2015 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals - Team USA - Tuesday Report

2015 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – Team USA – Tuesday Report

Drivers get first taste of Kartodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal

November 10, 2015 by David Cole

(Photo: Rotax-Kart.com)

The time to soak in the atmosphere and the pageantry that is the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals is over, and now business is at hand for the 288 drivers competing in the four categories at the Kartodromo Internatcional Algarve in Portimao, Portugal. Following two days of registration and receiving the equipment, the 20 drivers representing the United States of America took to the 1.532km circuit for the first three practice sessions of the 2015 event.

The weather could not be more perfect for competition, with bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Senior and DD2 Masters drivers jumped aboard their Sodi machines, while DD2 piloted the BirelART kart with Praga the brand for the Junior ranks. Four categories welcome 72 drivers from over 50 countries, with each of the classes split up into even and odd groups based on their presented kart number for their practice sessions.

Times were very similar across the divisions to that of the 2012 session times when the RMCGF visited Portimao for the first time. USA came away with a best finish of 15th by Daniel Formal in the Senior category, which was led today by Rolison Performance Group driver Luke Selliken and Nash Motorsportz’ Christian Brooks. Both making their Senior debuts at the world championships, each finished second in their respective groups, with Selliken posting the better time.

Mathias Ramirez-Barrero (Ocala Gran Prix) and Michael Michoff (Rolison Performance Group) appear to be the lead dogs in the Junior Max category for Team USA. Both ran inside the top-10 of the Odd number group, with Mathias placing second to end the day while Michoff was seventh. Dallas Karting Complex’s Jake French was top-six in both his timed sessions, just three tenths off the quickest time to put him 13th overall in the always competitive DD2 division. BBR Karting’s Derek Wang is making his fifth appearance at the world championships, and is the top USA driver in DD2 Masters. Top-10 in both his sessions as well, Wang is 15th overall based on the final session of the day.

Other notable names USA karting fans are familiar with. SKUSA Pro Tour champion Daniel Bray (New Zealand) was 15th in the odd group for DD2, one spot ahead of Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello as the Brazilian is making his first start at the Rotax Grand Finals. Dutch driver Rinus Van Kalmthout was a front-runner at the US Open program this year, and was one spot back of Selliken in today’s Senior Max final session. Three-time SuperNationals winner Leonardo Nienkotter was eighth overall in the DD2 Masters division. Brazilian Caio Collet, a Florida Winter Tour front-runner, was ninth overall in Junior Max.

Tomorrow gives the competitors two more sessions to prepare for the important qualifying session at the end of the day, which determines where in the three heat races each driver will start from. 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

Mathias Ramirez-Barrero

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

Practice 2: 1:03.012 (7th)
Practice 3: 1:02.847 (2nd)

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

Practice 2: 1:02.724 (5th)
Practice 3: 1:03.047 (14th)

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

Practice 2: 1:02.931 (3rd)
Practice 3: 1:03.181 (8th)

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

Practice 2: 1:02.838 (9th)
Practice 3: 1:03.277 (24th)

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

Practice 2: 1:03.679 (26th)
Practice 3: 1:03.561 (23rd)

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

Practice 2: 1:03.363 (25th)
Practice 3: 1:03.043 (13th)

Senior Max

Luke Selliken (Photo: G. Selliken)

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

Practice 2: 1:01.808 (29th)
Practice 3: 1:01.476 (20th)

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

Practice 2: 1:01.334 (6th)
Practice 3: 1:01.118 (2nd)

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

Practice 2: 1:01.397 (9th)
Practice 3: 1:01.481 (13th)

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

Practice 2: 1:01.777 (28th)
Practice 3: 1:01.487 (14th)

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

Practice 2: 1:02.149 (34th)
Practice 3: 1:02.002 (34th)

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

Practice 2: 1:01.380 (11th)
Practice 3: 1:01.016 (2nd)

DD2

Jake French (Photo: M. French)

#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 2: 1:00.634 (32nd)
Practice 3: 1:01.230 (36th)

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

Practice 2: 1:00.253 (27th)
Practice 3: 1:00.003 (28th)

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

Practice 2: 59.795 (3rd)
Practice 3: 59.697 (6th)

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

Practice 2: 1:00.066 (24th)
Practice 3: 1:00.308 (31st)