Following an exciting Rounds 1 and 2 in Phoenix, AZ, the series witnessed a couple of first-time weekend final winners along with awarding the top three in each category with the championship podium and award packages. Competitors who participated in the entire US Trophy West series will now qualify to compete for a ‘Reserved’ RMC Grand Finals ticket alongside the ‘Open’ RMC Grand Finals ticket at the US Trophy Final event held later this year in September at New Castle Motorsports Park, Indiana.
«Arguably no better racing than the Rotax platform amongst the picturesque backdrop of Arizona. Returning the marquee platform to the fantastic Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson did not disappoint and the final rounds were some of the most competitive events we’ve had to date, with photo finishes in multiple categories. As we awarded our deserving competitors on Sunday, we thank everyone who participated in the Trophy West series, stay tuned as we are already nearing completion of an enhanced and exciting 2024 Trophy West program.» – Justin Stefani, J3 Competition.
Junior MAX
The Junior MAX category saw an increase in entries at the final series weekend, in addition to tighter competition throughout the entirety of the event. The racing started off with championship points leader Nixx Eggleston as the one to beat, however, several drivers challenges him; Charlie Smith, Kyle Drysdale, Boss Patel, Maddie Grace and several others upping their speed at the Musselman Honda Circuit. Saturday’s sessions were run counter-clockwise around the MHC circuit and in the end, after some intense heat races, Nixx Eggleston was able to capitalize with the final victory. He was followed by Charlie Smith in second and Xander Malatesa in third place. Sunday’s action mixed things up as the track direction rotated to clockwise, with what looked likely to be a repeat for Eggleston. However, Charlie Smith was able to beat the series champion on the last lap with a deep move for the win in turn three, giving the Californian the win with Eggleston in P2 and young Killian Harris in third at the line.
Senior MAX
The Senior Max category lost a few entries for the final rounds due to conflicting schedules, but the class was able to pick up a few new participants joining the grid. On Saturday, the action proved to be electric, after a couple of great heats which saw a few usual suspects battling for the honours with Zimming Wang and newcomer Lydia Small running in the top five. The final looked to be a two-way dice between Cooper O’Clair and Griffin Dowler - that was until Macy Williams had something to say. Williams methodically hunted down the lead duo to showcase a challenge for the win over the last three laps. With several clean lead changes, it was O’Clair on a late pass into the penultimate corner on Dowler, giving the Arizona driver the victory, followed closely by Williams in second and Dowler in third.
Sunday witnessed a turnaround, as Tyler Ruth returned to the top of the class by securing pole position. Throughout the heat race, the competition was equally as close with O’Clair asserting pole position for the start of the final. With weather looming the final, the field took the green in dry conditions, until the race was stopped on lap five due to rain. After nearly one-and-a-half-hours delay because of the lightning and the race director’s decision to return to action, the racing resumed with a single file restart. Under tricky conditions with slick tires, competitors played out another fantastic final; O’Clair was able to win in a close duel, with Griffin Dowler in second and Williams in third. Liberante climbed back to the front in fourth with Lydia Small taking an impressive fifth place finish, after a great outing in her first Rotax event.
Masters MAX
Racing alongside the Senior MAX drivers, the MAX Masters drivers again showed that karting truly does provide the only fountain of youth. Billy Cleavelin led the charge through Saturday’s heat races, only to be challenged by top-ranked driver Derek Wang, who ended up besting Cleavelin, while Chris Mann took home the third position. On Sunday, there was a shuffle throughout the heat races and a stoppage on account of the weather, which tightened up the grid. This gave Cleavelin the ideal opportunity to pounce in the final, taking the victory over Chris Mann with Derek Wang rounding out the podium in third place.
Mini MAX & Micro MAX
Continuing to compete as one category in the US Trophy West series, the Micro MAX and Mini MAX drivers all utilizing the Mini MAX engine kit continued close racing for the top spot as throughout the entirety of the group. Saturday’s final was a close three-way fight between Gage Korn, Matteo Quinto and Gage Grant, until the final few laps where Korn was able stamp the victory. Following on from a close last lap battle that was decided in the race director’s office, Quinto was classified second ahead of Ryan Queen. In the Micro MAX category, Gage Grant came under heavy fire from young Troy Ferguson in the late stages and was able to barely hold him off for the victory. Ferguson claimed second and Lucas Tarango finished in third place. Sunday was equally as challenging with a weather delay coupled by a dry, but slightly less-rubbered track as a result of the rainfall just as the final began. Korn ran into a mechanical issue that ended his chances for the win, leaving a fast Matteo Quinto set up for the final victory. The Micro MAX category was a repeat of Saturday with Grant besting Ferguson for the win with Lucas Tarango taking another well-deserved third place finish.
CLUB MAX
The Club MAX competitors proved that it doesn’t take a lot to put on a show! Both days the competitors showcased some of the closest racing seen all day. With several drivers not able to make the trip this time around, the track action was intense for the weekend winner, along with a close contest for final championship. On Saturday, Lando Bily came around in the final to upset Cayden Spring and Jonathon Bischoff for the top spot. The competition was even closer on Sunday and it looked to be anyone’s race until in the later stages when Cayden Spring took command for the victory, followed by Jonathon Bischoff in second and Lando Bily rounding out the podium.
The remaining 2023 Rotax Trophy events and venues:
US Trophy East
Round 1 & 2: Pitt International Race Complex Wampum, PA | June 16-18
Round 3 & 4: New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ | August 11-13
US Trophy Final
*12 Grand Final Tickets Available: New Castle Motorsports Park | September 14-17
Find more details about the US Trophy Series including how to enter for the US Trophy Final at – www.racerotax.com
About J3 competition:
J3 Competition is an American based distribution and competition product resale company that focuses on the sector of high-performance kart racing. With a tenure being recognized as a world leader in the development of the karting industry, J3 Competition is the United States distributor of BRP-Rotax products designed for kart racing including; Rotax, XPS lubricants, MOJO tires.
Contact: technical@j3competition.com | +1 (814) 864-1846
«Arguably no better racing than the Rotax platform amongst the picturesque backdrop of Arizona. Returning the marquee platform to the fantastic Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson did not disappoint and the final rounds were some of the most competitive events we’ve had to date, with photo finishes in multiple categories. As we awarded our deserving competitors on Sunday, we thank everyone who participated in the Trophy West series, stay tuned as we are already nearing completion of an enhanced and exciting 2024 Trophy West program.» – Justin Stefani, J3 Competition.
Junior MAX
The Junior MAX category saw an increase in entries at the final series weekend, in addition to tighter competition throughout the entirety of the event. The racing started off with championship points leader Nixx Eggleston as the one to beat, however, several drivers challenges him; Charlie Smith, Kyle Drysdale, Boss Patel, Maddie Grace and several others upping their speed at the Musselman Honda Circuit. Saturday’s sessions were run counter-clockwise around the MHC circuit and in the end, after some intense heat races, Nixx Eggleston was able to capitalize with the final victory. He was followed by Charlie Smith in second and Xander Malatesa in third place. Sunday’s action mixed things up as the track direction rotated to clockwise, with what looked likely to be a repeat for Eggleston. However, Charlie Smith was able to beat the series champion on the last lap with a deep move for the win in turn three, giving the Californian the win with Eggleston in P2 and young Killian Harris in third at the line.
Senior MAX
The Senior Max category lost a few entries for the final rounds due to conflicting schedules, but the class was able to pick up a few new participants joining the grid. On Saturday, the action proved to be electric, after a couple of great heats which saw a few usual suspects battling for the honours with Zimming Wang and newcomer Lydia Small running in the top five. The final looked to be a two-way dice between Cooper O’Clair and Griffin Dowler - that was until Macy Williams had something to say. Williams methodically hunted down the lead duo to showcase a challenge for the win over the last three laps. With several clean lead changes, it was O’Clair on a late pass into the penultimate corner on Dowler, giving the Arizona driver the victory, followed closely by Williams in second and Dowler in third.
Sunday witnessed a turnaround, as Tyler Ruth returned to the top of the class by securing pole position. Throughout the heat race, the competition was equally as close with O’Clair asserting pole position for the start of the final. With weather looming the final, the field took the green in dry conditions, until the race was stopped on lap five due to rain. After nearly one-and-a-half-hours delay because of the lightning and the race director’s decision to return to action, the racing resumed with a single file restart. Under tricky conditions with slick tires, competitors played out another fantastic final; O’Clair was able to win in a close duel, with Griffin Dowler in second and Williams in third. Liberante climbed back to the front in fourth with Lydia Small taking an impressive fifth place finish, after a great outing in her first Rotax event.
Masters MAX
Racing alongside the Senior MAX drivers, the MAX Masters drivers again showed that karting truly does provide the only fountain of youth. Billy Cleavelin led the charge through Saturday’s heat races, only to be challenged by top-ranked driver Derek Wang, who ended up besting Cleavelin, while Chris Mann took home the third position. On Sunday, there was a shuffle throughout the heat races and a stoppage on account of the weather, which tightened up the grid. This gave Cleavelin the ideal opportunity to pounce in the final, taking the victory over Chris Mann with Derek Wang rounding out the podium in third place.
Mini MAX & Micro MAX
Continuing to compete as one category in the US Trophy West series, the Micro MAX and Mini MAX drivers all utilizing the Mini MAX engine kit continued close racing for the top spot as throughout the entirety of the group. Saturday’s final was a close three-way fight between Gage Korn, Matteo Quinto and Gage Grant, until the final few laps where Korn was able stamp the victory. Following on from a close last lap battle that was decided in the race director’s office, Quinto was classified second ahead of Ryan Queen. In the Micro MAX category, Gage Grant came under heavy fire from young Troy Ferguson in the late stages and was able to barely hold him off for the victory. Ferguson claimed second and Lucas Tarango finished in third place. Sunday was equally as challenging with a weather delay coupled by a dry, but slightly less-rubbered track as a result of the rainfall just as the final began. Korn ran into a mechanical issue that ended his chances for the win, leaving a fast Matteo Quinto set up for the final victory. The Micro MAX category was a repeat of Saturday with Grant besting Ferguson for the win with Lucas Tarango taking another well-deserved third place finish.
CLUB MAX
The Club MAX competitors proved that it doesn’t take a lot to put on a show! Both days the competitors showcased some of the closest racing seen all day. With several drivers not able to make the trip this time around, the track action was intense for the weekend winner, along with a close contest for final championship. On Saturday, Lando Bily came around in the final to upset Cayden Spring and Jonathon Bischoff for the top spot. The competition was even closer on Sunday and it looked to be anyone’s race until in the later stages when Cayden Spring took command for the victory, followed by Jonathon Bischoff in second and Lando Bily rounding out the podium.
The remaining 2023 Rotax Trophy events and venues:
US Trophy East
Round 1 & 2: Pitt International Race Complex Wampum, PA | June 16-18
Round 3 & 4: New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ | August 11-13
US Trophy Final
*12 Grand Final Tickets Available: New Castle Motorsports Park | September 14-17
Find more details about the US Trophy Series including how to enter for the US Trophy Final at – www.racerotax.com
About J3 competition:
J3 Competition is an American based distribution and competition product resale company that focuses on the sector of high-performance kart racing. With a tenure being recognized as a world leader in the development of the karting industry, J3 Competition is the United States distributor of BRP-Rotax products designed for kart racing including; Rotax, XPS lubricants, MOJO tires.
Contact: technical@j3competition.com | +1 (814) 864-1846
