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AUSTIN VERSTEEG SET TO TAKE ON THE SKUSA SUPERNATIONALS IN SIN CITY
November 7, 2012 – After an outstanding rookie season in the junior karting ranks, PSL Karting/CRG driver Austin Versteeg is set to take on the most demanding event on the 2012 calendar, the sixteenth running of the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) SuperNationals. Competing against a record breaking 82 drivers from around the world in the ultra-competitive TaG Junior class, Versteeg has been busy preparing for the November 14-18 event, which will take place on a temporary circuit in the parking lot of the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In preparation for karting’s biggest event, Versteeg recently spent time testing in Grand Junction, Colorado. Extensively testing two engines utilized during the 2011 edition of the SuperNats, where Versteeg earned a respectable 14th place result in the TaG Junior main event during his first race as a junior, the 13-year-old will be well prepared for next week’s event.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG IMPRESSES AT US ROTAX GRAND NATIONALS
August 16, 2012 – Continuing to impress during his rookie year in the junior karting ranks, Austin Versteeg would take on the 2012 Rotax Max Challenge United States Grand Nationals this past week at the Jet Karting of Michiana Raceway Park facility in South Bend, Indiana. After scoring podium finishes in both the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas series and the Superkarts! USA program this year, Versteeg would look to put his PSL Karting prepared CRG in contention for another podium finish in 2012.
A podium result during the Rotax Summer Shootout at the same Jet Karting facility a month prior had Versteeg primed and ready for the premier US Rotax event. Using the early week unofficial practice to get up to speed, Versteeg’s testing would become moot, as rain had moved into the area for Thursday’s official action. Posting the 13th fastest lap in his Group B qualifying session, Versteeg would be disappointed with a 21st overall qualifying position. Making up ground lost for the first of three heats, Versteeg would drive to a commendable third place finish in the first heat race, coming up from 11th on the grid.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG CONTINUES TO IMPRESS ON AND OFF THE TRACK
July 20, 2012 – With his ongoing development as a rookie in the junior ranks of karting, Sandy, Utah’s Austin Versteeg continues to impress both on and off the track. Scoring a pair of podiums including a victory at the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Rocky Mountain Region event in Grand Junction, Colorado followed by a pair of top five results at the Rotax Summer Shootout, Versteeg traded in his helmet for a microphone and was featured on CBS Television affiliate KUTV 2News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With entry counts low at the SKUSA Rocky Mountain Region event in the TaG Junior field, Versteeg would utilize track time to hone his skills and work on his racecraft. Scoring a pair of pole positions and three of four heat race wins, Versteeg went on to claim a second place result on Saturday and improved on Sunday to stand atop the podium.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG CONTINUES SKUSA CAMPAIGN THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO
May 2, 2012 – Fresh off a podium finish in his Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour debut, junior rookie driver Austin Versteeg will be back in SKUSA action this weekend. Taking in the regional competition of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge at Grand Junction Motor Speedway, Versteeg will look to continue his hot streak during his rookie season in the junior karting ranks.
With the first two rounds of the SKUSA regional program kicking off this weekend, Versteeg will take on the 9/10 mile Grand Junction, Colorado facility. The sprint track features fast straights, technical corners and hairpin turns, as Versteeg will certainly be met with some intense racing in the competitive TaG Junior category.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG EARNS PODIUM FINISH IN SKUSA PRO TOUR DEBUT
April 26, 2012 – Continuing to impress during his rookie season in the junior karting ranks, Sandy, Utah's Austin Versteeg recently made a return trip to the podium. Coming off a fourth place run in the Rotax Junior championship in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas series, where Versteeg made three podium appearances, the rising talent earned yet another trip to the podium this past weekend at the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour SummerNationals at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA) Formula K Raceway. Taking on the TaG Junior category in his Pro Tour debut, Versteeg would have to battle through extreme heat in the desert locale, as well as tricky track conditions during the opening round of the third edition of the popular Pro Tour.
Setting himself up as one of the quickest juniors at the event, Versteeg would put his PSL Karting / CRG near the top of the time sheets during Friday's practice sessions. Posting second quick during the fourth and sixth timed sessions, Versteeg would lay down the fastest time in the fifth practice session, showing he has what it takes to run in the competitive west coast series.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG FINISHES GATORZ CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS SERIES WITH STRONG RESULTS
April 5, 2012 – Rookie junior driver Austin Versteeg recently wrapped up his second series in 2012 as the Sandy, Utah resident took to the CalSpeed Karting Complex in Fontana, California for the final round of the west coast Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. Heading into the finale on the strength of a strong showing at the closing round of the east coast’s Florida Winter Tour, Versteeg looked to finish off just as strong. A title was also on the line for Versteeg, as three podiums in previous events had the rising talent third in the Rotax Junior championship standings. With stiff competition and a challenging 15-turn, 3/4-mile circuit, the title was not in the cards for Versteeg, but don’t count out his talent for future success in the junior karting ranks.
Versteeg started off his Fontana campaign with a solid fifth place run in Saturday’s qualifying session, and worked to keep his PSL Karting / CRG near the front of the 22-kart strong junior field. Falling back at the start of the prefinal, Versteeg worked back up to sixth after the 17-lap race concluded. The final was much the same for the 12-year-old karter, as Versteeg would wrap up his day with another sixth place result.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG SET TO CONTEST GATORZ FINALE IN FONTANA
March 29, 2012 - With one winter series complete, as rookie junior driver Austin Versteeg recently wrapped up the 2012 Florida Winter Tour program, the rising talent is set to take on the final round of the west coast series, the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. Currently sitting in the third position in the overall Rotax Junior points championship, Versteeg will head to the CalSpeed Karting Complex in Fontana, California with a shot at taking the overall class title. The Sandy, Utah resident has made three podium appearances to date in 2012 Gatorz action, and will look to keep up that momentum in pursuit of the class title and his first junior victory.
In the two event weekends and four races so far in the Gatorz series, Versteeg has emerged as a title contender. Taking to the opening round in January at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, Versteeg earned his first podium in his rookie junior year, placing third during the Sunday event. Adding a solid fifth place run to start his Gatorz campaign, Versteeg kept the momentum going, earning two additional podiums at the February round at the Formula K Raceway in Glendale, Arizona. Battling for the lead during the Saturday race, Versteeg crossed the stripe with a second place finish and added another third the following day.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG COMPLETES FLORIDA WINTER TOUR
March 21, 2012 - Rookie junior driver Austin Versteeg wrapped up his first series in the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior ranks at this past weekend's Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT). Taking to the Ocala Gran Prix facility in central Florida for the series finale, Versteeg ended his FWT campaign with two strong top-15 results. In a class of nearly 50 competitors, including world and national champions, Versteeg and his PSL Karting team have made strides in his first year at the junior level. With Versteeg earning his 2011 Florida Winter Tour Mini Max championship at the same circuit last year, the rising talent earned his best results of the three round, six race series.
Taking to the technical, 6/10-mile layout on Friday for the two qualifying sessions, Versteeg cracked into the top-ten in both. Laying down a lap of 36.837 in the first, which set Sunday's grid, the 12-year-old Sandy, Utah resident clocked 36.938 in the late-afternoon session for Saturday's competition. Both times would put Versteeg ninth on the grid for the weekend's wheel-to-wheel action.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG EARNS TWO TRIPS TO THE PODIUM IN PHOENIX
March 1, 2012 - In his rookie season in the ultra-competitive junior ranks, 12-year-old karting driver Austin Versteeg continues to keep a busy travel schedule. Running winter series on both the east and west coast, Versteeg recently made a return trip to Arizona for the second round of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas program. Coming off a strong weekend at the season opener in January that included a third place result, Versteeg added two more trips to podium presentations at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA) Formula K Raceway in Glendale this past weekend. Running with the combined effort between PSL Karting and CRG West, Versteeg now sits in championship contention leading up to the final round in March.
Competing against a large, 34-kart Rotax Junior field, Versteeg kicked off his Phoenix campaign with a third place run during Saturday’s qualifying session. Just 0.069 seconds off pole time, Versteeg showed he had the speed to battle at the front all weekend long. Falling back one position during the prefinal race, Versteeg put his PSL/CRG in place to battle for the win during the racy, 25-lap feature. Taking over the top spot momentarily, the Sandy, Utah resident relinquished the lead but held on to take second at the checkers.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG TURNS HIS FOCUS TO GATORZ PHOENIX ROUND
February 23, 2012 – After two weekends in Florida for the 2012 Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), junior rookie driver Austin Versteeg will now turn his attention to the west coast competition of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. After an impressive start to the series last month at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, where the up-and-coming talent earned a fifth and third place finish in the Rotax Junior class, Versteeg will return to Arizona this weekend. Taking to the Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA) Formula K Raceway in Glendale, Versteeg will look to put his PSL Karting/CRG in place to earn his first junior victory.
Coming off a challenging weekend in FWT Rotax action at the Homestead Karting Complex just south of Miami, Florida, Versteeg contested the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior class with his PSL Karting team. Battling a host of national and international champions, Versteeg started off by directly qualifying for both Saturday and Sunday’s events during the Friday sessions, a feat in itself considering the 52-kart strong field. A disqualification during Saturday’s prefinal abruptly ended Versteeg’s day, but the young gun persevered on Sunday to take 17th during the 20-lap final.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG PODIUMS AT GATORZ OPENER IN TUCSON
February 2, 2012 - In his Rotax Junior rookie season, 12-year-old Austin Versteeg is already making quite the impression. After a solid outing at the season opening Florida Winter Tour Formula Kart weekend at the beginning of January and showing speed to run at the front during the Rotax weekend, Versteeg excelled this past weekend at the series opener for the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas. Taking to the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, the Nola Motosports sponsored driver battled 36 competitors and came out with an impressive fifth and third place finish during the weekend's two finals.
After placing third in the overall Gatorz Mini Max points championship in 2011, Versteeg would look to make the most out of his Rotax Junior rookie campaign. Taking to the track for official qualifying for Saturday's events, Versteeg would put his PSL Karting CRG in the eighth place in the tight junior class. Moving up a few spots to finish fifth in the prefinal race, the young gun managed to hold onto fifth throughout the long, 25 lap main event.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG DEBUTS IN ROTAX JUNIOR AT FLORIDA WINTER TOUR
January 19, 2012 - 2011 Florida Winter Tour Rotax Mini Max Champion Austin Versteeg returned to the Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) in Jupiter, Florida last weekend for his Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT) Rotax Junior debut. Taking on a staggering 62-kart field of some of the best junior competitors from around the globe, the PSL Karting.com / CRG driver posted some mixed results during the season opener. Despite some tough luck, Versteeg showed the speed to run near the front and will be a threat for race wins as the series wears on.
Starting out with official qualifying for Sunday's round on Friday afternoon, Versteeg suffered through a carburetor issue and went on to clock 19th in his timed session. Sorting out his carburetor during the second qualifying session, which set the grid for Saturday, the 12-year-old improved to seventh overall. Directly qualifying for both day's events, a feat in itself in the ultra-competitive FWT action, Versteeg had a solid first day running in the Rotax Max Challenge Junior category.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG KICKS OF 2012 CAMPAIGN THIS WEEKEND
January 6, 2012 - The 2011 Rotax Mini Max Florida Winter Tour (FWT) Champion, Austin Versteeg, is set to return to the competitive and popular winter series for 2012. Kicking off this weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR), the talented up-and-coming driver will make his debut in the junior classes, starting with the Formula Kart weekend in the TaG Junior class. Jumping into a Rotax powerplant for the second of the doubleheader weekend, Versteeg will look to secure race wins and make a run for the Rotax Junior championship against a stacked field of international competition.
Getting on track early in 2012, Versteeg will contest the TaG Junior class this weekend as the 2012 edition of the FWT kicks off with round one at PBIR. As a one off event in advance of the Rotax weekend, Versteeg will work his PSL Karting prepared CRG and perfect his set-up while gaining valuable seat time. Back at the track for the Rotax classes next week, Versteeg will look to set a positive tone in his Junior debut. The 12-year-old pilot will be back at FWT Rotax action for the second round at Homestead Karting on the grounds of the hallowed Homestead-Miami Speedway in February and then head to Ocala Gran Prix mid-March for the series finale.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG - YEAR IN REVIEW
December 15, 2011 - Rotax Mini-Max standout Austin Versteeg has enjoyed a tremendous year in 2011 as he crisscrossed North America in pursuit of podiums, race wins and championships. As one of the most promising up-and-coming drivers, Versteeg was rarely seen off the podium and racked up some serious hardware in some of the most competitive and prominent series and events in North American karting.
Starting off 2011 at two prestigious winter series on opposite coasts, the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas on the west and the Florida Winter Tour on the east, Versteeg started the year off on the right foot. A third place finish and a win at the opening rounds of the Gatorz series led to a third place finish in the overall Mini-Max standings. Over in Florida, three third place finishes and two wins in the six-round series propelled the PSL Karting pilot to the top of the charts, as he claimed the Florida Winter Tour Rotax Mini-Max championship by 91 points.
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ROTAX MINI MAX STANDOUT AUSTIN VERSTEEG LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
November 10, 2011 - Austin Versteeg, 2011 Florida Winter Tour Rotax Mini Max Champion, is proud to announce the launch of his new online presence, www.AustinVersteeg.com. As the official site of the up-and-coming pilot, www.AustinVersteeg.com is the go-to source for all the latest news, information and results for the Utah resident. Working with Autosports Media Group on the design and development, Austin’s new site features a graphic layout, rich colors and easy navigation.
With all official news releases, media section chock-full of stunning photos, biography section and much more, the site gives fans, supporters and visitors instant access to the budding career of this young talent. As one of the rising stars in the junior karting ranks, Austin has spent 2011 crisscrossing North America in pursuit of race wins and championships, and with the launch of www.AustinVertseeg.com, everyone will have the chance to stay up-to-date with the busy 12-year-old pilot.
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AUSTIN VERSTEEG READY FOR PAN AMERICAN CHALLENGE FINALE
September 21, 2011 – 2011 Florida Winter Tour Mini-Max champion Austin Versteeg will head to the New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana this week for the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge Championship event looking to add another championship title to his already impressive resume. The 12-year-old pilot has spent the last nine months traveling all over North America as he competes in the ultra-competitive Rotax Mini-Max class with his PSL Karting team. Always seen at the front of the pack, the talented Versteeg enters the Pan Am finale as one of the favorites to score the Mini-Max title.
With a new format for the Pan American Challenge in place for 2011, drivers needed to run four qualifying races to be eligible to enter the championship event. Getting his first two punches back in March at the combined Gatorz Challenge of the Americas/Pan Am Western US qualifying event, Verstseeg claimed two solid sixth place finishes at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. After wrapping the Florida Winter Tour, Versteeg then headed to Homestead Karting, located on the grounds of the famed Homestead-Miami Speedway, for the first Eastern US qualifier and took home a third and second place finish in the two finals to wrap up his four qualifying races.
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CONSISTENCY IS KEY FOR MINI-MAX PILOT AUSTIN VERSTEEG
September 15, 2011 – 12-year-old Rotax Mini-Max pilot Austin Versteeg has spent his year crisscrossing North America in pursuit of race wins and championship titles. Getting started in karting at the age of eight, and now coupled with powerhouse PSL Karting of Trois Riveries, Quebec, Versteeg is starting to turn heads as one of the most promising up-and-coming pilots in the junior ranks of karting. After taking third in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas Championship and the title of Rotax Mini-Max Florida Winter Tour champion earlier in the year, the Sandy, Utah resident has been consistently at the front of the pack wherever he runs and now has his sights on two of the biggest events left on the karting calendar, the Pan American Challenge finale event and the granddaddy of events, the SuperKarts! USA SuperNationals.
Getting the year started at the prestigious Florida Winter Tour, the young Versteeg used his incredible consistency to score the Rotax Mini-Max title. After finishing fifth at the opening round at the Orlando Kart Center in January, Versteeg never missed the podium after that, taking third in rounds two and three and then topping the blocks on Sunday at Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach. Adding another third and another win to his tally at the Ocala Gran Prix facility for the final two rounds, Versteeg went on the claim the championship title by 91 points.
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