J3 Competition and its Kosmic Kart brand put a successful stamp on the February rounds of International Rotax competition in North America. A successful outing at the beginning of the month in Phoenix, AZ at the Challenge of Americas was closely followed by a dominate effort in Homestead, FL at the second round of the Florida Winter Tour.
Rotax JR. Having been successful at the first FWT event in Palm Beach, J3’s junior squad felt that they had not fully seized the opportunity in Palm Beach, which it aimed to not miss in Homestead. From the first day of testing, Wednesday, Thomas Issa yet again affirmed his position as the mark in the junior category while teammate William Myers jumped into the top ten on the timing sheets as well. Friday soon came an Issa would qualify first for Sunday’s race day while garnering second for Sunday as a fellow competitor benefited from a slip stream to take the top spot. Myers bested his efforts with a tenth place effort for Sunday and just outside the top ten for Saturday. Issa grabbed the handle and firmly made his intentions clear as he went on to take the pre-final win by over five seconds and the final victory followed with a margin over four seconds on Saturday. On to Sunday, with a shaky start from the outside row, Issa took command of the pre-final and went on to finish a perfect weekend with a commanding win in both Sunday’s pre-final and final events. Myers was not as fortunate as his pace on Sunday was improved and negated with a first lap incident while in the top part of the field.
Rotax SR. Rotax Sr. started the month out in Phoenix, AZ with a strong run by team member Andrew Palmer. After a peculiar qualifying effort on Saturday Palmer would start for the pre-final in 18th. With a solid package, Palmer would carve his was to a fifth place pre-final finish. The final began a little wild as the top drivers we driving very aggressive on the initial laps, which benefited Palmer as he assumed the lead on the third lap and followed suit until just pas halfway. With a solid battle ensuing Palmer would assume the final spot on the podium in third place, an admirable finish from his original starting position. Sunday’s efforts in Phoenix started with an improved effort in qualifying backed up with a solid fourth place pre-final finish. The final put Palmer on the wrong side of the coin too many times and unfortunately ended the weekend with a seventh place finish. The finish, however, has vaulted Palmer to fourth in Championship heading into the final round in Fontana, CA.
Teammate Tristan DeGrand looked to make the better of his second 2013 outing with the team in Homestead at the Florida Winter Tour. DeGrand and the team would struggle in Homestead working to develop a solution that would find the correct pace to compete at the front. With diligent work the team was able to have top ten efforts in both Saturday’s pre-final and final. Already working hard, the team will return to Ocala with a different perspective to take the challenge to the leaders and end the competitive championship on point.
Rotax Masters Lead in a solo effort by Leonardo Nienkotter, J3 Competition regained traction as Nienkotter dominated Sunday’s pre-final and final events as he took the final victory by a margin greater than three seconds. On Saturday Nienkotter began to find the pace and starting from the last position on the grid, Nienkotter arrived at the finish in third place taking fastest lap honors on the way through.
Rotax Micro & Mini Team Mini Max pilot Theo Chick enjoyed an improved qualifying effort in Homestead over Palm Beach. His qualifying efforts were dampened by an eventful set of races which yield him a best result of twentieth on Sunday’s final. Newcomer Frederick adapted well to his new climate within the team at J3 Competition during the Homestead event. Moving to the final FWT round in Ocala, Frederick will make the move to Mini Max, which will bring added balance within the team.
J3 Competition’s Race Department will pull a similar schedule in March as it prepares to take part in the final Challenge of Americas event in Fontana, California. Followed just over a week later, the team will be in action at the Ocala Gran Prix circuit as it finishes out the 2013 Florida Winter Tour Championship. For further information regarding any facet of the Race Department please contact Team Manager, Justin Stefani 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.
