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| May 18, 2009 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Brett Felkins - April 2009 |
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 | Brett Felkins - EKN Driver of the Month - April 2009
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
Many can remember back to when you were 15, on the verge of getting your driver’s license and be able to cruise the streets of your local town. The great thing about karting - aside from teaching you car control and other knowledgeable skills behind the wheel - it fills that need for speed. One driver who has transitioned to the world of karting quickly is the April Driver of the Month - Brett Felkins.
After spending most of his youth on two wheels, Felkins made the transition to karting through a family friend after a number of injuries during motocross kept Brett on the sidelines and his parents worried. In 2007, the Felkins visited the Leading Edge Motorsports shop in their hometown of Lodi, California and came out with a Trackmagic/HPV package. After spending the year learning the ins and outs of a kart, they moved on to the Intrepid chassis and began racing regional and national events.
During the 2008 season, Felkins mad quite an impression as he ran near the front consistently, scoring his first podium finish at the Seattle Grand Prix event and the another at the National Finals to sit tenth in the overall Junior Intercontinental A standings. Brett made a couple starts as a Senior driver at the end of the year, including the SKUSA SuperNationals XII in a field of 100 drivers where he finished second in the B-Main. Felkins earned his first Senior win in January 2009 at the opening round of the ProKart Challenge South, where he currently sits third in the standings.
Felkins first win of April 2009 came at the second round of the ProKart Challenge North program at the Jim Russell International Karting Center in Sonoma, California. The TaG Senior class was the largest field of the weekend with 18 star-studded drivers. After qualifying second, Felkins won a heated battle in the opening heat race while leading flag to flag in the final heat race. A poor start relegated Felkins back to the third position to open up the Feature. After his tires came in, Felkins made his way to the point and went on to take the victory by 1.286-seconds to move himself to the top of the championship chase.
The following week at the same facility, Felkins contested his first Stars of Karting event as a Senior driver and did so by running both the TaG ICC and Senior National divisions. The event was solid start with Felkins earning the pole position in both classes. After earning the first two heat wins in both classes, Felkins ran into tough competition in the final flight to place second in Senior National and fifth in TaG ICC. Despite the downturn, Felkins earned the P1 grid spot for both Prefinals.
With $5,000 on the line in the TaG ICC division, Felkins made sure nothing would get in his way. After taking the Prefinal win by over five seconds, Felkins continued the fast pace in the Final to grab the checkered by eight seconds for his first Stars victories along with the taking home the big check and other prizes from Skip Barber, Michael Shank Racing, and Oakley. The final day of action in the Senior National category did not pan out as planned. A spin while battling for the lead in the Prefinal put Felkins mid-pack during the feature. As he began fighting his way forward, contact put the Leading Edge Motorsports driver into the final corner tires and on the sidelines for the remainder of the race.
Felkins will be competing in the new Championship Karting International Series along with the remainder of the ProKart Challenge programs. The IKF 2-Cycle Grand Nationals and the Rock Island Grand Prix - competing in the prestigious King of the Streets event - is in his future along with returning to the SKUSA SuperNationals.
 | Brett Felkins took home a check for 5k following his TaG ICC victory at the Stars of Karting Grand Prix of Sonoma
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
April 2009 EKN Driver of the Month - Brett Felkins
Bio
Date of Birth: 8.30.93
Hometown: Lodi, California
Parents: Kevin and Wendy Felkins
Siblings: Brittany (18), Breonna (11), and Briley (2)
Height/Weight: 5'6" - 135 lbs.
Education: Lodi High School - Freshmen (9th grade)
Job: Not employed
Racing Resume
Chassis: Intrepid
Engine/Engine Builder: Leading Edge Motorsports/Canyon Speed & Marine
Sponsors: Diede Racing/Leading Edge Motorsports/CDR/OAKLEY
Series You Compete In: Pro-Kart Challenge/Stars of Karting/CKI
Years Karting: 2
How did you get started in karting? Family Friends
What has been the high point in your racing career? When I won my first Stars of Karting race
What are your goals in racing? To get into NASCAR
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth and calculated
Funniest moment at the race track? When Greg (Bell) and Dad go at it
Likes
Favorite Track: Miller Motorsports Park (Utah) because it has a nice facility
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR/F1
Favorite karting driver: Fritz Leesmann
Favorite professional driver: Jimmy Johnson
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Nitro Circus
Favorite actor/actress: Cameron Diaz
Favorite music/group: Country Music/Rascal Flats
Favorite vacation/activity spot: House Boat/Lake Shasta
Favorite food: Mexican
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Homework, chores, and enjoy my family
What are your goals outside of karting? Get good grades and become a NASCAR driver
What type of street car do you drive? I don't have my license yet
What type of street car would you like to drive? Black lifted Chevy 4X4
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? I don't like my food
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? More media exposure
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Sportsmanship, competitiveness, friendships, and excitement of the sport
April Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Kyle Shriver: IKF Region 7 Grange - Four wins
- Taylor Miinch: Stars of Karting - Two podiums, including Junior National victory
- Jacob Neal: ProKart Challenge South - S1 and S3 victories (third event in a row) |
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