For immediate release.
Montreal, Canada October 18, 2006.

Marc Flood survives quite a weekend !

This was the highest profile event of the season bringing together the best drivers from both the east and western Stars of Karting championships as well as former champions. All the major chassis and engine factory representatives from across the world were also present. The event was a distillation of the very best drivers from across North America and South America for one final “mega” event at the end of the season. Marc was lucky enough to participate and experience racing against “la crème de la crème” of pro-level karting.

The final entry for the top level ICC class counted 41 participants and with a total prize fund of $120,000 US to be disbursed at this event alone, the atmosphere was electric. Collectively, for all the classes, there were somewhere in the region of 200 participants.

The track itself is situated right next to the Austin airport and is curious mix of very tight hairpins and fast (160 KPH/100 MPH) corners. There is nowhere to relax. The G-forces are huge as there is constant cornering and braking which cause drivers to experience major neck pain and difficulty keeping their upper bodies in their seats.

With track temperatures in the 50's centigrade (130's Fahrenheit) accidents are frequent due driver fatigue and dehydration. Competitors were frequently, therefore, hitting and damaging their equipment against the unforgiving barriers that line the inside and outside of the track. Driving this track is a constant case of "threading the needle".

Expectations for Marc’s first time visit to the event were kept in check. On top of this Marc was fighting the flu and a fever all week. Marc nonetheless qualified mid pack for the Saturday pre-final. The pre-final race went well until, at one the third’s distance, a fuel line broke loose and started spraying Marc with fuel onto his suit and helmet visor every time he was under acceleration. Under normal circumstances a driver would stop. The skin burning properties of racing fuel (even unlit) penetrating a driving suit and the being trapped against the skin are excruciating. Added to the fact that he could no longer see clearly due the gas/oil mix on his visor, it was amazing that he was able to still make up ground and not lose positions. Unfortunately with 1 lap to go the engine started to cough and, at the final turn and only a 100 yards from the finish line, Marc was out of fuel due to the gas line leak. In an instant he was passed by the pack behind him and he then proceeded to push his machine across the finish line so as to still be classified. A heart-breaking experience!

After the race the suit was drenched with fuel and his helmet reeked of gas. Lucky there were no sparks or open flames to set it off! It was amazing he didn’t pass out from the fumes.

For Sunday’s final Marc had to start at the back of the grid since starting positions are determined by the finishing positions in the pre-final. Thanks to a major wreck at the start that Marc was able to dodge, Marc moved up 10 places on the first lap. After some aggressive passing manoeuvres and a couple more crashes ahead, Marc was now up to 26th by 2/3rds distance. It then was a question a question of holding on and eating away at the remaining attainable positions ahead. The lead pack had broken away on the first lap due to that early mid field pile up so any aspirations to even be close would have been unrealistic.

At the end, exhausted and dehydrated Marc crossed the line in 21st place. Not the result he would have liked but satisfactory under the circumstances given the calibre of the entry.

The season is now over until the new one begins again in early March of 2006. Marc would like to thank all those who have assisted him or guided him this year. They are too many to name but in particular the following: Steve Pinet (his engineer), Dominic Labreque (PSL team president), Jan Velez-Walter (his highly experienced and talented team mate), Miles Flood (his father), the whole gang at Team PSL and finally all his sponsors who have made this season possible.

Two championship crowns in one season are more than could ever have been expected. So until 2006, everyone have a safe, healthy and prosperous remainder of year and the same best wishes apply to you all in the New Year.

Contacts:
Miles Flood: (514) 591 0032