Quinlan Victorious At WKA South Carolina
press release
Heading to the second round of the WKA George Kugler / Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series driven by Mazda Zoom Zoom Nationals this past weekend, karting standout Grant Quinlan had a stellar run scoring two victories at the Carolina Motorsports Park facility in Kershaw, South Carolina. Competing in four classes, the junior pilot also managed two second place podium positions and a solid top-ten among his five main events.
Above: Grant Quinlan celebrates a victory in WKA action
pic - Sean Buur, Go Racing Magazine
Saturday's racing action would see the young driver from Ontario off to a great start by qualifying off-pole in the Cadet 1 class. Securing the prefinal win and pole position for the final, Quinlan led the 14-lap main event only to miss out on the win after some last lap passing saw the Birel pilot cross the stripe a mere 0.074 seconds behind first.
The young driver would see similar results in the Yamaha Sportsman Heavy class. A respectable third place qualifying position set Quinlan up nicely for his second prefinal win. Suffering another disappointing last lap pass in the final, Quinlan would once again be the bridesmaid, leaving him thirsty for a victory.
The day would end for Quinlan with a tenth place qualifying position in Komet Sportsman, which he maintained throughout the prefinal race. Moving up three positions during the main event, Quinlan was able to manage a solid top-ten result with his seventh place finish.
Come Sunday, Quinlan would rebound from his mixed results the day prior. Qualifying in the fourth position for Cadet 2, the MRP-backed driver would play his cards right in the prefinal by moving up one position. With the desirable inside starting position, Quinlan worked up to the lead and held some strong-running competitors at bay. As drivers behind battled for position, Quinlan was able to cruise around the 0.70, 12-mile facility and score his first win on the weekend.
After a disappointing qualifying run in his final class, Yahama Sportman Lite, the 2008 Micro Max Florida Winter Tour champion has some work cut out for him during the prefinal and final. Coming through the front of the field after placing seventh in the heat race, Quinlan would once again be the victor after protecting his line from a hard-charging competitor on the last lap. Taking the checkers for the second time, Quinlan closed out the event by standing on the top of the podium.
"After losing out on Saturday, I came back Sunday ready to win! The new Bridgestone tire was good, I just had to work with my tuner to adjust our equipment and adjust my driving style a bit. Everything came together Sunday and I was able to get two wins on the day!" stated Quinlan. "Also, our new team hauler is nice and makes the work at the very comfortable, and I'd like to thank everyone involved in making that happen."
Grant would like to thank the following for their support: Tim and Chris Lobaugh, Adkins Engines, Fleming Engines and Birel America for the new karts.
Quinlan will next see WKA action April 29-May 1 at Michiana Raceway Park in South Bend, Indiana for the MKP National. Prior to that event, the junior standout will head to sunny Florida for the final rounds of the Florida Winter Tour in Ocala, Florida the weekend of March 25-27.