July 16, 2010 (Orange, Calif.) – The 2009 Rotax Grand Nationals, like nearly every one before it, was a showcase for the west coast-based Gatorz Karting Cup and Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. As the most competitive Rotax Max Challenge series on the west coast, both the Gatorz Karting Cup and Gatorz Challenge of the Americas have prepared a large number of drivers for this weekend’s Grand Nationals.
The 2009 Grand Nationals champion in Rotax Masters, Mike Daniel, returns to the Grand Nationals to defend his championship after winning the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas championship by the slimmest of margins. Joining him from the series will be CotA race winner Scott Falcone, as well as former national champion Andy Seesemann, Andre Eriksen, and Bruce McKean.
The Rotax Senior entry list at this weekend’s Grand Nationals has seven drivers who competed in Gatorz Karting series this season – including Challenge of the Americas race winners Mason Marotta and Joey Wimsett. Neil Alberico and Ben Schermerhorn will also be competing, as will two Junior drivers moving up to Rotax Senior – Challenge of the Americas champion Louie Pagano and Jeremy Kane.
Junior Max will have three Gatorz Karting drivers on the grid – race winners Kiel Spaulding and Nicholas Silva, as well as Dakota Dickerson. Three Gatorz karting drivers will be in MiniMax – Gatorz Challenge of the Americas champion Blaine Rocha, his teammate, Davey Manthai, Jr., and Trenton May .
Gatorz Karting will be represented in MicroMax by CotA champion Connor Robustelli, Annie Breidinger, Toni Breidinger, and Chloe St. George. In DD-2, the series will be represented by Derek Wang and by Jim Busby, Jr. in DD-2 Masters.
“Every year, I am proud to see the number of drivers competing at the Grand Nationals that also competed in our Gatorz Challenge of the Americas and Gatorz Karting Cup events throughout the year,” said series owner Andy Seesemann. “Whether we are their home series or not, they are coming to compete in Gatorz Karting for the elevated level of competition and the whole Gatorz experience.”
The Gatorz Karting Cup’s next event will be August 28-29 at the Calspeed Karting Center at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, in a joint race with the Los Angeles Kart Club. The series will complete its season as part of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, October 9-10, in Lancaster, CA.
About the Gatorz Karting Cup
The Gatorz Eyewear Golden State Karting Cup is the premier Rotax Max Challenge in the United States. The Southern-California based regional series is home to both the serious karter, as well as the weekend warrior – as well as any karter who has a desire to race in a professionally run series that offers abundant track time. For more information, visit www.gatorzkarting.com.