|
SuperNats IX - Lorenzo Wins SuperPro Final |
|
Sunday, 13 November 2005 00:00 |
 When SuperSunday began, the EKN staff was unanimous in our predications that the only thing that could stop Ron White (TopKart) was some form of trouble. As the SuperPro field assembled on the grid, all looked in order when, just before the green light came on, White’s kart lurched forward and then nearly stalled. Lorenzo Mandarino (CRG) pounced on the opening, taking the holeshot as the field worked to get around White, who was able to keep the fire going in his SwedeTech Pavesi. Slotting into second was Gary Carlton (Trackmagic) with Ryan Phinny (Birel) in third.
In the second corner, things got ugly as a big wreck collected several drivers including Kyle Martin (Tony Kart) Phil Carlson (Tony Kart), Kyle Ray (Maranello) and former S2 winner AJ Noud (GP).
Mandarino was fast and built a good lead over Carlton and Phinny with a big pack of drivers all looking to stay in the fight for the win. One early retiree was Alan Rudolph (RBI), who had a lower rod bearing let go on his Hi-Tech TM.
 The group for the fourth position got a major shuffle when David Jurca (Italkart) and Jan Velez (CRG) finally got past Jon Allen (Kosmic) in turn ten. At the same time, Wesley Boswell (Birel) dove to the inside of the same turn. That pass attempt failed and sent he and Kyle Wiegand (GP) out of the race.
Up front, Carlton was slowly closing the gap to the leader with Phinny well back in third with no one close enough to challenge him for a spot in the top three. Jurca was in fourth and defending against White, who had worked to fifth. At the checker, Mandarino thrust his arms in the air as the winner while Carlton drove to an impressive second with rookie Ryan Phinny taking a stellar third.
Heading into turn eight on the final lap, White gave Jurca a hard shot in the rear bumper, signaling that he was going to come through sooner of later. ‘Later’ came quickly as in turn 11 he nailed Jurca, moving him out of the way. This contact allowed White to take fourth as Velez got past the sliding Italkart as well, advancing into fifth. It was the second year in a row that White and Jurca have gotten into each other in the race’s top class.
After the event, Mandarino celebrated with his father Vince in an emotional reunion in the tech line. It’s been a lean year for Mandarino, but he ends the season with the big win.
|
