The Kart Nation Team SRR shows well at Rotax Grand Nationals!

Kart Nation had 10 drivers entered for the event and will be sending one driver to the Rotax World Final in Egypt. kart Nation had 3 drivers in the top 10 going into the finals on Saturday and 2 Kart Nation Engines in the top 5!!!. The SRR/Kart Nation Race Team entered, Max Hewitt in Micro Max; brothers Tim and Nicolas Reger in Mini Max; Mason Chelootz, Bristol Gunderson, Taylor Minch, Alec Udell and Thomas Waddingham, in Rotax Junior; Dean Boyd in Rotax Senior; Dave Pergande in Rotax Masters.

The week was tough with weather changing every day. All of the SRR/Kart Nation drivers rose to the challenge and performed very well.

In Micro Max Hewitt was in the top 5 in practice all week. In qualifying he achieved 6th but having one bad prefinal would make him start the final heat in 9th position. Hewitt was involved in a first corner wreck that moved him to the back. But, on his way to the front Max finished his first Grand Nationals turning faster times than the second and third place karts.

Mini Max was probably the toughest class all week. Tim and Nic Reger were fast but luck was just not on their side. Tim was able to run in the top 5 with Nicolas, his younger brother hitting his stride on Friday putting him in the top ten for the first prefinal as well. First corner wrecks would take them out of competition in two prefinals and would put them in bad starting positions for the final. But the drive these to kids put on moving to the front was fantastic. Both had great starts and finished their first Grand National after only 9mos of racing karts!

Rotax Junior had to be the most thrilling finish for the event. With one of Stuart Robinson’s first students to work with, Nick Neri now driving for OGP, winning and SRR/Kart Nation driver Alec Udell fighting to get his ticket to Egypt. Alec became a speed bump for the two Birel drivers on the last lap going from 2nd to 5th to come back and finish 4th to win his trip to Egypt. One of the other most exciting and impressive drives were with Taylor Miinch and Mason Chelootz after having to start in the back for the final. After starting finals day 5th and 6th. These two kids put on a show coming from dead last of a 41 kart field to finish in the top ten. Stuart Robinson stated “I was very impressed with how Taylor and Mason worked together and made passes through the field on every lap and without contact.” Udell, Miinch, Chelootz were always consistently in the top 5 of every practice, qualifying and prefinal session. Bristol Gunderson had the speed and the drive all week qualifying 12th but her luck would hinder her movement to the front. Being involved in a wreck in every prefinal Bristol would have to run the LCQ. But that would not be a problem for her she come right out to finish 3rd to move her to the final. Thomas Waddingham had the toughest qualifying completling 1 lap and then having to come in and change tires and having a flat tire he would only get one lap in which would put him in 41st. Thomas drove very smart and moved his way up to start the final heat in 22nd and not having to go to the LCQ.

Rotax Senior was Dean Boyd putting on a “clapping” show for the stands in the LCQ. Dean had a hard fought weekend and in the LCQ he was going to put a show on for everyone watching and make the hard times of the weekend fun. Boyd had everyone in the stand cheering him on as he literally clapped his way down the straight away.

Rotax Masters had Dave Pergande having the time of his life. Pergande had the best Rotax Nationals he has had. With some bad luck with being involved in some wrecks in the prefinals. In the final heat Dave drove very well and will be a top contender for next year’s Grand Nationals.

Full results can be viewed on MyLaps.

Read eKartingNews race reports.

• Thursday Trackside Report
• Friday Trackside Report
• Saturday Trackside Report .

The Kart Nation Team SRR (Stuart Robinson Racing) Race Team would like to thank the following for their help and support: Grand Products, SSC Racing, MSR Houston, MSR KARTING, and Tint Houston