4-28-09 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge Race 2 set for this weekend
 

The second race of the exciting 10 race series for the 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge will take to the track this Saturday, May 2nd. 
 
Following a record turnout of 68 karts in for the April race, another record number of entries is expected.   We know of at least another half dozen new entries joining the action this weekend. 
 
The Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is a best 8 out of 10 race series which runs 7 races at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway and 3 races at the Kinsmen Kart Club, Dixon Kart Track in the late summer and fall. 
 
The big surprise so far this year has been the strong turnout for the new Micro-Max (8-10 years) and Mini-Max (10-12 years) classes.  In addition to the full compliment of Rotax classes, the Jim Russell Cadet and Junior Arrive and Drive classes will be racing.
 
There will be practice available on Friday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.  Practice starts at 8:30am on Saturday, Qualifing at 11:15am, with the Pre-Mains and Mains starting at 1:00pm.  The Track layout will be the Sprint layout.
 
Admission for spectators is free, so come out and see some great racing.
 
Food will be available from J&D's Snack Shack trackside.
 
Do you need to be a 2009 Rotax Member?
 
For 2009, it is not a requirement to be a Rotax member to race in the Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge.  Membership is not required to be eligible for any of the prizes in the series from all the great sponsors.
 
But, if you are thinking of going to the Rotax Grand Nationals or want to be part of the Rotax National Points Championship, you must be a 2009 Rotax member not later than May 2nd. 
 
To qualify for the Rotax Grand Nationals, you must be a Rotax member and run in four local Rotax Challenge events.  Three of these 4 races must be in the Region in which you have joined Rotax. 
 
Rotax membership is also required for the Rotax National Points Championship.  This is a series in which the points you earn at your local regional Rotax Challenge will be counted toward the National Points Championship.
 
The results for the April 4th race will be sent to Rotax on May 5th.  If you are not a member of Rotax but want to become a member and get credit for the April race, then you need to join Rotax immediately. 
 
Joining Rotax is easy.  Go to www.RMAXChallenge.com and click on membership.  You can join Rotax online with a credit card, or print out the membership form and send it in with a check.  Or you can fill out a membership form at the May 2nd race and give it to Kit at the Marin Karting trailer and she will send it in on May 5th and make sure you get credit for the April race.  Marin Karting is the Northern California Rotax Challenge administrator and handles all the series paperwork that gets sent to Rotax.
 
For more information, schedule, results, news, rules and sponsors information for the Jim Russell Northern Californian Rotax Challenge go to www.norcalrotax.com.

 

4-20-09 Jim Russell Sunday Series Race #1 Report

The Jim Russell International Karting Championship Sunday Series opened up 2009 at Infineon Raceway with lots of great racing.
Junior 1-Comer – With 3 or 4 2008 drivers moving up to Junior class, the Comer class numbers for Race #1 were down to 5 drivers, but all these drivers had
someone to battle most of the day. In Qualify, Michael Avansino took the poll ahead of Garrett Dixon and Jay Dennis. In the Pre-Main, Avansino pulled away and took a convincing win. Dixon and Dennis battled the whole race and finished less than a second apart for 2nd and 3rd with Mark Berman edging out Camden Lile for 4th place. In the Main, Dixon had a good start but had to come in after lap
one when his left rear hub slipped on the axle. Again Avansino took a convincing win over Dennis followed by Berman and Lile.

80 Shifters – Ten 80 shifters took the track, 8 Grand Masters and 2 Masters/Heavy drivers. In Qualify, Marc Stanley took the poll over Ahmiel Freed with 2008 Champ Tom Nelson in 3rd. In the 12 lap Pre-Main Stanley took the lead from the green but the pressure was on with Freed, Renoʼs Mark Nason and Tom Nelson all finishing less than a second back and Steve Peterson another second back. In the Main, the first 5 drivers on the grid were all Grand Masters drivers
(45 years and older). At the drop of the green flag, Stanley stumbled and came out of turn one in 4th. Freed and Mark Nason battled at the front with Nelson trying to hold off Stanley. Stanley first got by Nelson but had trouble making a move on the two front runners. As Stanley came down the front straight about mid-race, it looked like he was setting up Nason for the pass, but he went inside, drove past both Nason and Freed to make the pass of the weekend and took the lead. Stanley was never headed after the pass and went on to the win with
Freed in 2nd, Nason 3rd, Nelson 4th and again all finishing within one second of each other. Steve Peterson was 5th with the Masters/Heavy winner Andy Green in 6th over Aldo Martinez who finished 7th.

Junior HPV1 and Junior 1-Gazelle – 2 HPV1 karts and 2 Gazelle karts took the track with Michael Avansino (HPV1) taking the poll ahead of Jay Dennis (HPV1)
with Chloe St George (Gazelle) in 3rd and Tommy McCarthy (Gazelle) in 4th. In the Pre-Main, Avansino again dominated the race as be did in the Comer class with Dennis 2nd and McCarthy edging out Chloe for 3rd. The Main was a repeat of the Pre-Main with Avansino a convincing winner over Dennis. But the best race was for the Gazelle win. Chloe passed Tommy on the start but spun soon after on lap 1 and had to start the long chase after McCarthy. On lap 17 Chloe got to the rear bumper of McCarthy and made the pass going into turn one of the last lap. But McCarthy squeezed through to retake the 3rd place spot mid way through the last lap and held on to take the Gazelle class win.

TaG Grand Masters – Some how the word did not get out to all the TaG GM drivers since only 2 drivers showed up. By a win is a win and Cameron Evans
out dueled Peter Toft in the Pre-Main and Main to take top honors. If you are looking for a relaxing Sunday race day with lots of morning practice,
plan to come out to Race #2 on May 3 at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. For more information about the Jim Russell Sunday

Series, contact race director Ric Shaw at racedirector-ric@hotmail.com. Back in 1958, Jim Russell ran the first 24-hour karting race in Snetterton England. Today, the 16-turn, 0.76 mile Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway, is one of the premier karting venues in the country and
offers a full range of karting courses for beginners to experienced drivers eight years and above. Jim Russell Racing Drivers School trains drivers in a variety of karting and formula programs to help them make it to the highest rungs of motorsports. Available for testing, the Jim Russell International Karting Center is open to experienced karting racers, who want to complete in a number of karting series, including the Jim Russell International Karting Championship Series, the Northern California ROTAX MAX Challenge and the ProKart Challenge North.

4-23-09 RECORD NUMBERS SET AT SECOND ROUND OF PROKART CHALLENGE NORTH

 
Close racing produced by nearly 80 drivers contending the Infineon Raceway circuit
Photos: Tony Leone

SONOMA, CA (April 18, 2009) – In its second season, the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge North program continues to gain momentum throughout the Northern California area as the top regional series in which to compete. The second round of the year was held on April 18 at the Jim Russell International Karting Center on the grounds of the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, with nearly 80 drivers on hand. Aside from the numbers, the racing was even better – with seven new winners declared in the eight classes offered.
 
The largest field of the weekend was the TaG Senior group, which saw 18 drivers battling around the 3/4-mile course. As he did at the opening round, Larry Fraser took top honors in qualifying as the only driver under the 50-second mark. Fraser was a good two-tenths quicker than Brett Felkins. Landon Yee was third on the charts in his ’09 PKC debut with Brett Buckwalter and Neil Alberico completing the fast five.
 
The opening heat race saw the top four in a heated battle, with Yee finding himself at the point after the opening lap. Fraser applied heavy pressure, breaking through for the lead on lap seven only to have Felkins steal the spot the following lap as he would go on and take the win. Fraser held off Buckwalter for second as Yee dropped to fourth. Felkins went green to checkered in the final heat race, taking the win by a comfortable gap over Fraser and Buckwalter. Yee retired on lap six, moving Will Martindale up to fourth and Alberico holding strong in fifth.
 
Fraser and Buckwalter were strong on the cold tires at the start of the feature, as they relegated Felkins back to third. Behind them, Martindale got crossed up in the tic-tac-toe and collected Alberico, ending his day while the round one winner rejoined at the tail of the field to eventually finish 10th. As his MG Tires warmed-up, Felkins began to pressure the top two, first getting by Fraser on lap six and then Buckwalter for the lead the next time by. From there he pulled out to a 1.286-second advantage to take the victory and assume the championship lead. Fraser beat Buckwalter to the line for second, with Yee coming through the field to place fourth in front of Canadian Michael Hogg.
 
The next largest class was the HPV 2 Junior division with 15 young, rising stars entered. The HPV program has continued to grow since being introduced mid-season at the PKC North program last year. Despite the high number of drivers, the battle at the point was a dual between defending class champion Kiel Spaulding and Junior rookie Luis Tyrrell. Qualifying was led by Tyrrell, who is making the move up from the Cadet ranks this season, and he cleared Spaulding’s best lap by just over two-tenths. Tyrrell had issues at the start of the first heat, allowing Spaulding to run unchallenged. Falling back to sixth, Tyrrell advanced back to third behind Donavon Wheeler at the checkered flag. Tyrrell improved in the second heat, as he was able to work up to the point by lap six and take the victory over Spaulding.
 
The two went toe-to-toe in the feature as they both started from the front row. Spaulding led the early portion, with Tyrrell assuming the point on lap six. Tyrrell looked to have the win locked in until lap 16, when his brake rotor exploded and left him with no stopping power, eventually causing him to pull off track. The lead would transfer to Spaulding who would take his second straight feature win in the class, with Wheeler and Dylan Lupton completing the podium. Alessandra Madrigal made the trek from the East coast to finish fourth, with Marvin Gardner rounding out the top-five.
 
The second Junior class – TaG Junior – was another great battle involving Spaulding, this time matching him up against Louie Pagano. In qualifying, it was Pagano who would secure the pole position by just 0.039-seconds over Spaulding, with Dylan Lupton just three-hundredths back of him. Spaulding scored the victory in heat one, after Pagano led all the laps minus the final circuit where Spaulding was able to squeeze by for the position. Pagano made sure to break away from the field early in heat two to be able to score the win by two-seconds, as Spaulding fell one spot with Alessandra Madrigal taking the second position in the 10-lap race. Though the fight became three with Madrigal in the mix, Pagano was unfazed as he would go on to lead all 20 laps of the feature to take the victory. Madrigal was a close second as they crossed the line, minus Spaulding who retired on lap 17 with mechanical issues, moving Adrian Starrantino to the podium.
 
The S3 division looked as if it would be an exciting day at the front, with a number of drivers close to the pole-winning time set by karting veteran and Grand-Am Rolex star Memo Gidley. The top five, including Steve Reasoner, New Zealander Daniel Bray, Jacob Neal, and round one winner Tommy Thompson, were within two-tenths of a second for their best laps. Once the green light went on for the opening heat, Gidley launched away from the grid like a rocket and was alone out front until a broken shifter linkage ended his chance at victory on lap three. That gave Neal the point, as he had assumed the second spot in the opening lap. Neal went on to lead the remaining laps for the win. Neal would continue to show the way in the final heat, with Reasoner and Bray keeping within striking distance. After Bray was slow off the line to begin the feature, it was Neal and Reasoner alone at the point. In a very clean but tight race, Neal was able to hold off Reasoner’s advances to lead all 20 laps to take the victory. Thompson ran alone in third, with Gidley moving up to fourth ahead of Brad Dunford.
 
Two drivers were on point all day long and swept their respective classes. Jared Woolf was looked to be the man to beat at round one, until a mechanical failure put him on the sidelines. He returned a month later to finish the job and dominate the S4 division. Woolf took the feature by a four-second advantage over Alex Keith and round one winner Jamie Wilson. Defending TaG Masters champion Rob Soares made his PKC North debut a clinic for his competition with an outstanding performance. Soares went on to take the feature over Jim Zootis and Steve Elo – who won the opener last month.
 
The S1 category had a number of high-profile guests filling the grid for the second round. Former national champions Gary Carlton and Ron White made their ’09 PKC North debuts, along with defending SKUSA SuperNationals S3 champion Brendan Phinny. In the end, however, it would be the S1 defending champ Cody Hodgson who stood on top of the podium. Carlton looked to have the field covered following qualifying and the first heat. However, in heat two a bad start put him at the back of the field. That gave Hodgson the point, and he never looked back. In the feature, he and round one winner Jacob Neal battled for the lead, with Hodgson posting the fast lap of the race enroute to the victory. White joined Hodgson and Neal on the podium in his first race of 2009. On track at the same time was the G1 category, which saw Jim Kidd take the win over Ethan Wilson.
 
The PKC staff will now travel roughly 500 miles south to prepare for the fourth round of the PKC South program, set for April 25 in conjunction with the San Diego Karting Association outside Qualcomm Stadium. The next round for the PKC North program will be the much anticipated South vs. North battle at the West Coast Shootout on May 16 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park kart track, where both the South and North programs will compete against one another. For more information on the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge, head to www.prokartchallenge.com.

 

4-20-09 Two Zamp Helmets to be Awarded to 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge Racers by Jon Robert Quinn Enterprises

The Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is pleased to announce that Jon Robert Quinn Enterprises (JRQ) has sponsored the series and will give away two Zamp helmets.
 
"Welcome and thank you to our new sponsor JRQ.  His support for the Nor Cal Rotax Challenge furthers extends his passion for motorsports." commented Adrian Szwarcburg, series organizer "I can't wait to give away two new Zamp Helmets to a couple of lucky Nor Cal Rotax racers."

 
These helmets will be awarded by Jon Robert Quinn to the winners. They will have a choice of any helmet under $200.00 from the current Zamp product line at www.ZampOutlet.com.
 
"These helmets will serve them well for the 2010 Rotax race season. We want these racers and all other racers to know that we appreciate the love and passion they put into their sport." commented Jon Robert Quinn.
 
In addition the two winners will be featured on zampoutlet.com website and the JRQ Enterprises main web page.

 
Who is Jon Robert Quinn? Over the past several years, Jon Robert Quinn has put on many hats as an investor, entrepreneur and musician.  Jon Robert Quinn has built a name in the motorsports industry providing top-name motorcycle accessories as well as parts and accessories for Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche.
 
In 2004-2005, JRQ toured the U.S. West Coast playing over 400 shows in that time, appearing on television, radio, and fairs & festivals. Now after 10 CD Releases since 2001, JRQ has built a nice music collection for guitar lovers all over the world. The latest release "One Day at a Time", available in February 2009 features some of the most beautiful guitar recorded by Jon Robert Quinn. If you haven't already, hear it.

About Jon Robert Quinn Enterprises:
JRQ has built a motorcycle accessory company and exotic car parts company. JRQ currently owns TheHelmetMohawk.com, RiderGearOnline.com, ZanDannas.com, ZoxOutlet.com, ZampOutlet.com, Neoprene-Facemask.com, HelmetQuickRelease.com, ExotiComp.com, JRQWeb.com and many many other websites. For a complete list, visit www.JonRobertQuinnEnterprises.com.
 
The Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is the fastest growing kart racing series in Northern California.  For more information about the Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge Series, go to the Nor Cal Rotax website at www.norcalrotax.com.
 

4-13-09 NNKC Championship Race #1 Race Report

 
NNKC held championship race #1 last Saturday April 11th.  It was a small turnout in which the weather and holiday plans had alot to do with many racers deciding to stay at home.  The weather was decent and as the prognoticators predicted, it was chilly 50-55 degrees all day long as the clouds kept moving in to spoil the sunlight.
 
But starting off the year was the Jr 1-2 Cycle class.  Garrett Dixon put his Birel on pole with a fast lap followed by Tyler Burk.  The 1st heat saw Burk and Jeremey Kay take the lead away from Dixon.  Burk pulled away in commanding fashion as Dixon was able to chase down Kay.  The two went in side by side into turn 1 with Dixon opting to grab dirt as his kart jumped a foot in the air and he spun out in the middle of turn 1-2.  Burk won the heat followed by Kay and Dixon.  2nd heat found Burk doing it again as he was set for the pole in the main.  Burk would grab the lead in the main followed by Dixon.  Jeremy Kay and Justin Hoekman were trailing behind.  The race would end with new club member Tyler Burk winning his first race at NNKC (congrats Tyler) followed by a close Dixon in 2nd, Kay in 3rd and Hoekman in 4th.
 
TaG Masters was next up to hit the track.  Dan Harris discovered a water leak in his #1 Rotax motor.  He had to run back home, grab a new motor, miss his first practice session and change it just in time for qualification.  And it paid off as Harris turned his Alpha kart around the long track in 52.1 seconds followed by McCabe's 52.2.  The first heat saw Harris pull away from the pack.  The second heat invert showed Harris in P6.  5 laps later, he was diving into turn 1 making a late pass on McCabe for 1st position.  Harris went on to win another heat.  In the main, it was Harris taking the green and taking a commanding lead once again over McCabe.  The fight though was for P3 and P4.  Lionel Fayet with his IAME motor was fighting off Nick Wadlow in his Rotax.  The two were seen going side by side on different laps back in the turn 7 sweeper all the way back down the hill.  Wadlow grabbed the 3rd spot but not before Fayet countered down the straight and got his position back.  The race ended with Harris as the winner followed by McCabe in 2nd, Fayet in 3rd, Wadlow in 4th.
 
TaG Novice took to the track as 3 drivers made their way out for this one.  Marty McNew came out to grab the pole followed by Bob Hoekman.  The first heat turned out to bea good one as McNew continued where he started.  In First!  New comer Peter Murphy struggled throughout the day but thats to be expected with your first time out racing karts.  The main event unfolded as Hoekman was able to get the lead from McNew.  Hoekman would go on to win his first race at NNKC (congrats Bob) followed by McNew and Murphy.
 
TaG Junior was next up on the A grid.  Make no mistake, these kids can flat out haul!!  Austin DeMent showed everyone that his Jr 1-2 career was no fluke.  He came out and snatched pole from Cody Kay. In the 1st heat it was DeMent taking the early lead with Kay following close.  Then Kay made his move and took the lead.  DeMent would lose brakes and Chelsi Wagner would take the P2 spot.  The heat finished with Kay winning with Wagner close behind and Austin Elliot in 3rd.  The second heat came and Kay made his way past a couple karts to take the P1 spot.  DeMent regrouped and took 2nd place.  Thats how they would finish the second heat.  In the main, Kay was on pole and led all the way till the the checkers.  DeMent would finish in a close 2nd with Elliott right behind in 3rd.  Wagner and Christian Scholz were 4th and 5th respectively.  Running in HPV-2 all by his lonesome was Logan Wyman.  We need to get a couple more HPV's out there for Logan to play with for the next race.  It looks like we may have a few karts this next time around.. 
 
In what turned out to be the biggest class every race in 2008, TaG Senior didnt seem to have the same buzz as it did in the past.  David Brant came out from a cast on his arm all winter to take pole with his Arrow kart over Curt Baker and his Ital Kart.  The 1st heat showed Brant and Baker pull away from newcomer Derrick DeLong..  Brant and Baker would finish 1-2.  The second heat proved to be the same this time with Baker taking a 360 degree spin braking hard in turn 5.  DeLong would get by Baker there only to be run down in 3 laps by Baker again.  That heat would finish in that order.  The main rolled around and Brant checked out for good while Baker tried everything to keep the pace and the lead to a small distance.  The race ended that way with Brant taking the first race win and Baker coming in 2nd followed by DeLong in 3rd.
 
Were hoping May 3rd's race brings out more drivers.  The weather hopefully will be nice as we inch closer to mid summer.  TaG Juniors will have their class workday..  We will have a caterer at the track on May 3rd.  Remember, we have a track clean up day May 2nd, the day before.  Cya all then...
 
 
Brian Rivera
NNKC - President

4-15-09 BUSY TWO WEEKS SCHEDULED FOR PROKART CHALLENGE STAFF
 

South series heads to San Diego following North event in Sonoma this weekend

TEMECULA, CA (April 15, 2009) – The next 10 days will be the busiest portion of the 2009 schedule for the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge staff with back to back weekends scheduled in the next two weekends, roughly 500 miles apart. The North program is set to contend round two at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California on April 18 with the fourth round of the South series set to take place outside Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on April 25. The PKC South event at Qualcomm will be in partnership with the San Diego Karting Association on their very fast, temporary ‘West Course Reverse’ circuit that stretches out 1.1 miles in the West parking lot of the facility.
 
The collaboration with the SDKA will be a first for the ProKart Challenge and a much anticipated venture. The SDKA and PKC classes will be contested throughout the event, combining those classes that are similar yet scoring them all separately as to not interfere with the respective championship battles.
 
“We are excited to be hosting the fourth round of the ProKart Challenge South here in San Diego,” stated SDKA President Mike Nadeau. “Our SDKA club drivers are excited to be on-track with some of the best in the Western half of the country and be able to judge their talent against them. I hope that everyone comes out for a full day of nonstop racing action.”
 
With three rounds in the books, the PKC South program has reached the halfway mark with no one driver out to a comfortable lead in any of the 10 class championship chases. The class everyone has an eye on is the S3 battle. After three events, Patrick Cushenberry holds the number one spot over two-time winner Jacob Neal. Last year’s S1 champion Jimmy McNeil switched to the S3 division and finds himself third in the order, just ahead of defending S3 Light champ Bobby Legate. With the best six of seven results counted toward the final standings, anything can happen from now until the finale in August.
 
Neal finds himself in the lead chase position in the S1 category as well after scoring back to back feature wins. Peter Abba has been the consistent one of the two and leads Neal heading into Qualcomm. A number of other drivers with no victory yet on the ’09 season find themselves at the top of their respective standings. Howie Idelson is showing the way in TaG Senior over young gun Brett Felkins, who won the opener in CalSpeed but will miss the fourth round. In S4, Jeff Smith has visited the podium all three rounds but is absent a main event win. He leads Rob Whitley and round one winner Peter Workum in the points chase. Steve Wiener holds the number one spot in TaG Masters with Mike Kelley and Ken Manning giving chase. Though the G1 category has seen three different winners, round two victor Troy Butts holds the standings lead over Roy Montgomery and Brad Dhesi.
 
The new KF2 division made its debut at the Grange event last month, with the NorCal contingent sweeping the podium. Will Martindale took the victory over Brett Felkins and Alex Speed. Martindale, however, finds himself tied with Speed in the championship due to the extra points scored in qualifying, the heat race, and the feature for fast lap. The new S4 Magnum division will contest its third event with the PKC South program, where Tony Morrison and Luke Bianco each have a feature win and lead the standings respectively.
 
Following the busy back to back weekends, both programs will head to the Buttonwillow Raceway for the first ever NorCal vs. SoCal ProKart Challenge Shootout, set for May 16. The event will count toward both regional championships and help measure just who is the best in the west.
 
Pre-entry cutoff for the Qualcomm event will be Wednesday, April 22 at midnight. At-track registration will begin Friday morning at 7:30am and continue through the day until Saturday morning. Friday, April 24 will be open practice from 9am to 5pm, with a complimentary dinner following the day’s action for all who have a pit pass, thanks to the Superkarts! USA organization and PCH Motorsports. The host hotel for the event will be the Courtyard San Diego Mission Valley located within the famous Hotel Circle in San Diego – less than 10 minutes from the track. The $89/night rate for the recently renovated hotel can only be achieved with the ‘ProKart Race Rate’ mention when you book your room. Onsite camping for RVs will be allowed at no cost. For more information on the event or the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge itself, head to www.prokartchallenge.com

4-13-09 Speedline Design Sponsors the 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge with Helmet Painting for class champions in 4 classes.
 

 
The Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is pleased to announce that for the second year, Speedline Design of Hayward, CA will provide helmet painting to 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge class champions.
 
Speedline Design has been painting helmets for racers for several years.  They provide high quality paint jobs and some very cool design options.
 
Speedline Design will award a helmet painting to the champions of the Rotax Junior, Senior, Masters, and DD2 classes in the 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge. Each paint job is worth $400.00. That's a total prize value of $1600. WOW!
 
"I've seen several high quality Speedline Design's painted helmets and they are truly a work of art" remarked Adrian Szwarcburg, series organizer "I am thrilled that they will share some of their talents to reward four 2009 Rotax Class Champions."

 

4-10-09 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge Opens Season with Record Turnout - and some great racing too.

 
The first race of the 2009 season for the Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge not only opened with great weather at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway but also a record entry of 66 karts.  In addition, this race was the debut of both of the Junior-1 Rotax classes in the Nor Cal Series.  In classic Rotax fashion, close racing existed in most all of the classes.
 
Rotax Micro Max - For the first time in Nor Cal. The Micro Max (ages 8 to 10 years) was part of the Nor Cal Rotax Challenge  Seven drivers took to the track with Chloe St George taking the pole ahead of Michael Michoff and Wilson Skjerven.  In the 12 lap Pre-Main, Chloe lead then Michael then Chloe but Michael took the lead near the end for a 1.5 second win with Skjerven and Sarah Setzer in 3rd and 4th.  In the Main, Michael and Chloe resumed their battle and ran close for the first 11 laps.  On lap 12, Michael and Chloe were dueling for the lead again when they touched and Chloe's left rear valve stem was damaged and she had to pit with a flat tire.  Michoff went on to a 6 second lead over Wilson Skjerven followed by Sarah Setzer, Nate Fleischzi and Toni Breidinger.
 
Rotax Mini Max - Five karts showed up for the debut race of Mini Max (10 to 12 years)) at Infineon with Drew Setzer taking the first pole followed by Cole Davis and Harrison Mills.  In the Pre-Main, JR Raczko emerged as the kart to beat at the end when he came through the field to take the win just barely over Setzer with Harrison 3rd.  Davis took a DNF and had to start the Main in 5th spot.  The Main turned out to be a JR Vs Drew race with the two running close the entire 18 laps trading the lead several times.  With about 4 laps to go, JR and Drew had a minor coming together exiting turn one and it allowed a stalking Cole Davis to drive by on the inside to take the lead.  The experienced Norcal Davis put his head down and drove the best of his day to hold on for a one tenth of a second win over Raczko with Setzer in 3rd less than a second back.  Harrison Mills and Austin Makev were 4th and 5th.
 
Junior Rotax - 11 drivers turned out for Race #1.  Kiel Spaulding, who won the HPV2 and Jr TaG races 2 weeks prior at the Prokart race, took the pole over Dylan Lupton followed by Brody Zink, Donavon Wheeler and Bryce Hylbert.  In the Pre-Main Spaulding pulled away to a convincing win over Lupton who just barely ahead of Wheeler, Hylbert and Zink.  In the Main Kiel repeated his winning ways onto a convincing victory.  The best battle was for 2nd where Lupton fell back at the start and had to work his way back through the field to take the 2nd spot at the end of the race.  Hylbert battled Wheeler and finally found a way by near the end to take 3rd; Wheeler in 4th and Austin Root working his way into a well deserved 5th place at the end.
 
Senior Rotax - There is no doubt that the Senior Rotax race was the highlight of the day.  Not only was the field large with 20 karts, but the field was staked with some outstanding Norcal drivers.  Taking the pole was Nic LeDuc, also a Jim Russell Championship Series competitor, with 2008 Nor Cal Champ Gregory Liefooghe 2nd followed by Brett Felkins, David Harwin and Jordan Jadallah.  This was Harwins best Qualify for the veteran Masters driver.  In the Pre-Main, LeDuc lead into turn one with Gregory losing the outside line battle and having to take to the outside turn one shoulder and lost several positions.  Nic went on to lead all the way but was hounded by the talented Felkins the whole way.  Nikola Radsoavljevich moved up from his 6th place start to take a close third less than a second back with Jake Mottaz improving his 9th place Qualify to take 4th followed by the 2008 Junior Rotax champ Jadallah.  In the Main, LeDuc again took the lead followed by Felkins and Jadallah who got a great start.  LeDuc then pulled out to a small lead while Felkins had his hands full due to the pressure from Jadallah.  Mottaz took up the 4th place spot and as it ended up he had a boring race sitting about 4 seconds back of the lead trio and 4 seconds in front of the 5th through 8th battle.  The best racing in the Main came from 4 drivers battling for 5th place.  Nikola, Matthew Powers, Clayton Snow and David Harwin exchanged positions constantly during the 18 Laps with Nikola finally taking the 5th place spot followed by Powers, Snow and Harwin.  Near the end of the race, Jadallah made the pass on Felkins to take the 2nd place spot behind LeDuc. 
 
Rotax Masters and Masters Light - for 2009, the Masters (405#) and the Masters Light (365#) classes will run as on race group, but scored separate.  Andrea Delfani (Lights), who has lots of experience in Italy but this being his first US kart race, took the pole followed by Joe Karratt (Lights), David Harwin (Masters), Jack Arluck (Masters) and Donald Durbin (Masters).  In the Pre-Main, Delfani took the lead right from the green flag and lead the whole way followed by Karratt with Durbin working his way up to 3rd followed by Harwin and Arluck, Mert Solis (Light) and Mary Beth Wilson (Light).  In the Main, Karratt got the jump on Delfani and won the race into turn one and was never headed to take the overall win and Lights class top spot.  Delfani (Lights) was 2nd followed by Harwin in 3rd and first in the Masters class.  Durbin was putting the pressure on Harwin until he lost his brakes at mid race and had to pull off.  Newcomer Jack Arluck made a great start to the 2009 season with a solid 4th overall and 2nd in Masters.  5th overall was Mary Beth Wilson (Lights) followed by Mert Solis (Lights), Jerry Pretti (Masters) and Andre Eriksen (Masters), Paul Hohlbien (Masters) and Dave Higaki (Lights).
 
Rotax DD2 - The 2 speed Rotax class had 8 drivers for Race #1.  Troy Castaneda, who has been running the Gatorz Winter Series, took the pole over Reno's Kyle Gimple and January Grove.  In the Pre-Main, Troy took the lead at the green flag and was never headed.  Gimple was 2nd followed by Grove, Cameron Craig and Bruce Weir.  In the Main, Gimple had an early problem and had to pit on the first lap.  Castaneda went on to take a convincing victory and lapping the entire field except for the 2nd place January Grove.  Cameron Craig took the 3rd spot with Weir in 4th and Dave Moody in 5th.
 
 
The 2009 started out with great weather, 20% more racers, great racing and no incidents.  This is Race #1 of a long 10 race Rotax series that will run into the first weekend of November. 
 
The next race is May 2nd at the Jim Russell International Karting Center track at Infineon Raceway running on the Sprint Track configuration. 
 
For more information about the Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge Series, contact race director Ric Shaw at racedirector-ric@hotmail.com or go to the Nor Cal Rotax website at www.norcalrotax.com.
 

4-10-09 ROUND TWO ON DECK FOR PROKART CHALLENGE NORTH PROGRAM
 


Series returns to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on April 18

TEMECULA, CA (April 9, 2009) – If the opening round of the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge North regional program last month is a glimpse into what the rest of the year entails, the second season will be one to remember. Following an action-packed weekend on March 14 to open up the 2009 PKC North season, the organization now looks toward producing an even bigger event on April 18 at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. The Sonoma, California circuit will host round two of the series with another large group of competitors expected to contend the 3/4-mile national circuit.
 
The opening round was highlighted by the performance of Kiel Spaulding, who won both the HPV2 Junior and TaG Junior features. Though two wins may seem easy, Spaulding was challenged in both divisions throughout the day. He enters the second round leading by just 20 points in the standings over Dylan Lupton in HPV2 Junior and the same margin over Kathryn Cornell in TaG Junior. Spaulding will return next weekend to try and repeat his round one performance against some of the best in Northern California along with Alessandra Madrigal making the trek from Massachusetts.
 
2008 TaG Senior vice-champion Will Martindale began his bid at the title the right way by scoring the feature win after a near perfect day. Only Larry Fraser, who earned the top qualifying honors, kept Martindale from earning the full 320 points on the day. And, although Martindale holds a 60-point advantage over Brett Felkins after this first round, that lead could vanish in round two with the structure of the points system. A number of national competitors are expected to compete against Spaulding and Martindale -- including Neil Alberico, Michael Hogg, Hayden Ritter and many others.
 
The S3 division saw a special guest earning some extra laps in between his Rolex Grand-Am Daytona Prototype driver duties, as NorCal’s Memo Gidley contended the event. Though Gidley displayed the skills that helped him earn the 1999 SKUSA SuperNationals title, he would be bested on the day by two emerging stars in the PKC program, Tommy Thompson and Jacob Neal. Thompson joined the S3 category last year and has been running up front since, earning the victory in the 2009 PKC North opener. Neal made the trek from SoCal to finish in the runner-up spot. All are expected to return for round two.
 
Neal also took home the S1 feature win over New Zealander Daniel Bray and defending champion Cody Hodgson. Bray, who has stayed state-side since the opener, will return to battle Neal at round two. Former national champions Gary Carlton and Ron White, both with a number of wins at the Infineon facility, will be in attendance to challenge Neal and Bray. Earning the prize for the furthest traveled however will be Brandon Frank from Bermuda. A number of other drivers are expected, and will certainly improve the S1 field quality.
 
Jared Woolf was the man to beat at round one in S4 until mechanical issues forced him out of competition, leaving Jamie Wilson to take the point and the feature win. He will look to defend his round one win against a number of newcomers to the category this year, looking for their first win in ProKart Challenge competition. Defending G1 champion Craig Corwin began his title defense on the right path, as he took both heat wins and the feature victory. Fernando Diaz edged Corwin in qualifying, breaking up Corwin’s bid for a perfect weekend, and went on to finish second. Steve Elo, third place in 2008 TaG Masters standings, was also near perfect as he won his TaG Masters heat races and the feature only to get beat out for the pole in qualifying by Jeff Deehan.
 
To help save money and time for competitors, PKC is suggesting drivers enter early through the ProKart Challenge website. Pre-entry cutoff for the event will be Wednesday, April 15 at midnight. Gates for the pre-race practice day on Friday, April 17 will open at 7:00 am with on-track action to run from 9am to 5pm. A complimentary dinner following the day’s action for all who have a pit pass will be offered, thanks to the Superkarts! USA organization and Leading Edge Motorsports – with longtime PKC friend and supporter Scott Jeffery serving up the feast. For more information on the event or the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge itself, head to www.prokartchallenge.com.
 

4-8-09 Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle 2009 Shoot Out Spot Awarded to a Young Northern California Rotax Challenge Driver

 
The 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is very pleased to announce that the Ron Sutton Winner's Circle (RSWC) will award one talented Nor Cal Rotax Challenge driver a place in the coveted 2009 RSWC Driver Talent Search Shoot-Out.  This represents a prize value of $2500 and a chance of a lifetime!
 
The RSWC Shoot-Out process is designed to identify young, up and coming drivers from across the United States and Canada with the talent, potential and commitment to achieve a driving career in NASCAR.  Last year RSWC received over 700 resumes and narrowed it down to 44 drivers that got the opportunity to test in the Shoot Out.
 
Ron Sutton said, "We're not looking for a number ... We are looking for a young Rotax driver that has real potential to go all the way to NASCAR Sprint Cup."
 
RSWC will select one driver, from those who are eligible and apply, from the 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge to test in the Shoot-Out.

About the Shoot-Out
The 2009 Shoot Out will be conducted over two 3-day weekends in October, in identical race cars, on an asphalt oval track in Northern California.
 
Day one of the Shoot-Out includes a seminar for parents and drivers, "The Real World Good, Bad & Ugly of Driver Career Development" and a training course for drivers on driving strategies, expectations and terminology.  Three separate tests for the young drivers include body fat fitness, a written problem solving test and psychological analysis.
 
Days two and three are on track, with drivers getting five 20-lap sessions on track, 100 laps total, with coaching, to show their talent.  Judges evaluate the drivers on 45 points, with the key areas being coachability, accurate feedback, focus, motivation, training retention, communication skills, personality, aggressiveness, learning rate, confidence and lap times.
 
The talented drivers selected for the RSWC development program through the Shoot Out will have a training program designed specifically for their age, experience and development stage, then be placed with a top team in the racing series that fits best.
 
The career development program consists of 12 veteran driver coaches, over 20 classroom topics and eight organizations fielding 24 race teams, all dedicated to develop drivers in the RSWC program. The teams are a balance of Open Wheel and Stock Car oval track race teams ... with Road Racing added ... to develop highly versatile and accomplished winning drivers.
 
"This is truly a chance of a lifetime for one of our exceptional Nor Cal Rotax drivers" commented Adrian Szwarcburg, organizer of the Nor Cal Rotax Challenge. "Both Ron and I are committed to providing young drivers with a special opportunity to progress in motorsports."
 
All 2009 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge drivers aged from 11 to 19 years old are eligible to apply.  Drivers and their parents are encouraged to get all the information and answers to common questions from the RSWC web-site and then submit their resume in time to be considered. The web-site is www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com.
 

4-8-09 RON SUTTON’S WINNER’S CIRCLE TO FEATURE SEVEN RETURNING DRIVERS IN ‘09
 

Driver development program pilots set to do battle on oval tracks around
the country

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 7, 2009) – A total of seven drivers from the
2008 Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle program excelled, and have been
retained by the renowned driver development program this season. With
continued support from Lucas Oil, K & N Filters and Sunoco Race Fuels,
Jessica Brunelli, Bobby Grewohl, Jace Meier, Benny Moon, Jimmy Moon,
Jeff Oleen and Nick Romano will be back with Sutton’s development
program to compete in a variety of oval racing series in 2009.

As part of the 2009 Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle program, which is
designed to identify and develop the future stars of NASCAR via a long
term comprehensive racing system, seven drivers from last year’s program
will unite with the recently-selected 11 new drivers from RSWC Shootout
when they get behind the wheel of RSWC or alliance team car in 2009. In
their continued pursuit of a career in NASCAR, the seven program
returnees will race in one of six race categories this coming season
(USAC Ford Focus Midget, USAC Midget, NASCAR Grand American Modified,
NASCAR Late Model, NASCAR Super Late Model and ARCA).

Brunelli, a native of Hayward, Calif., will part of the Ron Sutton’s
Winner’s Circle once again in 2009, after first joining the prestigious
program last year. In her first season competing under the RSWC banner,
she raced a USAC Ford Focus Midget, becoming the youngest driver to
capture a pole position in series history (Irwindale Speedway). Prior to
joining the RSWC program, the Californian was the 2007 Skip Barber
Western Regional Rookie of the Year and a two-time IKF regional karting
champion. The 16 year-old will pilot a NASCAR Grand America Modified in
2009.

In 2009, Grewohl renews his association with the RSWC for an eighth
season. The Hollister, Calif., was a regular visitor to victory lane
last year, winning one NASCAR Late Model race and three of four USAC
Midget races. Grewohl previously won three NASCAR Late Model races in
his 2007 class debut, won two USAC Midget races in 2006, scored the win
in his SCCA Formula Continental debut in 2005, and captured the pole
position in both his 2004 SCCA Formula Ford and USAC Midget debuts. The
22 year-old Grewohl is scheduled to race an USAC Midget this coming
season.

A resident of Las Vegas, Nev., Meier will be part of the RSWC program
for a fifth season in 2009. For the past two years, the 20 year-old has
competed in a variety of Late Model series, winning two main events
(Irwindale Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway), three pole positions
and the Rookie of the Year award at Irwindale Speedway. Meier, a former
championship-winning karter in the Rotax class, previously earned the
NASCAR Late Model Rookie of the Year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Bullring in 2006, won four USAC Ford Focus Midget class in 2005-06, and
was awarded the Legends Semi-Pro Rookie of the Year in 2004, This coming
season, Meier will race a NASCAR Super Late Model.

Benny Moon rejoins the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s circle program for a fifth
year this coming season. Last year, the Sacramento, Calif., resident
raced a NASCAR Late Model, earning one pole position. Over the course of
the past two years, Benny Moon scored two wins and three pole positions
in NASCAR Late Model stock car competition. The now 24 year-old made his
oval racing debut in 2005, winning three USAC Ford Focus Midget races,
including the famous Turkey Night event. Having previously won four
races in Skip Barber National Racing competition and multiple karting
championships. Moon is testing an ARCA stock car in 2009.

The 2009 race season will mark the third year Jimmy Moon is associated
with the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle. Last year, the Shingle Springs,
Calif., driver began racing on ovals, getting behind the wheel of USAC
Junior Ford Focus Midget. The 16 year-old former race-winning karter
first began racing cars in 2006, with the highlight being four wins in
the Skip Barber Western Region series. Jimmy Moon will race a USAC Ford
Focus Midget this coming season.

Oleen rejoins the RSWC in 2009 after a success first season in the
program last year. The Bethesda, Md., race pilot, in his inaugural
season of oval racing, scored one main and six heat race wins in the
2008 USAC Ford Focus Midget competition. Prior to making the switch to
ovals, the now 19 year-old was a multiple World Karting Association race
winner and a race winner in both Skip Barber National and Regional
competition. Oleen is scheduled to drive a USAC Ford Focus Midget in 2009.

The 18 year-old Romano will be part of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle
program for a second consecutive year in 2009. In his first season in
the driver development program, the Atherton, Calif., native won six
SCCA Regional races in the Formula Ford class en route to the capturing
the San Francisco Region championship title and Rookie of the Year
award. Romano, previously won the 2006 600 Micro Sprints Rookie of the
Year award at Delta Speedway, as well as the 2005 and 2004 Baylands
Quarter Midget Racing Association Heavy 160 class titles. In 2009,
Romano will pilot a USAC Ford Focus Midget.

Additional information on the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle can be
obtained from the program website @ www.winners-circle-racing.com. For
direct contact, please contact Ron Sutton at ron@winners-circle-racing.com
 

4-7-09 JESSICA BRUNELLI WINS TROPHY DASH IN NASCAR GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIED DEBUT

Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver takes home Trophy Dash win at All American Speedway in California  

HAYWARD, CALIF. (April 3, 2009) – Jessica Brunelli may be a newcomer to the NASCAR Grand American Modified ranks, but she certainly didn’t look like a rookie in her recently completed first-ever event. The 16 year-old Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver made her way to victory lane on March 28^th at All American Speedway, capturing the win in her inaugural Grand American Modified Trophy Dash race.

Brunelli, having made her oval racing debut last year via USAC Ford Focus Midget racing as a member of the RSWC program, entered the opening round of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at All American Speedway, her first NASCAR Grand American Modified race, poised to make her mark. The former Skip Barber Western Regional Rookie of the Year and two-time IKF regional karting champion did just that, immediately getting up to speed on the demanding 3/10-mile track. After setting some good times in practice, Brunelli made her presence felt in her Heat race. The Hayward, Calif., teenager challenged for the win from start-to-finish, eventually crossing the stripe in second place, earning a place in the Trophy Dash race.

With the top-two drivers from each Heat race advancing to the Trophy Dash, the stage was set for a highly competitive race. Brunelli, in the No. 3 K&N Filters/Tico Construction/Fremont Bank/Finishmaster Paint Company/Nascimento Motorsports/Brunelli Racing NASCAR Grand American Modified started in second position, however by the exit of turn two she was in the lead. Running fast consistent laps from that point forward, Brunelli held off all challengers, winning her first-ever Modified Trophy Dash race. With the victory, it is believed the 16 year-old Brunelli becomes the youngest Trophy Dash winner in series history.

“It has been great working with Jessica,” stated Crew Chief Mike Nascimento. “She is an extremely talented driver and has been very fast from the first time she hoped in this car. I knew she would be battling for wins this year. We are very excited it came in her very first race.”

“Jessica Brunelli is the real deal,” stated development coach Ron Sutton. “She has shown she is fast in every thing she has raced, but more importantly … she is a racer when they wave that green flag,”

Brunelli resumes her NASCAR Grand American Modified campaign on April 11, with Round Two of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at All American Speedway.

4-2-09 RUNYAN WINS TWO STRAIGHT RACES IN FORMULA FORD
 

Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver visits victory lane in first-ever
car races at Thunderhill Raceway and Infineon Raceway

DENAIR, CALIF. (April 2, 2009) – Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle
development driver Bobby Runyan has started his inaugural car racing
campaign off in perfect fashion, winning the opening two Formula Ford
races in the San Francisco Region SCCA. Indicating why many are already
keeping an eye on the 16 year-old Californian. Runyan scored a dominant
victory at Thunderhill Raceway on March 15^th , followed by a superb
come from behind victory on March 29^th at Infineon Raceway.

As part of the San Francisco Region SCCA “Gathering of Champions” Double
National/Regional event, Runyan made his car racing debut behind the
wheel of a Porter Racing/Raging Bull Motorsports Swift DB6 Formula Ford.
Despite having only first driven the car two weeks prior via private
testing, the Denair, Calif., resident immediately was up to speed.
Runyan solidified his position as the driver to beat in qualifying,
turning a fast lap of 1:51.644, which not only gave him the pole
position for the Sunday afternoon Regional race, but also would have
placed the former karting standout P1 on the grid in the National race.

When the race action got underway, Runyan quickly established a
multi-car advantage on his closest pursuer. Running fast consistent laps
throughout the 16-lap affair, the talented young driver never came under
any challenge of note. Runyan, leading from the green flag onwards,
captured the win in his first-ever SCCA Club Racing Formula Ford race,
setting the fastest lap (1:51.938) in the process.

“I think Bobby did a great job this weekend,” stated Team Owner Neil
Porter. “He ran times which were very good for someone who has only been
on the track two times and only driven the car twice. His qualifying
times were good enough to take the pole for the National on Sunday. His
next race at Infineon Raceway will be a good test of his racing skills
and his ability to learn a new track.”

Two weeks later, Runyan was back behind the wheel of his Porter
Racing/Raging Bull Motorsports entry as part of the “Season-Opener”
Regional event. The talented young driver quickly came to grips with the
undulating road course in Northern California during testing, posting
times on pace with the pole position mark from last year. Unfortunately
come qualifying, the team just missed the ideal setup, resulting in a
‘loose’ car. Despite the condition and a spin due to an incident with a
Formula Vee, the Californian managed to post the third fastest lap in
the session.

Runyan, returning to the cockpit of his Swift DB6 after a short break,
did not get the start he desired when the green flag waved for the
Sunday afternoon race. Missing a shift, he was shuffled back to fifth
place before turn one. The teenager however immediately refocused,
regaining third place by the midway point of the opening lap. Continuing
his charge to the front of the field, Runyan found a way past his
teammate, taking over second place before the end of lap.

The Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver, with the leader in sight and
his teammate right behind, continued to attack the 2.52-mile road
course, soon getting within striking distance for the lead. Utilizing a
daring out-braking maneuver in turn 11, Runyan took over the P1 spot.
While lapped traffic allowed his Porter Racing teammate to repeatedly
challenge for the win, Runyan held off the challenges, turning the
fastest lap of the race (1:40.706) en route to a six-second win. With
the victory, Runyan remains undefeated in his young car racing career.

“Bobby Runyan has amazing talent,” commented Ron Sutton. “How rare is it
for a young race driver to win his first two car races back-to-back?
Simply amazing!”

Runyan continues his 2009 Formula Ford race season on April 26th, at the
famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca outside of Monterey, Calif.