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ROTAX Grand National at Road
America!! |
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ROTAX Kart joins forces with Champ Car
When a driver decides to pursue the dream of racing with the
world's best, the first step he or she usually takes is to start
driving competitively in a go-kart. All over the nation there are
young drivers with the dream of being the next A.J. Allmendinger or
Paul Tracy. These future stars may not be quite ready to compete
with their racing heroes just yet, but they will have a chance to
race at a Champ Car event, when the ROTAX Kart Challenge Grand
Nationals will be held at the Motorplex at Road America - September
22nd - 23rd - as part of Champ Car's historic return to Elkhart
Lake, Wisconsin. |
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Fans attending the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series
Powered by Ford event in Elkhart Lake will be in for a unique treat
as they will be able to watch the complete Champ Car ladder system
in work. The ROTAX Kart Challenge will take center stage as they
host their Grand Nationals event. The Grand National to finishers
will represent the United States in the ROTAX World Finals. The
Yokohama presents the Champ Car Atlantic Series powered by Mazda
will also be on track that weekend for their last race of the
season, followed by the 750 hp turbo-charged Champ Cars with the
world's best drivers behind the wheel. Having all three series in
competition will also provide a one of a kind experience for all
involved as the younger drivers can get ideas on how to make that
next step in their racing careers and see what it is like to race at
the top level of open-wheel racing . While Champ Car and Atlantic
owners will be able to see go-kart talent at its best.
Last year 14-year old James Kennedy won the ROTAX Kart Grand
National race to earn a spot in the ROTAX World Finals where he
competed against nearly 150 drivers from more than 60 countries.
Kennedy beat more than 50 competitors at nationals to earn his spot
in the world finals. At the finals in Langkawi, Malaysia Kennedy was
6th overall, while carrying support from Champ Car.
This partnership at Road America further exhibits both series
commitments to have presence at each other's events, with Champ Car
taking show cars and having Champ Car drivers appear at selected
Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge events. This collaboration with Champ
Car will solidify the ROTAX Kart Challenge as the most prestigious
and exciting form of kart racing with a proven program of local,
regional, national and world championship events.
US Grand National
September 22 - 24
Road America - Elkhart Lake, WI
Held in conjunction with Champ Car race
Road America Motorplex Track Link
Champ
Car World Series website
US Grand National Qualifying:
The top 15 in each class form the East Grand Regional, the
top 15 in each class from the West Grand Regional, the top 2 in each
class from the Caribbean, the top 2 in each class from Costa Rica,
the top US Grand National Champions and the top America's Team
finisher at the World Finals (James Kennedy) will fill the grids at
the 2006 Grand National.
Overview
-United States - 30 per class, 5 classes, total-150 drivers
-Caribbean - 2 per class, 5 classes, total-10 drivers
-Costa Rica - 2 per class, 5 classes, total-10 drivers
-2005 National Champion - Wes Phillips (Must compete in '06 G.
Regional)
-2005 Top American at World Finals - James Kennedy (Must Compete
in '06 G. Regional)
Rotax World Final Qualifying:
From the US Grand National the top 3 from the Jr. Max, Sr.
Max, and DD2 Max classes (1st, 2nd and 3rd place)(9 drivers) will be
invited to compete at the Rotax World Finals (location to be
announced in late January '06). Hotel room (1) bed per driver will
be paid, equipment, kart, engine, tool box, and pit will be paid.
Airfare will be the responsibility of the drivers. In addition, RMax
will invite (3) additional drivers from the Jr. Max, Sr. Max, and
DD2 Max classes (4th, 5th, and 6th place)(9 drivers) and the
Champion of the Master Class (1 driver), however these drivers will
be responsible for paying 100% of all costs which will be announced
at a later date.
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Recent changes to the Rotax program have been a
very positive move towards elevating the status of US Rotax program from
one of the best recreational series going to a full service multi-tiered
racer development league of international stature.
In the beginning years Rotax racing was conducted
as part of a sideshow for some of the major racing orgs during their
period of growth in America, with only the National Championship serving
as a stand-alone event. In 2006 the old mold was broken with the new
formation of an exciting new stand-alone series from local-level to Grand
Regional to National Championship racing. This tournament style of
championship has significant implications on the sport, and will likely
evolve into a model followed by others.
When the Rotax format and schedules were first
announced it drew a mixed review; those in the Eastern and Western
Divisions were generally pleased; The Central Division racers have
been treated to hosting the Nationals 2 out of 3 years felt left out.
With the National now being moved to a Central Division location, they can
no longer feel left out.
With the recent announcements of Rotax becoming a
support series for Champ Car, Rotaxians are finally getting some of the
Pro-Racing recognition they have long deserved. Part of what
separates Rotax from all others is the nature of equality the sealed motor
package that places the ultimate premium on driver ability as a fraction
of the cost of most other karting classes.
Over the last year Rotax has made strides forward
with growth in the Juniors and Cadet classes. Minimax has
experienced phenomenal growth over the last two years, and Rotax Jr has
been picking up steam over the last year. Rotax offers an
exceptional development path for drivers of all ages.
Perhaps one of the most important additions for
Rotax this year has been the DD2 package. An extension to the RM1
shifter package, the DD2 opens the door to several Chassis Manufacturers
with other improvements designed to direct the market to an upgrade in
karting status from recreational to "pro" karting. Costing
roughly half that of a typical ICC package, the DD2 Shifter offers great
performance and driver challenge while maintaining the thrifty nature of
pure equality Rotaxians have enjoyed since it's inception. Like all
things in karting the growth of the DD2 will be slow making 2006 a year of
opportunity for those early teams with talent that join the DD2 ranks.
The US Rotax Series has just catapulted to become
a rising star among the top level series in America. That could be
the biggest secret in karting today.........
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