EKN Trackside - 2012 Rotax Grand Finals - Team USA

David Cole · Last edited by David Cole on Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:12 am, edited 1 time in total

Next week, the best 'Rotaxians' from around the world will travel to Portimao, Portugal for the 2012 edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve will be the location for this year's event as the world champions in Senior Max, Junior Max, DD2 and DD2 Masters will be crowned.

eKartingNews.com will be trackside beginning Sunday following the kart raffle and in time to watch Team USA build their karts in preparation for practice on Monday. Throughout the week in Portugal, we will be providing in-depth updates on each of the 19 drivers representing the Red, White and Blue.

Many are already traveling to Portugal now, and we are excited to meet up with the entire Team USA Sunday.

For complete coverage, make sure to visit the EKN Event Page: http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=21242
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David Cole · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:07 am Post subject:

All four previews are now available to read in the EKN Event Page. The EKN staff is currently making their way to Portugal to join Team USA Sunday afternoon. Drivers and mechanics are getting to view the course for the first time today, take out some rental karts, and begin preparation on-site toward becoming a Rotax World Champion.
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Rob Howden · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:24 am Post subject:

EKN Trackside Live: Monday Paddock Notes

Good morning, Rotax fans! The 2013 Rotax World Finals is now officially underway as drivers have taken to the track for the first round of non-qualifying practice. Each driver will get one 20-minute session today to enjoy their first taste of the layout. They'll each get two 15-minutes sessions tomorrow in which to really start searching for speed.

The track was a little damp as the sessions got underway, although a solid dry line developed quickly. The track looks very quick, and overtaking opportunities are plenty. Most drivers expect lots of action.

The weather for the week looks good with temperatures in the high 50s, and the only day that shows any chance of rain is Friday, and that's just 20%.

I'm going to head into the paddock now to chat with the drivers. Our plan for the week will include insider info from the paddock, lots of photos, video and audio interviews, and daily reports, beginning on Wednesday evening with coverage of qualifying. If you have any questions, just post them here and we'll do what we can to chase down the answers.
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Tom Sidoti · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:17 am Post subject: live timing

Do we know when Live timing and scoring might be up Razz

David Cole · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:42 am Post subject: Re: live timing

David Cole · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:49 am Post subject:

EKN Trackside: Monday Practice Notes

Many of the drivers are using a common word to describe the track here in Portugal...fast! The 1.531km (0.95-mile) course is wide open in the first sector of the track, sector two is tight with three technical in the first portion then opens up leading up to the the front straight. The track has some elevation, but as a spectator it's tough to view the entire course. Talking with Senior driver Louie Pagano, it reminded him of Moran Raceway in California - no longer in existence.

The Juniors were first on track with a best time in the 1:03 range. The Seniors were in the 1:01 mark. DD2 Masters and DD2 will be in the 1:00 area for now. I’m sure when qualifying happens on Wednesday, times will be quicker as drivers, karts, and the engines get adjusted to the circuit.

There was no official timing today as it was more of a break-in 20 minute session for each of the four classes, split into eight groups. All engines were set with a standard jet and gearing, while drivers could adjust from the initial setup of the chassis to begin with. With just one set of tires available for the 1 hour 5 minute practice allotted for each driver, tire management is a must before things get serious when qualifying hits.

With 19 drivers racing for Team USA, there has been a lot of communication between drivers and mechanics, along with the help of all the Ocala Gran Prix staff on hand. GoPro footage and lap times were a common discussion around the pit area for the United States, discussing the different corners and also the shift points for the DD2 category.

Tomorrow continues practice with two 15-minute sessions for all drivers. Live timing will be available (link published on EKN Event Page), so we will see come 10:20am (5:20am Eastern Standard Time) just who are the drivers in the hunt.

We will have the top-five from every practice session posted here and on our Facebook/Twitter accounts, along with the results of the Team USA drivers of that session. A full breakdown of the 19 drivers will be published later that day.
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David Cole
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Ken Johnson · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject:

The track certainly is fast. There are two decently long straights with a gentle flat-out kink in the middle. The rest of the track flows real well and appears very smooth. The curbs are pretty low so driving over them is no problem.

After three days of celebrations, parties and chassis building, the drivers were so happy to finally get out on track today and feel the track for real in their own karts. The Team USA suits from K1 look fantastic. I have to say we have the best looking suits of all the teams this year.

There will be live timing available and a live broadcast as well. Starting November 28th, the link will be http://rgf-2012.kart-data.com/

As you know, David will be keeping everyone up-to-date on all the action from the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. For additional insight into the event, including video interviews with the drivers, please go to the GoRotax Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gorotax). Be sure to "Like" the page if you haven't already.
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David Cole · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:58 am Post subject:

EKN Trackside Live: Tuesday Morning Update

Good morning from Portugal. It's a bright sunshine beaming down on the Kartodromo Internactional do Algarve today as the 19 drivers from Team USA are preparing for two 15-minute sessions today. Following yesterday's 20-minute break-in session, today the timing program is on and we get the first taste of official lap times for all four categories. We will have an idea as to where Team USA stacks up against the best in the world, and prepare for Wednesday's qualifying session.

We will have the top five of every session posted here and on facebook/twitter, along with where the Team USA drivers are in those groups. Later today, we will break down each driver to see where they are in the event, and what they are looking toward for tomorrow.
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David Cole
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 3:40 am Post subject:

Junior Odd Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Bruno Borlido - 1:02.716
2. Thomas Preining - 1:02.966
3. Janneau Esmeijer - 1:03.027
4. Parker Thompson - 1:03.039
5. Nuno Sousa - 1:03.137

P14 Oliver Askew (USA) - 1:03.379
P26 Juan Manuel Correa (USA) - 1:03.766

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 3:58 am Post subject:

Junior Even Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Ross Gunn - 1:02.666
2. Andrey Iatcenko - 1:02.676
3. Marino Sato - 1:02.781
4. Harry Webb - 1:02.810
5. Patrik Pastorok - 1:02.865

P6 Santino Ferrucci (USA) - 1:02.944
P21 Ashley Rogero (USA) - 1:03.461

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:18 am Post subject:

Senior Odd Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Harrison Scott - 1:01.517
2. Ukyo Sasahara - 1:01.602
3. Nicolai Nielsen - 1:01.616
4. Philiip Morin - 1:01.647
5. Pierce Lehane - 1:01.723

P16 Ben Beasley (USA) - 1:02.133
P24 Phil De La O (USA) - 1:02.431

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:40 am Post subject:

Senior Even Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Alexander Zenkin - 1:01.585
2. Alexis Araujo - 1:01.641
3. Charlie Eastwood - 1:01.750
4. Pedro Paixao - 1:01.766
5. Joseph Mawson - 1:01.816

P12 Louie Pagano (USA) - 1:02.005
P13 Danny Formal (USA) - 1:02.020
P18 Andrew Palmer (USA) - 1:02.084

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:59 am Post subject:

DD2 Masters Odd Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Guy Pansart - 1:00.284
2. Goncalo Gaivao - 1:00.377
3. Cristiano Morgado - 1:00.501
4. Harri Salminen - 1:00.692
5. Florent Lambert - 1:00.777

P9 John Crow (USA) - 1:00.906
P10 Rene Martinelli (USA) - 1:00.995
P13 Johnny Blair (USA) - 1:01.227
P23 Bill Lester (USA) - 1:01.621

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 5:18 am Post subject:

DD2 Masters Even Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Henry Martin - 1:00.446
2. Christophe Adams - 1:00.608
3. Martin Pierce - 1:00.612
4. Igor Mukhin - 1:00.634
5. Thomas Schumacher - 1:00.779

P19 Alan Rudolph (USA) - 1:01.241
P26 Mike Jones (USA) - 1:01.491

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 5:39 am Post subject:

DD2 Odd Numbers - Practice 2 Top-Five

1. Cody Hodgson (USA) - 59.822
2. Xen De Ruwe - 59.857
3. Joey Wismett (USA) - 59.915
4. Ben Cooper - 59.925
5. Eduardo Leitao - 59.938

P18 Kristina Vorndran (USA) - 1:00.450