This past weekend J3 Competition and its official race team completed its storybook 2009 season with another excellent effort. Heading into the weekend the team at J3 Competition was committed to challenging for victories coupled with a KF3 Championship. Finally, the dust settled in the cold Oklahoma wind on Sunday afternoon and J3 Competition once again stood tall amongst the industry’s elite.
Competing in unquestionably the world’s premier junior division—KF 3, J3 Competition had a stout trio of drivers consisting of point’s leader Tristan DeGrand and teammates Alessandra Madrigal and Phillip Orcic. Through pre-race testing and practice the drivers worked to settle into suitable setups for the cold and windy weather incurred during the event in Oklahoma.
When qualifying went ‘green’ on Friday the vibrant colors of J3 Competition were immediately at the fore with DeGrand taking pole while Madrigal followed in third and Orcic in fifth. Progressing through the heats nicely, DeGrand took every win along with clocking the fastest time in each heat. Madrigal and Orcic also faired very well in their heats as well taking respectable times and all tying for second with their accumulated points. The pre-final witnessed an ugly start with several drivers colliding in turn one allowing for Madrigal to escape for the win with Orcic in a very close second while DeGrand battled back to an impressive third place. The final start was equally challenging as several drivers were subject to a turn one collision, which Orcic unfortunately did not escape from. Once settled into the race, DeGrand showed is dominance as he pulled away from the field to take the victory and subsequent championship by a five second margin while teammate Madrigal took a solid second place.
Moving from KF3 to IAME Jr saw much of the same dominance under the J3 Competition team as Madrigal flexed her strength early with pole position in qualifying as DeGrand backed up his speed with a solid effort in third. The first two heats were conquered successfully by Madrigal with DeGrand taking a DNF and second. The final heat was a duel between Madrigal and DeGrand with DeGrand getting the better of the duel and taking the victory with Madrigal close in tow. Final points put Madrigal on pole for the final while a tough pre-final forced DeGrand to grid from ninth place. Once again a cold track proved tricky in turn one, but once the field settled Madrigal went to work and recaptured the lead on lap four and lead until DeGrand made a successful move on Madrigal on lap eighteen. Not to be out done, Madrigal went right back on DeGrand in turn one and regained the lead, which she kept all the way to the checkered while DeGrand completed the final in second with the fastest lap as well.
The team rounded out the weekend with the entrant of Richard Benitez in the KF2 category. The weekend started out difficult for Benitez and proved to improve in the morning sessions, but the team was unable to continue the improvement into the final. A difficult field filled with some stout competition proved for some great racing and competition and an unfortunate finish for the young Puerto Rican.
J3 Competition
Justin Stefani (Race Team Manager)
“It was a great performance by our entire team including the drivers, mechanics, management, and our supply partners. The KF 3 championship awarded to Tristan was well-deserved for his efforts in 2009 as was Alessandra’s win along with our newcomer’s (Orcic) great adaptability and performances. Looking at the preparations our team put forth during the season and in particular to this event, it’s very satisfying to see everything work as it should.”
J3 Competition has one remaining national event on its official 2009 calendar—13th annual SKUSA Super Nationals held in Las Vegas, NV during November. Moving past the Super Nationals, J3 Competition’s official race team will announce its 2010 plans and schedule just before the onset of the Holiday season.
For further information regarding J3 Competition’s official race team or the 2009/2010 Kosmic Racing Kart line, Vortex Engines, ROK Series Engines, and OTK Kart Parts please contact our sales department at; Sales@J3Competition.com or 814-864-1846.
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.
