Heading into the finale rounds of the 2013 Rotax Challenge of the Americas (COA), PSL Atlantic team drivers Alan Rudolph and Fritz Leesmann held command of their respective class championships. Taking on the CalSpeed Karting facility in Fontana, California, both were able to leave with championship titles and the coveted tickets to the 2013 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF).
“Both Alan and Fritz have been the class of their fields during action in the 2013 Rotax Challenge of the Americas,” explained PSL Atlantic team principal Mike Dobbelsteyn. “To have them earn the championship titles and the first tickets to the Rotax Grands is a true testament to their driving abilities and sportsmanship. I am proud to have them represent PSL Atlantic and the CRG brand.”
Missing out on the DD2 Masters pole position to kick off the weekend, karting legend Alan Rudolph was able to power back in Saturday’s wheel-to-wheel action. Placing first in class and second overall in the combined DD2/DD2 Masters category in both the prefinal and final, Rudolph was able to secure the provisional title with his fourth series win.
With the title in hand and a second consecutive berth on Team USA secured, Rudolph went on to sweep Sunday’s events in the DD2 Masters class to complete his inaugural COA campaign. Putting PSL Atlantic on the top step of the podium for the fifth time as well as for the overall championship, Rudolph proved once again his dominance in the Masters field.
Reigning COA DD2 class champion Fritz Leesmann was able to also continue his dominance in the DD2 category. Sweeping the day on Saturday with pole position, prefinal and final wins as well as fast laps in each, Leesmann did not have enough of a buffer to secure the provisional title and would need to put his PSL Atlantic/CRG entry on top during Sunday’s finale.
With a second consecutive title in sight, as well as the Team USA invite, Leesmann was flawless during Sunday’s events and again completed the day’s sweep. His fifth win provided enough points to earn the 2013 COA championship title, and the California native will be back again to represent the USA at the RMCGF in New Orleans in November.
Now that the COA series has wrapped, both PSL Atlantic pilots will head to the east coast to take in the finale round of the 2013 Florida Winter Tour (FWT) in just under two weeks. Taking to the Ocala Gran Prix circuit in Ocala, Florida March 22-24, Rudolph and Leesmann will pilot their PSL Atlantic entries in the DD2 Masters and DD2 classes respectively, and will be joined by Nathan Kelly, who will tackle Rotax Senior. All three will compete against a host of national and international competitors and will look to top the blocks in Rotax action.
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.
