CHILLIWACK, British Columbia -- GBR Karting, the exclusive North American importer of the Lewis Hamilton kart, will be trying for three championships in the final round of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas this weekend in Fontana, CA. In Junior Max, second year Junior Zachary Scalzo sits second in the points chase while Daniel Burkett sits second in DD2 title fight. Another driver in the hunt for a title is Mini Max pilot Jeff Fulham. Similar to last year when the team launched the LH1 chassis at the Gatorz Series, the GBR Karting team figures they will be stronger this time at the CalSpeed Karting Center than at the previous rounds. Specifically designed to accommodate modern changes in CIK homologated tires, the LH3 will be a hot commodity in single speed categories this year.

The closest battle for a title and a Grand Finals ticket is in Junior Max where Scalzo currently sits second overall with 377 points, just 16 markers shy of the lead. Running the new-for-2012 LH3 chassis, Scalzo has been a consistent pace setter in the ultra-competitive Junior Max category.

"All Zac needs to do is that same thing he's been doing all season and I'm confident he'll be crowned champion," says GBR team principle Kevin Glover. "Last year the LH1 was new to us and it was fast right away, just like we found with the LH3 this year. But, we didn't really hit our stride until the third round of the series and were pretty much the pace setters everywhere we went from then on. I expect that trend to continue."

Looking to the Senior ranks, Manitoba driver Burkett will be trying to take his first national level crown from current championship leader, Fritz Leesmann. Though sitting in a distant second, Burkett is so far the only driver who's been able to offer a challenge to the national scene veteran who's not yet put a foot wrong.

"Daniel's been driving really, really well and honestly, to be able to take it to a driver like Fritz is really great," comments Kevin. "Of course, we'll need a lot of luck on our side this time, but I've seen longer shots succeed, and besides, if nothing else Daniel is learning a ton."

Daniel Burkett heads to the Gatorz finale second in the DD2 title fight
(Photo by: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group)
The third and final title challenge is being mounted by Winnipeg's Jeff Fulham in Rotax Mini Max. Mini Max is a class where the top five have been regularly crossing the line nose-to-tail. Though Fulham has been in the hunt every race, including at least one front row qualifying position and consistent top five finishes, he's not yet achieved the big points of a feature win.

"We'll be working very hard to change that this weekend. It's going to be really tough, but Jeff's consistently been there and in a class like this, anything can happen," continues Glover. "Look at it this way; we're only two thirds of the way through the series and we're in the hunt, so I think we can do it."

Joining the GBR team for the CalSpeed round will be Edmonton, Alberta native Skylar Dunning. Dunning will be making his Senior Max debut and chose GBR Karting to help make it happen.

"We know the Dunning family fairly well as we race the same series as them in Canada so I can honestly say I'm really happy to welcome him to the team," comments Glover on his newest LH3 pilot. "This is a tough place to start your Senior campaign, but I'm confident Skylar will do just fine as I've watched his progress over the past couple of years. Going forward I'm hoping to see him as a long term member of GBR Karting so we can refine the qualities he's already developed on his own."

The GBR Karting Team returns to action this weekend for the final rounds of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas action taking place at the CalSpeed Karting Center in Fontana, CA.

To learn more about GBR, the Lewis Hamilton line of karts and their complete line of products and services please email kevin@gbrkarting.com or can call during business hours at 604.724.0078. Be sure to check out the GBR Karting race schedule at www.gbrkarting.com. On non-race weekends GBR can usually be found testing at Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack, BC.