"The chase for top honors in the CalSpeed Karting Super Series for Round Two took place at the prestigious Fontana, Calif., facility recently, and Patrick Britain proved to be the man to beat on the day, winning both the Grand Prix race and the Ironman Enduro."

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Two months ago was when Patrick Britain teamed up with Jon Kimbrell, Dennis Kimbrell and Aaron Downs to take a very impressive win in the 4 hour enduro. This time, Britain's teammates are busy with prior obligations. So Britain set off to do what any defending winner would do, he assembled the best team imaginable around him.

In the last event Taylor Hays and Sergio Bravo traded fastest lap back and forth for the entirety of the 4 hour race, while Sam Brumley was hot on their heels. Hays is also the winner of last month's Ironman event, with Brumley pushing him to victory and coming home 2nd. Bravo had the fastest lap of the race. There is a definite trend to these guys.

Needless to say, these are the 3 drivers that Britain has put together to create a juggernaut effort with only 1 acceptable outcome, win.

Team Speed Hunters is a one race effort, it will be an all out assault on victory.

CalSpeed in Fontana, CA is easily among the top facilities for karting in the country, but like most outdoor tracks, has never been known for arrive and drive indoor style racing. That was until Brad Packard got the idea to bring his wealth of knowledge to the Auto Club Speedway based facility and start the brand new SuperSeries.

Each event would consist of 2 entirely separate races. The first would be a typical indoor style Grand Prix format. 5 lap qualifying, two 10 lap heats, and a 15 lap final. Over 40 minutes of racing in over 100 degree weather made for a very physical event for all of the drivers, with stamina playing a huge role. Britain got off to a quick start and qualified P2 in the 36 kart field and would take the green flag from the front due to the field being split into two for the heats. The first heat saw Britain get a decent kart but was no match for the rocket kart at the quick hands of Sam Brumley. Britain and Jon Kimbrell had an intense battle for 2nd that saw them trade the position multiple times per lap. Britain would take 3rd in his first heat, barely coming across the line in front of a hard charging Steve Hansen. For the second heat the field was inverted from qualifying meaning that Britain would start shotgun on the field. Britain had a remarkable drive and ripped through the 18 kart race making it to the lead by lap 3, he never looked back and took an easy win. This would put Britain on pole for the day's A main. Britain got the unlucky kart draw in the main and fought kart for a 9th place finish, and just like heat 1, barely held off Hansen.

The second part of the day saw a 45 minute ironman event that had to include 1 pitstop. First, was a 15 minute knockout qualifying session. Britain and Miles Calvin teamed up to put on a Talladega style bump drafting show that saw the drivers pick up over a half second than running alone. They would line up P2 and P3 with Britain being followed by Calvin. Britain easily had the best qualifying average of the day. The race got underway and immediately Britain, Calvin, Kimbrell, Aaron Downs and Diego Morales showed that they were the guys to beat. Meanwhile, as the top 5 were battling, Sam Brumley, Taylor Hays and Sergio Bravo had pit on lap 1 and got into clean track. A few laps later Britain made the call to Calvin to pit together to maintain a draft, but it was too late. Brumley and Hays had made up too much time while the others were battling and would go on to an easy 1-2 with Hays taking the win. Aaron Downs took a controversial 3rd, some spectators claimed he had sped dramatically down pit road but was never caught. He would not be protested and held onto his podium spot. Britain came home P6 and took 5th overall in combined points. A solid start to the 8 race season with plenty to build on.

 

Patrick Britain entered the final event ever to be held at Dromo 1 in Orange, CA 3rd in points, but only 2 points out of the lead. He knew it would be a tall task to outrun points leader Taylor Hays, and 2009 Champ Diego Morales. Little did he know how close it would be.

The final race started with Britain gridded up in 2nd right behind first time pole sitter Sam Brumley. Trouble immediately stuck before the green flag even flew. On the reconnaissance lap to the grid, Britain's kart broke and begun dragging the ground with a shower of sparks. Britain then jumped into the spare and retook his 2nd place starting position. In a kart that Britain had no chance to try out, he and the field took the green.

Morales start 3rd, but immediately jumped Britain at the start. As it stood, whoever finished higher between the 2 would be the 2010 Champion. As a result Britain knew he had to make a move, and fast. Brumley was struggling with his kart and holding up Morales. Britain struck coming onto the main straight. Brumley made a mistake on entry that caught Morales off guard and caused him to lift, Britain saw the chance and took it, regaining 2nd. Britain then set after Brumley to get a cushion between himself and Morales. Going through turn 3 he made his move.

Brumley again missed a corner, hustling his kart faster than it wanted to go. Britain took to the outside and made it stick onto the main straight. His job was now clear, drive as hard as possible and streak away from the field. And he did just that. Within a handful of laps Britain had over a 4 second lead. The race began winding down when one final dramatic turn took place. Morales finally made a move on Brumley and began to chase Britain down. Britain saw Morales coming and kicked it back into high gear, resetting fast lap of the race over and over for the remainder of the event.

Britain took the checkered as the final winner, and champion, ever at Dromo. An insane celebration took place with Britain parking the kart against the barrier in an attempt at a NASCAR style burnout. Instead he jumped on the barrier pumping his fists in victory. Britain, Morales and Brumley took to the podium all with plenty to celebrate. In addition to Britain's triumphs, Morales was given the highly sought after "Dromo Cup" as something of a lifetime achievement award, while Brumley could take pride knowing he was able to get on podium in only his 5th GP, taking 3rd in the points in the process.

All that was left was the traditional spraying of the champagne. (Joined by Rookie of the Year Steve Spring, and Masters Champion Dennis Kimbrell)

Courtesy IndoorKartingNews.com:

"Britain was a lot of peoples pick to take the 2009 championship, but instead it was a disaster of a year that saw the brash young driver descend back to his old temperamental ways. 2010 will be a rebuilding year for Britain, the record holder for consecutive podiums will no doubt try to recapture that speed. With the momentum of his first ever Dromo 12 Hour win, he might just find it."


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