DORE CHAPONICK JR. VICTORIOUS IN WEST PALM BEACH

"Rotax Junior points leader heading into final rounds"

March 7, 2011

Miami, Florida - Miami area resident and karting phenom Dore Chaponick Jr. completed two successful weekends of Florida Winter Tour (FWT) action at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) in Jupiter, Florida. Competing in the Formula Leopard Junior class the first weekend, Chaponick Jr. would see action in the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior class the following weekend. Looking to continue his winning ways from the Orlando rounds, the 14-year-old would not disappoint.

The first weekend at PBIR would see Chaponick Jr. enter the Formula Leopard Junior class. Becoming accustomed to the technical and twisty layout of the track, Chaponick Jr. would secure an outside front row starting position for Saturday's prefinal. After crossing the stripe in the fifth position, the DeFrancesco Racing team member would score a top-ten finish in the final, coming home sixth. Chaponick Jr. would best his previous day's results on Sunday, qualifying third and then matching performances in the prefinal and final with respectable fourth place finishes. With the finals rounds of the Florida Winter Tour taking place mid-March at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida, Chaponick Jr. sits in eighth place in the overall championship standings.

Chaponick Jr. would start the Rotax weekend off in fine form, as Friday's qualifying sessions would see the 2010 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals Team USA member earn the third place for both Saturday and Sunday. With a stout 68 competitors in the field, the inside second row starting position for each day's prefinals would set up Chaponick Jr. for even more success over the weekend.

With a fifth place finish in Saturday's prefinal action, Chaponick Jr. would steal the show in the final. With his Supertune FA Kart dialed in, Chaponick Jr. managed to move up positions throughout the 20 lap main event. Charging up to third place and while the leaders battled for positions during the closing laps, Chaponick Jr. pulled off an amazing last lap, last corner pass to seal the deal and take the win.

"I really need to thank my entire team at DeFrancesco Racing, Supertune USA and especially my mechanic, Mike, for all their hard work and support. Without them this win wouldn't have been possible," exclaimed Chaponick Jr. after he was awarded the first place trophy. "The competition is fierce in the Junior class. I did my job on the track, but it really is a team effort to put together a winning package. I am so proud to share my victory with everyone under the DFR tent."

Sunday would see the rising talent struggle slightly in the prefinal, crossing the stripe in the 13th position. Not to be deterred, Chaponick Jr. would come through the pack in the final. Hunting down the leader, an epic battle ensued between the two. Swapping positions lap after lap, Chaponick Jr. looked to sweep the Rotax Junior class. However on the closing laps, Chaponick Jr. succumbed to his competitor. Fighting until the final moments, he met the checkered flag in the second position, a mere 0.092 seconds off the winner.

With his two wins in Orlando and a first and second at PBIR, Chaponick Jr. heads to the final rounds of the Florida Winter Tour with a commanding lead in the Rotax Junior championship points. Looking to secure another trip to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals as a member of Team USA, Chaponick Jr. will be sure to be on his game in Ocala.