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| March 22, 2010 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Alessandra Madrigal - February 2010 |
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 | Alessandra Madrigal shined in both Florida Winter Tour and CKI Florida Cup Junior action
(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.
The NASCAR and IndyCar world are going crazy for Danica Patrick. Karting on the other hand has a number of rising female stars across the country and around the world. Yes, she has brought attention to of motorsports to many young girls with her fame, however, those donning pinks helmet around the track are just more than a pretty face behind the wheel. The eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month program has already recognized two female drivers and is happy to announce the third - J3 Competition’s Alessandra Madrigal - for the month of February 2010.
Madrigal began the three week journey with round two of the Florida Winter Tour Formula Kart program at Palm Beach International Raceway. Competing in the IAME Junior category, Madrigal engaged in one of the best races of the opening day. Running in the top-three throughout the day, charged up the leaderboard of the feature after getting shuffled back early on. Working herself to the point in the final laps, she fought for the victory, going side by side through the final corner to drag race to the stripe. Madrigal came just 0.038-seconds short of the win. The next day was no easy task as well. Qualifying eighth, Madrigal worked her way forward in the Prefinal to start outside row one for the main event. After showing the way early on, Madrigal was shuffled back following contact. With the same grit and determination she showed earlier in the day, Madrigal knifed her way to the front once more. Snagging the lead on the white flag, she would make no mistakes en route to a sterling comeback victory. The win put her 55 points ahead in the title chase heading into the final weekend.
The following weekend, Madrigal contested the competitive Rotax Junior division in the FWT Rotax Max Challenge program. On day one, Madrigal qualified a solid 12th however was involved in an opening lap incident along with a number of other drivers at the start of the Prefinal. Falling to 29th, she ended up 23rd at the checkered. As has been the case for the category for a number of drivers, turn one ended her race early as once again she was involved in unavoidable contact. Bad luck continued the next day as a poor qualifying effort turned into Madrigal unable to complete a lap in the Prefinal. Putting the trouble behind her, she muscled from the tail of the 34-kart field forward to end up 14th after 20 laps with times comparable to the leaders. Despite a tough weekend, Madrigal left the weekend sixth in the points with a viable chance at a top-three position.
Madrigal then traveled to Homestead for the second round of the CKI Florida Cup. Doing the double-duty as she has been accustom to, Madrigal walked away with four podiums, including two victories. The wins came via a weekend sweep in the KF3 category. Scoring the pole, Prefinal and Final victories both days vaulted her into the class championship lead. In the Rotax Junior division, Madrigal battled for the top spot all weekend long, recording two solid third place finishes in both features to keep her in the championship chase.
 | Alessandra Madrigal - EKN Driver of the Month - February 2010
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
February 2010 EKN Driver of the Month - Alessandra Madrigal
Bio
Date of Birth: January 30, 1996
Hometown: Wayland, MA
Parents: Gerard and Terri Madrigal
Siblings: Victoria & Julian
Height/Weight: 5’5” and 130
Education: Home-Schooled
Racing Resume
Chassis: Kosmic
Engine/Engine Builder: Super Tune Engines, Vortex, and J3 Competition
Sponsors: Oakley Philippines and Patron
Series You Compete In: CKI National Series, Florida Winter Tour, Pan American Series, Rotax Nationals, and CIK Worlds.
Years Karting: 6
How did you get started in karting? Tried it at the mall, and fell in love with it.
What has been the high point in your racing career? When I won the FWT TaG Jr. Championship last year
What are your goals in racing? To be the first female F1 Champion
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth
Funniest moment at the race track? When I was driving in the Philippines and I hit a chicken crossing the track.
Likes
Favorite Track: Orlando Kart Center
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula One
Favorite karting driver: Marco Ardigo
Favorite professional driver: Lewis Hamilton
Favorite website: Facebook
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite actor/actress: Leighton Meester
Favorite music/group: Justin Bieber and Lil Wayne
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Manila, Philippines
Favorite food: Oxtail stew
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Shop, hangout with friends, and workout
What are your goals outside of karting? To be the first female F1 Champion
What type of street car do you drive? I’m not old enough
What type of street car would you like to drive? A white Rang Rover Sport Supercharge
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Dirty drivers who cause crashes
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Have less karting organizations, have less engine options (like in Europe where it’s only KF3 and Rotax), license drivers, and referee the sport better.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The big adrenaline rush you get before every race.
February Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Nick Neri: Florida Winter Tour - 3 wins, 1 runner-up (Rotax Pro & Rotax Junior)
- Parker Thompson: Challenge of the Americas & IKF Region 7 - 4 wins (Rotax Mini Max, Junior 1, KPV 1)
- Daniel Formal: Florida Winter Tour - 4 podiums, including 2 wins (Rotax Pro & Rotax Senior) |
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