J3 Competition Race Department recently ended its 2011 Rotax campaign at the final round of the Pan American international event. Held at the renowned New Caste Raceway, the event played host to the usual Rotax categories coupled with seven all-important tickets to the Rotax World Finals to be held in The United Arab Emirates. J3 Competition personally fielded drivers in the Micro, Mini, Junior and Senior Max divisions with additional Kosmic pilots making up additional entries as well.
With mixed conditions all weekend, ever progressing Micro Max driver Michael d’Orlando showed top-level speed during the entire event along with posting times atop the charts in wet conditions. After driving smart and patient in all three heat races, d’Orlando secured a fourth place starting position for Sunday’s pre-final. The pre-final was a mix as most pilots went out on dry tires including d’Orlando, yet the rain came part way through the session making the situation difficult. Starting from the 12th position in the rain soaked final, d’Orlando had an eventful run highlighting the session with the second fastest time and a top ten finish in eighth.
The usual suspects arrived in New Castle for the Mini Max category and J3’s Patricio O’Ward was on his game. Battling mixed conditions where O’Ward continually set the pace in the wet, which gave the young Mexican a fourth place starting position for the pre-final. With a last minute change in Parc Ferme for the pre final, O’Ward took to the grid without his ideal chassis setup due the time constraint. However, O’Ward salvaged a solid result putting him in contention for the final. With definite rain, O’Ward’s team made all the necessary changes for the final and at the drop of the flag O’Ward was unfortunately forced off in turn one with no hope to battle for the win, thus resulting in a DNF.
Max Senior category packed a solid punch in New Castle with several of the top runners in North America all challenging for the important World Finals transfer positions. Andrew Palmer set a mark good enough for second place in qualifying setting himself up nicely for the heat races. After surviving and racing a competent set of heat races Palmer was classified fourth for the pre-final. In full wet conditions during the pre final, Palmer settled in after the first few laps and began to work through the competition one at a time to take the final victory. Starting from the point in the final Palmer got off to a good start only to be sidelined on the second lap due to a mechanical failure, thus ending his impressive run for the victory and World Finals transfer spot.
Rounding out the weekend for the J3 Competition Race Department was junior driver Alex Guenette. After an unfavorable qualifying effort, Guenette bounced back with three solid heat race results to secure an important second place starting position. The pre-final treated Guenette well with a solid third place finish; however, the desire to win and to qualify for the World Finals would only accept the top two finishers. After an aggressive and hard fought start Guenette positioned himself in second place where he would finish the event. Thus, claiming a spot to represent the country of Canada in November at the Rotax World Finals.
“We ended our 2011 campaign looking not only toward what we achieved, but more so what we are looking for in 2012” stated Team Director, Justin Stefani. “With 2012 on the horizon we would like to give a big ‘thanks’ to our mechanics, clients, and supply partners for their hard work during the 2011 Rotax Season .”
J3 Competition Race Department exclusively utilized the 2011 Kosmic Racing Kart line coupled with Supertune USA powered Rotax engines and Unipro data logging systems in 2011. For further information regarding the J3 Competition Race Department and how you can become a winning member in 2012 please email them at Technical@J3Competition.com.
About J3 Competition
J3 Competition Inc. is an undisputed leader in Race Services since 2004, providing the necessary tooling and management to take drivers to the next level. Starting in 2015 through its COMPKART ™ brand, J3 Competition will provide a full line of high-quality chassis and products designed and engineered for the Karting industry alongside it potent Race Department. J3 Competition will aim to deliver the COMPKART ™ chassis line to the North American market as well as customers globally in 2015 and beyond with unprecedented performance and service. With its content, B2B, and B2C websites presently under construction, please visit http://www.j3competition.com along with all its social media outlets to stay up to date on the latest releases and happenings regarding the COMPKART brand.
