DORE CHAPONICK IMPRESSES AT US ROTAX GRAND NATIONALS

Florida driver qualifies on the pole position and wins two heat races before disaster strikes in final

July 19, 2010

Miami, FL - Florida kart racer Dore Chaponick Jr. continues to draw attention throughout his 2010 season, this time at the US Rotax Grand Nationals, held at New Castle Motorsports Park, in New Castle, Indiana. Competing in the always competitive Rotax Max Jr. class, thirteen year old Chaponick dominated the weekend's event, never falling outside of the top two position's, until the final race where he was struck with some very bad luck.

"I'm very disappointed," commented Chaponick Jr. following the race. "We were the fastest kart all week, I was never outside the top two until the final. To lose the race to a broken chain, that is a heart-breaker."

In qualifying, Chaponick placed his DFR Racing Supertune powered Alonso Kart on the pole position, with a blistering 1:04.428 around the one-mile NCMP circuit. This allowed him to start each of his three heats from the pole-position. Controlling his first heat, Chaponick lead every lap, except the final corner, as he surrendered the lead and crossed a mere 0.04 seconds behind at the finish line. He would however not let that happen again in the second heat, and in fine fashion took the heat victory. In his third and final heat race, Chaponick once again used his pole position to get out front early, and never look back, earning the heat victory and securing the pole-position for Saturday's pre-final.

"My DFR kart was awesome all weekend. I have to thank my mechanic Mike, along with Supertune for providing me with great engines," added Chaponick.

Leading once again into turn one, Chaponick paced the field as they rounded the first lap. Surrendering the lead on lap three, Dore would retake the lead on lap four with a great move down the back straightaway. Holding the lead until lap thirteen, he was drafted by two karts and fell to third place as he received the last-lap flag. Charging back to second place in the final tour, he would set himself up to start on the outside of row one for final.

A tough start for the outside row saw Chaponick fall back to sixth place as he completed his opening lap. Taking only three laps to get into fourth place, he went to work to chase down the front three. Lap after lap, he inched closer to the leaders, until disaster struck on lap eight. Exiting the final corner, Dore's kart shot off the track and into the grass as a result of a broken chain. Ending Dore's race and his chance at a spot on Team USA for the Rotax World Finals.

"I was so close. I was catching the leaders after I got a bad start. I really wanted to win this race, it was one of my goals from the beginning of the year."

Dore will be back in action this weekend, July 22-25, as he travels to New Jersey, New York for the WSK North American Series. Currently sitting in the fourth position in the Leopard Jr. class, he looks to advance into the top three. The following weekend, he will be back in action, competing in the WSK World Series race held at the same track. Dore will race in the KF3 class with the world's best junior drivers.

Dore Chaponick Jr. is currently 13 years old and competes for the DFR Racing Team. He is supported by: Quality Air Contractors, Tax Management Services, Supertune Engines, Autosports Media Group as well as his Mother and Father in pursuit of a professional racing career. Dore was the 2008 Florida Winter Tour Mini Max Champion.