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Driver News: Ryan Rudolph Begins Journey Towards Goal of SKUSA Pro Tour Championship
http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=20246&sid=d723291d5a892d622ed8ce29ea9f50e1
Colorado driver Ryan Rudolph is set to tackle the S5 Junior Stock Moto division once again in 2012
Experience is a key factor when attaining success in the motorsports world. For Colorado driver Ryan Rudolph, his experience will be crucial in reaching his goal of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour S5 Junior Stock Moto championship in 2012. The CRG-USA pilot is ready to tackle the opening rounds of the series during the MG Tires SpringNationals at the PKRA Formula K Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on April 20-22. Entering his third season in the category, Rudolph will battle for the top of the podium and hopefully a chance to secure the S5 Junior Stock Moto title in 2012.
Rudolph is coming off his most successful season in karting, campaigning the S5 division. Beginning the 2011 schedule aboard a GP chassis, Ryan struggled early to find his way to the front at the opening round of the Pro Tour. Unable to reach the podium in the opener, Rudolph was expecting more when the series headed to his home state of Colorado for the SummerNationals in July. Rudolph qualified on the pole position for the opening round, but was unable to convert that performance into a podium finish. The next day, he expertly worked his way toward the front and scored his first Pro Tour victory. Completing the regional season with a title at the Mile High Challenge and second in the SKUSA Rocky Mountain Series, his focus turned to the SKUSA SuperNationals. Just prior to the Las Vegas event, Rudolph signed up with the CRG-USA operation, moving to the CRG chassis. Rudolph adjusted to the new ride quickly, gaining speed as the event progressed. Starting the main event fourth, Ryan inched his way toward the front. Despite challenging for the lead in the final laps, Rudolph came just 0.072 seconds short of victory, securing the runner-up position at the prestigious event. The finish helped to propel him to third in the championship chase, handing him the #3 plate for 2012.
“Last season was a great progression for me as a driver,” stated Rudolph, a rising shifterkart star. “The start to the year was a bit rough as we visited a new track, but we managed to survive with minimal damage. Returning home helped build up my confidence, and winning increased it more. Moving over to the CRG-USA team was another step, and the results in Las Vegas showed it. I’m happy to have ended the year in the way it did, as now I’m even more excited to start racing in 2012.”
Now with the 2012 season set to begin, Rudolph is primed to challenge for the title in the growing S5 class. Returning under the CRG-USA banner for 2012, Ryan has the momentum from the end of 2011 to start off the new season in the right direction. Despite not having been able to enter any racing events since the SuperNationals, he has a number of test sessions at the team’s home track – Grand Junction Motor Speedway – and other courses near his home in Littleton, CO. The April 20-22 SpringNationals will be at the PKRA Formula K Raceway outside the Phoenix, Arizona area. It will be the first visit to the facility for Rudolph, but he has the upper hand in the experience column as the top returning driver in the category.
“We had the option to move up to the S2 Semi-Pro class for this season, but we felt another season in S5 would be more productive,” continued Rudolph. “Just turning 15 in November, another season battling for the win in the Junior ranks should help for when I move up the SKUSA ladder system in 2013. The SpringNationals will set the tone for the season. Our CRG-USA team has been there this season already, so I’m hoping to learn from the other drivers about how to attack the track. Our CRG-USA S5 Junior Stock Moto machine is ready, and so am I.”
To follow his progress in the 2012 season, be sure to visit http://www.ryanrudolphracing.com throughout the year. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ron Rudolph at [email protected]
About Ryan Rudolph:
15-year old Littleton, Colorado driver Ryan Rudolph is entering his 10th season in the sport of karting. Starting at the age of five, Rudolph eats, sleeps, and breathes racing. Now competing under the CRG-USA tent, Rudolph is primed for a championship run in 2012. The 2011 season was his most successful to date, earning the title in the Mike High Challenge, vice-champion position at the SKUSA Rocky Mountain series, runner-up at the SKUSA SuperNationals XV, and placed third in the SKUSA Pro Tour 2011 standings for S5 Junior Stock Moto. Entering his final Junior season, Rudolph’s goal is to win as many races as possible in hopes of two championships, one regional and one national, before making the jump to the Senior level in 2013. For more information on Ryan Rudolph, be sure to visit http://www.ryanrudolphracing.comBest of luck to you this season Ryan. Keep the Rudolph name on top kid, and stay focused. You were coming hard at the Nats, and if there was one more lap it would have been very interesting to watch you do battle with Austin. CO has always had some of the best S5’s in the country year after year as far back as I can remember. The Schimmel’s run was awesome to watch all season, so back it up with another CO Championship.
See you guys in AZ.
Curt
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