After closing out the Rotax Challenge of the Americas (COA) series on the west coast a few weeks ago, three PSL Atlantic pilots would contest the final rounds of the 2013 Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT). The Fredericton, New Brunswick operation would make the trek down to the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida this past weekend, taking in a mix of sunny weather and spring showers, all while the PSL Atlantic team would find their familiar spots at the front of the field.
Leading the charge for PSL Atlantic was Phoenix resident Alan Rudolph. Recently earning the COA Rotax DD2 Masters championship title and his place on Team USA for 2013, Rudolph would take in some east coast action during the FWT finale. Starting off official competition with Friday’s qualifying sessions, which set grids for Saturday and Sunday’s wheel-to-wheel action, Rudolph would clock fourth quick in both sessions as he took on three former world champions in the category. Saturday saw the reigning Florida Winter Tour DD2 Masters champ post fourths across the board. A wet final on Sunday produced a victory for the karting legend, as Rudolph was able to run unchallenged to the checkers. Rudolph was also honoured on Sunday as the recipient of the Dan Wheldon/FWT Karting Ambassador Award.
After contesting the Rotax Senior division for the first two weekends of the FWT, PSL Atlantic sponsored driver Fritz Leesmann would take in some DD2 action in Ocala. Fresh off his COA Rotax DD2 championship title and Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) invite, Leesmann would make steady progress against the deeply talented DD2 field at the FWT. Clocking seventh in both qualifying sessions on Friday, Leesmann would finish fifth in both the prefinal and final during Saturday’s action. Sunday saw the karting standout move up to third in the prefinal. Torrential rains in the final allowed Leesmann to showcase his wet weather skills, as he was able to move up to second and earn a podium finish to finish his FWT campaign.
Nathan Kelly would use his one-off FWT event to take on the stacked field of Rotax Senior competitors. Posting solid results in the qualifying sessions, Kelly would endure a penalty in Saturday’s prefinal, putting him last on the grid for the feature race. Powering through the field, Kelly managed to pass a staggering 20 karts to finish a respectable 14th overall. Sunday’s prefinal proved more successful for Kelly, as he was able to move into the top-15 before falling back to 22nd in the final race.
“I am really proud of all our drivers’ efforts this weekend,” noted PSL Atlantic team principal Mike Dobbelsteyn. “To come home with a victory and a podium finish in our one-off event at this year’s Florida Winter Tour is truly an accomplishment. Also, congratulations must go out to Alan for being named the recipient of the Dan Wheldon/FWT Karting Ambassador Award. Alan is a class act and very much deserving of this special honour.”
PSL Atlantic will now being preparations for the remainder of the 2013 karting season, as well as the start the Canadian karting season.
For more information in PSL Atlantic or to inquire on team driver opportunities with the PSL Atlantic team, please call Mike Dobbelsteyn at 506-458-9357 or email mdobbelsteyn@dobbelsteyns.nb.ca.
