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| July 07, 2012 |
| Team News: DeFrancesco Victorious at Jet Karting Rotax Shootout |
 | Devlin DeFrancesco stole show on Sunday at the JET Karting Rotax Summer Shootout
(Photo: KartPix.net - Chris Walker) |
NORTH LIBERTY, IND. (July 6, 2012) - Fresh off their return from Europe and in preparation for the upcoming United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals, DeFrancesco Racing drivers Devlin and Lachlan DeFrancesco traveled north to the Hoosier State for the annual Rotax Summer Shootout, hosted this year by Jet Karting. Taking place in North Liberty, Ind., Lachlan, in only his second Rotax Mini Max race ran consistently in the top-10 while older brother Devlin stole the show on Sunday for a dominating victory.
Enjoying a few days off in Canada after their return from the latest WSK Euro Series event, the DeFrancesco duo looked to get back to their winning ways. Progressing through the unofficial test day without any problems, the entire team was looking to get started with qualifying and the first wheel-to-wheel sessions of the weekend.
Saturday morning started of the official event weekend with qualifying setting the grid for the late morning prefinal. Looking to start his weekend off strong, Devlin clocked the third quickest lap in the session, while Lachlan claimed the fifth quickest time. Starting inside row two and three for the heat race, the Bernard Richards Manufacture sponsored pilots looked to work together to get to the front of the field.
While the main goal of the weekend was finding the necessary speed to make a bid for the national championship in early August, DeFrancesco Racing tried different chassis setups to find the best optimization for their drivers. Falling slightly in the heat race, Devlin claimed the fourth position while Lachlan fell to seventh. With little improvement in the main event, Devlin held station with another fourth place effort with Lachlan crossing the stripe in the eighth position.
"Saturday was a little disappointing results wise for our drivers," expressed Nick Mitchell, Driver Coach for both Devlin and Lachlan DeFrancesco. "We tried different chassis setups and will work hard tomorrow (Sunday) to improve on these."
Sunday provided a carbon copy schedule to Saturday with a morning warm-up session followed by qualifying, prefinal and main event. Looking to greatly improve from Saturday's results, Devlin improved on his qualifying effort to score the second quickest lap of the session and an outside front-row starting position. Lachlan turned the seventh fastest time of the session and started the prefinal from inside row four as he looked to gain the necessary racing experience to challenge for race wins later this season.
Focusing on the afternoon's main event, both pilots looked to secure solid heat race results that provided them good starting spots for Sunday's feature. Devlin again battled near the pointy end of the field as he managed to receive the checkers in the third position. Lachlan showed great improvement in his race craft and consistency as he managed to gain positions throughout out the race. Falling slightly before the checkered flag flew, Lachlan claimed a sixth place finish.
Determined to score the race win, Devlin quickly attacked for the top spot at the drop of the green flag. Wanting to get out front and break away from the field, the elder of the DeFrancesco's was looking to stay out of trouble. While Lachlan battled mid pack with national level front-runners, Devlin stole the show and went on to a commanding victory to top the blocks at the Jet Karting Rotax Max Challenge Summer Shootout. Lachlan engaged in a battle all race long as he finished in the seventh position.
"We consistently improved our chassis and engine combinations throughout the race weekend which is a great sign moving forward. This was a testing weekend for us but once the green flag drops, everyone wants to win. Devlin showed that he will be a threat to take the US National Championship later this year while Lachlan will be a contender for a podium result. The entire DeFrancesco Racing Team is looking to get back to the Jet Karting facility in August."
Taking no time off, DeFrancesco Racing will head back north of the border this weekend to take part in charity event at Toronto's IndyCar event dubbed the Kart Stars Grand Prix of Toronto. In a format that will see some of today's best karters as well as Bay Street executives battle it out in front of IndyCar fans, competitors will contest on a seven corner, bullring designed course that will provide unlimited wheel-to-wheel competition.
Both French watch manufacturer B.R.M, as well as driver mentor and DFR supporter Tony Kanaan, are pleased with both Devlin and Lachlan's results and attitude towards winning. While B.R.M is new to the DeFrancesco racing program, Tony Kanaan has been a strong supporter of the team since early in 2012 and keeps up to date with all DFR's race results and progress. While focusing on his own racing during event weekends, Kanaan checks in via Twitter and text to see how the boys are doing and encourages them to keep working harder.
"I was very impressed by the DeFrancesco brothers since the first day we met during the winter here in Florida. They are quick and always drive a smart race, which is not something that you often see in young racers." IndyCar star Tony Kanaan said. "In addition to that, both Devlin and Lachlan are very well spoken and they understand the importance of the sponsors in the racing business. That is extremely important if you want to pursue a true racing career," Kanaan concluded.
For more information on Bernard Richards Manufacture, please visit them online http://www.brm-manufacture.com
For more information on DeFrancesco Racing, please contact Andy DeFrancesco via e-mail to Info@DFRUSA.com or visit them online at http://www.DFRUSA.com. For more information on Devlin DeFrancesco, please visit him online at http://www.DevlinDeFrancesco.com. For real time updates from DFR Racing and Devlin DeFrancesco live trackside, please follow them on Twitter at @DFR_USA and @DevlinD00.
For information on press releases or other media services offered by Race Tech Development, please contact Mike Maurini via e-mail at Info@RaceTechDevelopment.com or 317.270.8723. Race Tech Development can also be found on Twitter at @RaceTechDvlp as well as Facebook at their Race Tech Development Fan Page. |
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