|
 |
|
 |
| March 27, 2010 News |
| Dromo 1: GP Series Set to Go |
On March 30, widely regarded as one of if not the most competitive and longest running indoor karting championship will kick off, with the eight edition of the Dromo 1 GP Series. ahead of the season-opener there are many many newsworthy topics at hand.
We can start with last year’s champion, Diego Morales. Morales will be looking to become only the second driver ever to win back-to-back titles. Fresh off of a third straight Dromo 12 Hour win, and the Endurance Season Championship, there is little doubt that he is the favorite. Along the way he will be looking to grab a few other records to add to his resume. The most noteworthy being overall wins. Morales is only two behind Casey Rising. This record alone could create quiet the debate when arguing the best Dromo driver ever, a title Morales would no doubt love to have. Morales will also be trying to hold on to the record for most career podiums, he is only two ahead of Jon Kimbrell and three ahead of Patrick Britain, a number that could easily swing either way. The only question is, does he still have the motivation? He has already done it all.
Kimbrell must be the ultimate brides maid. Twice in the last three years he has finished second in GP points, the other year he was fifth. Unbelievable consistency is no doubt Kimbrell's strong point. He just needs to figure out a way to win some races. Kimbrell is of course the first ever United States Champion to come from Dromo, due to this his reputation is impeccable. Bad luck is rare for Kimbrell and if he can up his aggression just a notch or two he might just hold the Dromo Cup at years end.
Jay Schreiber had a career year in 2009. Never have we seen the speed and assertiveness that he showed last year, especially after dominating in the opening rounds. The two-time Masters Champion no doubt wants to add an overall title to that list, but he must up his game one more level to achieve the ultimate prize. Schreiber is nowhere to be found on the all time wins or podiums list, but if you counted top-five's he would no doubt be among the top. If he can grab his first career win, the flood gates may open.
Britain was a lot of peoples pick to take the 2009 championship, but instead it was a disaster of a year that saw the brash young driver descend back to his old temperamental ways. 2010 will be a rebuilding year for Britain, the record holder for consecutive podiums will no doubt try to recapture that speed. With the momentum of his first ever Dromo 12 Hour win, he might just find it.
2008 champion Mike Kai had a GP season that he would no doubt like to forget. Despite a win and two podiums, he was only able to find fifth in overall points. Most drivers would kill for that, but for Kai's high standards it isn't enough. No doubt he had trouble adapting to the weight, and must do so again this year with the new 190lb rule. But, the highly diverse driver will rise to the top, it is just a matter of how quickly. If he can regain his 2008 form and start strong he will be the man to beat.
The 2009 Rookie of the Year Taylor Hays will have something to prove this season. Quiet whispers of weight advantage have been circulating for some time now, but with the new rules this year enforcing the use of a weight vest, Hays will be on equal footing. In his first season, Hays was able to grab back to back podiums, a very tough feat even for the most experienced of drivers. But, it was hot and cold for Hays last season, one month he would podium, the next be in the C main. Hays must find the consistency to be a regular in the A main. Outright speed is never a worry for Hays, lap records are never safe.
Other drivers to keep an eye on include 2009 GP2 Champion Sam Brumley, who has been training endlessly for his first full GP run, Anthony Razo and Sergio Bravo who teamed up to take third in this years Dromo 12 Hour, and newcomer to Dromo 1 Adam Kellerman. Kellerman comes from the Pacific North West, but has driven in two Dromo 12 hours. Kellerman may be the wild card that turns this year’s title run upside down.
Don't forget the definite return of Miles and Logan Calvin. Both took 2009 off, but were in the top two in points in 2008, their first seasons. The final two2 drivers of the winning 12 hour team, racecraft is the absolute strong point for Miles Calvin, while the ability to adapt and learn quickly certainly is Logan Calvin's bread and butter.
For the Masters title it will be a dog fight between the two-time back-to-back champion Schrieber, the venerable Dennis Kimbrell, as well as up and coming rivals Dave Messimer, Billy Tallichet and Steve Jasinski. All three statesmen have significantly improved their game with Messimer and Tallichet attending their first USIKC and Dromo 12 hour races, making big strides to their race craft. Messimer has shown incredible speed at times recording fast times in the Ironman or team enduro events, so he might be looking to topple the seasoned Yamaha racer to make a name of his own in this most treacherous of classes.
As if the year wasn’t full of major speculation and huge anticipation already, with such stacked resumes and new blood coming onto the indoor karting stage…..2010 will also be remembered as the first year that a young lady by the name of Caylee Burgan steps up to the Grand Prix stage to become the first full time female racer. Burgan has been no stranger to the sport being a loyal supporter of her boyfriend indoor karter Britain, attending the IKWC and USIKC outings as a pit lane fan of the Dromo 1 race teams from as far back as 2006. But we all sense this is very changed now with her in the race seat as opposed to grand stands.
Her racing debut in 2009 has been already flaunt with early success. One could have objectively said that the only reason she did not win her GP2 rookie season was due to a significant weight advantage by some of her fellow competitors, as with her infamously close championship race against another female racer Annika Horvath. Not to mention her taking a commanding win in last years innaugural Dromo1 Powder Puff race that pitted all the best young female indoor karters in southern California in an all out battle for prizes and bragging rights. Her adaptability with weight will be her biggest challenge in her debut race, as well as the change from the time trial style of the GP2 to more bumper to bumper racing. She is a very serious and dedicated racer and is cautiously optimistic about her first major championship. It will be interesting to watch her on the track when it comes time to actually go up against her veteran boyfriend Britain, the Dromo 1 fans are chomping at the bit to watch that occasion which may or may not happen in this first round. Burgan will also be vying for the Rookie of the Year award, which this year is only available to a narrow band of racers, but a definite favorite for that category as well.
So Burgan has burst on the scene and will become the talk of the town and watched carefully by her fans who view her as a role model and inspiration. From Michele Mouton’s successful World Rally championship in the early 80’s, to Danica Patrick’s meteoric rise in the world of competitive motorsports it is going to be very exciting to watch Burgan racing this year in the Grand Prix. Afterall, the IKWC’s ladies championship is just around the corner, and Dromo 1 is one of the best training grounds for a bid to take the podium on the world stage…fans are loving it so stay tuned to the coverage on her racing career as it is about to take off next Tuesday.
And finally, the ever persistent rumor of the winningest driver in Dromo history making his return has once again popped up. Casey Rising has nothing left to prove at the Southern California facility, but perhaps he wants to stop Morales from leapfrogging his wins total or maybe he is inspired by Schumacher's return. All we know is that his name has been thrown around a lot lately.
We will all find out on March 30th.
Up and Coming GP2 Drivers
Sam Brumley – GP2 (Debut Fall Series) Champion
Residence City: Fullerton, Calif.
Age: 26
Favorite Driver: Dani Pedrosa / Valentino Rossi / Mika Hakkinen
Started racing when and were: Started in April of 2009 at Dromo. Hasn’t done any racing, but has always liked racing games and going to Malibu Showboat / Speedzone when was a kid. Won’t comment on activities with the motorcycle!
What are your expectations for the GP this year?
I hope to have a great year and will be aiming for the top-10, despite the return of all the "hotshots". If that fails, I expect to be found crying in the bathroom.
What did you learn in the GP2 that you think will help you in this upcoming year?
Biggest lesson I would say is to avoid trouble and race clean! Fighting with another driver can be horribly detrimental to both. Sometimes it’s even better just to sit back and be happy with the position you have.
How will you prepare for your debut race?
Although not a superstitious person, I will be visiting a secret citadel of mine located deep in the Artic where I will speak to my deceased father via advanced crystalline constructs and absorb sunlight to gather the strength to push on. That and I will be looking forward to that beer at Chili's.
Any words to share with your adoring fans as you get ready to battle with the long time GP regulars?
Thanks for racing with me and helping me to gain every tenth along the way. Good luck to all of us!
Caylee Burgan – GP2 (Winter Series) Vice Champion
Residence City: Orange, Calif.
Age: 21
Favorite Driver: Todd Lewis...because he always has cupcakes.
Started racing when and were: Started racing August 2009 at Dromo 1. Most of prior experience comes from Mario Kart Wii.
What are your expectations for the GP this year?
My expectations for this year are to continue to learn, to be competitive, make an A main and of course take rookie of the year.
What did you learn in the GP2 that you think will help you in this upcoming year?
More than anything I learned to be patient, to take a good finish when it comes and to not ruin a good day with an overaggressive move.
How does it feel to be the first woman to race full time in the GP series?
It is obviously a big deal, racing is typically a male dominated sport and to be 2nd in the GP2 championship last year was a big goal. The next one would be becoming the first woman Grand Prix champion.
Any words to share with your adoring fans as you get ready to battle with the long time GP regulars?
Just, thanks to all of my fellow drivers for supporting me and helping me get better and faster along the way.
Steve Spring – GP2 (Winter Series) Third Place
Residence City: Alhambra, Calif.
Age: 38
Favorite Driver: Sebastian Vettel
Started racing when and were: In April 2009, at Dromo's long beach Grand Prix venue.
What are your expectations for the GP this year?
I'm hoping to learn a lot and am trying to make the top-10 in points. I plan to attend every race this season.
What did you learn in the GP2 that you think will help you in this upcoming year?
The biggest thing was the mental aspect. I had to figure out what type of attitude to come in with in order to perform best. For me, a more relaxed attitude is key.
How will you prepare for your debut race?
I don't really have a ritual, but I try to get plenty of sleep, a bit of the playstation to get me in the right mode, and sometimes I try to watch an old f1 race. I also try to race king of the course the previous Sunday.
Any words to share with your adoring fans as you get ready to battle with the long time GP regulars?
Adoring fans, wow! If I had any, I would say that this first season is going to be a great learning experience and regardless of the outcome, it will be good. |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
