After spending two weeks in Europe racing and testing Raquel head back state side to compete in the third round of the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup series at MRP Raceway in South Bend, IN. Raquel came into the event looking to defend her points lead in the Komet Jr. Lite category.

Raquel started the weekend off where she left Kershaw, at the front of the pack, qualifying second in Komet Jr. Heavy. Unfortunately in the prefinal Raquel’s bumper came loose forcing her to retire. Starting thirty-forth in the main she was able to pass nineteen karts, more than one per lap to finish fifteenth. In Yamaha Jr. Lite Rocky qualified ninth and moved up to eighth in the prefinal setting the second fastest lap of the race. Unfortunately in the main event she was involved in a first turn incident and fell to the back, but again moved through the pack to finish sixteenth.

Raquel came into Sunday’s events as the points leader in Komet Jr. Lite and looked to stay in the points lead after round three. After qualifying in the sixth position she moved into second in the prefinal. In the final she fought hard to finish fourth and looks to have done enough to hold onto the points lead. With one of the closest qualifying sessions this year Raquel qualified eighth just .104 off pole position. Just like on Saturday she was involved in a first lap incident and finished twenty-second. In the final Raquel made it up to seventeenth. 

“This was an up and down weekend,” commented Martinez. “The team gave me great equipment all weekend, but bad luck struck. I am looking forward to Beaverun and getting back on the top step of the podium.”

Next up for Raquel is the third round of the WSK Masters Series in Val Vibrata where she will be making her first appearance in the KF2 category. To learn more about Raquel please visit www.raquelmartinez.com.  Raquel would also like to thank her sponsors King Taco, Pepsi, P1 Engines, Grand Products, Top Kart, RLV, Bridgestone, DWT, Alpinestars, MLP Imaging, Troy Lee Designs, Bell Helmets, Graphix Plus and PKS Kart Supplies.