Super Sunday has arrived at the Rotax Pan American Challenge in New Orleans, Louisiana! The final day of competition at NOLA Motorsports Park was once again held under very hot and humid conditions as drivers hit the track seeking victories and final tickets to next months Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, held back here in New Orleans.
Thirty-five drivers entered the Rotax Mini-Max class this week, and there has been no shortage of talent on display. In any given heat or race, there have been many drivers capable of winning, and even more putting on a show of great racing.
The Final saw an eight kart battle for the lead in which nobody could break away. First it was polesitter Aiden Keel (Birel) of the leading with Sting Ray Robb (Kosmic) second and David Malukas (Top Kart) third, all three from the USA. Some shuffling would see Malukas move to the lead with Robb now second and the two would hook up and pull a small gap. But a failed pass for the lead would slow both drivers up and allow the group to reel them back in. After falling to fourth, Keel worked his way back to second and in doing so allowed Robb to pull a two kart-length lead with only two laps remaining.
Inching closer as the checkered flag neared, Keel had found the bumper of Robb entering the tough chicane section of the final lap. A block by Robb down the back straight meant Keel needed to try the outside. Drag racing into the final sector of the track, Keel held the outside to take the lead and hold on for the victory, a great final couple laps for the American driver.
With our Canadians starting deep in the field, they would all race within the same group through the final. Making it up 15 spots, Michael d’Orlando (TonyKart) would finish ninth with his teammate Roman DeAngelis behind him in tenth, while Griffin Dowler (TonyKart) capped off a rough weekend with a fourteenth place result.
