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| October 24, 2012 |
| Team News: ART Grand Prix America Records Successful October |
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After debuting at last month’s Lancaster Grand Prix, ART Grand Prix America spent the rest of September testing in preparation for a busy October that would see the team at the track the first three weekends. The preparation paid off as the team recorded one win and four podiums in the five events they competed in. The first event saw Andrew Wiener travel to Buttonwillow Raceway Park for the IKF Region 7 Championship finale to compete in the TAG Sr. division. The turn-out was light, but the competition was strong. Andrew’s pace was very competitive through the Friday practice rounds, when towards the end of the day the primary engine seized. Switching to the back-up engine, the pace was never able to be quite the same as it was before. Andrew qualified 3rd, but battled hard throughout the heats and final to finish in 2nd with the struggling engine. After the event it was determined the backup engine had a ring failure, which contributed to the problems. Fortunately, much data was collected about the chassis and the team looked to rebound quickly.
The following week saw Team Manager Kyle Kuntze jump into the seat for his first event in over eight months and first in the ART Grand Prix chassis. Kuntze competed in the 100cc Sr. category at the CalSpeed circuit with Tri-C karters and was using the day to test different chassis set-ups for the following weekend’s LAKC event. In a field of ten drivers, the 23 year old karting veteran was able to turn in a consistent performance and sweep both heats and the main event by a large gap, “It was so much fun to get back in a kart! And then to win was great as well. I was able to test a lot of things we had been looking to try and I hope this information will help us at next weekend’s competitive LAKC event,” Kyle said following the day’s action.
The final event in the three week swing was held again at CalSpeed, but this time with the LAKC series and their final round in the championship. ART GP America would enter three drivers: Andrew and Steve Wiener in TAG Sr, as well as team mechanic Keith Dees in the Spec PRD Sr. category. Steve and Keith would both be making their debuts with the chassis. The weekend would begin with a Saturday test day and Andrew and Keith both showed very strong pace and were amongst the quickest in their respective classes. Steve Wiener was running in the TAG Sr. category for testing for next month’s SKUSA SuperNationals, but at TAG Masters weight, he would be at a severe disadvantage to his competitors. Hopes were high Sunday for the team to continue on their winning ways. Andrew Wiener got things started in fine fashion by taking pole in the very competitive TAG Sr. category that saw many drivers using the event as a test for the Supernationals. In the pre-final Andrew would jump out to a very large lead quickly, but unfortunately a broken carburetor cup forced a DNF and a last place start in the final. Driving inspired, Andrew was able to climb back to 3rd after starting last in the 12 kart field, “I knew I had to get through the field quick. I was able to get up to 3rd relatively quick, but unfortunately I overheated the tires and could only keep pace with the leaders from that point to the finish,” Wiener explained after the race. Steve Wiener made great progress all weekend and lots of different set ups were tried for the Masters driver and a baseline has been established moving into next month’s SuperNationals.
Dees would have a strong qualifying effort, placing 3rd in a very competitive 25 kart field. The racing in the Spec PRD class was fierce and aggressive. Keith fought extremely hard to finish 4th in the pre-final, “Man I haven’t raced in a year and I forgot how perfect you need to be! I made a couple of mistakes early, but calmed down and think we can battle for the win in the main,” Dees commented after the heat. The final was no calmer as tight battles were found all the way throughout the field. Luckily the CSU-Fullerton student was able to battle his way to a 4th place finish, later moved into 3rd following a technical disqualification. “I am extremely happy with this weekend. We would have loved to have captured another victory, but for Andrew to rebound from his bad luck to get back on the podium and for Keith to get on the podium after having been out of a kart for so long, I am pleased. We are carrying lots of momentum and will continue testing vigorously to be fully prepared for next month’s SKUSA Supernationals in Las Vegas,” Team Manager Kyle Kuntze stated following the event.
The next few weeks will see the team continue testing drivers for the Supernationals, as well as others looking to come on board the ART Grand Prix America program for 2013.
2013 will see the team competing almost every weekend across the country including: Florida Winter Tour, Gatorz Challenge of the Americas, Rotax Grand Nationals, SKUSA ProKart Challenge, SKUSA Pro Tour, IKF Region 7, LAKC, and Tri-C, and other individual events.
ART Grand Prix America utilizes ART Grand Prix chassis and engines prepared by D Power Racing Engines.
For Arrive-and-Drive, testing, dealer, or career inquiries please contact artgpamerica@gmail.com or call Kyle Kuntze at (858) 722-4766. |
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