TAG MASTERS – Round 2 – PHILLIPSEN SHUTS CRITICS

TAG MASTERS – Round 2 – PHILLIPSEN SHUTS CRITICS
Beaumont, California (Saturday, March 10 ,2007)

Brian Phillipsen shut his critics with his maiden win, while Ty Matta displayed brilliant and “masterful” racing skills at Round 2 of the Tri-C World Championship of TAG MASTERS, the world’s most watched sporting event.

It was another successful and thrilling event as it set a new attendance record of 578,634 die hard fans. “I do everything for racing because it’s in my blood. This is too cool man! Everything here is awesome! The only problem is that I couldn’t buy tickets before I flew in from Argentina, so I had to pay $2,800 to some guy outside the gate” said die hard race fan Gabriel Batistuta. This is an issue that TicketMaestro has brought to the attention of Bernardo Ecclestone, Tri-C TAG MASTERS Supremo.

“There are certain individuals that are taking advantage of this TAG MASTERS phenomenon. Demand is extremely strong. We increased seat capacity from 300,000 last month to 550,000 this month and all tickets were sold in a record braking 28 seconds, after it became available to the general public” said Joseph Reed, Director of TicketMaestro. “We are doing everything we can and we are making arrangements to increase seat capacity to 750,000 as early as next month.”

Qualifying –

The attendance record was not the only record that was broken at the second round of Tri-C TAG MASTERS. Ty Matta, the Filipino-Mexican-American, had a remarkable debut in the world most competitive racing series with a “masterful” display of natural racing skills and set a new qualifying lap record of 1:06.44.

“I am obviously very excited with the news. I have worked very hard to get to where I am. I have raced for many years in many different series and now that I have the opportunity to show what I have in front of the world, I intend to make the best out of it. I am here to win the championship!”

George Gallardo also had a successful debut in the series by claiming second place in the starting grid with a lap time of 1.07.594. “I have nothing to complaint. My MAXX powered engine was perfect and the kart handled really well and I am just glad to have a chance to compete in this series. Qualifying in front row is just a bonus for me and for the team. I am just happy for the team” said Gallardo.

A bit less enthusiastic about qualifying was Jack Kirpatick and Brian Phillipsen. Kirkpatrick, who dominated Round 1 of TAG MASTERS, struggled to find pace in practice but managed to qualify in third with a lap time of 1.07.735, more than a full second behind pole sitter Matta. “He did a very good job for us” said John Todt, Team Principal of Pherrari.

“Our chassis supplier has provided us today with the latest and brand new Tony Kart EVX and unfortunately, Jack did not have the necessary time to fine tune this chassis at the track. We performed extensive test in our wind tunnel but as you can see, we are off pace today. I am sure that Jack will find a way to pick up a spot or two during the actual race.”

Heavily under pressure, the 8-time world champion, Brian Phillipsen disappointed again in qualifying. “I am not really disappointed because it is not a big deal” said Phillipsen. “You guys in the media need to sell newspapers and magazines so you guys are going to be making a big fuss about Matta’s qualifying run in contrast to my qualifying time. You do what you have to do because I don’t really care! There are not points awarded for qualifying and the race is what really counts. If you tell me that a points will be giving to a pole sitter than you may see a different lap time from me.”

Perhaps Phillipsen might have a point here and a real excuse, however, nothing hides from the fact that the Pensque driver qualifying lap of 1.07.764 was 1.120 off pole.

Roger Pensque remained optimistic about his team – “We are competitive and we are on track for victory. Last month, Kurt Burris ran the fastest lap of the race and Brian was in position to fight for a win. We just need to make sure that our drivers have the right equipment and they will do just fine.”

The remaining of the field was between two to five seconds off pole. Here are some quotes from qualifying:

Larry Hayashigawa (MakLaren): “An improvement from last month and a respectable Top 10 qualifying position considering I am on a new team with a new chassis today. The experience is new but so far I am very pleased with the professional attitude of my new team.”

John Passon (Mucca Rosso): “I had good momentum going and could have done a lot better but my qualifying lap was ruined by a back marker, I am really disappointed. Actually, I am pretty frustrated!”

Steve Thompson (Mucca Rosso): “Really struggling for grip at this time. We need to make a few adjustments and hopefully we will be better in the race.”

Tony Sinicropi (Red Mucca): “I am so disappointed. I know my fans are disappointed because we all know I can do better than this. The kart was perfect and the engine was strong but I got too exited and made a mistake in turn 17.”

Alex King (MakLaren): “Definitely the worst qualifying performance of my career. I had electrical problems and the officials allowed me to go back once again but my seat cracked due to the G forces that are very high at this track. Starting from the back of the grid is not something I am used to, but we will do our best to set up the kart for the race and make the best out of it.”

Jeff Greene (Super Augusta): “My first race, my first time in a kart and I guess I can’t complaint too much despite my lack of pace. This is a long process and it will take some time for me to get competitive, but I know I will.”

James Bratton (Toyoda): “Misfire. That is what happened. My engine misfired in the main straight and that pretty much eliminated my chances of going for pole today. I am confident that our crew will identify the problem and it will be a sort of recovery race for me later today.”

Race –

After a disappointed qualifying performance, the 8-time world champion, Brian Phillipsen put his vast racing experience to good use to claim his maiden win.

The race was primarily dominated by Jack Kirkpatrick, winner of Round 1, and for a moment appeared set to claim his second win and to extend his championship lead in the series. However, that did not happen as the Irish suffered a massive engine explosion with only 3 laps to the finish and while leading the race.

“It is disappointed and honestly, I don’t know what really happened. Sure, Brian did put some pressure, but I had the race pretty much under control and was actually starting to pull away before the engine failed. I think I could have won again today.”

For precaution, Kirkpatrick was taken to the local hospital as his engine explosion caused high level of C4 molecules that are known to cause cancer. “He will be okay. Jack is going to the hospital just to be safe and I am certain that the doctors there will declare him fit to race next month” said Pherrari’s Team Principal, John Todt.

“This is not how I see it” said the race winner Brian Phillipsen. “I think I was the one with the race under control and that is why Kirkpatrick had a DNF and I won it. He was trying too hard, he was pushing too much and Roger told me over the radio not to push any harder because it was estimated that Kirkpatrick was running at about 23,000 RPM. And you are just asking for something rally bad to happen when you do that.”

Indeed, it did appear to many that Phillipsen had a game plan set for the weekend. He worked very hard on setting up the kart for the race and nursing his tires during practice and qualifying and though the American star may have not convincingly won this race, but he seemed to be at the right place and right time during a critical time of the race.

“I think he drove a great race and drove like a champion” said Bernardo Ecclestone. “I tipped earlier in the year that Phillipsen is definitely a championship favorite and he has shown today with his first win.”

Perhaps not a championship favorite yet, but certain a new title contender, Ty Matta’s electrifying performance in his debut was the hot topic in the paddock. Earlier, Matta shattered the qualifying lap record and he was able to do it again in the race by setting a new race fastest lap of 1:06.675. Matta started in the back of the pack and managed to finish in a very impressive second place.

The Filipino-Mexican-American was simply overjoyed with his performance – “Yeah, to come out here in my first race this is really good I think. I certainly did not expect to do this well and I could have fought for a win I think. Traffic was not a problem since I was in general over a second faster than everyone else.”

Hayashigawa debut with his new MakLaren team started in a very good note. The Japanese star scored another podium finish and is now leading the championship points. “I like to thank my Manager, Hiro Katushita, for getting me into the best team in the world. I am really happy with the MaKLaren International structure and the CRG chassis suits my driving style really well. I had some pressure early one from Aaron and later from Terry but I knew what was at stake and I knew that a podium finish here today would allow me to claim the lead in the series, so I did it.”

MakLaren’s Team Boss, Ronaldo Dennis appeared very please with his drivers – “Yes, I am very please with today’s performance. Larry did a very good job for us. He is always very smooth and calculative and he took important points today. I am disappointed that we could not provide the very best equipment to Alex, but nevertheless, I think he also did a very good job challenging the filed from the back of the pack to finish in 7th.”

The MakLaren team has reason to be excited as it holds a comfortable lead in the Constructor’s Championship, where Hayashigawa is in first and King is in second in the Driver’s Championship.

“This is the best I could do under the circumstances” said the 2005 World Champion of Senior Sportsman Novice, Alex King. “We have a lot of potential I think and it is a matter of making sure that we can start a bit further up in the grid. It was a hard race in the end. I had Aaron and James in my sight for the last 2 or 3 laps but couldn’t find enough speed to go around them, though I thought I was actually faster then them. The important thing is that I picked up some valuable points today.”

It was a very close finish between Aaron Combs, James Bratton and Alex King for 5th, 6th and 7th place respectively. “I could see both James and Alex in my mirrors and a couple of times James attempted to make a move and at one time, I think he had it but for whatever reason did not manage a pass”.

James Bratton continues to experience engine problems as he is unable to match the straight line speed that is expected out of his Rotax. “I am actually not convinced that it is the engine. I think we need to look into our bodywork, maybe it is an aerodynamic problem.” Bratton is one of the drivers in the series that carries a kart camera on behalf of Speed Canal.

The rookie, Jeff Greene, got in the way of John Passon before turn 17, which allow King to make a move. The Mucca Rosso driver was not pleased with that as he lost an important position in the race – “It’s one think one I lose a position in a battle and it is something else one I lose because of a back marker or something like that. I don’t blame Jeff because at 187 MPH you can not always see what is coming behind, but the officials could have brought the blue flag a bit earlier.”

The Italian flamboyant, Tony Sinicropi did meet the high expectations of his fans and could not show the promising speed he showed at Round 1. The Italian was suffering brake failure for most part of the race and consequently dropped dramatically his lap times. “It’s a shame but that is life. I knew I had brake problems at around lap 2 and I knew that my race was over. I kept going because I know that there are lot of Italians that flew over to watch me here today and it is good for the sponsors” said Sinicropi. It is expected that Sinicropi will have a teammate in April as rumors persist that Chinese super star, Blair Chang, is very close of signing a new deal with the Red Mucca squad. “I think he will be good for the series and I think he will be good for the team. I am looking forward in working with him should the rumors turn into reality” said the Italian.

The last position in the top 10 was claimed by Steve Thompson. Thompson’s race was practically ruined when he lost momentum coming out of turn 17. Video from Speed Canal shows the young Jacob Neal forcing Thompson out of the track. “That was pretty much over because I lost momentum and a couple of karts just flew by me. And when you are pretty close to each other in terms of lap times, it is very hard to pass” said a disappointed and frustrated Thompson. It is not yet known yet if Steve’s team, Mucca Rosso, will file a formal complaint to Tri-C World Court of Appeal.

Driver’s Championship (at a glance – TOP 10):

Larry Hayashigawa (MakLaren) – 399 pts
Alex King (MakLaren) – 380 pts
James Bratton (Toyoda) – 374 pts
Jack Kirkpatrick (Pherrari) – 369 pts
Donald Amigliore (Sawber) – 369 pts
Brian Phillipsen (Pensque) – 366 pts
John Passon (Mucca Rosso) – 359 pts
Steve Thompson (Mucca Rosso) – 326 pts
Dennis Uebersetzig (Toyoda) – 323 pts
Tony Sinicropi (Red Mucca) – 319 pts

Constructor’s Championship (at a glance – TOP 7):

MakLaren – 779 pts
Toyoda – 697 pts
Mucca Rosso – 685 pts
Pensque – 560 pts
Pherrari – 369 pts
Sawber – 369 pts
Red Mucca – 319 pts

DISCLAIMER – It is 9:38AM of 4/4/07. I have nothing to do at this time so I just started typing things up out of my imagination and for the purpose of entertaining. Do not believe a single thing that I wrote above with the exception of dates, race/qualifying positions and lap times of TAG MASTERS. Everything else is either made up or partially true based on conversations I had with related individuals. All “quotes” are not real. If I have offended anyone and you do not appreciate this type of amusement, please let me know and I will make sure I remove your name (apologies in advance).