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Pro Karting - Giebler Racing's Kiel Spaulding 3rd, 5th In Senior Rotax In Gatorz Challenge Of The Americas


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GLENDALE, March 3, 2012: Phil Giebler Racing’s Kiel Spaulding finished third Saturday and fifth Sunday in the Senior Rotax features at Formula K Raceway to remain the championship leader in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas.

Spaulding, a 15-year-old from Elk Grove, Calif., leads Nick Rivellini, of Great Falls, Va., 357-340, with four events completed. The three-round, six-event competition will be concluded March 30-April 1 at the CalSpeed Karting Center in Fontana, Calif.

Spaulding was fifth in the pre-finals and qualified ninth fastest on both days.

“I thought we had a solid points weekend,” Spaulding said. “We learned a lot from the days we were there. We just missed the setup by a little bit. But I knew going into that race that it was going to be hard with more than 30 starters and top drivers entered. With the changing air and track conditions, it was hard to get the setup and tune right.”

“Kiel recovered very well in the Saturday pre-final after he dropped to 12th at the start,” team owner Phil Giebler said. “He charged up to fifth and had the fastest lap of the race. He looked good in the Saturday final and got on the podium. Kiel matched the leaders’ pace, but could not make up any ground.

“Sunday was just as tough. Competition was close all weekend and the track was difficult to set up for, but Kiel drove smart all weekend. We are looking forward to the final round in a month.”

Jonathan May made his debut with Phil Giebler Racing and showed promise in Junior Rotax. The 14-year-old from El Cajon, Calif., finished 14th out of 33 starters in the Saturday feature and 12th out of 32 starters in the Sunday feature. He was 24th in the pre-final Saturday and 15th in the pre-final Sunday.

“Jonathan had to make the switch to our FA Kart without any testing leading up to the race,” Giebler said. “We had some work to do, but we kept progressing every session. Jonathan improved all weekend and ran in the top 10 in Sunday’s final.”