Persberichten - State of the Maple Leaf S19 review

State of the Maple Leaf S19 review

In the previous issue of SML we mentioned that the True North program was on the cusp of a big step forward in the Nations Cup scene, it has come to fruition with 2 quality finishes in the final standings. A 9th place finish in S18 and a 10th place in S19 were bolstered by consistent racing from the senior side and the U21 crew.


Maximus Vanderpuije, continues his reign as the top rated Canadian driver and the only one in the F1 series had a bit of a sophomore slump. Coming off a 82 point 9th place finish he ran into some bad luck on the track throughout the season and finished 15th with 40 points. Showing his true colours he did earn his first F1 podium finish!
Season 20 : F1
Fun Fact : A major sponsorship deal with a Durian supplier, still Max's pre-race food of choice, fell apart before the season amid reports the sponsors owner funding smelled fishy.

David Smith Jr, the former F2 veteran decided to jump up to the Indy Jr USA series in S18 and since the move has had the breakout years that he has showed promise of doing for so long. Winning 3 races in S19, along with 8 podiums and 13 top 10s, David finish 3rd place overall. The success has paid off and his rating has skyrocketed of late and is closing in on Canada #1 Vanderpuije. "Number two, make it so."
Season 20 : Indy Junior USA
Fun Fact : He recently filed a patent for a "swiveling car seat" that he custom made for his own car. He came up with the idea to avoid the hours long commute to the race track via his (left turns only) superstition by swiveling his seat around so he faces the rear of the car.

Danny Doucet, the outgoing True North President or "Father Canada" to some, continues his success on the track. Being one of the highest rated youngsters puts a lot of pressure on the young drivers shoulders but he responded with a 2nd place finish in the F2 Oceanic series. 3 Wins, with 14 podiums amd a Pole shows that if aged former F1 heavyweight Kaius Kauria had picked another series to ride off into the sunset, Danny would have dominated.
Seaons 20 : Indy Junior International
Fun Fact : Rumors abound that Danny had to relinquish his position after entering rehab, apparently Danny has collected nearly all Mattel's Hot Wheels cars ever made. In the off season people lost contact with him and was found building a 1/30 scale replica of Monaco's track for his model cars.

Nigel Parr, in a surprise revelation on the eve of a new season, the veteran driver announced that he was retiring. "After several seasons of mixing it up ... the fire went out. I don't have the passion anymore and I'm walking away from the sport completely." The loss saddens the Canadian racing community and we all hope he returns to the track someday. This comes on the heels of his second 7th place finish in Indy Jr International series.

Denis Matton, retired
Alex Iginla, retired
Jeremey Letto, retired and coaching a youngster Ryan Edwards-Kiss


Alexandre Tagliani, entering his 3rd season in NASC Gold Cup he continues to climb the ranks, from 24th to 13th to 10th. Some thought this driver moved up series too quickly but has proved them wrong, S19 while only posting 7 top 10 finishes he showed his tenacity in finishing races constitantly. Earning more points than drivers with double his top 10s. Pundits predict that he'll continue to move up the standings and should earn some podiums.
Seaons 20 : NASC Gold Cup
Fun Fact : A drinking buddy slurred that Alexandre was refused entry into the World Series of Poker Tournament when he suggested that poker was like racing. "You can't always have ovals and just turn/deal left .. why not switch it up a little?" Officials were not amused with his design for a 'road course' table.
Gene Bellamy, "The Road Runner" continues to compete against drivers older and more seasoned than him and gather results. His second season in F2 Oceanic featured a talent heavy field, including competing against fellow Canuck Danny Doucet, cutting into his performance just a bit. Still racking up a victory, 3 podiums and 11 top tens, Gene finished 8th overall. Most notably his performances in Nations Cup competitions are something that most drivers envy. Finishing 9th overall for drivers points with 6 wins.
Season 20 : European Touring Car
Fun Fact : To combat his recurring nightmares, Gene has custom made a bedroom made entirely of crackers and a waterbed filled with wine.
Thomas Anderson, S19 was one of regrets for the 22 year old. He found himself wishing he stayed in F3 North America after failing to earn a point several races into the season. Working with his coaches he focused on a single area in hopes to bring his season around and found it worked, earning points consistently at the end of the season. A 11th place series finish with 12 top tens salvaged the season and hopes to build upon it for a goal of 6th.
Season 20 : F2 North America
Fun Fact : Thomas has been working with "Smooth" Stevedave Johnson to improve his public image. Having the eternal grump as your manager has rubbed off on the driver and is looking to lose some of the grim demeanor that he picked up. A childhood friend mentioned that Thomas once played Wing Commander III for 26 consecutive hours.

Ricky Young, 4 wins, 6 podiums, 16 top 10s and 3 Poles were not enough to earn him a higher than 5th place finish in the very competitive F3 Arabic Series in S19. This series was the most balanced from 1-5 in many a year, hard fought right to the very end. While a successful campaign, Ricky was hoping for a higher finish.
Season 20 : F3 Africa
Fun Fact : After losing 40 lbs while questing to reach his optimum racing shape, too much he admits and fears he lost some endurance. He began a weekend tradition of eating nothing but steak on top of funnel cake.

Sterling Conrad, a constant thorn in the side for drivers of the F3 Mediterranean series, Sterling earned a 3rd place finish overall after 18 top tens. Picking up 1 win with 6 podiums along the way, he had sponsors fighting over the opportunity to have their logo on his car at the front of the field.
Season 20 : Formula 3 Eastern European
Fun Fact : Refuses to drive on race day but his racecar, he earned his helicopter pilot's licence in the off season. Due to his fear of heights however, he refuses to go higher than 15 feet off the ground.

Serge Marais, while committing to nothing but his season series, Serge is not a part time driver. Not wanting to overwork and dull his skills, the races he partakes in consume his attention. A veteran of 8 seasons and only 26, he showcased his skills by finishing 8th in F3 Europe, picking up his first professional win and 3 podiums.
Season 20 : F3 Europe
Fun Fact : Finished 9th in Masterchef Canada after his Kraft Dinner coated Artic Char was not well received.

Max Webster, who? Many asked that a season ago and is now the hot topic as he picks up the Nations Cup U21 torch. In only his sophmore season, Max shocked the pundits with a 2nd place ovall finish. 5 wins, 12 podiums and all 20 races in the top 10 pair up with the skid marks he left on all the tracks he faced.
Season 20 : F3 South America
Fun Fact : Spent the off season in Macau, as a apparently expert judge in a Komodo dragon beauty contest.