We had an incredible time out in the desert at the RMC USA West race at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA)! With six Grand Finals tickets on the line, we knew the competition would be intense—and it absolutely delivered. This action-packed event had it all, from thrilling day races to exciting night racing under the lights. Our team tent was buzzing with energy, featuring an amazing lineup of drivers, including our regulars and those racing with us via PSL Karting. We competed in every category except for Masters and walked away with some fantastic results.
Micro Max: Rising Stars Shine Bright
Our Micro Max division featured Prime Team regulars Lincoln Lima and Yousef Adi. Both drivers, still in their first full year of karting, showed incredible progress and determination.
- Lincoln Lima demonstrated excellent pace and race craft all weekend. Despite some tough luck in both pre-finals that put him out of position for the finals, Lincoln charged through the field to claim P2 on Saturday and P3 on Sunday, ultimately securing 4th place overall in the championship.
- Yousef Adi impressed with remarkable consistency, finishing in the top five of every session. His steady performance paid off, earning him a podium in Race 1 and culminating in 2nd place overall in the Micro Max Championship. Excellent work, boys!
Mini Max: Western Canada Talent on Display
Joining us from Western Canada, Mateo Pai—whom we got to know during the RMC Winter Trophy in Florida—showed just how much he’s learned.
- Mateo was a constant threat at the sharp end of the field. A 10-second jump-start penalty in Saturday’s pre-final hurt his championship chances, but he bounced back stronger than ever. On Sunday, he qualified on pole and swept the day by winning both the pre-final and the final. Fantastic job, Mateo! It was great having you under the tent repping the red and white.
Junior Max: Gaining Experience, Building Momentum
Our Junior Max lineup included Leo Serravalle and Ava Cabral, both relatively new to the Rotax Jr. class but proving they belong.
- Leo Serravalle fought hard throughout the weekend, with a highlight finish of P7 in Race 1.
- Ava Cabral showed her qualifying speed with an 8th-place start for Race 2, going on to finish P8 in the pre-final. Both drivers gained valuable experience and will carry these lessons back to Canada as they continue developing and pushing toward the front of the grid.
Senior Max: Battling in the Deepest Field
Senior Max was the weekend’s largest and most competitive class, with 36 talented drivers vying for a Grand Finals ticket. We were proud to field a strong trio: Tim Pernod, Arnaud Sabourin, and Michael Nickle.
- Tim Pernod led our charge with a 5th overall finish. His standout performance came in Race 2, where he surged from P21 to P3—an incredible drive worthy of the highlight reel!
- Arnaud Sabourin started strong, qualifying 2nd in his group for Race 1 and finishing the final in P8. Unfortunately, a DNF in Sunday’s final cut short his momentum.
- Michael Nickle delivered solid performances throughout, finishing just outside the top ten in P11 on both days.
DD2: Small Field, Fierce Competition
While the DD2 category had fewer entries, the racing was no less intense. Our talented trio—Lucas Pernod, Mathew Taskinen, and Ludovic Sabourin—showed grit and speed.
- Lucas Pernod landed on the podium in both races, securing P3 in the championship and proving himself as a formidable competitor.
Thank You, PKRA & Rotax Racing!
A huge thank you to the Phoenix Kart Racing Association and Rotax Racing for hosting such an outstanding event. The level of competition, the well-run schedule, and the exciting day-and-night format made for a memorable experience.
Back home in Canada, we’re looking at snow-covered tracks, already counting down the days until we’re back racing on home soil. Until then, we’ll keep pushing, keep training, and keep aiming for the top.
See you at the next race!
