
Siblings: Tad, Tatum, Tess, Tamber
Height/Weight: 4’ 10”/70lbs.
Education: 7th Grade
Job: Racing
Racing Resume
Chassis: Top Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: P1 Engines/Fleming
Sponsors: Pro Am Racing Products, Stronghold Motorsports, Terrible Herbst Oil, Oakley, Top Kart, DWT Wheels, Bridgestone , La Paz Party Mix, Empire Karts, Grand Products, VP Race Fuel, Fleming Engines, P1 Engines, Smithbuilt Race Cars
Series You Compete In: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series/IKF
Years Karting: 5
How did you get started in karting? My Dad
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning 4 Duffy’s/Lake Speed award and WKA Grand National Eagle in 2011
What are your goals in racing? Winning at the highest level
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive and like to lead
Funniest moment at the race track? Messing with Mike Tetreault
Likes
Favorite Track: CalSpeed Karting & New Castle Motorsports Park
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR/World of Outlaws
Favorite karting driver: Gary Carlton
Favorite professional driver: Kyle Bush
Favorite website: You Tube
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite actor/actress: Will Farrell
Favorite music/group: Black Eye Peas
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Florida
Favorite food: Chicken Fingers
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Camping/Fishing/Beach/Play with Luke (Dog)
What are your goals outside of karting? To do well in school
What type of street car do you drive? None
What type of street car would you like to drive? Ford F 150
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Stupidity
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Being consistent on calls
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Close racing, very competitive
August Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Mike Mantel: IKF 2-Cycle Grand Nationals - KPV 4 Heavy Duffy (earned 7 Duffy’s at three IKF Grand Nationals - Road Race (5), 4-Cycle Sprint (1), 2-Cycle Sprint(1))
- Jake Craig: IKF 2-Cycle Grand Nationals - 3 Duffy’s (Junior Super Sportsman, KPV 2 Junior Heavy, Rotax Junior)
- Robert Marks: PKC West Coast Shootout - S4 Masters winner
- Steven Szigeti: Canadian National Championships - Rotax Senior (sweep)
- Jesse Lazare: Canadian National Championships - Rotax Junior (sweep)
- Gary Lawson: WKA Gold Cup - 3 wins (Animal Medium, Animal Heavy, Animal Pro) |
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