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| Features |
| Driver Diary: Scott Rossi - Monaco Cup |
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 | | (Photo courtesy of George Rossi) |
Courtesy of eKartingNews.ca
With finishing second at the Stars of Karting National Final in Toronto fresh in his memory, Langley, British Columbia, kart racer Scott Rossi and family headed overseas recently to compete in the Monaco Cup, a one-off kart race organized by the Automobile Club of Monaco, an awe inspiring event to say the least. Former Formula One race winner Theirry Boutsen was the acting race director, and many F1 officials worked the event - which utilized parts of the Formula One track as well!
“It was the most brilliant display of organization I have ever seen at a race for karts,” said George Rossi, Scott’s father who also made the trip. “The F1 technical staff was running parc ferme as well, and they were fantastic people who were quite interesting. Everything was proper and professional. The TV facilities were there as well, with several large digital screens used during F1 at locations around the track. Thousands of spectators were there all day and the event was broadcast live on Eurosport in all of Europe, as well as at the track with live results on the many monitors and displays in all of the pit areas.”
The kart track, as you can see in the photos provided by the Rossi’s, used a portion of the F1 circuit around the marina and ‘swimming pool’ sections, and turned using the Rascasse corner before racing back along the marina. “The layout was amazing, as was the venue near the harbour,” Rossi said. “Our pits were adjacent to the harbour and the boats were all there in the marina next to us as well as the cruise ships. At one time we had lunch at the Rascasse restaurant while karts circulated on the track. It was amazing!”
 | | (Photo courtesy of George Rossi) |
Scott concurred, also taking time to note the significance of the venue. “We stayed in the Fairmont Hotel which was right in front of the Lowe’s hairpin, and I walked the tunnel every day into the harbour and through the marina. I had lunch at the Rascasse café while the other classes were on the track and I was able to take in the history of the corner, especially from the recent F1 race when MS stalled his car right in front of it!” Though Scott had to take time daily for homework, the Rossi’s dined locally and walked everywhere they went. The benefits of living in a tax-haven became apparent, event to the youngest. “The cars around the streets were incredible and it seemed Ferrari’s and Bentley’s were like Toyota’s back home,” Scott said. “The parking lot in front of the casino was a car show at night, and the boats were amazing! We were pitted right next to the harbour and there were a couple of boats for sale - one was a sailboat for $33 million USD!”
On track, things didn’t go perfectly but at such an event the results became almost secondary. “We had only two short practice sessions on Saturday,” the young karter said. “We spent the entire time on chassis, and after the two sessions we had no time to try different motors. The qualifying sessions on Saturday were then practice sessions for us and we qualified 24th.” It was then time to hit the track in race conditions where the Canadian star adapted quite quickly. “The heats were really difficult as there were always accidents and the barriers sent kart back onto the narrow track,” he said. “I was in three separate accidents after coming up on problems after they happened. In one heat I finished 8th from 20th in nine laps, and in the other I was already up about six spots in two laps when I was collected in the chicane before the bridge. After the heats were done, and there was no time between them, I was in the Prefinal in 24th but was collected in an accident again at the same chicane after moving up about ten spots. I then started the final from 26th or 27th and was able to finish 15th." Rossi was the lone Canadian racing the event, and was welcomed by a Canadian flag on Harbour Road.
 | | (Photo courtesy of George Rossi) |
The trip came about quite simply as the Rossi’s were perusing CIK races on the organization’s web site. After a little research, it was decided that if they were going to go race in Europe, what bigger way than to head to Monte Carlo and an F1 layout! Family friend Vince Mandarino was able to secure wrenching services in Europe, and all was set. They left on the Tuesday prior to race weekend and after a few delays arrived Thursday morning. After a weekend of racing, they departed on Monday. Scott wishes to thank all involved with making the dream trip a reality, including his parents, his Euro-wrench Renato, First Kart (who also fixed a licence issue), United Rentals, DGS Construction, Pepsi, Remple Bros., Champion Racing, OMP, Level gloves of Italy, and Frank of Drivers Edge.
It was a trip that maintained the momentum Rossi generated at the Stars of Karting National Final at Woodbine where his hard work on the season was rewarded with second on the podium, just 0.091 seconds from the win. Rossi qualified fourth in the JICA field, arguably the most competitive class outside of ICC. Through the three heat races Rossi was 2-4-4, which put him in prime position to capitalize in the final. During the season the young star raced on both coasts, scoring in the East where he had three top ten finishes from six starts, and was inside the top 15 each time but one. The great run in Toronto launched Rossi to 10th overall in the National Point Standings among 67 of the best junior karters on the continent, and he showed in Monte Carlo he can compete with the best Euro-juniors as well.
Check out more photos in the Monaco Cup Gallery HERE |
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