Team Aluminos celebrating three podium finishes at the 2016 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix (Photo: J. Pettit)

Team Aluminos is constantly among the top contenders at the major karting events in North America, including victories at the SKUSA Pro Tour, SKUSA SuperNationals, and others over the last few seasons. One event that continues to elevate in the western half of the United States is the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix. Each year, Aluminos has fought for victories and came away with the headline victory in 2015. Another solid driver roster for Team Aluminos traveled to the southern California city for the September 24-25 event, serving as the California ProKart Challenge finale. Once again, Aluminos was at the top edge of the fields with Kiwi driver Matt Hamilton defending his victory from 2015. A second victory was added by returning driver Jonathan Allan in S4 Super Master with Jason Pettit placing runner-up in S2.

Matt Hamilton piloted his Aluminos kart to the S1 Pro Stock Moto victory (Photo: DromoPhotos.com)

Hamilton returned to the United States a year after claiming the Streets of Lancaster victory in the S1 Pro Stock Moto division. The 2013 SKUSA SuperNationals winner stayed in his native New Zealand throughout much of 2016, not competing in the Pro Tour schedule here in the United States. Hamilton elected to defend his SOLGP crown, making the long journey to the southern California city for the street race festival. Right off the trailer, Hamilton was the driver to beat by posting fast times in the two practice sessions. Matt kept the pace up in qualifying, securing the fast time with a 40.007-lap. Hamilton led all 10 laps of in both heat races to retain the pole position for the main event, which ran for the first time Saturday night under the lights. The quick and consistent pace of Hamilton and his Aluminos chassis remained in the evening, never relinquishing the top position to secured the second straight SOLGP triumph.

Jonathan Allen made a return to the Aluminos squad and the sport of karting for his first California ProKart Challenge race since February 2015. The return was a successful one, as the S4 Super Master category was all his. Allen qualified second and inherited the lead mid-way through the opening heat race. After taking the win, he led all 10 laps in Heat #2 to secure the Final pole position. Jonathan dropped back to second, setting up for a run to the finish line in the 20-lap main event. On lap 13, an issue with the leader gave back the top position to Allen, leading the remaining laps to secure his first Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix victory. Longtime Aluminos driver David Conyers joined Allen in the S4 Super Master division, and was among the contenders for a podium finish. An incident during the opening lap of the main event – very similar to a previous wreck in Lancaster – took Conyers out of the main event. Kiwi driver Tiffany Chittenden made her Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix debut in the S4 Master Stock Moto division with Aluminos. After issues in the opening heat race, she fought her way back to finish eighth against a stout S4 field.

Jonathan Allen grabbed his first Streets of Lancaster victory in the S4 Super Master division (Photo: DromoPhotos.com)

Adding to the hardware for Team Aluminos, Jason Pettit secured a podium finish in the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto division. The category ran in the same race group as S1, and like his Aluminos counterpart Hamilton, Pettit posted the fast time in qualifying. After dropping down to third at the start, Pettit settled in until contact with a barrier put him on the sidelines. That put Jason toward the back of the combined grid for the second heat. Pettit advanced his way up to fifth in class during the 10 laps to position himself back in podium contention. Jason stayed within reach of the leaders throughout the scheduled 20-lap event. Contact between the leaders on lap 19 allowed Pettit to slip through the carnage and inherit the second position, landing himself on the podium. Jacopo Pizzinato carried the Aluminos name in the S5 Junior Stock Moto division, coming off a victory at the last California ProKart Challenge event. Pizzinato was on pace for another podium finish until contact with the barriers Sunday morning damaged his kart beyond repair, ending his day early.

Aluminos is set to close out the season with support for its drivers at the Sanzura Games Karting Championship finale at Simraceway Performance Karting Center, set for October 29-30. The operation is also gearing up for the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 20, the biggest karting event in the world, set for November 16-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Aluminos S2 driver Jason Pettit scored a podium finish with a runner-up result (Photo: DromoPhotos.com)

Arrive and Driver opportunities are available in Stock Moto and TaG packages, including chassis and Stock Moto engine rental, tent space, transportation from northern California to Las Vegas, and much more. For more information regarding the Aluminos chassis, or the successful race team, visit www.aluminos.com or check them out on Facebook.

About Aluminos:

Started as a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in kart racing specific products, the Sonoma, CA based operation created its racing team toward the end of the 2007 season. Led by Rob Soares, Aluminos has put together the essential pieces to help groom drivers of any age to reach their personal goals. Driver coaches Tom Dyer and Matt Hamilton – both successful karters – teamed with their in-house Stock Moto program led by engine guru George Tavares, the Aluminos Trackside Support and Arrive & Drive program is above any other outfit in the country. The team also produces its own chassis line, the Aluminos.  Find out more at www.aluminos.com and the new www.shopaluminos.com for new and used products on-sale from the respected operation.

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