Round 2 Race Report

The 2^nd Round of the Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series was held last weekend at Grange Motor Circuit.  The Series Point Leader coming in Mike Marino looked unbeatable during practice.  His kart was running well and he was as aggressive as always.  As the green flag dropped on the 1^st Heat Race Marino drove himself to the lead with Brian Smith and Jake Pfeiffer rounding out the top 3.  Marino will never have any competition in the race and lead every lap before winning the race.  Pfeiffer would spin his kart off track on lap 2 at the end of the very long straightaway.  That would end his chances of catching the leaders.  Smith would end up in 2^nd. 

 

Before the 2^nd Heat race, the Reaper mechanics worked hard on the kart set up for Smith trying to find him some speed comparable to Marino.  As the 2^nd Heat began, Marino took the lead with Smith hot on his tail.  Pfeiffer worked himself back to 3^rd about 2 kart lengths off the leaders.  Smith ran directly behind Marino for the first 10 corners before he found an opening and pounced on it.  Smith moved to first and started to drive away.  At the end of the long straightaway, Pfeiffer took his kart off the track for the 2^nd race in a row on lap 2.  Smith’s kart was noticeably faster in the 2^nd Heat and drove away from the field to win the race and end Marino’s dominance of this series.  Marino would end up in 2^nd.

 

As the field was set for the Main Event, the Reaper crew worked hard on Marino’s and Pfeiffer’s karts to help them now catch the speedy Smith.  As the Main started it looked as though the changes helped Pfeiffer and Marino.  Smith from the Pole took the lead, but Pfeiffer was able to overtake Marino for 2^nd place.  Marino would only stay behind Pfeiffer for a few corners before he made his move for 2^nd Place and set his course back towards the lead.  Pfeiffer’s bad luck would continue as coming off the final turn on Lap 1 he broke a throttle cable which put an end to a disappointing day.  Marino would drive to within 3 kart lengths of Smith, before Smith found some more speed to drive away.  Unfortunately the Main was less than exciting as Smith would dominate and win his 2^nd race in 6 days and first win in the Reaper Series.  Marino would hang on for 2^nd.

 

The series finale is scheduled for May 18^th and it is a three driver race for the Championship and the full race sponsorship that comes with the Championship.  Even though you may not be able to win the Championship, you can still come out and race with us at the final event.  Contact steve@reaperindustries.com for info our to sign up.