Green Speed Karting

Ontario based karting team proves the Grass really is "Greener"

Under new leadership, and with a new sense of purpose for 2009 Ontario based Tony Kart Team, GreenSpeed Karting, set out to accomplish some very specific things in its inaugural season. And by all accounts...they nailed it.

Darren White added 'BSRKC Rotax DD2 Champion' to both his resume and GreenSpeeds
(Photo: Schindel/Autosports Media Group)

With the 2009 BSRKC series now in the books, GreenSpeed has clearly demonstrated the strength of the Tony Kart product and the GreenSpeed Trackside Support Program with an outstanding Brian Stewart series run. Combined across all Rotax classes that GreenSpeed contested the team delivered more consistently strong championship points drives than any other team. What’s even more incredible is the fact that GreenSpeed had fewer entries in many of these classes than most other teams, and in many cases had only 1 driver entry to get the job done.

The incredible success GreenSpeed has realized in 2009 includes the following top-ten points rankings:

• Champion - Darren White, Rotax DD2
• Champion - Jonathon Treadwell, Senior Light
• Co-Champion/Vice-Champion - Ryan Horses, F125 Shifter
• 3rd - Cameron Morrison, Rotax Junior
• 3rd - Trevor Rancier, Rotax Mini-Max
• 5th - Corey Walsh, Senior Heavy
• 6th - Cameron Morrison, Junior Heavy
• 9th - Darren White, Senior Rotax

In addition to the Championship results noted above, there were many other secondary story lines this year worthy of mention including Junior Rotax rookie Ethan Livingston’s pole at Sutton and off-pole on slicks (yes the only driver on slicks) at Flamboro, as well as his very strong 5th place finish at the Canadian National’s. Darren White also delivered the fastest lap in every single DD2 race without exception, and all three of his race wins were by more than a straightaway. Melissa Curran, running in easily the most competitive Rotax class (Rotax Senior) consistently ran in and around the 10th place spot and finished 13th overall despite missing a race. There are so many great stories both on and off the track this season that GreenSpeed will be issuing a separate release focused on the team drivers. Stay tuned for this story.

After winning the Senior Light Championship in Kawartha, Jonathon Treadwell was selected for the 'Hinchtown.com Canadian Racer Award'
(Photo: Schindel/Autosports Media Group)

"I’m both surprised, and not surprised at what we have accomplished this season," notes team owner Mike Morrison. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the depth of competition in this series and in the competitive products involved in this series. We were by no means cocky, going into this year’s points championship. I absolutely knew we could be successful but truly believed it would be a development year for our team", said a humble Morrison. "At the same time, I knew what this chassis had accomplished for many years, around the world and I also believed we had the best trackside program out there", noted Morrison.

GreenSpeed knew that to differentiate its program this year, it would need to rely on a combination of a strong product, unparalleled trackside support, and a commitment to driver development. The latter of the two being delivered in spades by the trio of Mike Roth, Aaron De Heus and Leonard D’arrigo.

"These guys always had a plan, and came to the track knowing what changes they wanted to make, in what order, and to which drivers", according to Morrison. "They often sent out drivers from different classes with intentionally different set-ups, allowing us to test more things through each pass of the practice order. It let us get there faster, and once they knew what direction was right, they moved all of our drivers toward that set-up. No question, these guys were a differentiating factor for our team", asserted Morrison.

For a program like ours to work GreenSpeed really needed everyone on the team on board - Tuners, Drivers, and Parents alike. The entire team bonded so quickly because there was no bait-and-switch, no favourite driver, and no secrets. Everyone knew it coming in and had to be on board with the program to be under the GreenSpeed tent.

Ryan Horses tied for the F125 Shifter Championship, but a tie-breaker resulted in him being Vice-Champion
(Photo: Schindel/Autosports Media Group)

Although GreenSpeed was powered by two separately strong engine builders - Ted Greenwood and Wrex Roth - TXM provided the team’s official engine support in 2009.

"Ted was there at every event to help our team in anyway he could, whether the engine was his or not. A loyal Tony Kart guy and former GreenSpeed owner, Ted truly loves the sport and the products and his heart is always in this 100%. On many occasions Ted was there with a spare motor, or a trackside tuning job that ensured we were always competitive," stated Morrison.

Additionally, Wrex Roth provided Rotax power to GreenSpeed drivers including Darren White, Melissa Curran and Ethan Livingston. Both Ted and Wrex also provided support to Cameron Morrison’s TXM built power plant throughout the season.

The team’s success was definitely noticed this season. Morrison began fielding driver inquiries almost immediately after the Brian Stewart season ended, and with as many as 5 new drivers already taking a hard look at GreenSpeed for the 2010 season, it will definitely be a growth year for the team. The team is currently planning a season end celebration at the Morrison home to show its appreciation for everyone that made this season the best it could have possibly been. The invitation will also be open to others wanting to come and take a closer look at GreenSpeed and chat with our drivers and tuners over a cocktail. The team is also busy organizing its Florida Winter Tour program with partner SH Karting, and details will be available soon regarding arrive-and-drive programs, and drive-to-own programs for the tour. Watch for more details on both our year end celebration and winter programs on the team’s website.

In short, the Morrison family would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved in our program this year, and for their direct contribution to its success. For more information on the championship winning GreenSpeed program please visit www.greenspeedkarting.com, or contact Mike Morrison at 416-569-6453.