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| July 14, 2010 |
| Team News: DeFrancesco Racing - US Rotax Grand Nationals Preview |
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 | Patricio O’Ward was on podium in both visits to New Castle
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
DeFrancesco Racing returns to action this weekend in setting up for what is the biggest week of the year for Rotax racing in the United States. The best racers from coast-to-coast and beyond are beginning to converge on New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana, for the 2010 Rotax US Grand Nationals, where Team USA will be confirmed for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals to be held this November in Italy.
“For our Mini-Max drivers this is the biggest race of the year,” said Team Manager Bobby Wilson. “Juniors and Seniors can qualify and move onto Worlds in Rotax, but for the Mini-Max guys this is it - one race week to determine the National Champion!”
It is appropriate that Mini-Max comes easily to the mind of the Team Manager, as DFR will have four racing in New Castle: Patricio O’Ward, Devlin DeFrancesco, Cole Glasson and Sebastian Coulson. The team will also be focussed on the action in Junior, as Dore Chaponick looks to capture the National crown and advance to the World Finals representing the USA.
“The team has been getting better and better,” said Wilson as the team set up in New Castle. “The drivers are working well with their mechanics and myself, and while there have been some bumps along the way, it seems everything has made us work harder and come out stronger in the long run. I think our program, equipment, and drivers have come to a position now that we can seriously contend this week, and set our team goal as podiums and winning.”
Based on two prior runs at New Castle this year, first with the CKI WSK North American Series and recently with the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge, Wilson and DFR have every reason to feel confident in their positioning as the week begins. O’Ward, Glasson and Chaponick have each earned a pole position on the one mile road course, and DeFrancesco has set a fastest race lap. Together they produced eleven top five results from the two events, and were fixtures racing in the front packs of both Mini-Max and Rotax Junior. Above all they have been consistently quick regardless of conditions, a point that will prove imperative over the course of the week.
After three days of practice beginning Saturday, Grand Nationals officially gets underway Monday afternoon when all race karts can be registered and run through scrutineering. Tuesday brings more unofficial practice and a Welcome Party, before an official practice day Wednesday that will see times used to establish race groups going forward. Thursday the drivers will face qualifying and Heat 1, Friday has Heats 2 and 3 on the schedule, before Saturday’s prefinal and 2010 National Finals. For more information on DFR and updates as the week progresses, visit DFR/Supertune USA on Facebook. |
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