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| November 08, 2012 |
| Driver News: Blaine Rocha Claims One Last Win for Kartel Motorsports |
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 | | Blaine Rocha |
14 year old Blaine Rocha raced his way to a win in the WKA West Super Series finale at the Little Stockton 99 kart track collecting second in the KPV 2 championship. The Kartel Motorsports driver was eager to collect one last win under the Kartel banner as this was Kartel motorsports final race as a team and track support.
Kartel Motorsports was created by the friendship of Joey Hand and Erik Bartolero. With Joey's success in karting and a successful professional racecar driver and Erik's combination of karting experience and stellar coaching ability the duo's performance was enough to begin Kartel Motorsports. Kartel Motorsports has been a professional go kart team and parts store since 2006. Kartel started off as a Top Kart chassis dealer in Northern California with a few strong development driver karting stars such as Jr's representing Brenden Phinny, Neil Albricco and Sr driver Chris Scribner. After the first season concluded Kartel Motorsports collected a few regional championships as well as a Stars of Karting West Championship title which turned heads for the 2007 season. By the 2007 season opener, Kartel had multiplied their driver lineup as well as drivers from all over the west and northwest. By 2010 Kartel brought on a new chassis line in the Wild Kart Chassis for the younger drivers. In 2011, they expanded to carrying three chassis brands including the Arrow Kart chassis. Sadly, with the struggles of the economy and karting in northern California today, Kartel was forced to shut down and explore new opportunities at the end of the 2012 racing season.
Heading into the final race of the WKA West series, Blaine was determined to claim the last win before saluting to Kartel Motorsports. Blaine qualified third fastest with a quick time of 32.403 seconds nearly missing pole by .175 seconds. Motor problems struck in the heat races where Blaine held onto a fourth place finish in the first heat race and a fifth in the second heat race.
Rocha started fifth on the line up and by the second lap Blaine moved into the second position running down the leader. By lap four, Blaine stole the lead and began to pull away from the field. Mid way through the 14 lap main event, Blaine had checked out to a good size lead and never once looking back to cruise to a .536 second victory in the KPV 2 division.
"Kartel has been like family the past few years, I am very lucky to have someone like Erik to teach and mentor me. I would like to thank Sam, Les, and Buck for all there help and support. I know I wouldn't be the driver or person without all of them. Although we won't be racing together we always will be friends for life," stated Blaine Rocha.
Blaine joined Kartel Motorsports in 2009 where he was trained by both Erik and Joey. By 2010, Blaine collected a Challenge of the Americas Mini Max Championship in which he won 3 of the 6 rounds in a hard fought battle with contender Parker Thompson. In that same year Rocha won many regional and local races as a cadet as well as national wins in the CKI touring series. In 2011, Rocha moved up into Jr2 category where he competed in Tag Jr and KPV 2. He won the Skusa ProKart North Tag Jr championship title in his rookie season. Highlighting 2012 season, Blaine won the 2nd round of the Challenge of the Americas in Tucson on a last lap pass. As well as finishing 2nd in the WKA West Super series KPV 2 Championship. In 3 years under the Kartel Motorsports banner, Blaine has collected over 25 local, regional, and national race wins.
Finishing off the 2012 season, Blaine will be on the fighting line for the largest go karting race in north America the Skusa SuperNationals in Vegas, November 13-18. With Kartel Motorsports closing Blaine will be racing under the RPG Rollison Performance Group banner at the prestige karting event in a few weeks.
Moving forward, Blaine will continue to run with RPG in 2013 as well as competing 15+ races in his Legend car throughout west coast oval asphalt tracks.
Stay tuned to for 2013 announcements at http://www.BlaineRochaRacing.com
Blaine Rocha would like to thank his sponsors and supporters: Kartel Motorsports, Magnum Racing Engines, Erik Bartolero, Joey Hand, Les Hand, Sam Fries, Buck, Valley Enterprises, Masellis Drilling, Davids Racing Products and RMG Race Media Group. |
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