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| January 21, 2013 |
| Team News: PSL Karting Earns 10 Podiums at Rotax Challenge of the Americas Opener |
 | Fritz Leesmann completed the weekend sweep of the Rotax DD2 class in Tucson
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
TROIS-RIVIERES, QUE. (January 19, 2013) - Starting off their 2013 racing season, Team PSL Karting branded drivers made waves during the first round of the Rotax Challenge of the Americas. Taking place at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, well below average temperatures did not deter the PSL/CRG outfitted drivers. Instead rising to the occasion, PSL claimed four victories and an additional six podium finishes across six classes to start off their 2013 campaign.
Leading the charge for PSL was 2012 Challenge of the Americas DD2 class champion and Team USA member Fritz Leesmann. Looking to defend his championship title and earn a repeat trip to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, the California native was in fine form as he swept the entire weekend in the DD2 class. Unstoppable throughout the weekend, Leesmann earned both pole positions, both Prefinal wins and the two Main event victories, as well as fast lap honors in all the wheel-to-wheel action.
Another familiar face with Team PSL Karting exceled in Tucson. Joining forces with Team WRS, 2011 US Rotax Grand National DD2 Master champion Alan Rudolph started off his 2013 season with a strong opening weekend in Challenge of the Americas action. Clocking first quick in DD2 Masters qualifying on Saturday, and second overall in the combined DD2/DD2 Masters category, Rudolph made his first trip to the podium after taking second place honors in the Final. Sunday started out much the same for the karting legend, but a misstep in the Prefinal put him back to eighth. Capitalizing on a turn one melee during the start, Rudolph was then able to drive away to take the Final win by more than 10 seconds.
Two Rotax Mini Max pilots would mix it up at the front of the pack all weekend long, as Horatio Fitz-Simon and CRG West pilot David Rafailov both were on the podium twice during the weekend. Fitz-Simon started off with Saturday’s pole position, and turned that into his maiden Challenge of the Americas victory after having to recover from a Prefinal DNF. Rafailov was the model of consistency, placing third in qualifying, second in the prefinal and then earning a podium finish with his third place final result. Rafailov then backed that effort up with the Prefinal win and another podium on Sunday after placing second. Fitz-Simon moved forward after qualifying ninth, earning fast lap honors in both the Prefinal and Final, en route to a third place podium finish.
 | Horatio Fitz-Simon earned his maiden Challenge of the Americas victory during Saturday's round one action
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
The final two podium results came via Rotax Junior pilot Austin Versteeg and CRG West Rotax Micro Max driver Marco Kacic. Now in his sophomore season in the Junior karting ranks, Versteeg made his first podium appearance in 2013 Challenge of the Americas action with his third place run on Saturday and the rising talent is well on his way to matching his three from 2012. Kacic started his campaign off with the pole position in the youngest Rotax category and endured some racy action to place third in the day’s final. Sunday saw the youngster on pole yet again and take the Prefinal win, but unable to make another podium visit.
The Rotax Challenge of the Americas will resume with round two on February 8-10, at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association in Phoenix, Ariz. Team PSL Karting was on track for the opening weekend of the Rotax rounds of the Florida Winter Tour this past weekend at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla.
Team PSL Karting will be trackside in 2013 at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas, Florida Winter Tour Formula Kart and Rotax weeknds, Rotax Pan American Challenge, the United States Rotax Grand Nationals, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Coupe de Quebec and the Canadian National Championships. Team PSL Karting is associated with CRG, Maxter Kart Engines, Rotax, Tillett Racing Seats, Sniper, Unipro, Douglas Wheels, Vega, MG Tires, Arai, Bell, ULV, Mir, Freem, Elf Fuels, Alfano, MaxJet Software, D.I.D. Racing Chains, KC and Power Mist.
To learn more about the World's No. 1 CRG distributor, sales & service, arrive & drive opportunities, PSL racing engines or dealer opportunities, please visit http://www.pslkarting.com or http://www.pslkartingusa.com |
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