Day two of competition completed at the Kartodromo Internacional Algarve in Portimao, Portugal for the 2015 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The important task of qualifying was completed for the 288 drivers in the four categories, setting the stage for the three rounds of heat races as they all try to qualify for one of the 34 positions on the grid for championship Saturday. The 1.532km circuit was kind to most of the 20 members that make up the United States of America squad, especially for Washington driver Derek Wang as qualified on the pole position in the DD2 Masters category.

Derek was in the first of two groups for the elder category aboard the two-speed machines. From the opening laps, he was on the provisional pole position. His third circuit was the best, laying down a 59.257, nearly a full second quicker than the fast time set in the 2012 edition at the same facility. His time held through the second group, and became the second American driver to qualify in the pole position after Alan Rudolph did in 2013 on home soil. Luis Schiavo put two USA drivers in the top-10, ending up ninth overall.

Derek Wang getting interviewed after his setting the fast time in DD2 Masters

The Junior groups were a bit skewed in the final tally, as the opening run was nearly a half-second slower than the second – thanks in part to coming on a cold track after lunch period. Mathias Ramirez-Barrero was quickest in the final practice session and began the qualifying run as the provisional pole sitter. He eventually slipped down the order and was penalized for ‘exceeding the track limits’ and lost his fast lap of the session. That dropped him down to 19th in his group, and moved Anthony Gangi Jr. as the top USA driver in the run at the 12th position. Trenton Estep improved his pace for qualifying, jumping up to seventh in the group, and overall with a 1:02.311 – four tenths off the fast time.

Luke Selliken was the top Senior driver after practice, however fell two tenths behind the quickest time to end up 10th in his group. The second group saw chios when nearly the entire field waited for the second half of the 10-minute run to hit the track, and then they all ran slow, waiting for the proper ‘rabbit’ to go full speed. Another display of something that must be done to eliminate drivers from traveling too slow on the circuit. Mr. Ken Walker on the live video coverage presented on Rotax-Kart.com offered the advice of eliminating the quickest lap of driver that does not maintain a maximum lap time. Something to think about for race organizations. When the dust settled, US champion Kyle Kirkwood was the top USA driver, fourth in his group and eighth overall with a 1:00.478. Christian Brooks and Matt Solarcyzk – a first time RMCGF competitor – ended up within the top-25 overall, giving Team USA four strong candidates entering the heat races.

Jake French had promising pace in opening day of practice, however, it has slipped on Wednesday. Finishing practice outside the top-20 in his group, he found more speed for qualifying to raise himself up to 11th for the run, and 24th overall to lead the Team USA contingent. Sabré Cook is 35th overall, and needs to do work in the heat races to avoid the Second Chance Heat on Friday.

Thursday is just three sessions for all drivers with Warm-Up, Round One and Round Two of heat races. For those near the front, it is about staying there to remain in the hunt, while the drivers sitting outside the top-30 have work to do, and must get as many positions as possible to help improve their score by Friday afternoon. Below is a recap of the Team USA performances. Head over to Rotax-Kart.com for more information on the event, including live timing and live video links.

Junior Max

#111 – Mathias Ramirez-Barrero
Age: 13
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
Qualified: Florida Winter Tour Vice-Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:03.109 (20th)
Practice 5: 1:02.498 (1st)
Qualifying: 1:03.018 (19th) – (Fast lap taken away)

#112 – Trenton Estep
Age: 15
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Qualified: US Open
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:02.674 (17th)
Practice 5: 1:02.476 (9th)
Qualifying: 1:02.311 (7th) – 7th

#113 – Michael Michoff
Age: 15
Hometown: Roseville, California
Qualified: Can-Am Karting Challenge Vice-Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:02.898 (9th)
Practice 5: 1:02.876 (13th)
Qualifying: 1:03.037 (21st) – 51st

#114 – Sting Ray Robb
Age: 13
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Qualified: Rotax Challenge of the Americas Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 1 (2014)

Practice 4: 1:02.974 (26th)
Practice 5: 1:03.038 (30th)
Qualifying: 1:02.548 (19th) – 22nd

#117 – Anthony Gangi Jr.
Age: 13
Hometown: Brookville, New York
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:03.103 (18th)
Practice 5: 1:03.001 (19th)
Qualifying: 1:02.891 (12th) – 38th

#118 – Darren Keane
Age: 15
Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals – Third Place
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:02.417 (8th)
Practice 5: 1:02.714 (19th)
Qualifying: 1:02.531 (17th) – 20th

Senior Max

#207 – Jake Craig
Age: 17
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals – Third Place
RMCGF Appearances: 3 (2011, 2013, 2014)

Practice 4: 1:01.258 (16th)
Practice 5: 1:01.245 (21st)
Qualifying: 1:00.834 (20th) – 40th

#210 – Christian Brooks
Age: 15
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
Qualified: US Open
RMCGF Appearances: 1 (2014)

Practice 4: 1:01.306 (12th)
Practice 5: 1:01.316 (21st)
Qualifying: 1:00.592 (9th) – 19th

#214 – Kyle Kirkwood
Age: 16
Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
Qualified: Florida Winter Tour Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 1 (2013)

Practice 4: 1:01.038 (4th)
Practice 5: 1:00.940 (2nd)
Qualifying: 1:00.478 (4th) – 8th

#222 – Matt Solarczyk
Age: 16
Hometown: Ashbury, Virginia
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals Vice-Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:03.873 (36th)
Practice 5: 1:01.082 (9th)
Qualifying: 1:00.645 (13th) – 24th

#241 – Artie Carpenter
Age: 19
Hometown: Oregon City, Oregon
Qualified: Can-Am Karting Challenge Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:02.069 (34th)
Practice 5: 1:01.698 (33rd)
Qualifying: 1:01.407 (34th) – 65th

#249 – Luke Selliken
Age: 16
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Qualified: Rotax Challenge of the Americas Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 1 (2013)

Practice 4: 1:01.105 (8th)
Practice 5: 1:00.920 (5th)
Qualifying: 1:00.591 (10th) – 17th

DD2

#305 – Nathan Mauel
Age: 31
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals – Third Place
RMCGF Appearances: 5 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)

Practice 4: 1:00.830 (36th)
Practice 5: 1:00.299 (35th)
Qualifying: 59.852 (30th) – 64th

#317 – Nathan Adds
Age: 17
Hometown: Caddo Mills, Texas
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:00.068 (30th)
Practice 5: 59.753 (25th)
Qualifying: No time (35th) – 71st

#329 – Jake French
Age: 19
Hometown: Sachse, Texas
Qualified: US Open
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 59.682 (17th)
Practice 5: 59.689 (21st)
Qualifying: 59.244 (11th) – 24th

#332 – Sabre Cook
Age: 21
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Qualified: Rotax Challenge of the Americas Champion
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 59.636 (17th)
Practice 5: 59.832 (20th)
Qualifying: 59.319 (20th) – 35th

DD2 Masters

#406 – Scott Roberts
Age:
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals Champion (Masters Max)
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:00.757 (34th)
Practice 5: 1:00.799 (31st)
Qualifying: 1:00.489 (30th) – 64th

#409 – Luis Schiavo
Age:
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Qualified: US Rotax Grand Nationals Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 2 (2010, 2014)

Practice 4: 1:00.070 (10th)
Practice 5: 1:00.200 (13th)
Qualifying: 59.501 (6th) – 9th

#413 – Derek Wang
Age:
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Qualified: US Open
RMCGF Appearances: 4 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)

Practice 4: 59.896 (2nd)
Practice 5: 59.911 (1st)
Qualifying: 59.257 (1st) – 1st

#420 – Paul Bonilla
Age:
Hometown: Cypress, California
Qualified: Rotax Challenge of the Americas
RMCGF Appearances: None

Practice 4: 1:00.400 (25th)
Practice 5: 1:00.334 (18th)
Qualifying: 1:00.173 (26th) – 53rd

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