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| March 08, 2012 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Luke Selliken - February 2012 |
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 | Luke Selliken completed a break-through weekend in Phoenix with two feature wins
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
Those drivers who have made their way up the professional motorsport ranks got their start in karting. While progressing up the ladder is not something every driver will be able to achieve, they all begin their journey with that special win or weekend that gets their name in the limelight. In recent years, the names continue to grow with a number of gifted young pilots rising up in the sport. The newest member to that list is Oregon’s Luke Selliken, the double winner in the Junior Max category at the Challenge of the Americas event in Phoenix, is the eKartingNews.com February 2012 Driver of the Month.
The Formula K Raceway - home of the Phoenix Kart Racing Association - was the site of rounds three and four of the international Rotax Max Challenge program with a trip to the Rotax Grand Finals on the line for the series champion. Going into the weekend fourth in the championship chase, a mistake-free weekend was on the menu to solidify Selliken as a championship contender. Practicing within the top-five during the official test day, Selliken stepped up to the plate as he put his Rolison Performance Group Kosmic on the pole position to kick-start round three, edging out championship leader Parker Thompson by just 0.063 seconds. Selliken - working with karting veteran Mike Rolison and mechanic Joey Wimsett - led the way early in the Pre-Main before Thompson and Zacharie Scalzo worked by to put him third, where he finished the 17-lap race. The 25-lap Main Event was a great battle involving five drivers early with Selliken in the mix. As they reached the halfway point, Selliken began his drive forward. Luke would take over the lead on lap 17, driving away from there to score the first big win of his career.
The following day was round four with Selliken back near the top, this time placing second in the qualifying session that saw the top three separated by less than three hundredths. Selliken ran second the entire 17-lap Pre-Main but was penalized 10 seconds for start infraction, dropping him to seventh on the grid for the Main Event. Putting the penalty behind him, Selliken was quick on cold tires as he moved to fourth by the completion of the first lap. Into third by lap four, he began running down the top two drivers. Once around Scalzo for second on lap 10, he set his sites on Thompson. What was sure to be a great finish with Selliken closing in on Thompson, the chain broke off Parker’s driveline as he completed lap 16 and he coasted off track. That handed Selliken the lead with Scalzo chasing. Exchanging fast laps to the end, Selliken established a large enough lead that he went on to score his second victory of the weekend.
Luke now leads the Junior Max standings by just 16 points over Scalzo as the series wraps up on March 30-April 1 at CalSpeed Karting facility in Fontana, California. Selliken is focused on Rotax Max Challenge competition with plans to finish off the Gatorz COTA, compete at the Rotax Grand Nationals and Rotax Pan American Challenge in addition to local United States RMC events.
February 2012 EKN Driver of the Month - Luke Selliken
 | Luke Selliken - EKN Driver of the Month - February 2012
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Bio
Born: June 26, 1998
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Parents: Alicia and Garron
Siblings: Emma
Height/Weight: 5’4”/107 lbs
Education: West Sylvan Middle School - 8th grade
Job: N/A
Racing Resume
Chassis: Kosmic
Engine/Engine Builder: Rolison Performance Group (RPG)
Sponsors: M Realty
Series You Compete In: Gatorz Challenge of the Americas, Rotax Grand Nationals, Rotax Pan American Challenge
Years Karting: 3
How did you get started in karting? I used to race at this little indoor track in Portland
What has been the high point in your racing career? Double wins at Gatorz Challenge of the Americas at PKRA
What are your goals in racing? To race some form of motor sports professionally
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive, Calm, Collected
Funniest moment at the race track? A driver under our tent (anonymous) running into a truck while trying to catch a fake football
Likes
Favorite Track: Pat’s Acres/PKRA
Favorite form of professional motorsports: MotoGP
Favorite karting driver: Joey Wimsett
Favorite professional driver: Aryton Senna (past) Sebastian Vettle (present)
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Faster or The Hangover
Favorite actor/actress: Will Farrell
Favorite music/group: Anything except for country music
Favorite vacation/activity spot: The track is my vacation
Favorite food: Italian Pasta
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Play video games, go to school, read, write, and hang out with my family and friends.
What are your goals outside of karting? To get good grades in high school and go to college
What type of street car do you drive? N/A
What type of street car would you like to drive? 1996 McLaren F1
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Inefficiency
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? To have it be easier to race nationally, make it more affordable
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The passing and the racing environment
February 2012 Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Oliver Askew: Florida Winter Tour - Rotax Junior double winner
- Nicholas Latifi: Florida Winter Tour - DD2 double winner
- Matias Podboj: California ProKart Challenge - S2 Buttonwillow sweep
- Robert Marks: California ProKart Challenge - S4 Buttonwillow sweep
- Curtis Paul: California ProKart Challenge - TaG Junior Buttonwillow sweep |
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