PR: Bounty Established for DD2 Masters at Rotax Challenge of the Americas

PR by: Challenge of the Americas

The early championship contenders have been identified following the opening two rounds of the Rotax Challenge of the Americas. Following two days of competition in January at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, a race that featured a record-breaking number of drivers, another large gathering is expected for rounds three and four at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association facility in Glendale, Arizona on February 21-23. The seven championship battles in the Rotax Max Challenge categories are underway, including the chase for the tickets to the 2014 Rotax Grand Finals tickets in the four international divisions.

Among them is the ticket for the DD2 Masters class, currently led by defending champion Alan Rudolph. The Challenge series promoter Andy Seesemann has established a $1350 bounty for any driver to beat Rudolph on-track, in either of the two main events scheduled for the second stop of the Challenge (both drivers must cross the finish line). A large portion of that bounty is the entire weekend entry fee ($1050) to the PKRA rounds, which will be returned to the winner courtesy of the Challenge. A set of practice tires ($300 value) has also been put up by the MAXSpeed Group. Rudolph currently has a six-race streak in the works, unbeaten in the last four rounds of the 2013 Challenge and the two contested thus far in 2014.

“We’ve seen the best from around the world come and race here at the Challenge,” commented Seesemann. “Aussie champion David Sera, world champion Scott Campbell and Brazilian motorsports star Felipe Fraga have all raced and won at the Challenge. In the United States, Alan Rudolph has been among the best in karting over the past few decades, and is a two-time defending Rotax Grand Nationals champion. This bounty is open to any legal DD2 Masters driver, from North America or around the world. PKRA is his ‘home’ circuit, and to beat him here would be an accomplishment. The Challenge has always been about competitive racing in all categories, and Alan is determined to finish the series perfect in 2014.”

Rudolph is not the only driver to start out the 2014 Challenge with two main event victories. Gavin Reichelt and Jak Crawford each doubled up in the win category during the opening rounds in Tucson. Both drivers were making their series debut, with Reichelt holding off a competitive field in the Energy Corse America DD2 field, while Crawford fought back both days from adversity in the Black Flag Racing Micro Max division.

Just 10 points separate the top three drivers in the Holeshot Drive Systems Senior Max standings. Defending champion Phillip Arscott leads the standings after two runner-up finishes, while Sunday winner Jake Craig sits one point behind in second ahead of Saturday winner Phil DeLaO third. It’s a one-point difference in the Rolison Performance Group Junior Max category as well, with feature winners Christian Brooks and Austin Versteeg at the top of the order.

The five-point bonus for top qualifier is all that separates John Crow and Donald Durbin Jr. in the Nash Motorsportz Masters Max standings. Crow swept Sunday’s action after placing runner-up through Saturday’s action. Saturday’s winner Durbin missed out on the top spot in qualifying, and then drove to second to Crow the following day. Jacob Blue Hudson holds a 22-point advantage in the BBR Karting Mini Max title chase after two rounds. After sweeping the opening round, Hudson ran second to Dylan Tavella on Sunday.

For a complete recap of the opening rounds at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, view the new Digital Magazine at RotaxChallenge.com.

The second stop of the Challenge is scheduled for February 21-23 at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA) facility in Glendale, Arizona. Pre-entry deadline, with all prices held at the same rates experienced in 2013, is set for February 10, 2014 for all competitors in the seven Rotax Max Challenge categories. Online registration can be found at the RotaxChallenge.com website or through a PDF Form. Rooms are still available at the host hotel – Hyatt Place Phoenix North – by using the Group Code ‘G-FTKP’ online or by phone at 1-800-233-1234. Please be advised that no overnight camping on the facility is allowed.

Continue to watch www.rotaxchallenge.com for updates as the season continues or to enter for your chance to be part of the Challenge. You can also find them at their new Facebook page by searching Rotax Challenge of the Americas.

About Rotax Challenge of the Americas:
The Rotax Challenge of the Americas series is a growing international Rotax Max Challenge series hosts over 140 drivers each weekend from all across the United States, Canada, and other surrounding countries. The six-round championship takes place from January to March with three weekend events, taking drivers to Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona with the season completing in Sonoma, California. Series champions in the four premier categories will earn tickets to the 2014 Rotax Grand Finals and the United States Rotax Grand Nationals. Click over to www.rotaxchallenge.com for more information.