06-07-05
MINI COOPER GRAND PRIX OF RENO SEES SPEED, GIEBLER, AND WHITT ALL SHINE
Seattle, Washington — This weekend’s MINI Cooper Grand Prix of Reno in the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL saw current North American karting superstar Alex Speed retain his place of supremacy in shifter kart racing, karting hero of the 1990’s Phil Giebler return to the top step of the podium, and young charger Cole Whitt show the big boys that he is a serious force to be reckoned with as he took his first senior class win. The fans at the race all got a rare treat as they were given the opportunity to test drive MINI Cooper cars around the temporary course at the Reno Hilton at mid-day and end of day sessions courtesy of the event’s title sponsor.
In the headlining ICC class Alex Speed motored away to victories on both Saturday and Sunday on his Team Speed Birel. 2003 Snap-on Stars series champion Bobby Wilson made an impressive return to the series by taking pole for both Saturday and Sunday racing action aboard his First Kart. ICC class rookie and Formula BMW competitor Ryan Phinny was extremely impressive on both Saturday and Sunday bringing his Team Speed Birel home third for his first podium finish on Sunday and running consistently in the top five all weekend.
In the premier ICA (direct drive) class former Formula 3 and Infiniti Pro Series race winner Phil Giebler put on the drive of the weekend on Saturday, bringing his Intrepid from 11th starting position on the grid to take the lead midway through the race and pull away for his first national level karting victory since returning to the sport full-time this season. Kevin Glover (CRG) passed Ital Kart driver Tyler Dueck on the final lap to take second. Sunday’s action saw Giebler take pole but in the race Ital Kart driver David Jurca took command, bad luck however descended upon the talented Californian as a motor seizure dropped him out of the race handing the lead to his new teammate Cole Whitt. Whitt took a commanding lead and took the victory under the watchful eye of Danny Sullivan who was on hand to tutor the Red Bull backed pilot. Giebler soldiered home to take second with Kevin Glover third.
In the PCH Motorsports JICA class globe trotting Colombian Gustavo Yacaman took home Saturday’s victory aboard his First Kart with Brett Smrz a close second in his Intrepid and Mackenzie Johnson third on his American built Margay. Sebastien Saavedra made it a Colombian sweep of the weekend taking the pole, prefinal, and final win on Sunday with countryman Yacaman in tow. Mitch Enger brought home the last spot on the podium for the CRG contingent.
In the King Taco Junior Shifter category Billy Goshen brought home Saturday’s pole and win aboard his Top Kart. Alex Schutte took home a steady second place aboard his Maranello with consistent front runner Levi Roberts third to give Top Kart the first and third podium positions. Goshen continued his dominance for the weekend on Sunday winning both the pole and the race. Christian Stover gave Tony Kart second place on the podium with Levi Roberts taking home another third position.
Brendan Phinny turned out to be the class of the field in the Grand Products Cadet Class by taking home wins on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s action saw him lead Top Kart teammates Gustavo Menezes and Branden Underwood with defending West division champion Miles Maroney a close fourth. Sunday’s action was a bit more tense for Phinny as he had to survive a gutsy last lap pass attempt by Menezes at the hairpin in the stadium section of the track. Phinny and Menezes tangled slowing Menezes and allowing Miles Maroney to slot into second and Dylan Noble into third.
Cory Pollock continued his domination of the Easykart class in the Snap-on Stars series West division with wins on Saturday and Sunday. Patrick Barrett provided chase all weekend with a second place on Sunday and a mechanical failure in the closing stages knocking him off the podium on Saturday. Joshua Lyon took home podiums on both days with Sebastien Faque taking home third on Saturday.
All in all the event provided a unique temporary venue for the Snap-on Stars series with great entertainment and atmosphere thanks to MINI Cooper and the Reno Hilton.
Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League is based out of Seattle, Washington, sanctioned by the World Karting Association (WKA) and owned and operated by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion and IRL IndyCar Series team owner Bobby Rahal, IndyCar Series driver Bryan Herta and veteran karting promoter Paul Zalud.
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