Aluminos, Inc.

The Aluminos race team kicked off the 2012 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour season with a trio of podium finishes at the PKRA Formula K Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on the April 20-22 weekend. Battling the largest fields recorded at the MG Tires SpringNationals, and 100-degree weather, the Aluminos operation proved again why it’s one of the top karting race teams in the country. Nine drivers in five categories flew the Aluminos colors with returning team driver Daniel Bray standing on the third step both days and team newcomer Austin Versteeg earning his first SKUSA Pro Tour podium finish.

Bray made the long journey from New Zealand to defend his SKUSA Pro Tour championship in the S1 Pro Tour Stock Moto division, teaming up with Aluminos as he had in previous years in his trips to the United States. Carrying the #1 SKUSA plate for 2012, Bray was in the sights of every driver in the field. Among the leaders during testing, Bray clocked in the third quickest lap in qualifying to start Round #1. Going the wrong direction with the set-up in heat one, he lost a few positions but regained them back in heat two. Breaking away with two others in the main event, they were all evenly matched and Bray had to settle for third to start his title defense. The following day Bray was top dog in qualifying, breaking into the 44-second barrier and just missing out on the fastest lap of the weekend by three-hundredths of a second aboard his Aluminos-prepared GP/Stock Moto. A tad slow off the line, Bray lost the lead and ran second in heat one, losing another spot in heat two in similar fashion. Starting third for the main event, Bray worked his way into the second spot. Crossing the line in the runner-up position, officials ruled his defensive line was considered blocking, docking him one position. The Kiwi sits third in the championship chase, well within striking distance of the top spot.

Team Aluminos’ 2012 Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge campaign began with 6 drivers competing in 3 classes at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, and ended with a 1-2 punch on the podium in the premier class of racing.

Throw in a couple of 3rd place knockout performances, and it’s easy to see that this team may well be off to one of their best starts in 5 seasons of competition within the series.

Long-time team member Brad Dunford, began 2012 the same way he started the 2011 season en route to the S1 class championship by winning the S1 main event. He was followed by teammates Cory Milne finishing in 2nd and Kyle Hathcox in 6th. It was Dunford’s smart driving and patience that paid off, as it took a bit of good fortune, courtesy of a racing incident from the leaders, to cement the win. Dunford, who is being groomed for a career in racing, was solid all weekend, beginning with a qualifying run putting him at P4 to start the day. A heat one run to P3, and a consistent second heat slotted him in P3 for the start of the main. The plan for the final, according to Dunford was, “to keep pace and gain some time here and there on the leaders, and look for opportunities”. And that opportunity came when leader Jimmy McNeil and Clinton Schoombee tangled midway into the main. Dunford steered clear and into the lead going on to the race win. Said Dunford later at the hauler, “I’m so happy for this win, regardless of how they come because this class is so competitive and tough. It’s a great result to begin the year and quest to defend last year’s championship.”