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| May 09, 2012 News |
| US Rotax Max Challenge Series Profile: Tri-C Karters |
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In cooperation with MAXSpeed Group, the administrator of the United States Rotax Max Challenge program, eKartingNews.com is happy to introduce the ‘US Rotax Max Challenge Series Profile’. Each month, EKN will profile one of the many Rotax series in the United States. Included in these regular overviews will be where each series races, who is racing there, and how you can become part of their program. Each US Rotax Max Challenge Series is a qualifying program toward the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals.
The history of the Rotax brand in the United States begins in Southern California. In 2000, the Rotax Max Challenge built its roots in SoCal and slowly expanded throughout the country. Today, the US Rotax Max Challenge recognizes 27 programs and Rotax engines compete at dozens of tracks throughout the United States. Another new program to join the USRMC is the Tri-C Karters, based in Southern California.
The Tri-C Karters began originally as the South Gate Kart club circa 1961. The rename came to Tri-C Karters came in 1965 with a merger with two other ‘city’ clubs, beginning a 38-year run of racing at the historic Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, CA. In 2003, Tri-C moved from the Adams circuit to the Moran Raceway, a course unlike any other in the country. Monthly club races were usually around 200 entries with 2004 their best season, averaging 175 drivers each event. When the facility closed in late 2007, the club traveled to numerous courses around the southern California area until settling at its new home at CalSpeed Karting in mid-2009.
Tri-C Karters has been instrumental in creating new programs and events during its history. Tri-C held the California State Championships on Thanksgiving weekend nearly every year from 1961 to 2009. A number of karting and motorsport legends competed in these historic events, some holding a title equating that to winning an International Kart Federation ‘Duffy’. From 2002 thru 2006, Tri-C hosted the King Taco Open, a popular event using the infield course at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. A cross between sprint and road racing, the event drew over 200 entries year after year until facility rental costs became to high. In 2009, Tri-C helped to develop the concept of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix to bring street racing back to Southern California. The club hosted the first two years of the event, now under the direction of another organization.
Now, Tri-C Karters is heading into a new direction as it has become the United States Rotax Max Challenge series for Southern California. Tri-C offers the most track time in the Southern California area with two morning practice sessions, a timed qualifying run, two heat races, and a main event. The race personnel are a seasoned group with many years of experience officiating karting events and great at running a timed schedule. A great selling point to join the program is new Tri-C members will have their USRMC membership paid for by the club. Another unique prize package structure brings some incentive to race with Tri-C Karters. They offer the drivers a choice of a trophy or gift cards redeemable through the club sponsors. The gift cards range from $30 for first place down to $10 for fifth place. As the lone official USRMC for Southern California, Tri-C Karters is the place to race.
“We are excited about the US Rotax Max Challenge as part of the Tri-C Karters program,” stated series director Taylor Joceyln. “Tri-C believes we can help build the program through offering a great program race day, and the dedication from staff, volunteers, and racers alike that want the Rotax program to keep growing. Tri-C has a mentoring program to help the new racer acclimate to the race day, our board members and racers alike, seem to be available on practice days to help anyone that could use a bit of direction. We are working on an integrated registration, timing and scoring system that should be up and running soon making registration even quicker.”
For 2012, the organization is hosting nine events on the season from February to November. So far, three events have taken place over February, March and April with currently 27 members. The largest groups are Senior Max and Masters Max. Nico Giordano leads the Senior championship standings over Dakota Dickerson and Matt Hart. Andy Seesemann is atop the Masters title chase so far with Brian Phillipsen and Larry Hayashigawa trailing. The Junior Max standings leader is Willy Axton, as he leads Seth Brown and Thomas Boost. Nicky Hays is the lone Mini Max driver to compete in the program thus far on the season.
In each of our Rotax Max Challenge series profiles, we will select a series competitor to highlight, and for this segment, we’ll take a quick look at Junior Max point leader Willy Axton.
Tri-C Karters Rotax Max Challenge Driver Profile
Junior Max - Willy Axton
Age: 12
Hometown: Costa Mesa, California
Years Karting: 7
Chassis: Tony Kart EVRR #24
Rotax Engine Service Center: D-Power Racing Engines
How did you learn about the Tri-C Rotax Max Challenge series? I have raced with Tri-C since I was in Kid Kart.
What helped you make the decision to compete in the series this year? I moved up early last year to the Junior class but was not eligible to run Junior Max. I have had a great time running this class.
Do you have plans to race at the Rotax Grand Nationals or Pan American Challenge? I hope to make both the Grand Nationals and the Pan American Challenge, budget permitting.
The next Tri-C Karters Rotax Max Challenge event is May 12 at CalSpeed Karting facility. For more information on the Tri-C Karters Rotax Max Challenge, visit http://www.tri-ckarters.com or contact Taylor Joceyln via email mtjocelyn@gmail.com . Click over to http://www.GoRotax.com to find a United States Rotax Max Challenge near you. |
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