Photo credit: Don SimpsonA determined and passionate family!
A family gathering
The version française ici Most family activities involve camping or spending time around the dinner table to stay connected. For the Plante family, racing has become the family activity that connects them not only as a family, but also as a team. This bond began in the summer of 1980 when a 17-year-old young man named Réjean Plante took up the challenge of participating in the Novice class at Autodrome Drummond. Réjean continued to climb the ranks for several years and in 1988, in the Late Model category, he was a challenge for the Autodrome St-Grégoire track championship. In the end, Réjean would lose the championship to Normand Lemire by a single point. But this season, the eyes of several car owners noticed Réjean's driving talent. 
Photo credit: Bruno Dorais
The following year, the car's owner, Gilles Robert, asked Réjean to drive his Sportsman for several races and he was so impressed with its performance that he began a partnership that would last for many years. In 1990 the Roberts team began campaigning for a new Big Block Modified with Réjean filling the driver's duties. Over the next few years, the team continued racing until Réjean decided it was time to retire from racing as he and his wife, Sylvie, began raising their family. Réjean has always remained in the racing world and, from time to time, acted as a driver for certain teams. Over time the family grew, but there was always an aura of running through the house,
Photo credit: Bruno DoraisIn 2006, the family decided to do running as a whole - a kind of family activity. The class of choice was karting. Jessica Plante, the eldest in the family, would start in the Senior Honda class, with Josianne in the Jr. Honda class, followed by Maxime in the Cadet class. Réjean took care of the karts while Sylvie did all the statistics and team arrangements. Over the next few years, the three raced in karting on their local circuit and competed in the Coupe Montreal and the Coupe de l'Est. 
Photo credit: Bruno DoraisIn 2011 the family decided to upgrade to the REVSTAR Speed STR class with racing in Quebec and Ontario as well as the Northeastern United States. The same year, Jessica and Josianne continued to race with the Speed STR. But Jessica always loved go-kart racing, something she preferred over STRs or Slingshots and would draw her to the sport for years to come. The season for change came in 2013 when Jessica decided to focus on her own kart racing while Maxime and Josianne progressed through the REVSTAR STR class. So after seven years of racing as a family, the team moved in two directions, with Jessica racing alone. Réjean and Sylvie have always made the effort to come see and support Jessica's racing efforts. Maxime and Josianne raced in the REVSTAR STR class for the next few years. In 2014, Maxime and Josianne joined their father in the ACT series. All three will compete in the ACT series on asphalt in a number of select races throughout the season. In 2015 the team decided it was time to move up a class, once again with Josianne moving up to the Sportsman rank while Max rose to the Modified 358 class. 
Photo credit: Don SimpsonThis was a big step, as both classes are very competitive and the cost of racing in these classes is much higher. On the other side of Plante's racing team, Jessica continued to race her race kart - something she is very happy to do to this day. Maxime continued to progress in the Modified 358 class and he still has a strong presence in the car field, as evidenced by his skill as a driver. Josianne raced in the Sportsman class until 2017 when she joined her brother in the 358 class. It's been a long road over the last 12 years and I believe Sylvie didn't expect this idea to last as long long or evolves that far. The races bonded the family in such a strong way. Yes, there have been times of ups and downs, but there have been so many good times in those years. For example, when Maxime won several STR championships in Quebec or the national STR championship in 2012, or his first victory driving a Modifié 358 in Granby in 2016. 
Photo credit: Don SimpsonJosianne remembers when she was asked to drive her brother's car at the Big Block Super DirtCar Series at RPM Speedway in 2017. She had the third fastest time in her timed practice group and would start the race fifth. After 100 laps, Josianne would cross the finish line in 17th place. Jessica remembers her first victory at Mont-Jolie or the time she qualified for first place on the Mont-St-Hilaire kart track. All the experiences lived at the races are memories of time spent with the family and these will remain marked and this will continue.
Photo credit: Bruno Dorais
The following year, the car's owner, Gilles Robert, asked Réjean to drive his Sportsman for several races and he was so impressed with its performance that he began a partnership that would last for many years. In 1990 the Roberts team began campaigning for a new Big Block Modified with Réjean filling the driver's duties. Over the next few years, the team continued racing until Réjean decided it was time to retire from racing as he and his wife, Sylvie, began raising their family. Réjean has always remained in the racing world and, from time to time, acted as a driver for certain teams. Over time the family grew, but there was always an aura of running through the house,
Photo credit: Bruno DoraisIn 2006, the family decided to do running as a whole - a kind of family activity. The class of choice was karting. Jessica Plante, the eldest in the family, would start in the Senior Honda class, with Josianne in the Jr. Honda class, followed by Maxime in the Cadet class. Réjean took care of the karts while Sylvie did all the statistics and team arrangements. Over the next few years, the three raced in karting on their local circuit and competed in the Coupe Montreal and the Coupe de l'Est. Photo credit: Bruno DoraisIn 2011 the family decided to upgrade to the REVSTAR Speed STR class with racing in Quebec and Ontario as well as the Northeastern United States. The same year, Jessica and Josianne continued to race with the Speed STR. But Jessica always loved go-kart racing, something she preferred over STRs or Slingshots and would draw her to the sport for years to come. The season for change came in 2013 when Jessica decided to focus on her own kart racing while Maxime and Josianne progressed through the REVSTAR STR class. So after seven years of racing as a family, the team moved in two directions, with Jessica racing alone. Réjean and Sylvie have always made the effort to come see and support Jessica's racing efforts. Maxime and Josianne raced in the REVSTAR STR class for the next few years. In 2014, Maxime and Josianne joined their father in the ACT series. All three will compete in the ACT series on asphalt in a number of select races throughout the season. In 2015 the team decided it was time to move up a class, once again with Josianne moving up to the Sportsman rank while Max rose to the Modified 358 class. Photo credit: Don SimpsonThis was a big step, as both classes are very competitive and the cost of racing in these classes is much higher. On the other side of Plante's racing team, Jessica continued to race her race kart - something she is very happy to do to this day. Maxime continued to progress in the Modified 358 class and he still has a strong presence in the car field, as evidenced by his skill as a driver. Josianne raced in the Sportsman class until 2017 when she joined her brother in the 358 class. It's been a long road over the last 12 years and I believe Sylvie didn't expect this idea to last as long long or evolves that far. The races bonded the family in such a strong way. Yes, there have been times of ups and downs, but there have been so many good times in those years. For example, when Maxime won several STR championships in Quebec or the national STR championship in 2012, or his first victory driving a Modifié 358 in Granby in 2016. Photo credit: Don SimpsonJosianne remembers when she was asked to drive her brother's car at the Big Block Super DirtCar Series at RPM Speedway in 2017. She had the third fastest time in her timed practice group and would start the race fifth. After 100 laps, Josianne would cross the finish line in 17th place. Jessica remembers her first victory at Mont-Jolie or the time she qualified for first place on the Mont-St-Hilaire kart track. All the experiences lived at the races are memories of time spent with the family and these will remain marked and this will continue.
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