Home Multimedia

News Tech Articles
Forum CD Order
Contact Kartweb Mall
    Red River NTK Kartweb Media Kit Submit a Press Release
  2003 US Rotax Max Challenge

"The Road to Egypt"

  
 
What a spectacular racing weekend.  From the time they arrived at the NTK facilities in Denton Texas, Race Director Marshal Martin kept the event on time like a well oiled clock every day.   With qualifying on Friday, and a seemingly endless set of heat races on Saturday, the show was conclude on Sunday with Last Chance Qualifier races, Pre-Final Races all leading up to the Final.
 
The Rotax Juniors were the first class up for the afternoon finals.  David Holland was on top of the order with Hayden Duerson alongside.  Jonathon Beason had high expectations coming in after winning the top Jr Driver title a month earlier, as the Formula 80Jr Champion of the SKUSA ProMoto series.

33 Junior Drivers entered the track, but Jordan Blisset had to retire on the pace lap due to mechanical problems.   The remaining 32 drivers took the green and put on an awesome battle throughout the pack.

Justin Melton came from the fifth position to win and take his place on the road to Egypt.

Rotax Juniors on the pace lap of the Final

 
Rotax Junior Results
Pos. No. Name Laps Total Diff. Time Best Laptime In Lap
1 20 Justin Melton 25 18:18.4   00:37.7 17
2 22 David Holland 25 18:18.7 0.244 00:37.7 17
3 3 Jonathan Summerton 25 18:20.3 1.817 00:37.7 24
4 39F Hayden Duerson 25 18:25.9 7.498 00:38.1 22
5 1 Jonathan Beason 25 18:26.0 7.593 00:37.7 19
6 4T Cody Jolly 25 18:26.3 7.811 00:37.9 21
7 33 Ansel Gaddy 25 18:28.3 9.807 00:38.0 19
8 42D Levi Roberts 25 18:30.2 11.714 00:37.7 13
9 17f Alexander Wikell 25 18:31.3 12.889 00:38.1 23
10 19 Ryan Fowler 25 18:36.1 17.651 00:38.1 24
11 18 Nicolas Silva 25 18:36.4 17.945 00:37.9 18
12 14z Ashkaan Jaberi 25 18:37.5 19.015 00:38.3 17
13 50 Jose Andres Montalto 25 18:37.8 19.326 00:38.3 25
14 16 Matthew Vorsha 25 18:38.5 20.065 00:38.4 17
15 25 Patrick Clark 25 18:38.6 20.191 00:38.2 24
16 14 Michael Bramlett 25 18:40.3 21.809 00:38.3 18
17 28 Michael Self 25 18:40.3 21.903 00:38.3 10
18 10F Keith Spicer 25 18:42.8 24.383 00:38.0 23
19 35 Mark Jensen 25 18:44.0 25.583 00:38.5 23
20 56 Carl Skorlong 25 18:46.2 27.74 00:38.0 22
21 53J Jace Meier 25 18:51.4 33.002 00:38.7 24
22 00U Cameron Mealey 21 16:18.0 -- 4 laps -- 00:38.9 14
23 44U Andrew Mealy 21 16:21.0 3.023 00:38.9 19
24 43 Lionel Quiros 16 13:08.1 -- 9 laps -- 00:38.9 14
25 44 David Chapel 16 13:08.6 0.492 00:38.7 7
26 49 John Mossey 12 10:37.4 -- 13 laps -- 00:39.0 12
27 30 Stuart McClain 10 09:13.6 -- 15 laps -- 00:39.5 8
28 2 Paul Torre 10 09:21.8 8.252 00:40.4 4
29 48 Mary Mossey 5 05:55.1 -- 20 laps -- 00:40.4 3
30 6 Cory Phelps 1 03:11.6 -- 24 laps -- --:--:--.--- -
31 13 Chris Chidgey 0 00:00.0 -- 25 laps -- --:--:--.--- -
32 21T Jordan Blissit 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.--- -
33 13U James Miller 25 18:51.3   00:38.5 16

 

(L-R) Jonathon Summerton (3rd), Justin Melton (1st), and David Holland (2nd)

 

RM1 was a showcase class for the new 2 speed direct drive class.  Joe Ramos indicated that the 2005 World Nationals will feature the RM1 exclusively to be provided by Rotax to all competitors who qualify.  "This is the future of Rotax".

Although 9 RM1's were entered, in the Pre-Final an accident on the start took out Brian Striver leaving 8 RM1's to race in the Final.

Chad Miller scored a perfect round of top qualifying, and won all races including the Final.

 

RM1's ready to pull out for the final

RM1 Results

Pos. No. Name Laps Total Diff. Time Best Laptime
1 370 Chad Miller 20 14:37.2   00:37.8
2 26 Andre Martin 20 14:43.0 5.839 00:38.3
3 69 David Simonar 20 14:49.8 12.635 00:38.4
4 7 Nicholas Weil 20 14:50.1 12.867 00:38.5
5 63 Craig Duerson 20 14:57.5 20.289 00:37.8
6 17 RJ Valentine 16 12:29.2 -- 4 laps -- 00:39.2
7 74 Joe Wikell 12 09:46.7 -- 8 laps -- 00:38.7
8 99 Chuck Denison 14 11:18.5 01:31.8 00:40.1
9 11 Brian Stiver 0 00:00.0 -- 20 laps -- --:--:--.---

 

(L-R) David Simonar (3rd), Chad Miller (1st) Andre Martin (2nd)

 

Rotax Masters brought some clean racing through the weekend along with some really fine competitors.  Andy Seeseman, and mike Mautner represented Andy's FTK kart business out of California.  "Too tall" Tom Gilmore who is still a few inches short of Captain Ron Brown.   Phil Berryhill (no relation to the other Berryhill clan we hear a lot about) whose name is famous among karters.

Alan Fudge posted a picture perfect weekend qualifying at the front and finishing in front all weekend.

Masters Class ready to race

Rotax Masters Results

Pos. No. Name Laps Total Diff. Time Best Laptime
1 14x Alan Fudge 25 19:43.5   00:38.3
2 73 Rusty Lingle 25 19:50.0 6.514 00:38.6
3 48 Tom Gilmore 25 19:55.6 12.086 00:39.0
4 77 Eric Vaughan 25 19:56.7 13.247 00:38.9
5 1 Luis Huarcaya 25 20:00.3 16.825 00:39.0
6 21 Mike Mautner 25 20:00.4 16.976 00:38.8
7 27 John Borroel 25 20:02.5 18.991 00:38.8
8 77x Jim Emerson 25 20:08.4 24.926 00:39.0
9 14 Chris Davenport 25 20:10.5 27.069 00:39.0
10 11U Jay Mealey 25 20:11.9 28.474 00:38.9
11 19 Gary Hickman 23 18:42.6 -- 2 laps -- 00:39.1
12 95 Phil Berryhill 19 16:21.0 -- 6 laps -- 00:39.3
13 12 Mark"Gator" Gates 18 15:36.0 -- 7 laps -- 00:39.5
14 20 Jaye Bass 13 12:29.6 -- 12 laps -- 00:40.3
15 23 Rick Allen 8 08:56.7 -- 17 laps -- 00:39.4
16 51 Andy Seesemann 6 07:40.8 -- 19 laps -- 00:39.8
17 4 Joe Bauhs 4 06:13.0 -- 21 laps -- 00:39.3
18 17 DJ Ortiz 4 06:13.4 0.403 00:39.3
19 63 Lindy Loggins 4 06:40.0 26.967 00:40.0
20 87F William Winchester 3 05:36.5 -- 22 laps -- 00:39.8
21 41 Chris Cooksey 1 04:13.5 -- 24 laps -- --:--:--.---
22 37T Kevin Brown 0 00:00.0 -- 25 laps -- --:--:--.---
23 32 Rick Keller 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.---
24 59 Michael Barker 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.---
25 00 Scotty Nielsen 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.---
26 77x Jim Emerson 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.---
27 47 Mark Hubbard 16 14:28.6   00:39.8
28 15 Doug Bernard 16 14:29.1   00:40.1
29 45 Walter Cordiner 14 13:10.0   00:40.5
30 55 Christian Ledyard 14 13:10.6   00:39.2
31 12T James Kopeck 12 11:52.9   00:40.7
32 22 Ron Brown 0 00:00.0   --:--:--.---

 

(L-R) Tom Gilmore (3rd), Alan Fudge (1st),  Rusty Lingle (2nd)

 

Rotax Mini-Max was another showcase class for the newly introduced Mini-Max package.   Intended for the 8-11 year old range fitted to a cadet chassis, this class is fast.  With power reduced through intake restriction these motors are predicted to run a very long time between rebuilds.   There was a spec gear and jetting to put added emphasis on the drivers.

We did not receive the AMB scoring results, but we know the order of the top 3 places as they are identified in the podium shot below.

Rotax Mini's Gridded on the track

 

(L-R) Court Vernan (3rd), Andre Lopez (1st), Conner Dimond (2nd)

 

Rotax International was the pinnacle event.  The top 3 drivers would go to Egypt to carry the American flag for the only truly International race.

Jordan Musser, the 2002 National Champion shined as he was at his home track this year.   Coming from Costa Rica to take part was Juan Ignasio Sanso, showing some significant talent.  Heinz Meyer and Mack McCormick, both the statesman of the class put in some very fast performances with top 5 finishes.

Jordan pulled into the lead with Juan dropping back in the battle then reeling Jordan in.  Jordan felt the heat, turning up the wick to win.

International on the pace lap

Rotax International Results

Pos. No. Name Laps Total Diff. Time Best Laptime
1 1 Jordan Musser 25 18:23.9   00:37.7
2 84 Juan Ignasio Sanso 25 18:25.1 1.271 00:37.7
3 16 Nathaniel Mauel 25 18:28.0 4.157 00:37.7
4 31 Mike Manning 25 18:32.2 8.393 00:37.9
5 10 Mack McCormack 25 18:33.3 9.401 00:37.8
6 58 Amadeo Marten 25 18:34.5 10.609 00:37.9
7 46 Flemming Tranberg 25 18:35.2 11.31 00:37.5
8 9 Lee McGovern 25 18:36.9 13.092 00:37.9
9 7J Chris John 25 18:39.2 15.323 00:37.9
10 95 Benjamin Wilkey 25 18:45.5 21.691 00:38.2
11 17 Andrew Weber 25 18:49.4 25.575 00:38.0
12 2 Frank Gyuru 25 18:49.8 25.903 00:38.0
13 41 Chris Jennings 25 18:49.8 25.918 00:38.4
14 16X Jeff Siewert 25 18:52.2 28.379 00:38.3
15 4 Ian Thomas 25 18:55.5 31.69 00:37.9
16 11 Jeff Van Rosenberg 25 18:56.3 32.482 00:38.0
17 85 Felipe Carcamo 25 18:56.5 32.647 00:38.1
18 42 Bruce Woodrow 24 18:19.8 -- 1 lap -- 00:38.5
19 5F Rene Martinelli 24 18:23.9 4.018 00:38.5
20 8 Michael Gnazzo 23 18:04.0 -- 2 laps -- 00:38.6
21 14 Lineth Valerio 22 17:01.7 -- 3 laps -- 00:38.3
22 09 Rick Reddaway 19 15:08.5 -- 6 laps -- 00:38.5
23 4F Jesse Singer 19 15:08.7 0.191 00:38.4
24 15 Ruben Aguirre 17 13:53.3 -- 8 laps -- 00:38.9
25 84f Josh Rafter 15 12:38.0 -- 10 laps -- 00:39.0
26 22T Dave Ferrell 14 11:55.6 -- 11 laps -- 00:39.1
27 5b Pedro Jacobsen 13 10:53.3 -- 12 laps -- 00:37.7
28 67 Francisco Mendoza 13 11:22.0 28.687 00:38.9
29 1x Jim Cassi 9 08:50.1 -- 16 laps -- 00:38.9
30 32 Heinz Meyer 4 05:10.1 -- 21 laps -- 00:38.3
31 69I Fernando Poli 2 03:57.1 -- 23 laps -- 00:39.1
32 7i Andris Samsons 1 03:21.2 -- 24 laps -- --:--:--.---
33 25 Ken Hurdle 0 00:00.0 -- 25 laps -- --:--:--.---
34 48 Mike Robertson 15 12:38.4   00:38.4

 

 

 

(L-R) Nathaniel Mauel (3rd), Jordan Musser (1st), Juan Ignasio Sanso (2nd)

The US Pharaohs on The Road to Egypt

(L-R) Justin Melton - Rotax Jr, Nathaniel Mauel/Jordan Musser/Juan Ignacio Sanso - International

 

Look for a large Photogallery and some personal driver reports coming.  Of course we have the best video coming too!