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| August 15, 2007 News |
| EKN Trackside: Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge Grand Nationals - Wednesday Report |
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 | Practice all day Wednesday is setting up for qualifying and racing action Thursday
(Photo: EKN) |
The first day of action is under way at the 2007 Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge Grand Nationals at The Track @ Centennial in Englewood, CO. Drivers ran four sessions on the day to prepare themselves for tomorrow’s Qualifying and first round of Heat races.
The day began with bright sunshine over the course until about 1:30 when the heavy, dark clouds came overhead. The rain began to fall around 2:30 when the last Senior group from round three hit the track. It quickly stopped but the clouds hung overhead and dumped rain again before the final DD2 sessions.
The course is smooth, not as wide as expected but great elevation changes and tough corners. There is not much runoff room around the track, as the ground drops down below the racing surface a few feet. During racing action, it will be interesting to see what happens when a group of drivers run off-course. There are roughly four passing spots on the track, just observing practice. There are multiple esses sections around the 8/10-mile track, which will make for exciting racing.
Groups for qualifying were determined by the times in the last session of the day with today’s practice groups split by random. The majority of the drivers hitting the track for the final session strapped on new Mojo tires to prepare for Qualifying tomorrow and get the edge of being in the faster group.
The Juniors were first on track with Jose Zanella (FA Kart) leading the way overall with a 55.254, running in the second of three groups for the division. Jarvis Gennari (Tony Kart) was second overall on old tires, Zanella on new, 0.183 seconds off the fast pace. Third and fourth overall were Aaron Milavitz (Merlin) and Cody Robinson (Arrow) from the third Junior group, running in the 55.5 bracket while Cameron Jacelyn (Bire) rounded out the fast five.
Mini Max was up next with only two groups, lead overall by Pietro Fittipaldi (Kart Mini). Jordan Perry (Tony Kart) and Jake French (Margay) were second and third with group B leader Taylor McKeever (Tony Kart) and Jesus Rios Jr. (CRG) rounding out the fast five.
Masters saw Alex Raine (CRG) lead the way with two-time defending Masters Grand National champion David Odenthal turning the wrenches. Paul Bonilla (Birel) and John Crow (Birel) were second and third in the first group. Fourth overall was Mike Jones (Birel), the fastest in group B with Ian Thomas (Tony Kart) from group A rounding out the fast five.
Following the Masters final session, the rain showers moved in again, making the track damp enough for a red flag as all the DD2 drivers were on slicks. After 30 minute break to allow drivers to change to the wet set-ups, their final sessions got underway. Defending DD2 Grand National champion Jordon Musser (Birel) did his rain dance, leading all drivers with 1:07.192. Andres Lopez (CRG) was second quick with Rene Martinelli (Tony Kart), Tigh Isaac (Birel) and Peter Bortolussi (CRG) rounding out the fast five. 13 of the 35 drivers did not make a lap.
The track began to dry out for the Senior groups, unfortunately, their first group was a mix of rain and slick tires. When the second group hit the track, the track was nearly dry, with every driver running on the dry Mojo tires. When the final checkered flag fell, Phillip Arscott (Swiss Hutless) was the quickest in the final sessions. Victor Pedrosa (Kart Mini) and Nick Johnston (CRG) were second and third with Joey Collins (CRG) and Brandon Jones (Arrow) rounding out the fast five.
Qualifying will begin 10:30am with the Junior category set to hit the track first with live updates in the Official Discussion Thread. Following the timed sessions, the drivers will run the first round of heats to end the day. EKN’s Rob Howden will be broadcasting live from 10:00am through the heats races on http://www.RaceFanRadio.com |
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