Two Rotax Grand National Championships For Playthings Racing
press release
The Playthings Racing team recently traveled north to New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana for the 2010 US Rotax Grand Nationals. Official drivers Todd Ulmen and Jordan Perry set out with only one result in mind, victory, and following the five-day event at one of America’s finest facilities, both drivers returned home as Grand National Champions.
Above: PTR drivers Jordan Perry (l) and Todd Ulman (r) celebrate on the podium
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
“The week was great, racing has its ups and downs and we fought through the obstacles that came our way. I am always thrilled to see Jordan win,” commented Todd Ulmen driver and co-owner of Playthings Racing.
Jordan Perry returned to New Castle with plenty of momentum after winning the Rotax Pan-American Challenge event three weeks prior. Competing in the Rotax Mini-Max class, one of the toughest classes of the weekend, Perry placed his Playthings Racing/PSL Karting/Homestead Karting CRG kart in sixth place in qualifying, securing him a second row starting spot for each of his three heat races. He then converted all three heat races into victories, setting himself up for the pole-position for the pre-final.
After trading places for the top spot the entire eleven lap pre-final, Perry would settle for second place at the stripe. In the final, a tough start forced him back to third place rounding lap one, and fifth place as he completed lap two. Regaining his momentum, he collected himself up and by lap four was back to third place, and tracking down the leaders. Trading the lead through laps nine, ten and eleven, he secured it on lap twelve, and held on for victory.
Above: Jordan Perry en route to victory in New Castle
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
“I really can’t thank the guys at Playthings Racing enough, they have been very supportive not only this weekend, but all season long. It was a great feeling having Todd on the top of the box with me,” smiled Perry following the event. “I also have to thank my dad, without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The teams second Rotax Grand National Eagle came in the hands of Todd Ulmen, aboard his Playthings Racing/Homestead Karting CRG in the Rotax DD2 Masters class. Competing within the DD2 Sr. class, Ulmen set the pace throughout the opening practices, but come qualifying was plagued with engine woes. Working with MRP Motorsport, Ulmen was able to bolt on another engine, and after breaking it in on the kart stand, was ready to go. However his luck didn’t change in the first heat, as a stuck throttle resulted in a DNF, but he rebounded in the second and third heats with solid finishes up front with the Masters.
In the final, Ulmen found himself in a great battle early on for the top spot within the Master’s class, but after his closest competition withdrew with a flat tire, he was in cruise control, and when the checkered flag flew, Ulmen joined an elite group of American Karters as part of Team USA heading to Italy this fall for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
“I really enjoy racing Jim Busby, and was looking forward to a good final. For sure not the way I wanted his race to end with a flat tire. The rest of the final was pretty smooth and now off the Italy in November,” commented Ulmen following the race. “A big thank you is sent to the guys at Homestead Karting for their continued support of PTR.”
