Pro Karting - Giebler Racing's Kiel Spaulding, Mason Daughters Enter Gatorz Challenge

TUCSON, Jan. 25, 2012: Rotax Max Grand Finals Senior division qualifier Kiel Spaulding and up-and-coming Mason Daughters will drive for Phil Giebler Racing in the opening round of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas Friday through Sunday (Jan. 27-29) at the Musselman Honda Circuit.

It will be the initial event for Spaulding (shown at left) with Giebler’s team. The 15-year-old from Elk Grove, Calif., finished fourth in the Rotax Grand Nationals to qualify for the world championship Grand Finals last November at the Al Ain Raceway in the United Arab Emirates. Spaulding was the youngest driver in the Senior division and finished 29th in the feature.

“My expectations for this event are like every event I show up, to finish first,” Spaulding said. “The Rotax Worlds last year made me a 100 percent better driver and I feel I can apply all that I learned here in America. I’ve raced against Phil or Phil’s team for a long team and they run a very nice program.”

Spaulding was runner-up in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas in the Junior division in 2010 with two wins. He also was CKI TaG Junior champion in 2010.

Daughters, a Level 5 Motorsports’development driver, is a Senior rookie. The 14-year-old from Polo, Mo., reached the feature races, finishing 19th and 31st, in the Florida Winter Tour’s Rotax Max Challenge event at Palm Beach International Raceway in his first Senior event on Jan. 14-15.

“Mason did a great job to reach the features in his first Senior event,” Giebler said. “He showed steady improvement as a Junior and I expect him to become better and better with each event in Seniors.

“I think we have a great shot of doing well in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. Kiel proved last year he has what it takes after qualifying for the Rotax Grand Finals. Although he had some bad luck there, he had the speed to run at the front and he is looking for another chance to go back and fight for the world title.”

The Gatorz Challenge of the Americas is a three-round, six-event competition that is part of the path to qualifying for the Grand Finals.