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| January 26, 2012 News |
| EKN Trackside: Gatorz Challenge of the Americas - Tucson Preview |
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This weekend marks the start of the fifth year for the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas, which set to kick off on Friday at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona. The international Rotax Max Challenge program is welcoming an increase in numbers for the new season, as over 100 drivers have already pre-entered for the event, matching the total from last year’s opener. A who’s who of drivers and teams from the Western United States and Canada will all battle for the coveted Rotax Grand Finals tickets in the Senior, Junior and DD2 categories, while Rotax Grand Nationals qualifying spots are available for the remaining divisions.
The first of three stops in 2012 will see a full day of practice on Friday, followed by two independent rounds on Saturday and Sunday, all counting towards the six-round championship series. The 0.8-mile circuit - formally known as the P1 Kart Circuit - is a replica of the famous Suzuka track in Japan. At 13-turns, with a 680 ft. straightaway, the course is a challenge for both drivers and mechanics. Teams have been testing in Tucson over the last few weeks as the series is set to make its first visit to the facility, which was built in 2005.
Buddy Rice Karting Senior Max
The 2011 edition of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas enjoyed full fields in the Senior category, and the opening round for 2012 will be no different with over 30 competitors having already entered for the Tucson rounds. The leading contender returning from last year is Louie Pagano (Birel). The 2010 Junior champion had a stellar Senior debut season in 2011, posting solid results to end up third overall in the title chase, running under the Dave’s Performance Karting banner. The only winner from 2011 returning for this season is Sonoma winner T.J. Fischer (RK). A victor in a rain-soaked feature in the opening day of the series finale, Fischer went on to finish the season sixth in the standings.
 | Louie Pagano is among the many contenders traveling to Tucson this weekend, searching for a good start to the Senior Max title chase
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
This duo will be up against a long list of newcomers to the program, all set on challenging them for race wins and championship points. United States Rotax Grand Nationals podium finisher and 2011 Team USA member Kiel Spaulding is planning a full assault on the 2012 Gatorz program, moving to the FA Kart under the guidance of Phil Giebler Racing. Two 16-year old drivers from the East Coast will make the long journey to battle the best in the west, as Luke Chudleigh (Maranello) and Nick Rivellini (CRG) will both be racing with the new Team Whisler Racing Services operation. Chudleigh, from Ontario, Canada, brings a solid resume from regional and international competition. Rivellini, from Virginia, enters his sophomore season in the Senior ranks with aspirations of podium finishes.
No strangers to the big stage, Mason Marotta (Intrepid) and Travis Lowe (Energy) will make their bid at the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas title. Marotta was vice-champion in 2010 and has been continually improving his skill-set behind the wheel. Lowe is jumping into the Rotax program for the first time after success at the regional and national level in TaG competition. Others to watch include some young guns, including CRG-USA’s Sabre Cook (CRG), 2011 Junior Max vice-champion Parker McKean (Kosmic) with Rolison Performance Group and SoCal’s Dakota Dickerson (Arrow), who will run under the KartSport North America banner.
Overdrive Motorsports DD2 / BRK Engines DD2 Masters
While the numbers in the DD2 class in the US are seeing only a minor increase, the driver talent this weekend in Tucson will make up for the lack of numbers. National shifterkart champion Fritz Leesmann (CRG) has made the move to the Rotax category, piloting a DD2 for the first time this weekend. NorCal driver Bronson Eggert (Birel) returns and will look to battle for the Rotax Grand Finals ticket that goes to the champion. Canadians Daniel Burkett (LH Kart) and Austin King (PCR), along with California’s John Wallace III (Energy), will be among the contenders.
The DD2 Masters category will see an increase in participation as the category is now part of the Rotax Grand Finals program. Veteran driver John Crow (Arrow) leads the list of contenders, while Canadian Mark Wheeler (PCR) is making a return to the seat with Overdrive Motorsports. Colorado’s Mike Urban (Arrow) and Jim Carey Sr. (Arrow) complete the roster for Tucson.
 | Masters driver John Crow will take his talents to DD2 Masters for 2012
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
Billet Performance Karting Masters Max
Always a popular category since the series began in 2008, the Masters list continues to see the tight group of competitors battling. This year’s list is too close to thin out and will be welcoming the reigning Rotax Grand Nationals champion, Brent Harper (Swiss Hutless). Making the move from the Southeast area to Texas, Harper will make his first Gatorz start in Tucson. Returning contenders include Larry Hayashigawa (Energy), Ed Bush (Zanardi), and Ken Maxfield (Arrow). Watch for SoCal drivers Paul Bonilla (Arrow) and Steve Dzurilla (Birel) as well.
Rolison Performance Group Junior Max
Much like the Senior category, numbers remain strong in for the Junior field. Looking at the pre-entry roster, Jake Craig (CRG) stands out as the top returning contender. The vice-champion in 2011, Craig was part of Team USA following his runner-up finish at the Rotax Grand Nationals. Others returning from the 2011 season include Matthew Moniz (CRG) and Jonathan May (Energy), who finished sixth and seventh in the standings. The rest of the field is filled with young talent, looking to breakthrough with strong performances in Tucson. Among them is 2011 Gatorz Mini Max vice-champion Kyle Wick (Kosmic).
BBR Karting Mini Max
A class everyone lines the fences for is the Mini Max category. Some of the best Cadet level racing takes place with the Mini Max Rotax engine strapped alongside these young drivers, all full of energy and enthusiasm. They will all be chasing last year’s series champion Royal McKee from Las Vegas, who makes the switch to the Energy brand for 2012. Leading the chase to dethrone McKee includes his teammate and reigning United States Rotax Grand Nationals champion Christian Brooks (Energy). Watch for Garrett Gulenchyn (Tony Kart), Nicky Hays (Birel) and Sting Ray Robb (Tony Kart) to be strong, as they all look to improve their top-10 finishes from a year ago.
 | The lead contender in Junior Max is 2011 Team USA member Jake Craig
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Apollo Motorsports Micro Max
The youngest drivers at the event make up the Micro Max division, starting its third year as part of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas with another increase in participation. Like Mini, the Micro drivers will all be after the defending champion, Colorado’s Cody Dempster (CRG). Vice-champion Griffin Dowler (Tony Kart), and third place finisher Conner Wick (Wild Kart) will return with a host of newcomers to the series.
EKN Trackside Live
New for 2012 will be the addition of the eKartingNews.com ‘Trackside Live’ program to the series. Those unable to attend will have the benefit to listen in on the live play-by-play action called from trackside by EKN’s own Rob Howden at the EKN Trackside Live page - http://www.ekartingnews.com/live webpage while viewing the live scoring feed and updates from trackside. Complete daily coverage will be updated in the news feed as well throughout the weekend, including updates in the Official Discussion Thread.
Pre-Entry Lists - 2012 Gatorz Challenge of the Americas - Tucson
Senior Max
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 100 | Sabre' Cook | CRG | Grand Junction, CO | | 103 | Adam Dowler | Tony Kart | Sherwood Park, AB | | 105 | Parker McKean | Kosmic | Gig Harbor, WA | | 106 | Augie Lerch | Intrepid | Tucson, AZ | | 107 | Josh Sarchet | Zanardi | Lima, OH | | 108 | Kiel Spaulding | FA | Elk Grove, CA | | 113 | Bailey Murphy | CRG | Phoenix, AZ | | 114 | Sean Cony | Intrepid | Phoenix, AZ | | 115 | Louie Pagano | Birel | Santa Rosa Valley, CA | | 116 | Mitch Carey | Arrow | Parker, CO | | 117 | Paige Wallin | Kosmic | Aberdeen, WA | | 121 | Matt Hart | Arrow | La Habra, CA | | 123 | Will Owen | Arrow | Castle Rock, CO | | 131 | Chad Grunrow | Tony Kart | Saskatoon, SK | | 133 | Jeremy Kane | Arrow | Lakewood, CA | | 139 | Austin King | PCR | Calgary, AB | | 140 | Kevin King | CRG | Sherbrooke, QC | | 141 | Nick Rivellini | CRG | Great Falls, VA | | 145 | Tyler Edwards | Arrow | Littleton, CO | | 148 | T.J. Fischer | RK | Vacaville, CA | | 151 | Andrew Wiener | Tony Kart | Spring Valley, CA | | 154 | Mason Marotta | Intrepid | Bakersfield, CA | | 155 | Kyle Byers | Kosmic | Auburn, WA | | 163 | Travis Lowe | Energy | Fontana, CA | | 171 | Niki Luna | CRG | Newport Coast, CA | | 177 | Phil DeLaO | Top Kart | Peoria, AZ | | 180 | Dakota Dickerson | Arrow | San Diego, CA | | 188 | Chance Stephens | Intrepid | Tucson, AZ | | 193 | Luke Chudleigh | Maranello | Campbellville, ONT | | 195 | Bryan Lemon | Kosmic | Glendale, AZ | | 197 | Brandon Cusack | Tony Kart | Mill Creek, WA | |
DD2
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 208 | Bronson Eggert | Birel | Pleasanton, CA | | 239 | Austin King | PCR | Calgary, AB | | 243 | John Wallace III | Energy | Duarte, CA | | 261 | Fritz Leesmann | CRG | Elk Grove, CA | | 272 | Daniel Burkett | Lewis Hamilton | Winnipeg, MB | |
DD2 Masters
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 311 | John Crow | Arrow | Anaheim, CA | | 336 | Mark Wheeler | PCR | Calgary, AB | | 345 | Mike Urban | Arrow | Parker, CO | | 356 | Jim Carey Sr. | Arrow | Parker, CO | |
Masters Max
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 609 | Roger Culver | Intrepid | Phoenix, AZ | | 613 | Brent Harper | Swiss Hutless | Lubbock, TX | | 617 | Ed Bush | Zanardi | Scottsdale, AZ | | 620 | Paul Bonilla | Arrow | Cypress, CA | | 632 | Steve Dzurilla | Birel | Cerritos, CA | | 641 | Larry Hayashigawa | Energy | Downey, CA | | 649 | Justin Peck | Tony Kart | Spanish Fork, UT | | 654 | Steve Wiener | CRG | Spring Valley, CA | | 662 | Ken Maxfield | Arrow | Murray, UT | | 671 | Derek Poirier | Intrepid | Glendale, AZ | | 678 | Steve Zoumaras | Arrow | San Diego, CA | | 691 | Scott Berryman | Arrow | Boulder, CO | |
Junior Max
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 2 | Coltin McCaughan | Tony Kart | Calgary, AB | | 2 | Jake Craig | CRG | Mission Viejo, CA | | 3 | Zachary Sinclair | Tony Kart | Sherwood Park, AB | | 4 | Niko Pagones | Tony Kart | Medina, WA | | 8 | Marco Eakins | Energy | Beaverton, OR | | 9 | Kyle Wick | Kosmic | Auburn, WA | | 9 | Brenden Baker | CRG | Palmdale, CA | | 11 | Nathan Seegrist | Tony Kart | Corona, CA | | 12 | Matt McMurray | Kosmic | Phoenix, AZ | | 18 | Lindsey Freier | Birel | Arvada, CO | | 19 | Jim McKinney | Intrepid | Chandler, AZ | | 21 | Jonathan May | Energy | San Marcos, CA | | 22 | Pete Yerkovich Jr. | Intrepid | Desert Hills, AZ | | 24 | Bradley Dezell | Tony Kart | Okatoka, AB | | 26 | Jake Boyle | CRG | Anthem, AZ | | 42 | Corrie Hiatt | RK | Cocord, CA | | 48 | Kyler Repells | Tony Kart | Phoenix, AZ | | 51 | Jake Preston | Kosmic | Renton, WA | | 73 | Micah Hendricks | Intrepid | Glendale, AZ | | 77 | Austin Kuehl | Intrepid | Phoenix, AZ | | 88 | Jason Dempster | Sodi | Highlands Ranch, CO | | 90 | Jordan Redlin | CRG | Aldergrove, BC | | 98 | Matthew Moniz | CRG | Vancouver, BC | | ? | Grant Copple | Sodi | Golden, CO | | ? | Zacharie Scalzo | Lewis Hamilton | Drummondville, QC | | ? | Thomas Boost | Energy | Arcadia, CA | |
Mini Max
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 502 | Royal McKee | Energy | Las Vegas, NV | | 503 | Max Fedler | Sodi | Denver, CO | | 511 | Nicky Hays | Birel | Huntington Beach, CA | | 514 | Carson Vogel | Tony Kart | Elk Point, AB | | 516 | Sting Ray Robb | Tony Kart | Boise, ID | | 527 | Nolan Vogel | Tony Kart | Elk Point, AB | | 531 | Jeff Fulham | Lewis Hamilton | Winnipeg, MB | | 534 | Christian Brooks | Energy | Santa Clarita, CA | | 543 | Garrett Gulenchyn | Tony Kart | Hadashville, MB | | 548 | Jessica Dezell | PCR | Okatoka, AB | | 556 | Horatio Fitz-Simon | CRG | Pleasanton, CA | | 559 | Adam Hughes | Tony Kart | Spruce Grove, AB | | 583 | Evan Roshak | CRG | Arvada, CO | |
Micro Max
| No. | Driver | Chassis | Hometown| 402 | Derek DesLauriers | Energy | Littleton, CO | | 406 | Griffin Dowler | Tony Kart | Sherwood Park, AB | | 417 | Sophia Price | Kosmic | Heber City, UT | | 419 | Conner Wick | Wild Kart | Auburn, WA | | 421 | Corbin Emery | Birel | Lone Tree, CO | | 422 | Cody Dempster | CRG | Parker, CO | | 450 | Marco Kacic | CRG | West Kelowna, BC | | 453 | Jacob Blue Hudson | Energy | Keizer, OR | | 476 | Everest Fedler | Shockwave | Denver, CO | | 413 | Branden Sorensen | CRG | Las Vegas, NV | | 411 | Amanda Sorensen | CRG | Las Vegas, NV | |
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