Maxx Ebenal, currently testing Formula Renault 3.5 in Spain, looks to become the first Canadian to win a racing series in Asia.
Shanghai, China - Danger.
Excitement.
Dreams.
But above all, perseverance and skill.
Such is the story of Canadian race driver Maxx Ebenal, who is currently in Spain, to test the very same racing car that took twelve of the past 21 drivers directly to Formula One, from the amazing 7-speed paddle shift, 530hp Formula Renault race car.
For Ebenal, it seems to outsiders looking in that it’s just another day in the life of a jet-setting superstar, the Champion of the 2014 Asia Formula Renault series with PS Racing.
However, nothing was ever easy for Maxx Ebenal. As a child, he fought brain cancer twice, yet worked in the pipelines in Canadian winters in sub-zero temperatures, living out of the back of his truck, to save as much money as he could to pursue The Dream.
In 2012, Ebenal came to Zhuhai, China, recruited by ex-roomate Pete Olson, who had raced against Ebenal in Canada.
Olson said “I knew he had the whole pro package – racing, marketing, fitness. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he had serious talent that would be recognized out here. He’s well on his way, and I hope that Canadian companies can get onboard with this. In December, he will be THE FIRST CANADIAN to win a race series in Asia. I hope some companies ‘up north’ back home can join up, well, there are only 65million television subscribers around China for every race, and 30,000+ attendance at all the Pan Delta events – if that’s not marketing out here, I don’t know what is.”
Ebenal and Cunnington flew to Spain today immediately following the races to test the incredible 530hp Formula Renault 3.5 car that took Fernando Alonso directly to Formula One, while the 2014 Asia Formula Renault Championship will conclude December 12&13 at Zhuhai International Circuit. Stay tuned for team updates on http://www.psracing.com or http://www.facebook.com/psracingchampions
Race report from Rounds 10 & 11
With the 2014 Asia Formula Renault Championship drawing closer to its conclusion, PS Racing continued to excel this weekend in Rounds 10&11 at Shanghai International F1 Circuit, held in conjunction with the famous FIA WEC [World Endurance Championship].
Round 10 took place Saturday afternoon under cloudy and cool conditions, with a mixture of glory and frustration for PS Racing. On the start, Maxx Ebenal and Markus Engel both were taken into the pit with technical issues, along with three other drivers, two of whom were later able to start from pit lane. However, storming from second to last on the start, into the lead by turn two, was Guillaume Cunnington. The French PSR driver led the first few laps until he was hit by another car, falling far behind in the field yet storming back up to 5th overall and taking another strong win in the Masters with a 28-second gap to the P2 Masters car. The win gave Cunnington the 2014 Masters Class Championship in points with three rounds remaining. Joining him on the podium was Sebastien Mailleux for his second Master’s podium in two races, while Neric Wei took a fantastic 3rd overall and 2nd in the Asian Category.
Round 11 was held early Sunday morning due to the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Shanghai Endurance race, under challenging rain conditions. However, the slick track brought glory to Ebenal, Engel and Mailleux, with Ebenal taking the International Class win and Engel and Mailleux 2nd & 3rd on the Masters Class podium.
Maxx Ebenal of Canada had a strong qualifying session Friday in which he spent most of the 30-minute qualifying on pole position before getting nudged to 3rd overall just before the end of the session. However, Ebenal showed his mettle behind the wheel once again today after yesterday’s bad luck, holding 2nd to UK Formula Renault Champion Alice Powell until the very last lap, when she spun and Ebenal took the win.
Ebenal said “Saturday’s drama was frustrating but I put it out of my mind immediately. Occasional technical issues are part of racing and you can’t let it get to you, or it can have a really negative effect on your performance. I am very happy with the results today and am still confident in taking the 2014 AFR Championship in December’s Rounds 12&13.”
Ebenal and Cunnington flew to Spain today immediately following the races to test the incredible 530hp Formula Renault 3.5 car, while the 2014 Asia Formula Renault Championship will conclude December 12&13 at Zhuhai International Circuit. Stay tuned for team updates on http://www.psracing.com or http://www.facebook.com/psracingchampions