9-29-11 Superkarts USA Announces Wet MG Tire as Spec For 2012 and beyond

Organization moves forward to all MG spec series for both dry and wet conditions

 While the 2011 Superkarts! USA season is yet to finish with the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix and SuperNationals still to come, the organization is already looking toward the 2012 schedule. Beginning next year, SKUSA will mandate the MG-WT as the only rain tire legal for competition in the Pro Tour and any of their regional programs. Currently, the Bridgestone YJP, YKP, and YLP compounds are the only legal rain tires for Superkarts! USA-sanctioned events. The newly-designed MG-WT tire will be added to that list for the upcoming SKUSA SuperNationals and will assume the role as the lone spec wet tire in 2012.

“MG Tires has been the official tire of SKUSA since 2005, and this announcement exemplifies our commitment to their product,” commented SKUSA president Tom Kutscher. “For a number of years, we have utilized the Bridgestone wet tire as our spec tire for wet conditions. Now that MG Tires has made great advancements with their wet tire design and compound, it was in our best interest to move toward this decision. We will close out 2011 using both MG Tires and Bridgestone, and be exclusively on MG Tires for 2012 and beyond.”

MG Tires – the popular Brazilian-based tire manufacturer – has been making strides in improving each and every compound they offer, including the new MG-WT rain tire. The addition of the MG-WT tire to the Superkarts! USA tire specification further strengthens the relationship between the two companies. The MG-SK ‘SKUSA’ White tire was introduced at the beginning of 2011, and has received strong compliments from racers and industry members throughout the nation. Cadet racers continue to utilize the MG-HZ Red tires, which provide strong durability with optimal grip for the low horsepower category.

To help kick-start this new regulation, Kutscher and Superkarts! USA will offer a special introductory price of just $165 per set (plus shipping) for the first 100 sets of the MG-WT tires ordered directly from SKUSA. After this introductory rate expires, the tires will retail for $218 per set. For more information on this special offer and anything related to Superkarts! USA, visit their website at www.superkartsusa.com , their SKUSA online store at www.skusastore.com, or send an email to info@superkartsusa.com .

 

9-25-11 Blue Max Kart Club to host 2nd Annual Clonefest Endurance race

October 2nd will mark the 2nd Annual Clonefest Endurance Race hosted by the Blue Max Kart Club. This yearly event allows the affordable class of the Clones to compete in a 45 minute Endurance race while Promoting “FUN” in Kart Racing.

New to this year is the addition of the One Lap Fast time. Competitors in the Clonefest will get one lap in Qualifying to set fast time with the winner taking home $100 cash donated by Scribner Motorsports. Following qualifying Clone Racers will take to the Blue Max Kart Track for a 45-minute endurance race. The track will be raced in the standard direction of Counter Clockwise with a twist. The Hairpin will be taken out allowing Clone drivers to turn left at a flat out 90 degree fast left hand turn bringing drivers onto the front straight. “This extends the Front Straight from the back corkscrew to turn one and makes up half the track. It really adds some technicality to the Blue Max track because the difference in gearing plays a big roll, especially in a 45 minute timed race.” Says Leo Refsland of Blue Max Kart Club.

Last years event had great Racing put on display by Ryan Casner and Chris Scribner as the two swapped the lead several times throughout the event until Scribner suffered a mechanical DQ when his muffler fell off, handing the Win over Casner for the inaugural event. This year is promised to show much of the same excitement as early interest has been sparked for the Clonefest and looks to have some of the best Clone Racers in Norcal competing. Entry for the Clonefest is just $50.

Prizes for this event have surpassed last years with the addition of a cash prize for turning fast time in a One Lap qualify. The winner of the Endurance race will win a Clone Engine. Other prizes such as Race credits, discounts on memberships and Scribner Plastics new rear bumpers will also be raffled off to the competitors.

Blue Max Kart Club race #8 10/02/11
Featuring second annual “Clonefest “endurance race
Saturday gates will open at 8:00 am practice will start at 9:00 am
Sunday gates open at 7:00am
Registration opens at 7:15am closes at 8:00am
Drivers meeting at 8:30 am
National Anthem at 9:00 am
Practice following Anthem

Qualifying right after practice
Clonefest format will be one five minute practice. Qualifying will be a one lap shot at fast time: Green – Checker.

Fast time will take home $100.00 Sponsored by Scribner Motorsports. No heat races, one main event that will be a 45 minute timed event. Leader at the 45 min mark will be declared winner. Awards will include a new clone motor, race credits, Scribner bumpers. Race to take place around lunch time.

Regular club race format for all others will be one five minute practice, green white checker qualifying one pre final and a final.
Awards at completion of last race.
 

9-22-11 Blaine Rocha Crowned Champion in his Rookie Year
Source RMG Race Media Group

The 13 year-old talented young driver, Blaine Rocha was crowned the 2011 Skusa Prokart Challenge North Tag Jr Champion this month. Blaine debuting in the larger karts piloting the No. 421 Kartel Motorsports Wild Kart chassis for the 2011 season. Fresh from 2010 season Blaine graduated from his Jr 1 status to move into the next big dog division of Jr 2. The Oakdale resident collected numerous wins and pole positions as well as the 2010 Challenge of the America’s Mini Max Championship in his Jr 1 years. Blaine knew that his 2011 season would not be an easy fight running with big resume drivers that had already been running the division and collecting the top billed trophies. Rocha put all of his focus on running the national events, and if time permitted, he would run a few regional races. The Norcal hot shoe driver experienced ups and downs for his rookie season, but with extreme focus, Rocha succeeded in his original goal of winning a championship 

"I’m happy how my rookie season in Jr 2 has gone so far, at first it’s a little intimidating when you’re on the grid with drivers like DeMent and Craig but once you get out on track and see your just as fast as they are it makes it easier. Every race I think I got better not only driving but figuring out the bigger kart,” says Blaine. 

Blaine started the year off in participating in the Skusa Prokart Challenge north series competing at five different tracks in northern California and a north vs. west shootout race in Buttonwillow. First race was at the Dixon kart track where Blaine put his wildkart machine on pole. With all of the testing Blaine did with the team in the off season Blaine was poised and proceeded to dominate the opening 2011 event by finishing on top for both heat races. In the main, Rocha fought a hard battle with a fellow competitor and finished a solid second.

Next up was Rocha's team hometrack of Prairie City. With the amount of laps Blaine had with Kartel and driver Coach Erik Bartolero, Blaine was confident he would deliver results. As the weekend began a nasty rain storm came in a put a challenge on all the drivers. Blaine with rain experience qualified the No. 421 kart in third and was ready to battle in the heat races. A fourth and third finish for the heat races put Blaine close to the front for the main. In the main, Blaine proved solid competition and came across some challenges in the end and brought home a 10^th place finish for the team.

Third track on the schedule was the fast Reno kart track and Blaine was ready to take on the battle. As PC was a rain race it brought on a dark cloud for Reno as the racers experience weather conditions that most drivers never experienced, snow. Snow fell through the day which brought on challenges of running rain tires and and with the cold temperatures teams dealt with fuel and oil separating as well. Blaine once again proved to be a fast and consistent driver as he put his kart runner up in qualifying. The heat races gave Rocha a fourth and a seventh place finish giving him a good starting position for the main. As the snow fell and winds were heavy, Rocha was dealt with a decision on what tires to run for the main, ultimately landing him a 7th place finish.  

The following events at Monterey and Buttonwillow had Blaine coming across his first DNF’s for the season. Blaine kept his confinence up and was eager to put on show for the finale in Atwater as he was battling for the championship. Rocha with lots of on track experience at the Atwater track put his skills to work and placed his kart second in qualifying. A third place and a fourth place finish in the heat races one again placed Blaine in a good starting position for the main. Rocha stayed out of trouble in the final and ended up with a second place finish. With his 2011 season performance in the Prokart Challenge series came to a close, Blaine captured the 2011 Tag Jr Championship Title by nine points.

“Starting with a pole in the first race at Dixon, Blaine would find himself on top again in the final season standings.  The six race series was full of ups and downs for the young driver. We were fast every race, it just seems we didn’t always get the finish we were looking for,“ stated Blaine’s father Doug.

Blaine collected one pole, three wins, five top three finishes and three top five finishes for the Prokart series. Blaine also contested in the Norcal Outlaw series collecting third in the HPV 2 Championship and running the Skusa Pro Tour. Up next for Blaine will be to continue the Norcal Gold Rush and run the biggest race of the year in Las Vegas the Supernationals.  

"The transition from the cadet kart to the full size has not been that difficult because of what Kartel does for me. The pre-race preparation at the shop, the coaching i get on practice days and the solid motor program makes my life much easier. I would like to especially thank Erik, Les, and Sam for their support every race.” Blaine Rocha would like to thank his family and his Sponsors: Davids Racing Products, Kartel/Magnum, Valley Enterprises, Masellis Drilling, Masroc Farms and RMG Race Media Group. More information about Blaine Rocha can be found at www.BlaineRochaRacing.com

9-22-11 Superkarts USA Expands S2 and S4 Supernationals Fields to 80

Las Vegas event continues to see growth for Pro Tour finale

The countdown to the 15th running of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals is down to just under two months away, and the organization is happy to announce an expansion in two more categories for the November 16-20 event outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto and S4 Master Stock Moto divisions have now been opened up to allow 80 drivers to compete at the Pro Tour finale. As numerous pre-entry forms continue to file in, the SKUSA home office is busy putting the final touches on what is sure to be another record-breaking event.

“The numbers we are seeing entering for this year’s event is staggering,” commented Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA President. “Like a few other classes, the S2 and S4 categories filled to 40 much earlier this year, and we feel we owe it to our core of Stock Honda racers to find a way to broaden the schedule and expand the cap to 80 to allow them in. With both classes having a long waiting list pending, I encourage everyone that wants to join us in Vegas to enter now in order to reserve your spot -- before they fill up again.”

S2 and S4 will join the sold-out classes of TaG Senior, TaG Junior and TaG Cadet, as these five categories will now host up to 80 drivers at this year’s SKUSA SuperNationals. The remainder of the categories will remain capped at 40 drivers, with TaG Master currently the only class thus far to reach that mark (and will unfortunately not open up further). International drivers are gradually committing to the KF2 and KZ2 categories, with both to include some high-profile names. With close to 50 drivers on the waiting list for TaG Senior, but no more room on the schedule to expand the class further, it is encouraged that those drivers seek out an opportunity to compete in another division, such as KF2. The headline S1 Pro Stock Moto division is also filling out nicely, with G1 and S5 Junior Stock Moto capping off the 11 classes for the 15th anniversary event.

“With five categories to be run over the 40-kart count, this will expand the total number of on-track groups to 16,” add Kutscher. “It’s an added challenge to our trackside staff, but we are putting the plans in place to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Our schedule format of morning and afternoon class groupings as in the past two years will continue, with a tentative schedule to be released soon. There is no doubt that this year’s event is going to be insane with the amount of talent we have coming in.”

SKUSA’s room block at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino is also at sold out capacity; however, the hotel may still honor the special group code and pricing for a limited time for call-in customers only. It is encouraged that those attending set their reservations now before the hotel closes the group code and special rate for good. Event attendees may book their reservations by calling toll free 1-866-746-7671 and refer to group code ‘SRSNA11’.

Paddock layout for this year’s event will begin shortly, with details to be posted on the Superkarts! USA website within the next few days to direct drivers and teams on how to send in their detailed pit requests. As always, ALL drivers on a team will need to be registered for the race prior to the team being placed on the pit map. SKUSA would also like to remind competitors that wish to have practice tires from SKUSA delivered to the event to pre-order them prior to November 1st (or earlier, if shipping is requested). The MG-SK ‘White’ tire will be mandated for all sessions – both practice and competition – at this year’s SuperNationals. TaG Cadet must use the MG-HZ ‘Red’ tire for all their on-track activities. A recap of the prize packages for this year’s event – as well as additional event information -- will be continuously updated on the website as well as announced in the coming weeks. For the most current info, make sure to go to the SUPERNATIONALS page of the website at www.superkartsusa.com

 

9-19-11 Red Line Oil Karting Championship Round #6 Recap
Arnstein takes the S4 GoPro Feature Race

Round #6 of the Red Line Oil Karting Championship was set to see some fast racing on the Reverse National track layout from its fastest race group, the 125 Shifters. This month, S4 was the GoPro featured race, with the winner taking home a GoPro HD Hero Camera. With a total turnout of sixty-two karts, the RLOKC event also showcased some great racing in the heat races, but attrition and a couple of race incidents made getting to the checkered flag a tough thing to do for several racers. The best race of the day turned out to be the three kart battle in the Mini Max main.

Feature Race: 125 Shifters, S2 and the GoPro Featured Class S4

Cameron Pringle put his S2 kart on pole with David Arnstein's S4 alongside. In the first heat, Pringle and Arnstein lead the nine kart field out of turn one with a great S4 battle right behind between Jim Kidd, Jim Inglebright, Brad Shaffer and Nick Galante. The only other S2 driver, Neil Joseph, started seventh and had to work his way through the field to come home third just ahead of Kidd. In the second heat, Pringle again controlled the front of the race with Arnstein repeating in second place, under lots of pressure from Inglebright and Joseph. In the main, Pringle got a slow start off the line with Arnstein taking the initial lead. The college bound Pringle took over the lead on lap two and went on to score a four second win ahead of fellow S2 Joseph. The real battle was for the S4 class win. Arnstein stuck behind the two S2 karts and was pulling out to a solid class lead, but just behind, Kidd, Inglebright, Galante and Shaffer continued their all day battle. Galante and Shaffer had to pull off with kart problems and Kidd passed Inglebright then reeled in Arnstein to take the S4 lead with about four laps to go. Then Kidd's engine lost much of its power forcing him to slow and Arnstein took over the class lead cruising the rest of the way to take third overall, the S4 class win and with it the GoPro HD Hero Camera. Inglebright came home fourth with Kidd a slowing fifth at the end. Next month the GoPro featured race will be Rotax DD2 Masters.

Junior Rotax, KPV2 & KPV1

Will Preston in his Rotax took the pole again this month ahead of the other Rotax drivers Zack Dante and last month's winner Maxx Marian. In the first heat, Preston took the lead out of turn one and had to withstand eight laps of pressure to take a slim win over Dante with Marian third. Jaden Conwright and Bryan Parmenter battled for the KPV2 win, but Conwright had to park his kart on the last lap giving Parmenter fourth overall and the KPV2 win. In the second heat, again Preston took the initial lead ahead of Dante. A couple of laps into the race Dante got his nose under Will's bumper as they approached turn one and spun Will around with Dante also spinning and Marian going by both karts into the lead and onto the win. Preston recovered quickly to take second , Dante third, with Conwright switching to his Rotax kart coming home fourth and Parmenter fifth in the KPV2. In the main, Preston again lead the field out of turn one with Marian right behind. Marian made a couple of attempts to out brake Preston going into turn one but Preston would sweep into the turn first. Around lap four, Marian got alongside Preston and turned into turn one first with Preston trying to hang onto the outside line and spinning briefly. Dante took advantage of Preston's situation and followed Marian. Now it was Marian and Dante running nose to tail with first Dante overtaking Marian, then Marian re-passing for the lead. On the white flag lap, Marian exited the last turn in the lead with Dante right behind and looking to slingshot by at the checkered flag, but Marian won the drag race to the finish line, Dante took second, Preston came home third, Conwright fourth, Parmenter fifth and the KPV2 win with Fitz-Simon taking sixth in his KPV1.

Rotax Masters Light

Six karts took the green for the Nor Cal Rotax Max Challenge regional Masters Light class. Andrea Delfanti took the pole ahead of a fast improving Stephan Gaudreau with David Carlisle third. In the first heat race, Delfanti went into the turn first but was spun off with some help from the back of the pack. Mary Beth Wilson was also spun around and had to park her kart. Gaudreau took over the lead followed by Carlisle with Delfanti recovering to make a charge but had to settle for third. In the second heat, Delfanti took the lead and held on for a two second win over a determined Gaudreau with Carlisle taking third. For the main, Gaudreau was on pole with Delfanti next to him. Andrea took the lead early on and held a steady lead for the entire fifteen lap race with Gaudreau controlling second place for most of the race, but at the end, Carlisle got close enough to mount a challenge. Unfortunately for Carlisle, time ran out before he could make a move and had to settle for third with Wilson in fourth just a second behind.

Senior Rotax

With a strong ten kart field, Senior Rotax produced the most competitive racing from top to bottom. In qualifying, Niki Luna took the pole ahead of Sean McDonald and an improving Jarrett Lile. In the first heat, Luna was challenged first by McDonald then by defending champ Carlos Calderon with Calderon overtaking Luna at mid-race. Near the end, Luna made the pass to take the lead and the win with Calderon and McDonald a half second back, Lile and Brody Zink another half second back. In the second heat, Luna again took the lead ahead of McDonald with Calderon getting by Lile to take third. Calderon then got by McDonald, but the two battled hard and which kept Calderon from challenging Luna. In the end, the results were the same as heat one for the first five places. In the main, Luna was on pole with Calderon next to him on the front row. As the field went into turn one, the inside line of Luna, McDonald and Zink swept into the first three positions with Calderon and Lile hung out to dry on the outside line. Calderon ended up in fifth and Lile in ninth. McDonald's race ended on the first lap when a rear wheel came off. Luna and Zink then opened up a small gap on the field and started their own private battle for the lead. Right behind the leading duo, the racing got heated with Calderon taking third only to get passed by Andrew Colombini. On the very next corner, Calderon tried to out brake Colombini causing contact and sending both karts flying off the track. Matt Meech took over third with a recovered Lile up to fourth. Meech then pulled off with a disconnected fuel line and Lile assumed a comfortable third place. In end, Zink stayed right on Luna's tail, but could not find a place to make a clean pass. Luna thus came home first, Zink in his first senior class race took second and the fastest lap, Lile in third with his best finish in Senior Rotax, Josh Feiber fourth and Tazio Otis fifth.

80 Masters

A rather light field of four karts took the track with Charles Hastings taking pole ahead of Roger Cornwall and Geoff Provo. In the first heat, Hastings controlled the race from the drop of the green with Cornwall staying close and Provo six seconds back. In the second heat, again Hastings takes the lead, Cornwall finished about a second back with Provo taking third just in front of Darrel Dean. In the main, Hastings took the lead again at the green and cruises home for the win with Cornwall a distant second and Provo again finishing just ahead of Dean for third.

Sanzaru Games Rotax Mini Max

The Mini Max race produced one of the best three kart battles seen by most at the Simraceway Performance Karting Center (formerly known as the Jim Russell International Karting Center) at Infineon Raceway. On the pole for the second race in a row was Annie Breidinger followed by Michael Michoff and Wilson Skjervan. In the first heat, Annie Breidinger took the lead out of turn one and was never challenged. Michoff stayed close, but could not find the find a place to make a clean pass, with Wilson taking third. The second heat was a near repeat of the first heat with Annie Breidinger first , Michoff second followed by Skjervan. In the main, Annie Breidinger again exited turn one in the lead, but Michoff and Wilson passed to the inside going into turn two and took over the top two positions. Skjervan kart was really working now and he stayed right with the class points leader Michoff for a couple of laps then made a solid pass for the lead. Michoff applied pressure, but it was a few laps until he found a clean way by Skjervan. Annie Breidinger was now looking for a way by Skjervan with Michoff starting to pull away. With about four laps to go, Annie Breidinger finally made the pass for second and started after Michoff. Annie Breidinger makes a great race of it closing to within a tenth of a second at the checkered and in this charge, set fast lap for the race. This is Michoff's fifth win this year but both Annie Breidinger and Skjervan made It clear they plan to challenge for wins in the three remaining races of the season.

Rotax Masters

Seven karts took the green with Cameron Evans taking the pole ahead of Jerry Pretti and Scott Ripslinger. In the first heat, Evans took the lead out of turn one with Pretti and John Breidinger tangling sending Breidinger off the track and Pretti having to make a charge from way behind. Evans took the win ahead of Ripslinger with Pretti coming back to third. In the second heat, Pretti took the lead out of turn one and with Evans right behind. The two battled back and forth with Pretti taking the win, Evans second and Ripslinger third. At the start of the main, Evans and Pretti were side-by-side on the front row as both accelerate hard at the drop of the green. Just before turn one, Evans and Pretti touch and their front wheels lock inside each other and both karts come to a sudden stop with the field scattering to get by. Eventually, the two front row drivers got untangled, but were a straightaway behind the disappearing Ripslinger. Pretti drove away from the incident first to charge after Ripslinger. Pretti and Evans picked off the slower karts one by one while Ripslinger worked to maintain his lead. Going into the last lap, Pretti was within reach of the lead, exited the last turn and was catching the race leader all the while Ripslingers engine was popping. At the line, Pretti nipped Ripslinger by just .001 of a second. Ripslinger takes a crushing second place, then found out he cracked the spark plug when he hit it with his elbow during the race, which was the cause of the engine popping. John Breidinger came home third for his best finish this season. Evans recovered to take fourth.

Rotax DD2 Masters

With four karts in the two-speed Rotax class, Andre Eriksen took the pole ahead of David Palic, Bob Olson with Michael Ostrowski who had to start fourth due to problems in qualifgyin. In the first heat, Eriksen took the lead followed by Palic, Olson and Ostrowski. Ostrowski made short work of getting by Olson then took a lap to get by Palic, after which he set off after Eriksen. In the end, Ostrowski caught and passed Eriksen to take a one second win, with Olson coming home third. In the second heat, again Eriksen took the lead out of turn one. Ostrowski got by both Olson and Palic earlier than in the first heat. Ostrowski then caught up to Eriksen and made the pass for the lead and cruised home to a three second win. At the start of the main, Ostrowski took the lead from the pole with Eriksen right behind. At the end of the first lap, Eriksen out braked Ostrowski going into the last turn before the straightaway with Ostrowski setting up a crossover pass as they exited the turn. The two karts were accelerating down the straight when they got too close to each other and touched, sending both spin off into the infield. Palic and Olson drove by. Eriksen finally got his kart untangled and drove off to continue the race. Ostrowski was not so lucky and could not get his kart out of the dirt in time. Palic had pulled ahead of Olson and looked to be headed for a win when his shifter cable came loose and he pulled off the track. Now Olson had the lead but Eriksen was closing fast. Going into the last lap it was anyone's guess who would get to the line first. As the two karts exited the last turn, Olson held his slim lead and took the win by just .088 of a second over Eriksen. After the race, the results were adjusted by the race director based on a review of the first lap incident and the final results were Bob Olson first, Palic second, Ostrowski third and Eriksen fourth.

IAME TaG, TaG Senior & TaG Junior

With eight IAME spec gear TaG entries, this club style class has continued to have a good following for the 2011 season. With one Rotax powered TaG Senior and one TaG Junior kart, a total of ten karts took the green. In qualifying, Tazio Otis took the pole in his TaG Senior with Don Rocci (IAME) taking second and Ben Schreiner (IAME) third. The lone TaG Junior of Austin Thomas was in sixth. In the first heat, Otis lead the field out of turn one followed by Rocci and Schreiner with Darrin Geahry (IAME) coming home fourth and Thomas in fifth. The second heat had a similar result, Otis first, Rocci second, Schreiner third, Geahry fourth and Thomas in seventh. In the main, Otis took the lead again at the drop of the green flag with Rocci a strong second and controlling the IAME class. Geahry made a move forward when he worked his way past Schreiner to take over third, but on lap eight the chain came off his gear and his race was over. Schreiner went back to third with Bryson Guzman moving into fourth and Thomas to fifth. That is how they finished with Otis taking the win in both the race and in Senior TaG. The next three karts were IAME class karts with Don Rocci taking the IAME class win and second overall, Schreiner third and Guzman in fourth. Thomas took the fifth place finish and the TaG 1class win.

All the results can be found at www.mylaps.com . The RLOKC championship points can be found at www.redlineoilkarting.com . The next RLOKC race will be Sunday, October 9th again at Simraceway Performance Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. The track configuration will be the Reverse Sprint track. Saturday, October 8th will be available for practice, pre-registration and pre-tech. For more information about the Red Line Oil Karting Championship, go to www.redlineoilkarting.com .

 

9-19-11 Kartel Motorsports Atwater Race Report

Kartel Motorsports completed the final round of the 2011 SKUSA Pro Kart Challenge North program with a hot trip to Atwater, California, competing at the Tom Dash Memorial Speedway. The sixth stop of the series would decide the championships with three young guns under the tent in position to become 2011 Pro Kart Champions. In Austin Elliott's first year of Senior competition he was in line to win his first Pro Kart Championship in TAG Sr, and Blaine Rocha who also moved up this year, from Kadet to TAG Jr. Davey Manthei is enjoying his last year of Kadet racing by winning Championships across Nor-Cal, and by winning or placing a no worse than second at every race, he has the Mini RoK Championship in his sights too.


2011 has been a spectacular season for Californian Blaine Rocha. In his First start of SKUSA Pro Kart Tour Blaine showed everyone he has what it takes. At the Dixon event while being the youngest Jr. TAG driver, Blaine Qualified his Wild Kart on pole. Blaine Rocha has kept that momentum going all year long. From racing up front at Prairie City in the rain then leading in the snow at Reno, Rocha has made a name for himself as a front runner. Keeping up front all year long with a kart that has not failed and with his consistent finishes Rocha has had his eyes on one thing, the 2011 TAG Jr Championship.


Getting the most out of his Magnum Racing Engines power plant, Blaine, who is no stranger to the Atwater Kart track, came out of the trailer ready for action. Posting fast times all test day Rocha Qualified in second position on race day. Keeping consistent and fast throughout heats one and two, Rocha stayed out of trouble in the final and finished in the second position. With his Atwater performance in the books and the 2011 Pro Kart season commenced, Blaine Rocha became the 2011 TAG Jr Champion.


Austin Elliott has been competitive if not dominate in his debut year of Senior racing. Austin is no stranger to full size karts and it has shown all year long. Making the big step up to the Senior ranks in 2011, Austin has put his Top Kart up front at every outing this season. With the help of his mechanic and mom, Austin and crew have made every effort to make sure they win the TAG Sr Championship. Testing before each and every event ensures that he has the best chance to win on any given weekend. With a solid team behind him and the desire to win, Austin made sure the final round would be no different than the first.

Atwater has always been a good venue for Mr. Elliott and this weekend was no different. Austin went into this event with the championship on his mind and knowing what he needed to do to secure the Championship. He raced a conservative race throughout the day and kept out of trouble. Austin raced the final in conservative mode and brought it home in second place, clinching the 2011 TAG Sr. Championship.


In only his second full year of Kadet competition Jack Von Quillich has taken this learning year with stride. Starting off with a new class with a new series is a big task for a young driver, and Jackie handled it well. Jack has continuously improved race after race scoring podium results in the process. Alongside Kartel teammate Davey Manthei, Jack was able to compare data and share information, speeding up his knowledge of the Vortex Mini RoK. The data sharing also helps Davey, and did just that in Atwater. Though not mathematically able to win the championship Jackie competed in the Atwater event like he was points away. His first on track session Jack bested his teammate and championship contenders lap times. Those times would hold up all day proving this kid will be a constant Name on the top of the charts next season.

Teammate to Jackie V, Davey Manthei Jr. from Pasco, Washington has had a great final Kadet year in SKUSA competition. From the start of the season Manthei has led the class in Kadet. After sweeping the first event and winning on the Pro Tour Davey has put his Magnum Racing Engines/Wild Kart in front at every event he has been to. Being able to run consistently at the front all year long has been work for the young star, but winning a championship has made his work fun. Every event that Davey enters is another test for the team as well as Davey. With Engine Analysis, Chassis set up and Driver Coaching, Davey is constantly De-briefing to optimize his Engine and Chassis combination.


With the Jackie and Davey combination ready for action at the final round and a Championship on the line Qualifying was important to both drivers. Jackie secured the fifth starting position while his Kartel teammate secured the front row. Davey went on to win the Heat races as well as the final for his second sweep race in a row. Jack was caught up in a on track incident which ended his chance at victory. Davey has made his goal to win the RoK Championship a reality heading into the Atwater Round and although standing on top of the podium 3 times and becoming the overall Championship points winner, unfortunately a "non-performance disqualification during an event equating into a non-droppable race" has dropped Davey to Vice-Champion.


Kartel would like to congratulate the 2011 Pro Kart Champions and thank all of their customers who helped support the SKUSA program. The next stop for Kartel on the SKUSA Tour will be the Super Nationals in Las Vegas in November. A limited amount of Arrive and Drive opportunities are still available, but are filling up fast. Any information on Kartel Services or Magnum Racing Engines please contact kartel at 916-383-5278.



 

9-19-11 SKUSA Local Option Classes Announced For Lancaster Grand Prix

Regional two-cycle classes added to street circuit event

 Superkarts! USA would like to take this opportunity to formally announce the option classes that will be tentatively added to the line-up for this year’s Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix on October 8-9, 2011. Beginning today (Sept. 15), SKUSA’s online registration page is open to welcome drivers in the PRD Light/Heavy and KPV 4 Heavy classes. Based on input from the field, these unique categories have been selected for preliminary registration, and with the expected minimum signups, will secure their position in the final line-up on race weekend.

SKUSA is looking at a minimum of 15 drivers for each group in order to secure their position on the schedule. The PRD race group will consist of both Light and Heavy categories, ran together and scored separately. The KPV 4 Heavy class will have a dedicated run group. The PRD classes will run the MG-SK ‘White’ tires, while the KPV 4 Heavy competitors will be on Bridgestone YKC tires.

Interested drivers can find additional details on the www.superkartsusa.com website and should get registered immediately, so that these classes can be officially confirmed on the weekend schedule. You can register online at the following link:

http://www.skusastore.com/shop/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SKUSA&Product_Code=SOLGP&Category_Code=ENTRY

For more information on anything related to Superkarts! USA, visit their website – www.superkartsusa.com – or send an email to info@superkartsusa.com






 

9-19-11 Cornell and Mankin Victorious, Woolf Crowned Champion

Young drivers put Intrepid and Leading Edge Power on top of podium at PKC North finale in Atwater

 Leading Edge Motorsports completed the final round of the 2011 Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge North program with a trip to Atwater, California, competing at the Tom Dash Memorial Speedway on September 9-10. The sixth stop of the series would decide the final push for the championships with one LEM driver clinching the title as two young guns under the tent scored their first victories on the year. Kathryn Cornell capped off her first regional season at the Senior level, earning the TaG Senior main event victory while Brennen Mankin took his first checkered flag in TaG Junior PKC North competition. S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto driver Jared Woolf clinched the series title with a runner-up performance to end the year.

After switching to Leading Edge Power mid-way through the season, Cornell has been able to focus more on driving and chassis tuning then engine management in her first season in TaG Senior. Posting fast laps at last month’s ProKart Challenge West Coast Shootout, Cornell began the Atwater event just missing out on the fast lap in qualifying. Her 31.523 around the 1/2-mile circuit put her just 0.054-seconds out of the pole position time. Despite the fast time, Cornell needed to switch engines due to an issue with her primary powerplant. Starting second for heat one, she posted the fast lap of the race and took the checkered flag. That would be provisional as when she reported to technical inspection, she was given a two-position penalty for not reporting the engine change prior to the race, classifying her third. In heat two, Cornell was running third when she pulled off feeling physically ill. After getting rehydrated, she returned to the grid for the main event. Once the green flag waved, Cornell and her Intrepid were unstoppable. By lap three, she was in the lead and drove away to a 1.290-second victory for her first TaG Senior PKC win. After running the fast laps of the race midway, she was nipped for the fast lap honor in the closing laps.

Brennen Mankin was the lone LEM driver in the TaG Junior category for the Atwater round. The field was smaller but very competitive with Mankin qualifying fourth, within two-tenths of the pole time. During heat one, Mankin worked his way up to the lead by the halfway mark, but was shuffled back to third by the checkered flag after a hard-fought 12-lap run. Mankin would once again find his way to the point during heat two, this time holding strong to finish first with three competitors trailing. The 20-lap feature race was a dual with the championship point leader. Mankin, making his third PKC North start, led the majority of the race until he was passed on the final circuit. He crossed the line in the second position and earned the fast lap honor thanks to his Leading Edge Power Parilla Leopard. Following technical inspection, Mankin was moved up to the first position due to a disqualification by the provisional winner. The win gave him his first in the series and second in ProKart Challenge competition, scoring a win at Buttonwillow during a South series round.

Heading into Atwater, S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto driver Jared Woolf clinched the championship for the category. Woolf took to Atwater in conservation mode aboard his Intrepid/Leading Edge Power Stock Moto machine, taking part in qualifying and concentrating his efforts in the main event. During the 20-lap feature, Woolf drove second for his fourth podium result of the season and bettered his point total that included the best five finishes of the season. Two victories and two runner-up finishes capped off Woolf’s season, helping him to score his first PKC North championship.

Randy Froom and Paul Hohlbein closed out the PKC North season in the TaG Master category in strong fashion. Not completely out of the title chase, both battled tough against the championship contenders. Froom qualified second while Hohlbein was fourth, both aboard LEM Intrepids with Leading Edge Power Leopards. Their positions remained unchanged through heat one, with the top four separated by less than one-second at the checkered flag. Froom challenged for the win once again in heat two, but came up short once again while Hohlbein remained in fourth. Contact at the beginning of the main event hurt both their chances at the feature win. Froom was able to continue on to finish third while Hohlbein retired on the opening lap.

Leading Edge Motorsports is currently accepting Arrive and Drive programs for the October 8-9 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix and services for the SKUSA SuperNationals XV in Las Vegas in November.
 

9-13-11 Elliott and Woolf Secure Titles at Prokart Challenge North Season Finale

TaG Senior rookie and S2 Stock Moto driver earns regional championships with podium finishes in Atwater

 The Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge North program capped off the 2011 season this past weekend with its first ever visit to the Tom Dash Memorial Speedway. The event was the sixth and final stop for the Northern California-Nevada traveling series that began in February. The Atwater Kart Club welcomed racers from all across the region to the 1/2-mile circuit as the championships were decided in the seven categories. Austin Elliott wrapped up his first season in TaG Senior with a championship while Jared Woolf secured the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto crown, both driving to runner-up finishes in their respective main events. Making history at the series finale was Kathryn Cornell, as she became the first female driver to earn the main event victory in the TaG Senior category in the series’ four-year history.

Nevada’s Jess Peterson was at the top of the time sheets at the end of qualifying for the Peterson Wealth Management-sponsored TaG Senior category. His 31.469-lap edged out Cornell’s best lap by just 54-thousandths of a second, with championship leader Elliott slotted in the third spot. Cornell drove to the provisional win in heat one until she was penalized two positions for improper engine declaration. That gave Peterson the win with Elliott up to second and Cornell back to third. Peterson and Elliott battled for the 12-lap second heat race, with Peterson coming away with the win by two-tenths of a second and David Harwin up to third, thanks to Cornell pulling off after three laps with a mechanical issue. Petersen led the way early on in the 20-lap main event, until Cornell advanced from her fifth starting position. She took over the lead on lap three, with Elliott taking second from Peterson on lap seven. The next time around, Peterson retired from the race. Cornell was able to stretch out to a comfortable advantage with quick laps mid-way through the race. At the checkered flag, Cornell took her first regional victory by 1.2 seconds over Elliott, who clinched his first championship in his rookie Senior season. Harwin posted the fastest lap in the closing stage chasing down Elliott, capping off the podium in third and ended the season third in the standings behind TJ Fischer, absent at the finale.

The top three in the Sunshine Daydream Creations-sponsored S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto division carried their season long title battle to Atwater for the final round. Jamie Wilson – second in the standings entering round six – gained 10 bonus points thanks to his pole position effort in qualifying with a lap of 31.004. Chris Ouimet was second, with point leader Jared Woolf in third. Wilson outran Ouimet in both heat races for the wins and maximum points, while Woolf retired after the first lap in both motos to record third place finishes, giving up 10 points each run. When the 20-lap feature race came, Wilson was un-phased as he escaped some early challenges and drove off to secure the event sweep, scoring his first feature win of the season by a nine-second margin. Woolf was able to place second ahead of Ouimet and clinched the series championship with his fourth podium finish of the season. Wilson’s solid performance helped him to close the gap behind Woolf to just 85 points with Ouimet ending the year in third with three podium finishes.

The chase for the title in the Cambrian Go-Karts-sponsored TaG Master category came down to the wire. Glenn McKinnon entered Atwater leading over Ethan Wilson and holding the feature win advantage at three to two. McKinnon gained 10 bonus points after qualifying, as he posted the fast lap of the session (32.152). Randy Froom edged Wilson for the second spot with Paul Hohlbein in fourth. The four ran nose to tail in heat one, with Wilson taking over the lead on lap 10 and scoring the win over Froom and McKinnon. The top three drove away in heat two, with Wilson showing the way all 12 laps for the win, sporting the same finishing order as heat one. Wilson proved to be on his game through the main event, leading all 20 laps for his third victory of the season and posting the fast lap of the race for 10 extra points. McKinnon was able work around Froom for the second spot and 10 more crucial points toward the title chase. When the final standings were calculated, McKinnon had earned enough points to secure the championship. Wilson, who gave chase all season long, came up just 30 points short with Froom edging out Hohlbein for the third spot in the standings.

The dual in the Fastech Racing-sponsored S4 Master Stock Moto class came to a close with Jim Kidd sweeping the event over Nick Galante. The victory was Kidd’s third of the season, with Galante settling for second, giving Kidd a 142 point advantage in the final standings. Ryan Rasberry was the lone S3 Novice Stock Moto driver at the event, securing the series title with his fourth victory on the year as Chris Yettito missed the season finale but ended the year second in the title chase.

The Bordogna Racing Engines-sponsored TaG Junior championship ended in a strange fashion following the actions from Atwater. Point leader Austin Dement had a solid lead in the championship heading into the finale and began the Atwater round as the top qualifier, posting a 31.880 to edge out Blaine Rocha for the spot. The first moto was a heated battle, as Curtis Paul advanced from fifth to score the win over Dement, with Brennan Mankin working around Rocha as well for third. The intense battle continued in heat two with Mankin coming away as the winner over Paul. Rocha and Grayson Browne trailed and Dement fell a few seconds back in the 12-lap run. In the main event, Mankin and Dement would break away for a two kart battle. At the line on lap 20, it was Dement taking the checkered flag. In the tech inspection area, Dement would be removed from the results for having a dislodged airbox, handing him a disqualification. That gave the win to Mankin, his first in the series. Rocha was classified second with Browne rounding out the podium. With a disqualification during an event equating into a non-droppable race, Dement was forced to drop a higher point-total event than his total from Atwater. The result moved Rocha to the top of the standings and the championship by a slim nine points over Dement. Nick Sommers, who entered Atwater second in the chase, fell to third overall after a trouble-filled event.

The action in the Cambrian Go-Karts-sponsored TaG Cadet division was just as wild – on and off the track. Hunter Kelly was quickest in the qualifying session and after placing third in heat one, lost both results after an engine issue was discovered in tech inspection. That gave point leader Hunter Corbitt the 10 bonus points for fast lap in qualifying and Davey Manthei Jr. the win in heat one, followed by Garrett Dixon and Danny Rubino. Manthei repeated in heat two, edging out Dixon once again by just 0.050-seconds – with Corbitt back up to third after finishing sixth in heat one. In the main event, Manthei was joined up front by Rubino, as the two swapped the lead until the final lap when Manthei secured the position and the victory for his third of the year. Rubino crossed the line second, just over one-tenth back, followed by Dixon, Kelly, Scott Huffaker and Corbitt. The final tally of the points equated to the top-five separated by 153-points with Corbitt scoring the most points for the championship. Manthei finished second, 45-markers back, with a disqualification at round four costing him the title. Kelly placed third ahead of Rubino and Huffaker to close out the year. In the final calculation for the Rok Cup International Final mini-series, Corbitt earned the most points to score the trip to Italy and compete in the October event. His 1114 total was best against Manthei (1035), Rubino (982) and Kelly (956).

The champions, along with the rest of the competitors, teams and family members are invited to the season-ending banquet, scheduled for Saturday, October 22 at the Delta King Riverboat (www.deltaking.com). For more on anything related to the ProKart Challenge or Superkarts! USA, visit their website – www.superkartsusa.com – or call the SKUSA head office at 951-491-0808.