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| January 26, 2008 News |
| Gatorz Challenge of the Americas - Willow Springs Saturday Report |
| Article by: SHIFT Communications Group |
Nope. No rain!
The first day of the Gatorz Rotax Challenge of the Americas dawned with blue skies and a shining sun for the 100+ competitors that braved Friday’s damp, cold and rainy conditions. With Florida Winter Tour owner Bill Wright handling the microphone, the first day of competition for spots to the Rotax Grand Finals and U.S. Grand Nationals went into the record books. Several faces familiar to the Gatorz Karting Cup remain at the front, but there were plenty of series newcomers mixing things up in the California sun.
Performance Racing Industry Rotax Junior
Lou Pagano led the main event away from the start, ahead of defending champion Justin Coplen and Adrian Starrantino. The three separated themselves from the field with Coplen in control before he pulled off the track after 19 laps with a mechanical problem. With Coplen’s stricken kart pulled to the side of the back straightaway, Starrantino led Pagano home, with Jordan Jadallah taking third about three seconds in arrears.
The drive of the race came from Raquel Martinez. Starting last after a crash in the pre-main, she drove through the field to finish seventh.
 | Adrian Starrantino held off Lou Pagano for the Performance Racing Industry Rotax Junior win
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Precision Works DD2
The turnout is light for DD2, with only three karts taking the green flag. But with a qualifying spot for the Rotax Grand Finals and Grand Nationals on the line, Curtis Cooksey hasn’t played around and has put on a driving clinic. Behind him, Greg Liefooghe and Erik Jackson put on an entertaining battle, but Liefooghe clearly had the upper hand in the main.
King Taco MiniMax
Setting a series record, 15 MiniMax drivers took the green flag for the King Taco MiniMax. Michael Davis and Lil’ Al Simpson have been the class of the field, with the two trading positions in each session. Simpson drew first blood in qualifying, but Davis took the pre-main as well as the main – but Simpson kept heavy pressure on Davis throughout the race.
Behind them, Breanna Miscione held off a charging Riley Reyes for the final spot on the podium.
MSquared Rotax International
Joey Collins made this race boring. After sweeping qualifying and the pre-main, he took control of the race from the start and calmly pulled away from Joey Licata, Jr. and Garrison Masters.
Licata and Masters had nothing for Collins, but stayed ahead of a good battle between Chelsie Jackman, Sean Mac Donell, Michael Lewis and Kenny Maler, who finished in that order.
 | Mike Mautner kep ahead of the battle between Ian Thomas and Paul Bonilla to win Dave's Performance Rotax Masters
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Dave’s Performance Rotax Masters
Mike Mautner was in complete control of the Masters group, as he led from the start and held a narrow lead ahead of Paul Bonilla and Ian Thomas, with Erik Von Zeipel and David Harwin giving chase.
Bonilla and Thomas waged war behind Mautner, with Bonilla making a couple of mistakes that Thomas was unable to capitalize on. However, with two laps to go, Thomas found a way to slide underneath Bonilla in turn seven, but could not make up the distance to Mautner. The two-time Masters class champion drove like there was no one behind and took a narrow victory over the battling Birels.
The drivers will be back on-track today for another day of competition as this new three-weekend series in now underway. Check out the EKN Official Discussion Thread (link below) for updates from the track, thanks to series organizers and some helpful enthusiasts.
http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=66422 |
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