Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado was host to the 1st round of the 2010 Superkarts! USA Mountain Region on Saturday, May 8th. Austin Schimmel arrived at this hometown facility looking to start his SKUSA regional program on the top step. The exciting two day regional format featured one full practice day on the newly designed temporary circuit, followed by a complete race day.
Schimmel drove his S5 equipped Rocky Mountain Kartworks GP well through the Friday practice sessions, getting familiar with the track, as well as the cool and windy conditions. He closed the practice rounds at the top of the time sheets, two tenths clear of his competitors. Saturday morning qualifying saw a close battle for pole, with the top three karts covered by three tenths. Austin set a time of 46.84 seconds, securing pole position over his teammate Christian Schureman by five hundredths.
The first of two 10-lap heat races got underway with Schimmel slotting into P2 and then hounding Schureman for the entire session. Austin set the fastest lap and came to the checkers less than two tenths behind the leader. The 2nd heat race was very exciting, with Schimmel holding the point early, swapping P1 with Schureman several times before settling into P2 and bringing it home safely.
After a few more changes to the kart, Schimmel was excited to continue the close battle for the S5 class win in the 20-lap final. His race got underway with a disappointing start, slotting into P3. Schimmel battled to regain P2 over the first 5 laps of the event so he could begin chasing down the leader. Once Austin found the clear air, he set the fastest lap of the race on lap 6 and started chipping away at the leader’s 3 second advantage. Schimmel was able to consistently close the gap over the remaining laps, but ran out of time, crossing the line in P2, just over a second behind the leader.
Another fine effort from Austin and a great way to open his regional points account. Currently second in Mountain Region S5 points, Schimmel will look to score well again at Round 2 of the Mountain Region’s season at Grand Junction Motor Speedway on June 19-20.
For more information and racing updates, please visit his fan page.
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