November 24, 2023

Introducing DD2M MAX Grand Finals competitor’s, Billy Cleavelin, Derek Wang and Ben Cooper who will compete for their respective countries.  Billy and Derek will join Team USA while Ben  will join Team Canada in Bahrain at the Rotax Grand Finals. Ben earned his spot thanks to his victory at the US Trophy Final event, while Derek won the championship at the Canada Final and Billy took the Trophy West Championship and then finished as the highest placing ‘Reserved’ driver at the US Trophy Final event.

<<Here are the details to get to know Billy, Derek and Ben before the event takes place from December 2 – 9, 2023>>

Derek Wang

Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?

DW 18 years and I like to go fast

Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?

DW Being really terrible at karting and wanting to improve.

Q  Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?

DW Just want to have fun.

Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?

DW  Stepanova Nekeel and Claire Cheng

Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership D with them special?

DW He was there when I first started and felt that I was really terrible.  He firmly believes that I’m just as terrible now as my first day.

Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?

DW Yes. Qualifying on pole in Portimão then having the starter button wire break off during a restart.

Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?

DW Northwest

Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?

DW Yes.

Q  Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.

DW I like to build scale model cars.

Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?

 like to arrive at the track as late as possible.

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Billy Cleavelin

Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?

BC I’ve been involved in karting since 1971, first just riding around and a few club races, then Full Tilt from 1981 to 1997 and then some time off before returning in 2007 to current. Every year since I was a kid the newest chassis to the most powerful engines got me going. Then it was out of control when I saw Formula K.

Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?

BC Probably seeing my first IKF Sprint race, 100cc engines, sidewinder chassis, driver’s like Tony and Kyle Adkins, Howard Combee, Rocky Buff, Gary Hartman, what a race.. I wanted to be in those races.

Q  Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?

BC It was once put to me in this way, “ It’s about the journey “ Just being at this level event, with the top drivers from around the world, on the premier kart track, and being part of it at my age is the goal already achieved. The rest is icing on the cake.

Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?

BC My lovely wife, Tara

Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership  with them special?

BC  Aaron Neliton, I’ve known Aaron since the RPG days watching him tuning and coaching Josh Pierson and many others. Always on top of his work with a great attitude. At the beginning of the West series I jokingly said if I win the ticket would you be my mechanic? Here We are.

Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?

BC Los Angeles, California

Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?

BC 2016 Sarno, Italy & 2017 Portugal  the memorable experience is that I never drove a DD2 let alone race won.

Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?

BC First time in the Middle East, hope to make it to the ocean.

 

Q  Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.

BC  Well the talent has aged and this will be my Final International / National event. My goal is to make the Rotax Grand Finals my last call.

Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?

BC Never any rituals or superstitions, just praying for no senior moments.

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Ben Cooper

Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?

25 years, My father racing.

Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?

BC I don’t really have a memorable moment other than I just really enjoyed being at the track racing. Thats what kept me going.

Q  Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?

BC At my point now, I just appreciate being able race competitively, but my goal is to go and win.

Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?

BC My wife, and my father who will be my mechanic.

Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership  with them special?

BC  My dad, Papa Ben. He has been with me through my whole career. He is 72 now and I just love that he still wants to come and help.

Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?

BC Montreal Canada

Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?

BC Winning my third GF in Portugal representing Canada for the first time.

Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?

BC 2nd time, I went to help Team Canada when it was last there.

Q  Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.

BC  I was almost born at a race track. My mum went into labor as my dad was on the start line ready to start his race.

Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?

BC Just smiling and laughing. Embracing the moment.

GOOD LUCK Billy, Derek and Ben,

Team Race Rotax / J3 Competition