8/11/05
RACE REPORT: NOR CAL MARIN KARTING ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE SEASON FINALE AND RACE TO THE NATIONAL’S
Sonoma, California — Infineon Raceway in Sonoma was the site of the final of the Marin Karting Rotax Max Challenge series on the 6th of August. The point’s race was very close going into this final race. Anything could happen. The weather was a warm 67 degrees at 8:00 am when the first practice session started on the National track configuration. This is the fastest track configuration at the Infineon Kart track and one that always proves who the good drivers and mechanics are. It is essential to get the jetting lean enough for fast laps but not too lean for the long straight away. Drivers had to do well in order to qualify for the Rotax Max Challenge National’s taking place on September 22-25 in South Bend Indiana. The top five will advance to a National invitation.
Qualifying was the first test to see if the drivers had chosen the correct set up. The track had moderate grip yet tires are always the deciding factor this year. Many drivers have said they have not figured out the Mojo tires yet. After five laps the field was set with Troy Cataneda and Mike Hill leading the pack in the front row. Dan Dellosso and Phillip Johnson on his new Birell chassis took the second row. January Grove and Joe Montes filled in the third row for the International class. Peter Boot, Gary Scharlach, Jay Brosius, and Chris DeBruine were set in the Masters class. The ten lap pre-final proved to be an extended qualifying for some drivers who struggled to find the grip and speed needed to stay up front. In the end the top four drivers were just about in the same position they qualified. So, with the final just a couple of hours away the pits were a buzz with activity. Phillip Johnson decided to change an axel on his Birrel, as did Troy Castaneda. Mike Hill changed his gear and of course cleaned the kart.
The stage was set for the 4:20pm final. It was 90 degrees, 36% humidity and a slight breeze, perfect weather for racing. Ric Shaw, the race director, had his usual pre race driver meeting on the grid warning drivers to take the first turn easy because everyone knows that you don’t win the race on the first lap.
The flag dropped and they were fast into the first turn with no incidents. In the International class the front three drivers took off and left the rest of the field chasing after them. Lap 3 brought David Hull’s day to an end when he reported that his motor was overheating. Lap 8 saw Matt Wirth in with a mechanical. On lap 13 Dan Dellosso who had run in fourth all day had an issue and pulled into the pits. Lap 14 brought January Grove’s day to an end when the rear end of the kart wanted to go faster than the front and she went off the track knocking her out of third just after Troy Castaneda lost third place when his fuel line came loose. It’s a shame that these Rotax engines won’t run at least one lap with the fuel line disconnected and just the fuel in the float bowl. Maybe this is something for Rotax to consider.
At the checkered flag it was Mike Hill in first securing his first Rotax Max Challenge Series Championship. Phillip Johnson in second. Rookies Emanuel Cellestino and Daniel Mijares took third and fourth. January Grove was able to hold on to fifth. Securing enough points to put her in a solid third for the Championship, nineteen points behind second place finisher Phillip Johnson.
The Masters class had some fun weaving in and out of some of the International drivers during the 15 lap event. Peter Boot and Jay Brosius were locked in the battle of the race with each driver not giving an inch for the other to drive past. Gary Scharlach continued to struggle with handling issues he faced all day turning in a third place finish. Medusa Racing Chris DeBruine finished the day in fourth. The master’s class will see Gary Scharlach winning his first RMax Challenge Championship, only his second year in karting. Rookie Jay Brosius comes in second. Peter Boot third. Chris DeBruine who joined Medusa Racing in mid season with excellent results finished in fourth.
We look to see the top five in each class heading for South Bend a little early to get a handle on the track and the difference in humidity that will certainly plaque quite a few of those from the West where the humidity is relatively low and expectations are high. We expect the Northern California contingency to give the racers in the Midwest a good run for the chance to go to Malaysia and compete in the Rotax World finals.
On a final note we saw a tremendous increase in the amount of drivers coming to the Nor Cal Rotax series, fifty percent increase from last year. When asked why most said “it’s a great program where it’s the driving that makes the difference, not how much you can spend on making your motor faster than the other guy.” And also “Marin Karting gives me the support that I need to be competitive on the track.” Some also said they think it’s the best fast racing for the buck, period.
Northern California will most likely see two new Rotax classes added for next season. Junior Rotax may be added to the Infineon schedule, in addition to the Rotax RM-1 two speed shifter class being added to the Dixon schedule. This will be a first for Northern California to have four Rotax Max Challenge classes. Two years ago you’d be hard pressed to find one Rotax on a track in Northern California where Parilla ruled the Touch and Go category.
Story by Ron Bennett
Photos: www.cooperimages.com
