Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracing World’s Steve Atlas won a kart time trial for journalists sponsored by Red Bull and held at Irwindale Raceway Wednesday.

Red Bull invited selected media representatives and a handful of Red Bull-sponsored professional athletes to Irwindale Speedway, in Southern California, for a day of racing Rotax JR Fr-125cc go-karts, on Irwindale’s grand prix road course.

Participants ran a morning warm-up session in the morning and then an afternoon time trial to determine finishing positions.

In the morning warm-up Atlas topped the time charts with a fast lap of 0:27.70. He was followed by Paul Carruthers of Cycle News at 0:28.21, and professional watercraft racer Victor Sheldon with a 0:28.27.

In the afternoon final the drivers were split into groups of five based on lap times from the morning warm-up. Each group was given a few warm-up laps and then five laps to try and set a fast time.

The final saw everyone improve their times, with the top three separated by less than 0.2-second. When it was all said and done it was Atlas on top once again with a fast time of 0:26.758, followed by Larry Mason of California Sports Car magazine at a 0:26.779, and Sheldon at a 0:26.875.

The top three drivers received prizes courtesy of Red Bull and Irwindale Speedway, including passes to attend a NASCAR-style driving experience and large quantities of Red Bull energy drink.


Top-10 Final Times:

1. Steve Atlas, Roadracing World, 0:26.758.

2. Larry Mason, California Sports Car, 0:26.779.

3. Victor Sheldon, Red Bull Jet Skier, 0:26.875.

4. Tommy Clowers, Red Bull Freestyle MX rider, 0:26.999.

5. Paul Carruthers, Cycle News, 0:27.376.

6. Shane Tritler, Red Bull, 0:27.429.

7. Jon Devore, Red Bull Skydiver, 0:27.483.

8. Chris Jonnum, Road Racer X, 0:27.662.

9. Rich Van Every, Red Bull photographer, 0:27.817.

10. Hayes Wheelless, Red Bull, 0:27.880.