Champagne toasts an amazing year ST. CATHERINES, ONTARIO, CAN - Matt Champagne (www.mattchampagne.com), Canada's top ranking shifter kart pilot finished off the 2002 campaign riding high on a season marked by significant accomplishments and a major step forward in his racing career. "We exceeded all of our goals for 2002," states Matt Champagne from the Hurricane Racing facility located in St. Catharines, ON. "We ran an extremely competitive program and showed just how fast our Hurricane Racing MBA/Swedetech Honda can run," says Champagne. The 18-year old, grade 12 OAC student is taking time in the off-season to enjoy the spoils of an amazing year, and prepare for final exams in January. Matt chose to attend Confederation High School, a French immersion school taking all classes in Canada's other official language. "I think be fluent in both French and English will be a big asset in the future, both in racing and in business," says Champagne. And his school is behind Matt 100%, with teachers and fellow students purchasing Matt Champagne tee shirts in support of Matt's racing career. The young Champagne began the year focused on the newly formed Sunoco/Ron Fellows Karting Championship and the SKUSA ProMoto Tour. Contesting only eight of ten scheduled events, Champagne was able to dominate the series, capturing five victories and two 2nd place finishes. "The Canadian kart racing scene is highly competitive and we proved that we were the team to beat in the 125cc division," states Andre Champagne, who works double duty as proud father and dedicated tuner. Winning the Sunoco/Ron Fellows Karting Championship awarded Matt the privilege to participate in an evaluation day held at Mosport International Raceway during late September. The evaluation day consisted of 12 participants and a select panel judges including Canadian racing standout Ron Fellows. The winners would be awarded a fully paid 12 race series at the Bridgestone Toronto Star Wheels F2000 Series in 2003. In the pouring rain, Matt pulled of a convincing drive to take top honors. "The pressure was immense but I kept calm and focused on the job that needed to be done. I have to thank Sunoco, Ron Fellows and Paul Cooke for their dedication and passion towards the sport of karting," continues Champagne. Champagne entered the SKUSA ProMoto Tour as a rookie in Super Pro, where there was a lot of pressure and a lot to learn. The season started slow with two DNF's heading into the second round in Barrie, ON. Clear and focused, Champagne climbed aboard a brand new MBA chassis and did not disappoint the huge crowd on hand. After starting the final race in tenth position on the grid, a very determined Champagne worked his way through the pack, picking off driver after driver, to finish an amazing second. "Our performance in Barrie was exactly what I needed to boost my confidence heading into the last half of the series," states Champagne. And a second half it was! Matt continued to perform well at the next two SKUSA events in Norway, Illinois, walking away with second and fourth place finishes. Most important, Matt secured the respect of the veteran drivers. When all the dust settled at the Supernationals in Las Vegas, Matt had captured the SKUSA SuperPro Rookie of the Year and sixth place overall in North America. "My freshman year in SuperPro couldn't have gone any better. The team and I learned a great deal that will help us succeed not only in karting, but other forms of auto racing as well," smiles Champagne. All the success Matt achieved through out the year brought forward many new opportunities. Matt was awarded three scholarship opportunities including Skip Barber, Jim Russell and Fran-Am, each offering different opportunities to compete in open-wheel race cars for 2003. The Fran-Am shootout was held in Phoenix, AZ with 12 of the best kart racers in North America focused on the big prize. With hard work and preparation Champagne walked away with the grand prize, a brand new Fran-Am 1600 car plus accessories. "This was the most intense three days of my life. We were interviewed, quizzed and questioned non-stop, but I kept my calm and stayed focused. Winning this shoot-out was my greatest accomplishment of 2002. To win a complete Fran Am 1600 car is amazing; I can't wait to get in it," beams Champagne, with brother Andrew on hand, always ready to keep Matt's feet on the ground. On December 13th, Matt completed the three-day Skip Barber School in Daytona, Florida, a prerequisite for the Skip Barber run-offs in early January of '03. Due to school activities and a jammed packed racing schedule, the Jim Russell School program has been re-scheduled for late 2003. "As I look ahead to 2003, I will be focused on developing my skills as a professional driver. I will continue to race karts at selected events, but will concentrate on the formula car events we have secured," states a very focused Matt Champagne. "Proud can even begin to describe how Matt's mother Lynn and I feel about this year. Matt managed to achieve the most important thing any racer, any person for that matter, can achieve; the respect of his peers. This will take with him all of his life," states Andre Champagne. The one to watch? You bet. 2003 is destined to be another vintage year for Champagne. For more information on Matt Champagne visit www.mattchampagne.com or call Jeff Grist at 905.328.7458. Hurricane Racing is a major North American importer and distributor of kart chassis and parts to leading industry dealers. With over ten years of experience, Hurricane Racing sells services and supports a wide range of products for all karters including the complete line of CRS ICC engines, parts and accessories. For more information on Hurricane Racing and CRS Engines visit www.hurricaneracing.ca or call Andre Champagne at 905.682.8851. Swedetech Racing Engines is a California based performance race engine builder for karts, formula motorcycles and motocross applications. Complete engine building, machining, dyno testing and repairs are complimented with trackside support and tuning. For more information on Swedetech Racing Engines visit www.swedetechracingengines.com or call Reine Persson at 916.714.3980.