CKI: Raquel Martinez South Bend preview

RAQUEL MARTINEZ WKA SOUTH BEND REPORT
"Martinez scores two more top five finishes"

Whittier, CA (May 11, 2010) - Raquel Martinez has been busy racing this year already competing in 6 events in four months, but she has had a three- month break in the WKA Manufacturer's Cup. The second round of the series was held at MRP Raceway in South Bend, Indiana, one of the few tracks in her 2010 racing schedule that is new to her.

Practice went very well for the team with Raquel unofficially being one of the top five fastest karts in both Komet and Yamaha. Saturday's schedule included Yamaha Jr. Lite and Komet Heavy. First up was Komet Jr. Heavy with Raquel qualifying in the 14th position. Yamaha Jr. Lite went a little better as she qualified 10th. The first final for the day way Komet Jr. Lite and Raquel was on a mission. From the start of the race she started to pick her way through the field setting fast lap of the race and running faster lap times than the leaders nearly every lap. By the time the checkered flew she was able to work her way up to 5th position. Yamaha would not go as well with the team missing the setup. Raquel battled hard finishing in 8th.

Sunday proved to be a much better day with Raquel qualifying 5th in both Komet Jr. Lite and Yamaha Jr. Heavy. After finishing in 5th position in the Komet Jr. Lite prefinal, Raquel was forced to start in 12th position for the final after being penalized for accidental contact. Raquel once again showed her talent moving up to 6th place and just nearly missing out on 5th by one or two laps. Starting third in the Yamaha final Raquel looked to move up once again and challenge for the race win. The changes the team made improved the kart, but it was still not enough to grab the win. Raquel moved into second position at the start and never relinquished the position.

"This was a good weekend for us and we showed we can challenge for race wins in every series we compete in," stated Martinez. "I am really looking forward to going back to Phoenix where I finished second earlier in the year and also qualified on pole in the Gatorz Challenge of America's. I feel we are on the verge of scoring a win and I look to do so in Phoenix."

Next up for the team is the second round of the WSK North American series, which is being held in Phoenix.

-source: www.raquelmartinez.com.