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| Features |
| Event Page: 2011 Pan American Rotax Max Challenge Championship Event |
2011 Pan American Rotax Max Challenge
Championship Event
September 22-25, 2011
New Castle Motorsports Park
New Castle, Indiana
For the Official Discussion Thread, click HERE.
For a photo gallery from the event, courtesy of EKN.ca photographer Cody Schindel, click HERE.
 | Bill Wright presents Canadian RMC representative Michel Boisclair with the Nation's Cup trophy
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
SUNDAY REPORT
September 25
Putting on a dominant display at the final day of the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge championship event, presented by RDD Motorsports and DeFrancesco Racing, Canada was nearly untouchable at the rain-soaked New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana. A favorite heading into the event, Canada would walk away with the elusive Nation’s Cup trophy, a feature award at this international event and claim all seven of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals transfer spots, smothering their United States rivals as well all of the other countries represented.
Rain had moved into the New Castle, Indiana area, setting the perfect stage for a very interesting Championship Sunday. Heavy rains were forecasted for later in the afternoon, with Pan Am officials moving the schedule up to try and avoid the deluge. Umbrellas and rain suits were the order of the day, along with slick conditions and spinning karts. Prefinal racing would set the grid for the championship finals, with drivers laying it all on the line – the wet line that is – to secure Pan Am championship titles. No one could have asked for more action, more surprises or even more rain on Sunday but the final day of the event was certainly one for the ages, as the international competition was at its peak despite the challenging conditions. Canada came out on top not only as a nation, but also claimed three Pan Am titles along the way as they were the class of the field in the wet.
Full Story
 | 2011 Canadian National champion Jesse Lazare took two heat wins which earned the pole in the Junior class
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
SATURDAY REPORT
September 24
Rain started off the second day of the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge championship event, setting up an interesting day of ever-changing weather conditions for drivers and mechanics alike. After taking to the track for a wet morning warm-up and the day looking like it could dry up, entrants endured a wet or misty heat one that surely sent the parc ferme into a frenzy of tire changing. After a quick lunch break, the sun began to peek through the mostly cloudy sky for the second heat with winds really beginning to pick up for the third and final on-track session of the day. The tricky conditions made for some great heat race action, as clear favorites emerged in some classes while some were left with ground to make up during tomorrow’s prefinal leading up to the race everyone has been waiting for, the championship final.
Full Story
 | Jamaica's Justin Sirgany rose to the top during qualifying in the Micro Max sponsored by Keane Racing-Homestead Karting category
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group) |
FRIDAY REPORT
September 23
The first day of fall greeted racers with cool and damp conditions at the New Castle Motorsports Park facility just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana for the 2011 Pan American Rotax Max Challenge championship event, presented by RDD Motorsports and DeFrancesco Racing. Sun began to peek out from the gray clouds during the morning hours, which made way for a comfortable afternoon at the famed one-mile circuit. Drivers who ran the four necessary qualifying races during 2011 took to the track for the first day of official action for the pinnacle Rotax Max event in the Americas. Three official timed non-qualifying practice sessions where followed by the official qualifying practice, which will set the grid for tomorrow’s three heat races. The morning saw the paddock hunkering down to escape the chill in the air, but come qualifying time, a buzz started to fill the air as the sun began to warm things up. With qualifying key to ensuring a solid start for the heats, drivers put it all on the line attempting to master the 17-corner technical layout.
Full Story
 | Zacharie Richard-Robichon
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media |
EVENT PREVIEW
September 22
All season long karters from across the Americas have been inundated with the question, “Are you qualified?” Well, it all comes down to this weekend as qualified drivers will descend upon the New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana for the 2011 Pan American Rotax Max Challenge championship event, presented by RDD Motorsports and DeFrancesco Racing. This is the pinnacle event of Rotax Max racing in the Americas.
Now in its second year, the Pan Am series was totally revamped for 2011 and the numbers alone speak to the success of the new program. Over 300 drivers from nine countries have qualified for the championship event, and with eight countries represented at the finale along with a host of reigning and former World, Florida Winter Tour (FWT) and National champions participating, fields will be stacked and competition will be at its peak. Drivers will be competing for an array of amazing awards as a total of seven direct transfer spots to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) will be awarded to the top two finishers in Sunday’s final in Senior, Junior and DD2, along with one spot in DD2 Masters. Adding to the awards program, Formula Kart Productions will provide the top three in Mini Max with Sony PSPs while Micro Max podium finishers will each score a Nintendo 3DS. Similar to the Grand Finals, the Pan American Challenge will also award a Nation’s Cup to the country with the highest cumulative point tally among the eight represented, and there are three countries with a realistic shot at the title.
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