Carlsbad Teen Makes Podium in Gatorz Karting Cup Rotax Max Challenge Series

Jacob Pearlman (JP) earned his second podium finish in the Rotax Max Challenge Series at Willow Springs Raceway Kart Track in Rosamond, California.

Jacob Pearlman Photo: Mark Lacour/MLP
Jacob Pearlman Photo: Mark Lacour/MLP
The kart track at Willow Springs is a challenging .625 mile, 11 turn circuit. “It is predominately left turns with a great deal of grip,” said Jacob Pearlman’s father Richard Pearlman. “The track tends to eat up tires quickly. Finding and maintaining a fast set up during race day is a real challenge.”

The 14-year-old from Carlsbad, California was not as fast as he thought he would be and struggled to get the kart dialed in. In the pits the temperature hit more than 100 degrees. JP’s crew continued to work on getting his DPK/Birel M-31 prepared for the 30 lap final.

In the midday heat JP had a great start and immediately moved up to 4th. He moved his way up to 2nd, but it did not last long. Lou Pagano and Cameron Jocelyn passed on the next lap and JP dropped back to 4th. “My son returned the favor on Pagano, taking back 3rd place with a tight pass on the following lap,” said Pearlman. “Jacob and Pagano spent the next 22 laps fighting for the final spot on the podium. Jacob refused to give up the spot and slowly edged away to take the last spot on the podium.”

The Pearlman Family uses K&N Products. “To get to Willow Springs Raceway we have to traverse several steep grades to elevations approaching 5000 feet and temperatures at 100 degrees,” said Richard Pearlman. “Towing a 5000 pound racing trailer under these conditions can be very hard on our GMC Yukon tow vehicle. Our K&N Cold Air Induction System is critical to ensuring that we have the extra horsepower and reliability needed to make it to any track on our race schedule.”

JP will return to racing on June 9th at Moran Raceway with the Tri-C Karters. The teen will spend the next two weeks getting ready for his freshman final exams along with some on-track testing to prepare for his summer racing schedule.

Follow Jacob Pearlman's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.