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Event Page: 2015 Rotax Challenge of the Americas Round 3 – Sonoma, California
The hub for all of our content regarding this weekends Rotax Challenge of the Americas event at the Legendary Sim Raceway Karting Center in Sonoma, California
For the quickest updates and results from this weekends event, tune in to our event page. We will be updating it on the fly, posting the results as fast as we can type them, so check back often for the overall results and updates on drivers from Canada along with the daily reports and photo galleries from each class.
COTA: Rotax DD2 Championship Pushed to the Limits
There may only have been two drivers gunning for the Rotax Challenge of the Americas championship this weekend in the Rotax DD2 category as Matt Jaskol withdrew last minute, but did they ever put on a show. Entering the weekend Sabre Cook (CRG USA/CRG) held a marginal lead over Michael Ilavia (J3 Competition/COMP Kart) meaning Ilavia needed to claim near maximum points to take the title.
The epic battle that has been waged all season long, even with only a few karts on track each race, continued on Saturday where Ilavia drew first blood by taking the pole-position and five key bonus points. The Prefinal was a chess match that ended up in a drag race to the finish line, again advantage Ilavia.
While Ilavia jumped out to an early lead in the Final, the draft allowed Cook to close back in after only a handful of laps. The back and forth game of high speed chess continued with both drivers exchanging the lead nearly every lap.
Sabre Cook (c) was all smiles to finally qualify for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)
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COTA: Perfection for Diego LaRoque in Micro-Max
It started back in Tucson, Arizona two months ago where Diego LaRoque (Nash/BENIK Kart) held off his hard charging competitors to sweep the weekends Rotax Micro-Max races and jump out to an early championship lead. A month later he did the same in Phoenix, dominating one race and then one again fending off any challenge in the next. Entering this weekends Rotax Challenge of the Americas season finale, LaRoque was looking to follow up on what his teammate Jak Crawford did only one year ago, win all six races en route to the title.
Race win number five came and went with relative ease. LaRoque jumped out to an early lead and simply put, he checked out and was unchallenged all the way to the checkered flag.
Diego LaRoque was all smiled on top of the championship podium. Josh Pierson (l) and Leland Honeyman (r) finished second and third. (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)
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COTA: Inaugural Victory for Michael Michoff in Rotax Junior Finale; Sting Ray Robb is Class Champion
After all but securing the championship with his victory on Saturday, Sting Ray Robb (BBR Karting/TonyKart) blistered off the fastest lap in Sunday mornings qualifying session before declaring that he would sit out the remainder of the day to avoid any possible penalty. This opened up the doors on Championship Sunday of the Rotax Challenge of the Americas for some new drivers to step up along with the return of Nick Brueckner (Orsolon/TonyKart) who was forced to sit out Saturday’s racing.
The shake up saw Michael Michoff (RPG/Kosmic) and Annie Breidinger (VRP/Kosmic) claim the top-two positions in the PreFinal over David Ilavia (J3 Competition/COMP Kart) and Carter Herrera (RPM/TonyKart), all four of whom were still looking for their first major international victory.
The action continued in the Final as Michoff went to the early lead until he surrendered it to Ilavia before the first lap was complete. Michoff fired back on lap two with the leaders trailed by Zoey Edenholm (Kosmic), Kellen Ritter (BBR Karting/Kosmic) and Brueckner.
Sting Ray Robb celebrated the title and his invitation to compete in Portugal this November as a member of Team USA at the Rotax Grand Finals (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)
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COTA: Mason Marotta Makes a Serious Statement in Senior Max as Title Race Goes down to the Wire!
The most anticipated race of the weekend at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas 2015 season finale was also the race that capped off yet another successful year of racing for the west coast winter championship. Competing at the Sim Raceway in Sonoma, California, all eyes were on the Rotax Senior division as no less than five drivers entered the final day with a legitimate shot at the championship.
For the second day in a row the Championship contenders were separated for qualifying and it got underway with a bang as points leader Christian Brooks (Nash/TonyKart) came into contact with Jake Craig (RaceLab/Formula K) on the out lap, sending both drivers back into the hot pit for repairs.
With no drivers allowing a competitor to gain a draft, it appeared that Saturday race winner Bryce Choquer (BBR Karting/TonyKart) would earn his second pole-position of the weekend, but a last lap heroic flyer by Brendon Baker (Nash/TonyKart) just eclipsed Choquer’s time to earn the pole and the five bonus points that went with it.
Luke Selliken may not have won a race at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas, but he walked away as the Rotax Senior Champion (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)
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Click Here for Full Sunday Results
March 15, 2015
Rotax Max Senior Final
1. Mason Marotta
2. Luke Selliken *Unofficial Class Champion*
3. Christian Brooks
4. Bryce Choquer
5. Phillipe Denes
Rotax Max DD2 Final
1. Michael Ilavia *Unofficial Class Champion*
2. Sabre Cook
3. Ben Schermerhorn
Rotax Max Junior Final
1. Michael Michoff
2. Nick Brueckner
3. Zoey Edenholm
4. Annie Breidinger
5. David Ilavia
6. Kellen Ritter
25. Sting Ray Robb *Unofficial Class Champion*
Rotax Mini Max Final
1. Grant Logan
2. Sebastien Alvarez *Unofficial Class Champion*
3. Jak Crawford
4. Jonathon Portz
5. Griffin Dowler
16. Marco Kacic
Rotax Max Masters Final
1. Scott Falcone
2. Paul Bonilla *Unofficial Class Champion*
3. Billy Cleavelin
4. John Crow
5. Ken Maxfield
Rotax Micro Max Final
1. Diego LaRoque *Unofficial Class Champion*
2. Leland Honeyman
3. Ashton Torgerson
4. Carson Morgan
5. Noah Warren
March 15, 2015
Rotax Max Senior Prefinal
1. Brenden Baker
2. Louie Pagano
3. Mason Moratta
4. Phillippe Denes
5. Luke Selliken
7. Bryce Choquer
Rotax Max DD2 Prefinal
1. Michael Ilavia
2. Sabre Cook
3. Ben Schermerhorn
Rotax Max Junior Prefinal
1. Michael Michoff
2. Annie Breidinger
3. David Ilavia
4. Carter Herrera
5. Nick Brueckner
Rotax Mini Max Prefinal
1. Grant Logan
2. Jak Crawford
3. Sebastien Alvarez
4. Austin Torgerson
5. Filip Niemkiewicz
7. Griffin Dowler
8. Marco Kacic
Rotax Max Masters Prefinal
1. Billy Cleavelin
2. John Crow
3. Chad Wallace
4. Roman Alekseenkov
5. Paul Bonilla
Rotax Micro Max Prefinal
1. Diego LaRoque
2. Leland Honeyman
3. Ashton Torgerson
4. Josh Pierson
5. Carson Morgan
March 15, 2015
Rotax Max Senior Qualifying
1. Brenden Baker
2. Bryce Choquer
3. Louie Pagano
4. Luke Selliken
5. Jared Higham
Rotax Max DD2 Qualifying
1. Michael Ilavia
2. Sabre Cook
3. Ben Schermerhorn
Rotax Max Junior Qualifying
1. Sting Ray Robb
2. Nick Brueckner
3. David Ilavia
4. Kellen Ritter
5. Michael Michoff
Rotax Mini Max Qualifying
1. Sebastien Alvarez
2. Grant Logan
3. Filip Niemkiewicz
4. Jak Crawford
5. Austin Torgerson
7. Griffin Dowler
9. Marco Kacic
Rotax Max Masters Qualifying
1. Scott Falcone
2. Paul Bonilla
3. Chad Wallace
4. John Crow
5. Billy Cleavelin
Rotax Micro Max Qulifying
1. Diego Laroque
2. Leland Honeyman
3. Noah Warren
4. Josh Pierson
5. Ashton Torgerson
COTA: Another Win for Robb as Ritter Makes it a BBR 1-2
Championship weekend got underway on Saturday as the Rotax Challenge of the Americas rolled into the heart of wine country to the SIM Raceway Karting Center in Sonoma, California for the third and final round of the west coast winter championship. Before things even got underway, a little controversy was found in the paddock as two drivers failed technical inspection following the final round of practice. An engine builder was caught adding a substance to the fuel and series officials came down hard on the two drivers, sitting them out of Saturday’s competition and ultimately ending their chances at their respective class championships. One of the sidelined drivers was Rotax Junior Nick Brueckner (Orsolon/TonyKart) forcing him to watch his friends and competitors compete from the sidelines.
Sting Ray Robb leading the field in Sonoma. Photos © Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com 2015
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COTA: Choquer Erupts with Rotax Senior Win on Saturday
Championship weekend got underway on Saturday as the Rotax Challenge of the Americas rolled into the heart of wine country to the SIM Raceway Karting Center in Sonoma, California for the third and final round of the west coast winter championship. Before things even got underway, a little controversy was found in the paddock as two drivers failed technical inspection following the final round of practice. An engine builder was caught adding a substance to the fuel and series officials came down hard on the two drivers, sitting them out of Saturday’s competition and ultimately ending their chances at their respective class championships. Once the action got underway it was Canadian Bryce Choquer (BBR Karting/TonyKart) who led the way in Rotax Senior Qualifying. The grid was split into two groups allowing the four championship contenders to have clear track, but none were able to better the time posted by Choquer.
Saturday Winner Bryce Choquer. Photo © Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com 2015
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Click Here for Full Saturday Results
Rotax Max Senior Final
After another action packed final in the Rotax Senior category Canadian Bryce Choquer was able to take the win in a three wide finish ahead of Luke Selliken, and Christian Brooks. Brendan Baker finished in fourth ahead of Jake Craig, who had the lead late in the race but lost it after he was caught out by the top four finishers from a pass made by Brooks for the lead with four to go.
- Bryce Choquer
- Luke Selliken
- Christian Brooks
- Brendan Baker
- Jake Craig
Rotax Max DD2 Final
- Michael Ilavia
- Sabre Cook
- Ben Schermerhorn
Rotax Max Junior Final
Sting Ray Robb held off his BBR karting teammate, Kellen Ritter to take the victory in the Junior Final. Ritter had a great race as he improved quite a lot from the prefinal to drive up to the field. Trey Brown wound up third followed by Annie Breidinger and Michael Michoff.
- Sting Ray Robb
- Kellen Ritter
- Trey Brown
- Annie Breidinger
- Michael Michoff
Rotax Mini Max Final
It was a wild one in the closing laps in the Mini Max Final as a four kart battle led to an chaotic finish. Payton Durant took the win after contact out front allowed him to get by Jak Crawford and Sebastian Alvarez. Austin Torgeson was second followed by Grant Logan, Hannah Greenemier, and Sebastien Alvarez.
- Payton Durant
- Austin Torgeson
- Grant Logan
- Hannah Greenemier
- Sebastiean Alvarez
Rotax Max Masters Final
Scott Falcone drove to a three second win in the Masters main event as he completed a perfect day of racing, taking the pole, as well as the prefinal and final wins. Points leader Paul Bonilla came home second ahead of championship rival John Crow. Ken Maxfield rebounded from a poor prefinal to take fourth with Chad Wallace completing the top five.
- Scott Falcone
- Paul Bonilla
- John Crow
- Ken Maxfield
- Chad Wallace
Rotax Micro Max Final
Diego LaRoque’s dominance continues in Micro Max as he took his fifth staight final win of the year in the category. The battle for second was close as Josh Pierson and Leland honeyman had a photo finish with Pierson taking the spot. Aston Torgerson was fourth with Carson Morgan finishing in fifth.
- Diego LaRoque
- Josh Pierson
- Leland Honeyman
- Ashton Torgerson
- Carson Morgan
Rotax Max Senior Prefinal
Christian Brooks took the win in the Prefinal to extend his lead in the Championship battle. Brendan Baker had a late race charge to take second ahead of Jake Craig who continues to settle in to the Formula K chassis. Luke Selliken was fourth ahead of Pole winner Bryce Choquer.
- Christian Brooks
- Brendan Baker
- Jake Craig
- Luke Selliken
- Blake Choquer
Rotax Max DD2 Prefinal
Michael Ilavia took the win in the prefinal after battling back and forth with Sabre Cook.
- Michael Ilavia
- Sabre Cook
- Ben Schermerhorn
Rotax Max Junior Prefinal
After action packed race at the front of the field Sting Ray Robb took the win ahead of Trey Brown and Annie Breidinger. Carter Herrara lead most of the race but contact between himself and Breidinger sent the BirelArt driver out of contention for the win. Steve Puigsley and David Ilavia completed the top five.
- Sting Ray Robb
- Trey Brown
- Annie Breidinger
- Steve Puisley Jr.
- David Ilavia
- Kellen Ritter
Rotax Max Mini Max Prefinal
It was a great prefinal for the boys at PSL West as Sebastian Alveraz, Grant Logan, and Filip Niemkiewicz had a 1-2-3 finish at Sim Raceway. Austin Torgerson had a good run taking fourth right behind the PSL West drivers. Payton Durant was the performer of the race however as we went from an 18th starting spot to take fifth with the fastest lap of the race. Pole sitter Jak Crawford dropped to ninth on the start and was only able to rebound to sixth.
- Sebastien Alvarez
- Grant Logan
- Filip Niemkiewicz
- Austin Torgerson
- Payton Durant
10. Marco Kacic
13. Griffin Dowler
Rotax Max Masters Prefinal
Scott Falcone was able to convert his Pole position to a prefinal win in the Rotax Masters category. John Crow was on a mission after taking second from his fifth place starting spot to finish ahead of championship rival Paul Bonilla. Veteran Masters driver Billy Cleavelin had a great start in the prefinal taking second behind Falcone but would drop to fourth by the end of the race.
- Scott Falcone
- John Crow
- Paul Bonilla
- Billy Cleavelin
- Chad Wallace
Rotax Micro Max Prefinal
Diego LaRoque took holeshot in the Prefinal as Ashton Torgeson was right behind the leader’s bumper. LaRoque would eventually pull away from Torgerson who went from being the hunter to the hunted as Leland Honeyman, Josh Pierson and Carson Morgan were all in pursuit. Pierson, who started the race at the tail end of the grid, got by Torgerson for second on Lap 4 with the TonyKart pilot slotting back into third. The next lap by Honeyman got loose coming out of Tic-Tac-Toe which allowed Morgan and Noah Warren to get by.
- Diego LaRoque
- Josh Pierson
- Ashton Torgerson
- Carson Morgan
- Noah Warren
BBR Karting’s Bryce Choquer confirmed to CKN today that he will compete in the opening round of the Rotax Euro Challenge in France with the PDB/Gillard team, therefore he will race the chassis this weekend in Sonoma, California. A photo posted by CanadianKartingNews.com (@ckn_live) on
March 14, 2015
Rotax Max Senior Qualifying
1. Bryce Choquer
2. Luke Selliken
3. Christian Brooks
4. Jared Highman
5. Brendon Baker
Rotax Max DD2 Qualifying
1. Sabre Cook
2. Ben Schermerhorn
3. Michael Ilavia
Rotax Max Junior Qualifying
1. Carter Herrea
2. Mason Cohen
3. Sting Ray Robb
4. David Ilavia
5. Michael Michoff
10. Kellen Ritter
Rotax Mini Max Qualifying
1. Jak Crawford
2. Grant Logan
3. Sebastian Alvarez
4. Austin Torgerson
5. Griffin Dowler
10 Marco Kacic
Rotax Max Masters Qualifying
1. Scott Falcone
2. Paul Bonilla
3. Billy Cleavelin
4. Ken MAxfield
5. John Crow
Micro Max Qualifying
1. Diego LaRoque
2. Ashton Torgerson
3. Leland Honeyman
4. Noah Warren
5. Carson Morgan
