Didier Schraenen: The man with 101 facets

When I contacted the friend Didier to invite me to do a summary of career for one of my future columns, I did not expect to receive a "summary" of a dozen pages!

This is a reading of this tome that I realized that Schraenen has a long career behind him a thousand trades, some concurrently for over 35 years.

His profession radio host debuted in 1979 Sainte-Agathe, followed by a passage of a few years in the region of Hull (now Gatineau) before his arrival at CKMF 94.3 Radio NRJ where he leads the matinees in addition to working promotions. In 1990 he goes on television to Reseau des Sports where he is still 25 years later. He participated today about a hundred emissions per year, all related to motorized sports.

Over the years, he has participated in productions of Champ Car, Indy Car, Formula Atlantic, NASCAR, DTM, FIA American and Canadian world of motorcycles, World Championship and Canadian rally, rally raid, cut Motorola, motocross, autocross , motocross, snowmobiling, hydroplane, karting, to name just it. His work has enabled him to visit the majority of road racing in North America. He also works live tracks LOCATED near Rio in Brazil, Mexico circuit Hermano Rodrigues in the heart of Mexico City, Motegi in Japan, Surfers Paradise, Australia. It covers the Bike Week in Daytona, Florida for 30 years and has done a radio, reporting on the performance of Quebecois and Canadians competition out there.

Didier driver now since soon 27 years. It's been 18 years that short driving a Formula 1600 CMV entirely conceived and built Granby by members of his team.

Didier commentator, announcer, host, journalist, the driver.

Schraenen is also announcer at motorsports events. He began his career behind a microphone describing the action during tests motorcycle on clay, then it was motocross.

During a dozen years, he has traveled the Quebec to comment quebecois races and national championships. He even commented on the tests at the World Championships, held on Canadian soil.

In front of more than fifty thousand spectators, he is one hears Supermotocross Olympic Stadium since 1982. More than a commentator, he is also an excellent host crowd, I had the evidence several times during Cree auctions at banquets of the Musee Gilles Villeneuve, when I was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the museum. Moreover, Didier has always done without remuneration, simply free of charge for the museum.

Historically, it also says snowmobile races on ice, including the famous Grand Prix Ski-Doo of Valcourt, Snowcross Racing, Ice Racing motorcycle rallies, etc.. The list is just too long to enumerate. He also signed columns on a regular basis in the magazine Pole-Position.

The pilot multiple titles

Didier Schraenen not only involves motorized sports for 35 years as a commentator / journalist.

After a short career in motorcycle racing, he turned to motorsport in 1988. It starts in the series Honda / Michelin at the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. In 1990, he finished third in rank in this series. It returns to its roots and has participated in the Honda Michelin Series: he was runner-ring (2006) and finished third in the discipline (2004).

Then in 1991, he goes to the Player's GM where he finished third among rookies. He faces Richard Spenard, Ron Fellows and David Empringham that will all brilliant careers. In 1993, he turned to the car. He participates in the Canadian Championship Formula 1600 and he was crowned champion four times (1998, 1999, 2006 and 2009) and runner-up twice (2002-2003) and third four times (1996-2007-2011 and 2013).

Formula in 1600, during the last ten years, Didier has always been in the top 4 of the championship, 7 times in the top 3. His worst ranking was 6th place in 2010, the year where he did not both last races apresun severe myocardial while he was at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

On his return to the legendary circuit, it signed a 13th podium on the island Notre Dame beating the record of 12 podiums he then shared with a certain Michael Schumacher ... In closing third of the Formula Tour 1600 in 2013 Didier Schraenen finished for the 21st time in the top 5 in the overall standings of the series which he participated all categories combined. It was 4 times champion, runner-up 3 times and 6 times third in the championship. He also signed 24 wins, 33 pole positions (79 departures in the first line) and 103 podiums.

He has also been a factory driver for Hyundai Canada from 1997 to 2000 in the series of endurance here as in the United States. During this period, he ran on tracks like Sebring and Homestead Florida. He even parade in the winner's circle at Daytona deemed circuit and help the team to win the title manufacturers in 1997 and 1998. He rolls in Phoenix Arizona, Watkins Glen in upstate New York, Lime Rock Connecticut, Wisconsin Road America and Mid-Ohio to name a few it.

Schraenen also ran on the ice during the Challenge de Sherbrooke in 1999 and finished fifth at odds Finnish Per Eklund and former F1 driver Jean-Pierre Jarier. It also runs on the circuit Crepon in France, at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the tests of the 24 Hours of Chamonix. He tasted the rally participant performance twice rally Quebec. In addition, he has done private testing in Formula Atlantic near Indianapolis, Indy Lights in Texas and Champ Car in Las Vegas in the United States.

The immediate future: 2014

In 2014, Didier still wear the colors CKMF, now Radio NRJ, for the 27th year. The Sports Network has joined the adventure there 23 years. For the fifth consecutive year, the STCH Group - which specializes in transportation, logistics and warehousing - the same as the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships in Quebec has joined NRJ and RDS. Didier also has the support of more Lettram Design, Motul Lubrispec, Fix Auto St-Hyacinthe, the Granby Trucks, Transport Guy Mahoney, SH Karting and clothing Bodyhype.

He will participate in Formula turn driving his 1600 CMV 97 which has undergone major changes in 2013. It is always the stable Dynatech who prepared his car. Didier works with Marc Montminy since 1996.

Even in the cotoyant several times a year, I remain impressed by his passion. Often it is one of the first settled and ready to courser before others, sometimes juggling impossible for anyone hours, except him. By way of example:

Participate in the qualification of an ordeal championship Formula Tour 1600 Tremblant circuit on Saturday morning and then participate in the first race after lunch to return to Montreal to host a NASCAR Sports Network in evening and be back in track on Sunday morning for the session of qualifying and the race on Sunday ...

You will agree with me, you have to!

Do not believe go above Didier simply appear ... It is each track has its presences to fight against emerging young wolves eyeing his place on the podium, the top step is the ultimate goal each output ... I can only wish him a wonderful season in 2014 and, God willing, finally a victory and the highest step of the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix in June Formula Tour 1600.

Didier Congratulations, you're a model and an inspiration for the younger generation! Congratulations also your life partner Michela support you for years ...

Hope to see you both!

Michel Flageole, www.flagworld.com

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