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| August 16, 2012 |
| Driver News: Harry Coulton Earns Third Place Honors at the US Rotax Grand Nationals |
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 | Harry Coulton drove to a third place podium finish at the 2012 Rotax Max Challenge United States Grand Nationals
(Photo by: Cody Schindel - CKN) |
With the 2012 Florida Winter Tour Vice-Championship title in hand, Micro Max pilot Harry Coulton would look to add US National Champion to his growing list of accomplishments. Taking to the Jet Karting of Michiana Raceway Park facility in South Bend, Indiana for the 2012 Rotax Max Challenge United States Grand Nationals this past week, the nine-year-old karter would just miss his championship goal, but would leave Indiana with a strong third place podium position in the ultra-competitive Micro Max category.
After taking home two podium finishes at the Rotax Summer Shootout at the same Jet Karting facility, Coulton entered the Grand Nationals as one of the favorites to take the title in the Micro Max class. Using the practice sessions in the early week to get his MRP/Birel entry up to speed, Coulton was set for the all-important qualifying session, which would set the grid for the three-heat race flight format. On track for a wet qualifying session Thursday, Coulton would put himself fifth on the time sheets and earn an inside third row starting position for the heats. Ending his first official on track day with the first heat, Coulton quickly moved up the field with the race for first being an intense battle between Coulton and Devin Boutot. A solid drive in difficult conditions resulted in Coulton taking the win, with his friend Boutot a close second.
Back on track Friday for the final two heats, Coulton would take on heat two on slicks for the first time in official competition. Maintaining his starting position until the halfway mark, Coulton then moved into the dice with the front four karts for the race win. Able to pass two karts working lap seven, the Lakeland, Florida resident went on to a third place finish. For the third and final heat, Coulton added a fifth place result.
Following the weeks' qualifying and heat race phases, Coulton was ranked #1 earning him the pole position for Championship Saturday's prefinal race.
With lake-effect rain hampering conditions at the South Bend facility on Saturday morning, Coulton would contest the prefinal on his Mojo rain tires. Falling to second on the start, contact from behind on lap two while going through turn seven dropped the up-and-coming star to six in the field. Recovering from the spin that resulted from the contact, Coulton would finish fourth and would line up on the outside of the second row for the all-important main event. With the rain moving out and the track now drying, the Micro Max field would duke it out for the US National title under the best conditions of the day. Moving from fourth to third on the first lap, Coulton and the fourth place driver would work together to catch the lead duo, which had pulled a slight gap on the field. By lap ten, Coulton was on the bumper of the second place driver. Despite posting times quicker than the first two drivers, Coulton would be the third driver to reach the checkered flag and would stand on the championship podium after his fantastic effort during the weeklong event.
Coulton would like to thank his supporters: Siemens, MRP Motorsport, Birel and AM Engines and would also like to congratulate the Brueckner family for their well-earned win.
For more information on Harry Coulton, please visit his website at http://www.HarryCoulton.com or use the form in the Contact page for further inquires. With Coulton's brand new website now launched, family, friends and fans can stay up-to-date as the Micro Max hot shoe continues to impress in the karting ranks and continues to follow his dreams of becoming a motorsports star. Harry is also looking to secure sponsorship opportunities and partnerships to help in this endeavor. |
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