De la O Wins WSK Nth America Round

press release

Team Top Kart USA/ De La O Miinch motorsports driver Phil De La O continues to add to his already impressive resume as he scored the victory in Sunday’s KF2 class in the second round of the WSK North American Series by CKI. Taking place at the PKRA facility in Phoenix, Arizona, De La O stole the show in Sunday’s main event as he drove his TM powered Top Kart to an unchallenged victory.

phil de la O

“I am happy to finally get a win in the WSK series,” expressed De La O. “ We were fast in both finals at New Castle but mechanical gremlins and some bad racing luck took us out of contention there. I felt that we were fast enough to get the win yesterday but again, failed to get the job done. I never give up and rarely get frustrated but was determined to win today. There are many wins on the horizon and hopefully this is the start of our streak of many.”

Friday test sessions went well for the rookie senior driver as De La O was near the top of the time charts throughout the official practice day. Feeling very comfortable with the Top Kart and GKS prepared TM power, it was on to Saturday mornings festivities that started with qualifying. Looking to start the day off right, De La O circulated the PKRA facility in fine form turning the quickest lap of the session to take the all important pole position.

At the drop of the green flag in the pre final, De La O was a little slow to get on the power as the second and fourth place competitors managed to sneak by before the exit of the first corner. With a fast machine at hand, De La O would look to rebound as he quickly passed the second place competitor and set his sights on the leader. A passing attempt in corner seven would not work on this occasion and contact forced De Le O to retire for the race.

De La O would be back on track for the KF2 main event starting from the fourth position. With the goal of winning on his mind, De La O would quickly move into a podium position but could not challenge the lead duo and would settle for the third position when the checkered flag flew. Though he did not win the event, the Phoenix area resident managed to turn the quickest lap of the final.

“After Saturday’s main event, I was frustrated with my lack of speed and chances to fight for the win,” expressed the Top Kart driver. “When we began to prep the kart for tomorrow’s action, we found that the axle was shifting throughout the main event and the brakes were dragging.  Heading into Sunday I think we will be hard to beat.”

On Sunday, De La O struggled with the setup of his machine as temperatures in the upper 90’s changed the track conditions quickly and often. After qualifying in the third position, De La O would start the pre final from the inside second row position until the off pole driver had problems before the green elevating the young talent to the front row.

De La O quickly took advantage of starting on the front row as he jumped into the lead early leading the opening laps. Unable to hold his competitor at bay, the Top Kart driver would finish the pre final event in the second position setting up another front row starting spot for the main event.

Another good start at the drop of the green flag for the final saw De La O shoot off into the lead and draw away from his competitors slightly. Concentrating on hitting his marks with each and every passing lap, De La O would hold the lead to score his first WSK North American Series KF2 victory.

De La O added, “I could visually see that some of my competitors were gaining on me slightly. I just tried to stay focused and concentrated on driving perfect laps. This is a great win for Team Top Kart USA, De La O Miinch Motorsports and I.”

Phil would like to thank his sponsors and supporters for a successful year to date: Grand Products, Team Top Kart USA, Bridgestone Racing Tires, TM Engines, De La O Motorsports, Red Bull, AM Engines, Northwest Floor and Wall as well as his mechanic Ariel Castro.

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