February 18, 2011 (Orange, Calif.) – Few in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas paddock have forgotten the deluge that befell the 2010 races at the Calspeed Karting Center. The rain, which was so severe it literally stopped a Rotax Masters race in its tracks, led to the postponement of Saturday’s mains to Sunday, forcing the entire paddock to run two mains in one day.
While rain is still in the forecast for this weekend’s race, all indications are that Saturday will see the bulk of the showers while Sunday will see the kinds of skies and weather you would expect in Southern California. Still, the rainmeisters will have a chance on Saturday to show their talents and put their mark on the 2011 Gatorz Challenge of the Americas.
Tony Kart West Senior Rotax
Stepanova Nekeel dominated the Phoenix weekend, scoring two wins and leaving with a healthy points advantage over Felipe Fraga and Ben Schermerhorn. Former series champion Wes Phillips is entered this weekend as well, and with local drivers Louie Pagano, Andrick Zeen, Bobby Kelley and Jeremy Kane entered this weekend, there could be a major shift in the championship standings after this weekend.
One Racegear Rotax Masters
Bill Kann and Scott Falcone split the wins in Phoenix, but Kann enters the weekend with a one point advantage in the championship. New to the class for season will be former champion John Crow, who competed in Rotax Senior in Phoenix, as well as Paul Bonilla and Steve Dzurilla.
RPG DD-2 and Arrow Karts DD-2 Masters
Nicholas Latifi left Phoenix with two wins, but not before Derek Wang gave him a serious run for his money in Sunday’s main. Adding to the mix will be Matt Ostiguy, who is returning to kart racing for the first time since last year when he suffered a wrist fracture in a crash at the Rotax Pan-Am event at Calspeed. January Grove took both wins in Phoenix in DD-2 Masters and is likely to repeat in Fontana.
Apollo Motorsports MicroMax
Phoenix double-winner Fowler Keesling will not be in Fontana, leaving the championship battle down to a duel between Preston Anderson and Griffin Dowler.
Overdrive Karting Junior Rotax
Parker Thompson was a double winner in Phoenix, putting on an impressive performance as he charged through the field on Sunday after recovering from an opening lap spin in the pre-main. His strongest challenges will come from Jake Craig, a Southern California local who knows Calspeed well, as well as Parker McKean and Matthew Moniz. Other local drivers in the field include Dakota Dickerson and Jonathan May.
Holeshot Racing Products Minimax
Austin Versteeg and Kyle Wick split the victories in Phoenix, and enter the weekend at Calspeed weekend first and second in the championship. Royal McKee and Christian Brooks, third and fourth in the championship, have the most local knowledge in the field of the Calspeed track and will be a threat for wins on each day.
The weekend kicks off with open practice on Friday, with timed practice sessions taking place in the afternoon. Live Timing and Scoring will should be available throughout the weekend on gatorzkarting.com.