Page 10 - SonomaMag2021

Swedetech Rok Shifter Sunday Report
The race victory in the SwedeTech Shifter ROK was among those races decided after the checkered flag. Aiden O’Neill (RWR / CRG) once again was quickest in qualifying with a 43.059 lap time. Championship leader Kyle Wick (GFC) was only 62 thousandths off in the session, and put the pressure on early in the Prefinal. O’Neill was able to hold off wick for the win in the 14-lap race to start on the pole position for the main event. The start of the final saw O’Neill grab the hole shot and lead the field through the opening lap. Contact between Wick and Enzo Prevost (RWR / CRG) put the NorCal driver Prevost off the course. Prevost rejoined the circuit and slowed, waiting for the lead group to come back around. Everyone watching knew what was coming, and Prevost allowed O’Neill past and darted in front of Wick. Prevost slowed the pace of Wick, who slammed in the back of the now lapped kart and then later going into turn two. Wick basically put Prevost off the course, however the damage was done as O’Neill was able to get away. At the same time, Saturday winner and 2020 champion Hunter Pickett (GFC) was over- coming a Prefinal stall at the start. Beginning the Final in P13, Pickett was into the top-five early. He continued moving forward and took over second on lap nine. From there, Pickett ran down O’Neill and took over the point on lap 13. From there, Pickett led the remainder of the race for the provisional victory. A penalty for passing under yellow took the win away from Pickett, handing O’Neill the top spot and his first Challenge victory. Wick was running third for much of the race, until he pulled off with two laps remaining with a mechan- ical issue. That promoted Jacob Gulick (GFC) to second, his best finish of the year and Cole Shade (GFC / Trackmagic) in third, another first podium of the year. Pickett was classified fourth with Dustin Salaverria (RWR / CRG) with his best finish of the year. The championship was locked up for Wick despite the DNF in Round Six, with Remo Ruscitti (IM USA / Italkart) in second and Gulick moving into third thanks to his final two rounds.
JACOB GULICK
COLE SHADE