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2-3-12 Parker
Thompson Scores Pole Positions and a Win in Gatorz Opener
"Canadian pilot claims two top tens in his hunt for Rotax Grand
Finals berth"
In the hopes of gaining his second Team Canada berth at the
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, Canadian pilot Parker Thompson
traveled to the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona for
the opening round of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas (COA).
Working with tuner Mike Speed aboard a BRK Engines powered Tony
Kart, Thompson came home with two pole positions, a heat race
win and a main event victory to start his chase for the title.
Fast right off the trailer, Thompson turned some impressive lap
times during the opening day of testing and looked as if he was
the driver to beat for the win. Working with long-time tuner
Mike Speed, the duo showed the pace to run up front and began
that with a good qualifying effort on Saturday morning.
Scoring the elusive pole position in a field of more than 30
drivers, Thompson was ready to get down to the wheel-to-wheel
action that drives everybody in the sport. With the green flag
for the start of the prefinal, Thompson was slow off the line
and would be shuffled back a few positions but would work hard
to get back towards the front. Showing his true speed and
determination to win, Thompson took the point on the final
circuit to secure the win and pole position for the main event.
Looking to make up for his prefinal start blunder, Thompson
would get through the first corner of the main event safely in
the top spot. Turning fast and consistent race laps, the
Canadian driver drove away from the field and never looked back.
"This is a great way to start the season," expressed Thompson.
"Two top fives at the Florida Winter Tour and now a win here at
Gatorz is great for my confidence and momentum. Hopefully we
will be able to repeat tomorrow."
Sunday would not go as expected for the Thompson / Speed duo.
After testing equipment in the morning warm-up sessions,
Thompson steered his Tony Kart to another pole position and took
the top spot in the heat race. Trying to score the perfect
weekend, Thompson took the lead in the main event and began to
walk away from the field until lap seventeen.
"I am not sure what happened," explained Thompson. "I know I hit
something on the back straight and not sure if it was a rock or
something. It hit the airbox and I began to lose power. I was
caught quickly by the second place driver as I had slowed more
than one second per lap."
While running at the front, Thompson and a fellow competitor
would make contact on lap 20 and go off the racing surface.
Noticing that his airbox had been put in position to hamper the
power of his motor, Thompson quickly put it back in place and
reentered the racing surface. Gaining as many positions and
championship points as possible, Saturday's victor would cross
the stripe in P7.
Thompson will now enjoy a few weekends off at his home in Canada
before traveling back to the Sunshine State. As the current
point leader in the Rotax Junior class at the Florida Winter
Tour, Thompson will look to add to his 2012 podium and win total
in the search for multiple championships.
Parker would like to thank his current supporters and sponsors:
Tony Kart, RLV, Courtney Concepts, OMP, Sylvan Lake RV, BRK
Engines and tuner Mike Speed for all their hard work and
continued support.
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