Challenge Of the Americas, Round 1


press release 6 February 2016

The Challenge of the Americas kicked off its ninth season over the weekend at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona. Three-days of competition took part on the challenging 3/4-mile course with over 100 drivers taking part in the seven categories that began the championship chase - five representing the Rotax Max Challenge joined for the first time by two Shifterkart categories. Three 2016 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals tickets are on the line in the headline categories, going to the Senior, Masters and Junior champions. A select few put their names in the hunt with solid performances through two rounds of the title chase.

Experience was key in landing on top of the podium in the Nash Motorsportz Senior Max division with third-year driver Jim McKinney and sophomore Christian Brooks earning victory on the weekend. Brooks set the tone in the opening round on Saturday, earning fast time in qualifying and winning the Prefinal. Christian led the opening 10 laps of the main event until McKinney took over, driving away to a 2.2-second advantage for his first series victory. Brooks held on to second at the checkered, but would be removed from the results following tech with an emulsion tube in the carburetor that was out of compliance. That promoted Senior rookie Kellen Ritter to second and fellow rookie Michael Michoff in third. Brooks bounced back the following day for round two, earning a demanding victory. Christian qualified third and fought his way to the win in the Prefinal. He followed it up with a six-second victory in the main event, leading all 25 laps. The podium was completed with two Canadians as Coltin McCaughan edged out Ritter for the second position while Saturday winner McKinney took over fourth on the final lap, and assumes the championship lead.

Jim McKinney won his first Senior Max main event at the Challenge, and left Tucson as the championship leader
Above: Jim McKinney won his first Senior Max main event at the Challenge, and left Tucson as the championship leader
pic - SeanBuur.com

Nick Brueckner finished as the vice-champion in 2015 for the Rolison Performance Group Junior Max title chase. This year’s bid began with a perfect performance throughout the weekend in Arizona, sweeping both rounds. Brueckner topped the result sheet in qualifying both days before going on to win each Prefinal and Final. The podium both days were adjusted following tech inspection on Sunday. Second-year Junior driver Trey Brown drove to second both days behind Brueckner in the main events, however, his reed cage was found to be ‘out of spec’ and thus his results were removed from the weekend as it was under the official seal. That promoted Canadian Matthew Taskinen to second for his first series podium and Zoey Edenholm to third on Saturday. The two swapped positions Sunday with Edenholm earning a best finish as runner-up and her third straight podium dating back to last year’s finale.

Nick Brueckner dominated in Tucson to sweep the Junior Max action in the first two rounds
Above: Nick Brueckner dominated in Tucson to sweep the Junior Max action in the first two rounds
pic - SeanBuur.com

The Cambrian Go-Karts Masters Max victories were decided after all the laps of competition were complete. Veteran driver Billy Cleavelin recorded a solid weekend, sweeping the action on Saturday before winning the Prefinal and Final on Sunday. His efforts were deleted from the record books after he his reed cage was also found to be ‘out of spec’. This promoted former series champion John Crow to the victory on both days, including a sweep of Sunday’s round. Scott Falcone and Canadian Christopher Patterson made up the podium for Saturday’s main event. Sunday was 2014 DD2 Masters national champion Mike Jones in the runner-up position, one spot higher than Patterson.

John Crow was named the Masters Max winner on the weekend following Sunday evening tech inspection
Above: John Crow was named the Masters Max winner on the weekend following Sunday evening tech inspection
pic - SeanBuur.com

Shifterkart categories contested the Challenge of the Americas for the first time, welcoming the Shifter Senior and Shifter Masters categories coming over from the growing US Open series. Jake French made it look easy in the Energy Kart USA Shifter Senior division, sweeping the weekend. French earned a perfect score both days to establish himself as the championship leader. Kolton Griffin and Don Whittington joined him on the podium while Whittington returned Sunday with the runner-up finish and Jacob Neal placing third.

Jake French smoked the Shifter Senior field on the weekend
Above: Jake French smoked the Shifter Senior field on the weekend
pic - SeanBuur.com

Ryan Kinnear was the top driver in the Dallas Karting Complex Shifter Masters category. The US Open inaugural champion swept the action on Saturday, besting Nick Firestone and Juan Garcia. Darren Elliott put on the challenge, topping the charts in qualifying on Sunday before winning the Prefinal. Kinnear however fought back in the main, earning his second victory of the weekend. Elliott landed second step of the podium with Firestone in third.

Ryan Kinnear continued his success in Shifter Masters, winning both Finals in his Challenge debut
Above: Ryan Kinnear continued his success in Shifter Masters, winning both Finals in his Challenge debut
pic - SeanBuur.com

The Go Kart Hero Mini Max class was almost swept on the weekend by Marco Kacic. The Canadian won nearly all on-track session, minus the opening qualifying session on Saturday. Diego LaRoque took that honor, and fought with Kacic all weekend long. The two competed like veterans, going back and forth in the Prefinal and Finals with Kacic earning the top spot. LaRoque settled for second with Austin Torgerson running third both days.

Marco Kacic is the championship leader in Mini Max following the first two rounds in Tucson
Above: Marco Kacic is the championship leader in Mini Max following the first two rounds in Tucson
pic - SeanBuur.com

Ryan Perry Motorsport Micro Max was swept, with Ashton Torgerson earning his first ever series victory on Saturday and double his win total on Sunday. Carson Morgan drove to second in all the on-track sessions as did Enzo Scionti in third.

Ashton Torgerson swept the weekend in Micro Max
Above: Ashton Torgerson swept the weekend in Micro Max
pic - SeanBuur.com

A digital magazine featuring photos of all top-three finishes in all the Challenge of the Americas races at the opening event in Tucson, Arizona can be found HERE.

 

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