October 99 - WKA North American Karting Championship

CHARLOTTE NC - OCTOBER 1999

10-31-99 - Charlotte NC

 Colin Braun added the North American Karting Championship to his US Grand National Championship today.  The North American Championship had entries from Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Costa Rica.  The win also was the first major win in North America for FOX Kart.  The TRACC 5 team was asked by Coello Racing, importer of Jolly and Fox karts, to test the new Ghepardo Fox chassis.  The chassis worked great and was adaptable to the changing conditions at the Lowes Motor Speedway.  Tony Coello gave the team a great starting set up and with his help each night via phone the team was able to get a handle on the new chassis.

After qualifying 3rd on Saturday Colin started the 15 lap final with many unknowns.  The biggest was the track conditions.  This event hosted the International FA and JICA class.  They use very sticky tires that have a big effect on the grip level and this changes depending when you run in relation to the fast FA and JICA karts.

Tony Coello told us to be ready for an ultra grippy track, and we made some changes for this.  On the start Colin jumped to second by passing factory CRG driver Stewart Marsell from Costa Rica on lap 1.  On lap 3 he passed Jon Denning from New Jersey on the long back straight for first place.  This left 12 laps on the long 50 second per lap track to hold off the charge of Denning.  For the next 11 laps there was never more than 2 kart lengths between Colin and Jon.  It looked like Jon was waiting for a last lap draft maneuver on the back straight.  On the last lap the 2 karts entered the straight and Denning attempted to make the move, but the power from our Woltjer tuned Yamaha engine was enough to hold him off.  Most of the spectators (many international drivers and crew watched as the feature FA race was next) thought Colin had it won at that point.  Entering the 2 left-hand turns at the top of the track, Denning dived for the inside and passed Colin for the lead.  With 3 turns left it looked like it was over for us.  But Colin immediately counter attacked by lunging for the apex of the next left.  As Denning slipped slightly to the outside the 2 drivers exited the turn together.  Through the esses they were side by side.  Colin was on the outside for the first right, but had the inside on the last left.  The 2 karts were rubbing side pods for the whole esses complex with Colin emerging in front for the last turn, a tight right.  Denning attempted to get the inside and came out with his front bumper at Colin's seat.  It was a drag race to the line.  4 seconds later it was Colin with 2 hands in the air winning by 2 feet (.059 sec.) in the closest race of the entire weekend.  

Travis Braun Colin's brother and team data guy said "after running so bad in the Yamaha class the first part of the year, I can't believe that we won the 2 biggest races of the year".

The new FOX kart attracted much attention after the race, as it is so new and obviously a fast design. 

The Tracc 5 team will be traveling directly to Jacksonville FL on Monday to conduct a 2-day test in preparation for the opening race of 2000.  We are happy to renew the successful partnerships we have had in 1999.  This allows us to have what we feel are the best engines in all for karting from Woltjer Engines (Daniel, Gary, Carl, and Linda - thanks).  We will be using Fox and Jolly karts from Coello Racing.  Tony Coello has been the biggest factor in our rapid rise to top national racing.  His brothers Mike and Niki have offered their experiences to Colin on driving and there are no better teachers.  Completing the package are Bell helmets and Shaklee Carbo Crunch Energy Bars.

Colin on the #1 podium position