Alan Rudolph's title chase begins with win and podium

January 19, 2011 - When it was announced in mid-December that Bondurant SuperKarts General Manager and Chief Instructor Alan Rudolph would contend the Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), he was an instant favorite to take the title in the Rotax DD2 Masters category. Traveling to the first event at the Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) in Jupiter, Florida, the multi-time champion and five-time Rock Island King of the Streets winner didn't disappoint as he walked away with a podium result on Saturday and managed to take top honors on Sunday.

"I have been at the Florida Winter Tour as a tuner but never before as a competitor," expressed Rudolph. "The entire program is pretty intense and the series has great recognition within our community. With more than 290 competitors, it truly is the greatest of fields ever assembled with drivers from all around the world."

Having never competed in a DD2 powered kart prior his trip to the Sunshine State, Rudolph would look to utilize his shifter kart experience to get up to speed quickly. Working with the PSL Atlantic squad, Rudolph would prove to be quick in Thursday's test sessions before entering Friday afternoon's split qualifying runs. With the first session determining the starting grid for Sunday, Rudolph would show the karting community that he was no slouch as he garnered the third quickest time and inside row two starting spot for the prefinal.

Back to the paddock to prepare for the second qualifying session, Rudolph and his PSL Atlantic squad would make the necessary changes to his CRG chassis to take a run at the pole. Going in the right direction, Rudolph would turn one of the quickest laps of the weekend in DD2 Masters as he went on to secure a dramatic pole position for Saturday's wheel-to-wheel action.

Set for his first start in FWT competition during Saturday's prefinal, Rudolph had a slight falter as he incurred a start line infraction penalty. In Rotax competition, drivers must stay in their specific tram lines until the lights go green, but the CRG driver was a bit eager and ended up being assessed a ten second penalty added to his on track finishing position. When all was said and done, Rudolph would be forced to start the main event from the 11th position.

In an unbelievable opening two laps, the World Champion hopeful stormed his way towards the front of the field. Closing lap two in the second position, Rudolph mounted a challenge on the race leader in the hopes to secure his first victory of 2012. Swapping the top spot on a few occasions, Rudolph would cross the stripe in P2 to take his first podium result in his FWT debut.

Back to the PBIR facility on Sunday morning, Rudolph would progress through the morning warm-up session and begin his day's action from the third position for the prefinal. Looking to improve one position from the previous day's results, Rudolph took the heat race win and elusive pole position for the main event.

When the green flag flew for the day's final in Rotax DD2 Masters action, the PSL Atlantic driver stormed to the lead and never looked back. Breaking away from the incredible PBIR draft, Rudolph would go on to take the victory by nearly five seconds.

Rudolph continued at the podium ceremony by stating, "I am actually racing the Florida Winter Tour because of MRP's Garry Lobaugh. A while back he planted the seed in his mind about representing the USA at the Rotax Max Grand Finals. Over time that seed started to grow to where it became a goal I wanted to achieve. I have heard so much about the event, all great things, and I would like to attain the opportunity to help Team USA win its first Rotax Grand Finals Championship."

Rudolph will be back in action in a few weeks time at the third and fourth rounds of the Florida Winter Tour. Taking place at the Homestead Karting Complex on the grounds of the Homestead Miami Speedway, Rudolph will look to continue his string of podiums as he advances towards the Rotax DD2 Masters title.

For more information on Alan Rudolph, PSL Atlantic, sponsorship opportunities or information on how to join the team, please contact PSL Atlantic Team Owner Mike Dobbelsteyn at 506.447.1573 or via e-mail to MDobbelsteyn@Dobbelsteyns.nb.ca.

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