With more than 20 drivers entering the second installment of the popular series on Sunday, May 15, there was action aplenty in both classes with Maurice Shawver taking his second win in the Expert category and Brett South winning in his maiden outing for the Novice class.
With two rounds now in the book, point battles in both classes have closed up as new drivers found the podium and other racers found renewed pace. With Round 3 slated for Saturday, May 28, the standings are sure to be shaken up even further.
Expert
Paul Zalud kicked things off in qualifying by earning his second pole in as many attempts while Mike Kinney cut the second fastest time just in front of shifter kart pilot Jim Lilleberg.
Once racing got under way there were a lot of position changes with the biggest mover being Stephen Greene, who charged from starting sixth on the grid to take his first heat race win of the season. After leading early Kinney held off Zalud for the second spot as the two continued their on-track battle from Round 1. Zalud was forced to miss Sunday’s final but will be one to watch if he returns for Round 3.
Although a non-factor during the heat race, Shawver returned to form during the final, working his way to the lead and eventual victory from mid-pack. Proving that this season’s Expert field is one of the toughest to date, Kinney was unable to follow up his heat result with another podium as other drivers made huge strides to the front.
Series newcomer Davin Sturdivant started the final in ninth but steadily charged to the front. Battling with Greene for second, Sturdivant was able to put the moves on the more experienced karter to steal away the spot and earn a podium in just his second start. Greene settled for third and some solid championship points, while Lilleberg, who started seventh, finished just off the podium in fourth.
With two feature wins under his belt reigning champion Shawver (245 points) looks to be the man to beat in the Expert class, but Round 2 tightened the field with Zalud (230) in second and Greene (220) and Kinney (220) tied for the third spot.
Novice
Designed for newcomers to kart racing at PGP, the Novice class produces some of the most exciting RKLR action as drivers of varying skill levels and experience come to grips with PGP’s state of the art track and each other. Round 2 was no exception as a driver new to the series dominated the event.
Brett South started his maiden PGP event in the best way possible, scoring the pole position in qualifying with the fastest lap. Bryan Hagmeyer was second quick for the second time and rounding out the top three in qualifying was Jeff Janders, who had also brought his two boys along to compete.
South and Hagmeyer dominated the field in the heat race but behind them some fierce fights for position ensued as series newcomer Benjamin Sharp moved into the third spot ahead of Jeff Janders, who cut the second fastest time of the race. Rounding out the top five in the heat race were David Lilienthal and youngster Stephen Szeliski, both making their first starts in the series.
When the green flag flew for the feature race, South led into the first corner once again, but this time Hagmeyer stayed close enough to keep the pressure on. South held on to complete his sweep of the day with Hagmeyer again the runner up.
Behind them contact in the first few laps resulted in both Sharp and Janders slipping backwards. Doing the opposite was Jennifer Triplett, who moved steadily forward after having an off in the heat race, and Brandon Zimmerman, who made a late-race charge to steal away the final podium spot from fellow teenager Szelinski. Lilienthal held off Triplett for fifth while Janders recovered to finish seventh.
The championship is up for grabs in this class, with South (260 points) and Round 1 winner Kyle Wiskirken, who was absent on Sunday, tied atop the standings. Hagmeyer (225) is in second and, with a pair of second place finishes, is still very much in the hunt.
RKLR Novice Class standings (after 2 of 7 rounds)
1. Kyle Wiskirken, Brett South 260; 3. Bryan Hagmeyer 225; 4. Mark Moynihan 215; 5. Travis Mosley, Brandon Zimmerman 190; 7. Stephen Szeliski 185; 8. David Lilienthal 180; 9. James Counihan 170; 10. Kylen Fowler, Jeff Janders 169; 12. Patrick Moynihan 167; 13. Jennifer Triplett 152; 14. Benjamin Sharp 150; 15. Kevin Janders 141; 16. Bruce Kember 123; 17. Jacob Janders 102.
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About PGP Motorsports Park
PGP Motorsports Park is the Northwest’s premier multi-purpose racing facility and is located in close proximity to the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Named “Best Guys Weekend Destination” for 2010 in the KING 5 Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest, the track is easy to get to and inexpensive to utilize, making PGP a rare combination of top-level racing excitement and affordability. For more information on PGP events and services, visit www.pacificgp.com or call (253) 639-7223.
PGP Motorsports media contact
Paul Zalud, (206) 390-9858, paul@pacificgp.com
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