|
 |
| July 30, 2012 |
| Team News: Russell Karting Specialties/Parolin Score Podiums at SKUSA SummerNationals |
| |
The Russell Karting Specialties operation contested the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SummerNationals (July 20-22) at the Miller Motorsports Park. The Tooele, Utah facility welcomed eight drivers all piloting the Italian-manufactured Parolin chassis line, all powered by the popular IAME Parilla Leopard engine. The combination of the experienced race team with the chassis/engine combination equated into three podium finishes in the TaG Master category from Chuck Gafrarar and Jim Russell Jr.
Gafrarar and Russell led the way for the team in the TaG Master class all weekend long. Both qualified inside the top-four, running there throughout the day for round three. Gafrarar - the defending Florida Winter Tour TaG Master champion - was running second with Russell in third during the first half of the main event until Russell’s engine expired while pushing Gafrarar for a number of laps trying to close in on the leader. Gafrarar would go on to finish second to match his best finish of the season. The following day in round four saw the same four drivers battling up front, including Chuck and Jim. The duo found themselves again in the hunt for the win, running second and third for much of the main event to put Russell Karting Specialties/Parolin on the podium once again. The second place finish was Gafrarar’s third in four races to place him second in the title chase leaving Utah. For Russell, it was his second trip to the third step of the podium this season, placing him eighth in the championship standings.
 | Both Chuck Gafrarar and Jim Russell Jr. stood on the podium in TaG Master on Sunday
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Rounding out the TaG Master roster for the team were Chris Koster and Phil Kirby. Koster had to overcome issues both days. On Saturday, the Arkansas driver came from the tail of the field at the start of heat two to end the day in the ninth position. Nearly into the top-10 on Sunday, Koster was involved in a wreck that sent him to the tail of the field, eventually finishing 13th, placing him 10th in the point standings. Ocala Gran Prix TaG Master champion Phil Kirby made his Pro Tour debut on the weekend, showing speed for much of the weekend. On Saturday, Phil ran as high as 11th until his engine shut off with just a few laps remaining. Sunday faired much better as Kirby improved to finish in the 11th position.
TaG Senior driver Aaron Telitz recorded his best Pro Tour weekend results thus far, running inside the top-10 of the nearly 40-kart field. Telitz had to climb from a poor qualifying result on Saturday, advancing from 27th to end the main event in ninth, posting the fifth quickest lap time in the feature race. Aaron battled inside the top-10 through Sunday’s heat races and was making his way forward in the main event when contact sent him off-track. Able to rejoin, Telitz found himself back in 26th. With quick work and a fast Parolin/IAME package, Aaron drove up to 12th place in the 20-lap event.
Completing the Russell Karting Specialties roster on the weekend was a trio of Pro Tour rookies making their first starts - Nick Martin, Wyatt Maness, and James Russell. Martin led the trio with a best finish of 14th in Sunday’s main event. Maness placed 16th and 17th in the two feature races while fourth generation driver Russell was 23rd both days in his first national level event.
To find out more about Russell Karting Specialties or the Parolin chassis brand - in addition to Dunlop tire, IAME engines, and the many other product lines available, visit http://www.russellkarting.com or contact Jim Russell, Jr. via phone 816-322-3330 and by email to jimjr@russellkarting.com
 | | TaG Senior driver Aaron Telitz had his best Pro Tour weekend to date (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
About Russell Karting Specialties:
Russell Karting Specialties opened its doors in 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri - founded by George Russell. The company has grown to be one of the largest suppliers for karting products in North America. Now based in Raymore, MO, Russell Karting Specialties is the exclusive Dunlop Kart Racing tire importer and distributor for Parolin chassis, IAME engines, IBEA carburetors, Semel Tire Machines and many other products to get you on the track. Learn more about the products and services - including IAME engine rentals along with Parolin Arrive-and-Drive packages for the SKUSA SuperNationals - visit http://www.russellkarting.com |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
