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24/06/2009 - PROKART CHALLENGE SOUTH GEARS UP FOR SANTA MARIA KART TRACK

South program nears the end of 2009 season with penultimate round next weekend

TEMECULA, CA (June 19, 2009) – The sixth round of the 2009 ProKart Challenge South program is set to return to the Santa Maria Karting Association kart track on June 27. The penultimate round of the seven race championship will mark a joyous but somber return to the 7/10-mile circuit, or the ‘National K-layout’.

Last year’s PKC South season finale took place at what was schedule to be one of the last races held at the Santa Maria, California kart track. The facility, located on the grounds of the city’s airport, was scheduled to close following the 2008 year. However, the karting organization that runs the day to day operation were able to strike a deal to continue racing on the grounds through June 30, 2009. The sixth round of the PKC South program is tapped as the final karting event to run on the circuit location of the SMKA. With that, many drivers are expected to be in attendance, including some PKC North competitors joining the South championship contenders.

The biggest question heading into Santa Maria will be if anyone can stop the winning streak of S3 championship leader Jacob Neal. The 18-year old is on a six feature race winning streak - including the South and North programs - winning four of five in the South. Due to a rib injury in the opening round at CalSpeed, Neal recorded a low point total from that round. Thus with the championship counting the best six of seven results, Neal will need to continue to run near the front to clinch the title. Patrick Cushenberry and Clinton Schoombee are sitting in the wings, waiting for Neal to make any type of mistake to take over the point lead. On top of that, Neal also holds the top spot in the S1 championship chase, with Peter Abba continuing to give chase each weekend. Both will be welcoming back former PKC champion and current Skip Barber National point leader Connor De Phillippi, as he will return to his karting roots for the weekend.

Six points is the margin between first and second in the G1 championship standings, with Troy Butts and Roy Montgomery continuing their battle in Santa Maria. Butts has only one feature win to his credit, while Montgomery is still searching for that first trip to the top of the podium. Montgomery had been the more consistent driver; however, Butts looks to have the speed each weekend to hold off his challenger. The run for the TaG Senior title has come down to just two drivers for now, with Larry Fraser and Howie Idelson only separated by 14 points entering the Santa Maria round. Fraser has just one feature win, while Idelson carries a zero in that category as the class has seen five different winners. However, if the two tie, Idelson currently holds the tie breaker advantage by besting Fraser in three of the five feature races.

The S4 battles are a close affair, as well, with Jeff Smith currently leading over Rob Whitley while Luke Bianco is on top in the Magnum division over Tony Morrison. Smith has yet to earn a checkered flag this season, but is among the quick drivers each weekend out. Whitley has two podiums to his credit, including a win at Qualcomm, and will need to add another to hope to close the 50 point deficit he faces. Thirty points is all that separates Bianco and Morrison, with their championship beginning at round two in Willow Springs. Each come in with two wins. However, Bianco’s two runner-up finishes has him in front of Morrison’s one second-place finish thus far.

Introduced at round three at Grange, the KF2 chase is down to two teammates - Alex Speed and Will Martindale. Speed has won the last two after Martindale won the opening feature, putting their point totals at 130 points different. The last round at Buttonwillow saw young driver Gustavo Menezes mixing it up with Speed for the win but eventually settling for second. The three, along with the rest of the field, should put on a great show in Santa Maria. The TaG Masters and TaG Juniors are all but wrapped up with Steve Wiener and Max Zacky controlling both divisions. Wiener has zero feature wins on the year; however, his point advantage over Mike Kelley in second may be too large to overcome - even with the drop race included. Zacky has run unchallenged for most of the season, with the exception of the Shootout last month where he was able to match his talent against the PKC North contingent.

Trailer parking begins Thursday evening from 4pm-8pm, with camping allowed (for a $50 flat fee) from Thursday night thru Saturday night. Practice day will be conducted Friday, June 26 from 9am to 5pm. The host hotel will be the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, which is located just across the airport with a special rate of $109 by mentioning ‘ProKart’. For more information on the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge itself, head to www.prokartchallenge.com or call 951-491-0808.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

14/06/2009 - Strawberry Racing triumph in Italy...

The increasingly popular Rotax Euro Challenge had attracted over 130 entries for the second round of the series, held for the first time on the Kart Planet track at Busca in Piedmont, northern Italy (29-31 May).

And once again, Strawberry’s drivers were in the thick of the action - and on the podium.

In the Senior class, Joseph Reilly was able to make up for his disappointment in the opening round (at Campillos, Spain, 28 - 29 March) and used the “the right strategy” at Busca to take a well-deserved victory. Team-mate Luke Varley returned to the podium (after winning the opening event), taking a finely judged third place and extending his championship lead.

Special mention should be made for Strawberry’s third Senior and series leader going into the weekend, James Greenway. Warwick explains, “James wasn’t in the best of health after getting a blood infection. He battled on but was in no fit state to be able to challenge at the front.”

Joseph’s win has boosted him to fourth in the title chase, whilst James remains in touch from fifth overall. Speaking in the press conference afterwards, Joseph said, “We made the best decision this weekend, to have the right tyres, tyre pressures and ideal set-up to win. The result is good for the championship points and I’m feeling quite confident now going into the third round. I want to thank Warwick, David and Strawberry Racing for all their hard work, and my team mates for being there and ‘having my back!’ Also thanks to my sponsors back home in London and my parents for all their support.”

Representing the team in the Junior category, round one hero Josh Webster figured well in the eliminatory heats, taking a first place and two fourths to earn himself a front-row start in the pre-final.

Having opted to run his new tyres in the pre-final, Josh used their superior performance to grab a breathtaking win on the last lap.

He made a perfect start in the main final, but suffered from now having worn rubber on his Tony Kart Racer EVR chassis and was soon under pressure. A monumental scrap developed and Josh found himself shuffled down the pack to sixth. Surviving some desperate manoeuvres, he held onto his place and the Championship lead - which he later admitted was his main priority in Italy.

The team returns to domestic racing duties this weekend, in the third round of the British Super 1 Championship at Buckmore Park in Kent. The action kicks off this Saturday (12 June) with timed qualifying from 12:30, followed by the first heat at 3:10pm. The racing will continue on Sunday (13 June) and features the all-important points-scoring finals.
To find out more about Strawberry Racing and the superb Tony Kart Racer EVR chassis, visit www.strawberryracing.co.uk

14/06/2009 - Race Report: Ostrom Doubles Up at Central States Challenge

Junior driver scores TaG Junior and IAME Challenge victories at Mid-State Kart Club event

SPRINGFIELD, IL (June 7, 2009) – Completing a busy six week run, the Superkarts! USA Midwest regional program - AMB i.t. Central States Challenge (SCSC) - wrapped up the third round of the 2009 schedule at the Mid-State Kart Club facility outside Springfield, Illinois over the June 6-7 weekend. The SCSC traveling series were welcomed by Mid-State Kart Club president Dan Green and the entire staff with open arms. The event went off without any issues aside from a few rain drops but the majority of the paddock kept the upbeat atmosphere going throughout the two days.

The trip to Mid-State was the first for SCSC and also marked the first double victory weekend for Junior driver Drake Ostrom. The TaG Junior category was all Ostrom as he swept the on-track action for the class. After taking top honors in qualifying Saturday, Ostrom went on to lead all the laps in the Prefinal and Final, outrunning the seven others in the event. Richy Yates earned his best finish of the season, placing in the runner-up spot ahead of rookie Colton Brooks. The victory puts Ostrom on top of the point standings as championship leader Kevin Donahue only managed to score a fifth place finish, one spot behind sister Angela Donahue. Ostrom carried the momentum over to the IAME Challenge category at the end of the weekend where Junior and Senior drivers compete against one another. There he would lead all six laps toward the victory over veteran Keith Freber and fellow Junior driver Kaylee Granberg.

The S5 category has seen a steady growth in the region and continues to produce great racing each outing. Defending class champion Kaylee Granberg led the way in qualifying while front-runner Lukas Johnson ran minus his transponder after not being able to get ontrack all day until the timed session. Though that put him at the back of the Prefinal grid, it took only four laps before Johnson put his entry into the lead. He would go on to win the race and lead all 12 laps of the feature for his second straight victory. Granberg settled for second with Joe Reed producing his best result of the season in third after starting from the tail of grid following a bad Prefinal.

Even though numbers were low in the Senior shifter categories, the racing was exciting in S1, S3, and S4. Carly Mandarino earned her first SCSC victory in S1 after holding off Kyle Gnau. Derek Crockett earned his second straight S3 feature win but not until after an intense Prefinal and Final battle with Matt Zeis. In S4, Rick Freund earned his first sweep of the season to extend his point lead, besting Kyle Donahue.

Crockett found himself battling another rival in TaG Senior as he and Justin Vancil went toe-to-toe in the Feature. Vancil showed the way for all 12 laps with Crockett unable to make a pass stick. The win was Vancil’s first of the season and ended Crockett’s win streak at two. TaG Masters was all Keith Freber as the round one winner repeated his performance by sweeping the class action. Championship leader Brit Phillips was a solid second with Jim Donahue joining them on the podium.

The TaG 60 category continues to be one of the largest groups for the program with eight youngsters competing in Springfield. Kaleb Allison made his SCSC debut by taking top honors in qualifying however once racing got underway it was Zach Bohmer that showed the way. Bohmer led each time by the scoring loop in both the Prefinal and Final. Allison was on his bumper in the Prefinal but retired on the opening lap to allow Bohmer to cruise to a five-second win over point leader Kyle Donahue and Kyle Potts. Zach Buecker won the Yamaha Rookie division over Logan Mitchell while Jaydon Biles won the nine driver Kid Kart feature ahead of Egan Shankleton and Grant Greisbach.

Up next will be a return trip to TNT Kartways in Quincy, MO - a legendary area for the sport of karting. In cooperation with Margay Racing Products along with PG Racing and Car-Car Motorsports, the SCSC will have an arrive and drive session at the conclusion of events on Saturday in Quincy for those who are always in the pits but never on the track. The series is asking everyone to bring a relative, friend or anyone who is interested in getting a taste of karting to join them at TNT Kartways.

To pre register for the event or to find out all the details on the 2009 season and other information you need to know to become part of the SKUSA Central States Challenge, visit www.centralstateschallenge.com The series would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in 2009; AMB i.t., MG Tires, Car-Car Motorsports, Crockett’s Mobile Car Wash, Digatron, Nado Valley Printing, PG Racing, Russell Karting, and Unique Heating and Cooling.

About the Central States Challenge:
The Central States Super Series enters its second year serving the Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois-based drivers who want to run a quality regional sprint series that is located a little closer to home. A strong, fair, and fun regional series with great competition is the best of all worlds. The 2009 schedule includes six races held at four new locations, such as Gateway International Raceway, New Castle Motorsports Park, Mid-States Kartway and Kansas Speedway in addition to returning to 61 Kartway and TNT Kartways, some of the absolute best tracks in the Midwest. And their status as SKUSA's Midwest Regional Series just pushes the competition level up that much more!

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com .

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10/06/2009 - Super One Series UK Race Report

MSA SUPER ONE SERIES ROUND 3: 6/7th June at ROWRAHRace ReportFor the third round of the British Kart Championships the series moved to the picturesque Cumbrian circuit of Rowrah, set in a quarry but with outstanding views over
the nearby mountain ranges. The club have been pressing on with many improvements such as an enlarged parc ferme, WiFi internet access and live timing.

The meeting escaped lightly considering the torrential rain affecting racing further south, and only Friday morning was really wet, with all of Sunday dry.

Renault MSA Junior British Kart Championship: KF3

Jake Dennis and Alexander Albon came out of the weekend even with a win and second apiece. Although Albon beat polesitter Dennis off the line in the first final, Dennis quickly redressed the balance only to have to give way to Guilherme Silva.That too was quickly rebuffed and after a brief flurry to lead changes Dennis escaped to a three second win. Albon hauled himself back into contention despite a down on power motor, drafting past Silva at the furthest most corner of the picturesque circuit. He then had to mount a stiff defence until Silva's attempt to pass with a nudge only gave Jake Dalton an opening. Sennan Fielding was waiting in line, and after Silva had regained third, he nipped past Dalton at the Pits corner then surprised Silva at the entrance to the chicane. Dalton took advantage of the situation by grasping fourth into the first hairpin, Silva relegated to fifth with Jordan King coming up fast. In the second final, Dennis took the hole shot but Fielding found the pace to pass at the first hairpin. As the pair traded the lead, Albon had thrown off King's challenge and ate up the gap to the leaders, slicing under Fielding at Pits and then drafting Dennis down to the top corner. With new found pace he left the rest, even Dennis unable to stay with him. Fielding lost fourth when his rear wheel fell off, already passed by Jordan King. "We were struggling a little bit out of the bottom corner so changed the engine for the second final," Albon explained. "We had the pace in the first final and got a gap, then in the second we lost a bit of mid-range power but we have come out of the weekend
just the same in the championship so its good," said Dennis.

Results: Final 1
1 Jake Dennis (Topkart)
2 Alexander Albon (Tonykart)
3 Sennan Fielding (Tonykart)
4 Jake Dalton (Alonso)
5 Guilherme Silva (Tonykart)
6 Jordan King (Maranello).

Final 2
1 Albon
2 Dennis
3 King
4 Callum Bowyer (Intrepid)
5 Silva
6 Xavier Warburton (Birel).

Championship standings
1 Jake Dennis 294
2 Alexander Albon 281
3 Jordan King 252
4 Callum Bowyer 244
5 Paul Hardy 244
6 Sam Blake 231



Renault MSA British Kart Championship: KF1

Defending champion Mark Litchfield finally found form at Rowrah, despite a small setback when his engine lost power in a heat. He quickly disposed of Lee Bell, Elliott Burton and Richard Bradley on the opening laps of the first final and then gave a classic lesson to the others by drawing out over four seconds. Bradley had tried to re-take the lead, bur ripped a bead retainer out of a wheel and pitted with his second puncture of the weekend. That left Jonathan Walker defending second from Bell and Robert Foster-Jones, until Bell moved up and Foster-Jones down to sixth. Luke Wright was on the rise, taking Walker at Pits Corner and Ben Cooper would soon follow. Cooper was recovering from a heavy crash in a heat, as indeed also was Walker. In the second final, Litchfield roared from start to finish unheaded, this time with nearly six seconds in hand. Wright gave chase, until Bell elbowed past at the second hairpin, Cooper right behind and waiting his turn. Walker started a downward spiral when Jordon Lennox-Lamb drafted past soon emulated by Denis Gorman snd Elliott Burton, but Gorman fell to ninth later. Cooper was helping Wright towards Bell and they hung him out to dry at the Pits Corner, then the next lap Cooper saw his chance and grabbed second. Wright was suffering from a loose exhaust, hampering his power. "We've finally got it together after changing engines to the TM and going back to basics," enthused Litchfield whilst Cooper added: "The kart was good to start with, then slowed a bit in the middle of the race before coming on again towards the end, so it was important to get a good result this weekend. Luckily the kart was pretty undamaged in the crash but my back and leg are hurting."

Results: Final 1
1 Mark Litchfield (Maranello)
2 Lee Bell (Wright)
3 Luke Wright (Tonykart)
4 Ben Cooper (Tonykart)
5 Jonathan Walker (Gillard)
6 Robert Foster-Jones (FA Kart).

Final 2
1 Litchfield
2 Cooper
3 Wright
4 Bell
5 Elliot Burton (Tonykart)
6 Jordan Lennox-Lamb (Topkart).

Championship standings
1 Ben Cooper 276
2 Jordon Lennox-Lamb 266
3 Lee Bell 266
4 Mark Litchfield 265
5 Luke Wright 255
6 Robert Foster-Jones 251



Renault ABkC Formula KF2

Although Shaun Carter quickly took over the first final lead from Josh Fielding, Jordan Chamberlain was waiting in the wings, following Charles Bonsey past Fielding and then leapfrogged team-ate Carter into first. Fielding recovered to second but no-one could live with the leader's pace as Chamberlain opened up a two second cushion. Bonsey fell back to fifth behind David Wagner whilst heat winner Jake Ball had pitted to replace a missing front fairing. It was virtually the same in the second final, but with Chamberlain immediately taking the lead over Fielding. Carter had
found a little more pace, and jumped Fielding, splitting the train into Chamberlain and him at the front, then the pair of Bonsey and Fielding, and a gap to Steven Napier and the rest. Carter found the pace mid-race to move into the lead, but within a couple of laps, Chamberlain was back in command and haring away for a two second win. Fielding and Bonsey continued to fight, and once Chris Lock had disposed of Ashley Sutton, he crept up and snatched third.

Results: Final 1
1 Jordan Chamberlain (Tonykart)
2 Josh Fielding (Tonykart)
3 Shaun Carter (Tonykart)
4 David Wagner (Gillard)
5 Charles Bonsey (Tonykart)
6 Steven Napier (Maranello)

Final 2
1 Chamberlain
2 Carter
3 Chris Lock (Tonykart)
4 Fielding
5 Ashley Sutton (Octane)
6 Bonsey



ABkC Dunlop Cadet

The first final was an all-time classic, with George Russell taking up the early running, trading the lead with Matthew Graham. As they fought the next train drafted up, allowing Sam Vanderpump to leapfrog into the lead and soon Russell found himself down in fifth. Graham fought back, but only held the lead momentarily before Vanderpump took it back with Russell working his way into second. The pair proceeded to trade the lead, occasionally having Sam Webster as the interloper but as soon as Russell thought he had a cushion, the rest drafted back onto him. Webster re-took the lead,Russell hung out to dry and falling to sixth, but anderpump vaulted into the lead only for Webster to snatch it back. In the final melee, Max Vaughan sprung from nowhere as Vanderpump was pushed wide onto the grass dropping to seventh, and Webster to fifth. So Vaughan won from Alex Gill, what a race! In the second final, Vaughan had an early break, and looked comfortably out ahead of Russell and Webster for much of the race. But Vanderpump and Gill were working together, slipstreaming kart after kart on their way to the front and suddenly Vaughan looked in great danger and started defending in vain as the pair gobbled him up. Webster also saw an opening and took the final podium position on the last lap, Vanderpump a delighted and ecstatic winner over Gill.

Results: Final 1
1 Max Vaughan (Zip)
2 Alex Gill (Wright)
3 George Russell (Zip)
4 Matthew Graham (Zip)
5 Sam Webster (Zip)
6 Harry Woodhead (Zip)

Final 2
1 Sam Vanderpump (Tonykart)
2 Gill
3 Webster
4 Vaughan
5 Ricky Collard (Zip)
6 Graham

Titbits
At the direction of the National Court, Ben Cooper's appeal against exclusion at the first round was re-heard by the Stewards, but the outcome was the same and he is re-instated in the results. Thus there is no change to the championship standings which are no longer provisional.
Former Junior Max driver Robert Gilmour was having his first race in Super One KF2, but faced a torrid weekend starting with thrown chains and then later non-finishing both finals.

Italian KF2 ace driver Matteo Vigano was an interested spectator supporting friend Jordon Lennox-Lamb. His proposed drive in the series fell through, he normally races for IAME in the MGM Birel team alongside Jason Parrott.
New lap records were set by Mark Litchfield (KF1), Chris Lock (KF2), Alex Albon (KF3) and Alex Gill (Cadet).

04/06/2009 - SAINZ Jr EN EL PODIUM TAMBIEN EN ALEMANIA

La segunda de las cinco pruebas a las que está programado el DKM, el campeonato alemán de karting, se disputó en la pista de Wackersdorf, localidad situada en el sureste del país germano, entre Regensburg y la frontera de la República Checa, no demasiado lejos de Nurenberg. Este evento contó con la presencia de 158 pilotos, repartidos en las cuatro categorías admitidas.

Unico piloto español presente en este certamen, Carlos Sainz Jr se mostró en todo momento como el segundo piloto mas rápido del plantel de los Junior del DKM, a espaldas del actual Campeón en título, el holandés Nyck de Vries que, además, tiene en Wackersdorf su circuito fetiche.

Sainz Jr marcó el 2º mejor crono en los entrenamientos y ganó la primera de sus mangas clasificatorias. En la segunda volvía a patir en cabeza pero en la primera chicane era tocado por detrás por De Vries y la maniobra del holandés originaba un multitudinario accidente en el que se veía involucrado gran parte del pelotón de cabeza, lo que obligaba al director de carrera a detener la manga y conceder un tiempo extra para que todos los implicados pudieran reparar los desperfectos causados por el siniestro. Obligado a echar mano del chasis y el motor de repuesto, Sainz Jr se tenía que conformar con seguir la estela de su rival en esta manga pero se aseguraba un lugar en la primera línea de la parrilla de salida de cara a la carrera Sprint del día siguiente.

Ahí, el madrileño presionaba fuertemente a De Vries y no tardaba en izarse en cabeza, comandando la clasificación durante varias vueltas aunque finalmente era el holandés quién se llevaba el gato al agua. Para la Final larga, las modificaciones efectuadas en el kart de De Vries lo iban a hacer absolutamente inalcanzable y, pese a los esfuerzos de Sainz, la ventaja del primero no hacía mas que crecer a lo largo de la carrera, finalizando con un margen de mas de ocho segundos sobre el español que descorchaba así un lugar en el segundo peldaño del podium final tras desplazar a su vez a su mas inmediato seguidor a casi cuatro segundos.

Ahora la próxima cita de Carlos Sainz Jr será la cuarta prueba de las Winning Series Karting que tendrá lugar en el trazado belga de Genk los dias 13 y 14 de este mes, para el siguiente fin de semana disputar el segundo encuentro del Campeonato de España de Karting en la pista andaluza de Cartaya.


CLASIFICACIONES

KF3 (Sprint):
1. Nyck de Vries (Zanardi-XTR), las 11 vueltas en 9’24”624
2. Carlos Sainz jr (Tony-Vortex), a 0”742
3. Peter Hoevenaars (Zanardi-Maxter), a 2”557
4. Lucas Wolf (Tony-WKR), a 6”162
5. Luca Stolz (Tony-Maxter), a 7”455

KF3 (Final):
1. Nyck de Vries (Zanardi-XTR), las 21 vueltas en 17’49”919
2. Carlos Sainz jr (Tony-Vortex), a 8”585
3. Peter Hoevenaars (Zanardi-Maxter), a 12”011
4. Luca Stolz (Tony-Maxter), a 13”063
5. Christian Sørensen (Tony-Vortex), a 17”192

Campeonato: 1. Nyck de Vries, 80 puntos; 2. Luca Stolz, 33; 3. Carlos Sainz jr y Peter Hoevenaars, 30; 5. Riccardo Agostini, 29; 6. Jeffrey Schmidt, 26; 7. Hendrik Grapp, 24; 8. Christian Sørensen, 21 puntos; ... etc

KF2 (Sprint):
1. Emil Antonsen (Birel-Parilla), las 11 vueltas en 9’28”815
2. Dylan Davies (Maranello-Maxter), a 0”727
3. Yannik Trautwein (Mach1-Vortex), a 4”143

KF2 (Final):
1. Emil Antonsen (Birel-Parilla), las 21 vueltas en 17’38”814
2. Dylan Davies (Maranello-Maxter), a 0”602
3. Lars Sørensen (Birel-Parilla), a 3”447

Campeonato: 1. Bente Christopher Scharf y Moritz Oestreich, 45 puntos; 3. Emil Antonsen, 44; 4. Dylan Davies, 43; 5. Sven Müller, 38 puntos; ... etc

KF1 (Sprint):
1. Nicolaj Moller-Madsen (Energy-TM), las 11 vueltas en 9’15”844
2. Bo Sørensen (Tony-Vortex), a 3”811
3. Dear Schilling (Mach1-Vortex), a 4”704

KF1 (Final):
1. Nicolaj Moller-Madsen (Energy-TM), las 21 vueltas en 17’30”495
2. Riccardo Negro (DR-Parilla), a 2”881
3. Bo Sørensen (Tony-Vortex), a 3”341

Campeonato: 1. Nicolaj Moller-Madsen, 75 puntos; 2. Michelle Gatting, 42; 3. Bo Sørensen, 38; 4. Mans Grenhagen, 34; 5. Riccardo Negro, 33 puntos; ... etc

KZ2 (Sprint):
1. Jack Hawksworth (Energy-TM), las 11 vueltas en 9’12”597
2. Thomas Mich (Birel-TM), a 5”303
3. Simon Solgat (Birel-TM), a 7”434

KZ2 (Final):
1. Manuel Renaudie (Gillard-SGM), las 21 vueltas en 17’04”884
2. Verdi Geurts (DR-Maxter), a 1”003
3. Paolo de Conto (Energy-TM), a 1”320

Campeonato: 1. Paolo de Conto, 57 puntos; 2. Verdi Geurts, 48; 3. Jorrit Pex, 39; 4. Rick Dreezen, 36; 5. Marvin Meindorfer, 31 puntos; ... etc

03/06/2009 - G-FORCE ENGINES HAS STRONG OPENING WEEKEND IN ONTARIO REGIONAL ACTION

New engine builder G-Force Engines of Sharon, Ontario sweeps the podium in Rotax Junior and Junior TaG

Sharon, Ontario – Created only months ago, and based on years of topflight competitive experience, G-Force Engines had a huge opening weekend in Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship action. Facing a full field in both Rotax and Honda based classes, G-Force was able to make their mark and build some early season momentum. With the shop running at full tilt producing and testing the latest new parts from Rotax and Honda, the father and son duo of Rick and Eric Gerrits have been hard at work.

“There have been a lot of changes to both Rotax and Honda over the winter,” comments G-Force principal Rick Gerrits. “We have been focusing on getting every last bit of horsepower we can get out of these new regulations.”

And success has come quickly. With a total of ten drivers in the field, the best hope for results would come in Rotax Junior. With seven drivers wielding G-Force power, the team took the top five positions in qualifying. Drivers Spencer Todd (Intrepid), Andrew Waring (Intrepid), Garett Grist (Top Kart), Austin Milwain (Birel) and Jeffery May (CRG) all used G-Force prepared power plants to dominate the time sheets. In the final, it would be an all G-Force podium with Todd, Milwain and Grist topping the box.

In Sunday action it would again be an all G-Force finish. Three drivers used G-Force Rotax power to beat the mixed field of power plants. Grist would lead the march to the podium followed by Milwain and Todd.

“I was really happy with my engine all weekend,” comments Spencer Todd of Goodwood Kartways / Intrepid. “G-Force gave me great power and support all weekend.”

G-Force would field drivers in Rotax Senior with Chris Seegobin, Eric Gerrits in DD2 and Gerrit Tiemeersma in Novice. Along with a growing customer base in regional action, G-Force has built a significant clientele in Toronto area club racing with 30 drivers sporting the G-Force brand in both Honda and Rotax.

With the recent announcement that round two of the BSRKC will return to 3S Go-Karts of Sutton, G-Force is very excited about repeating their incredible start to the season.

“I am very excited and hopeful for our drivers,” comments G-Force team manager Eric Gerrits. “We are adding a couple of new drivers including Max Preston in Rotax Junior. We should be very strong again at Sutton.”

With the shop located just minutes away from several karting tracks, G-Force Engines manager Eric Gerrits is excited about this new venture. Research and development is what competitive racing is all about and G-Force hopes to bring their knowledge and services trackside to clients in the future. With a unique approach to the engine market, G-Force Engines business model should appeal to all karters. Focused only on the engine side of the sport, G-Force will eliminate all other facets of the karting business thus eliminating the possibility of a perceived conflict of interest. A full time, engine only approach is their attempt to create a reputable engine shop that is only interested in getting their horsepower to the front regardless of the color of your chassis.

G-Force Engines continues preparation for their 2009 campaign. If you are interested in G-Force Engines services, please contact Rick at 905-252-8668, Eric at 905-252-8520 or the shop at 905-473-1577 or by email G_force.engines@yahoo.ca

27/05/2009 - Superkarts! USA Announces Return to Rio for 2009 SuperNationals

13th annual event back on the Vegas strip in mid-November

TEMECULA, CA (May 22, 2009) – At what was largely considered to be the greatest karting event in North American history, the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XII elevated the event’s prestige when it returned to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last November. Now, looking ahead six months, the organization is gunning to trump the previous edition of the program’s marquee race. SKUSA’s Tom Kutscher is pleased to announce that the 13th edition of the SuperNationals will return to the Rio on November 18-22, 2009, with a number of improvements scheduled to be unveiled prior and during this year’s event.

“The 2008 SuperNationals was a huge success for karting and for SKUSA,” stated Kutscher, looking back at an event that was the product of six months of work. “Without the hard work and dedication of the entire staff, both on and off the track, and those competing, the event would not have been possible. With last year’s event now in the SKUSA history books, we have a better idea of the challenges and opportunities that we face at this tremendous venue. With some fine tuning, we’re looking to make this year’s event even more spectacular – and one not to be missed!”

The evolution on the drawing board for this year’s race includes the addition of a fifth day of on-track action, a more focused class structure, a fine-tuned race track, increased seating and paddock excitement, and finally, the best room rate in the history of the SuperNats at the Rio.

After working closely with the Rio for the first time last year, Kutscher has put together a great program with them for the ’09 event. The hotel room rate will be announced just prior to the hotel registration opening June 1st. This special room rate and code will be announced at midnight on May 31st at www.superkartsusa.com

If you’re waiting to hear that your class will be on the docket this year, at this time the organization can only confirm that the core SKUSA classes will be presented. Stock Moto is one of the foundations of the program; therefore, both S3 and S4 will be offered. The TaG categories have become such an exciting part of the group, as well; therefore, TaG Senior, Junior and Masters will all be offered. If you have an ICC powerplant, the KZ2 (SuperPro) category will be your ticket into the SuperNats, where you will get the opportunity to run with the best of the best. Always a key part of the SKUSA program, the G1 pilots will also take center stage in Las Vegas, running both ICC and built moto engines. The remainder of the class structure has not yet been confirmed, but this final announcement will be made soon. The full ’09 update of the SKUSA SuperNationals website will coincide with the opening day of pre-race online registration on July 1st.

Last year’s race featured very long days, as the schedule was packed into four days of action at the Rio – prompting Kutscher to take the race back to five days of on-track action. The opening rounds of practice will take place on Wednesday, November 18, continuing through qualifying, heat races and Last Chance Qualifiers, all the way to the wildest day in karting – SuperSunday.

Do not miss out!

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

27/05/2009 - Super One TKM Series roundup

Super One TKM Series Round 3: Larkhall, Scotland 23/24 May 2009

For the third round of the Super One Series for the TKM 2 and 4-stroke classes, plus Honda Cadet, the drivers headed up to Scotland where the West of Scotland Kart Club has all its paddock improvements coming on apace. They made a great job of hosting the ABkC national championship and the meeting escaped with barely any rain.

Oliver Hodgson steadily extended his leading margin to seven seconds for another Junior TKM victory, whilst in TKM Extreme Charlie Bruce-White backed Ryan Cole into the pack for some frantic last corner action. In senior 4-stroke Michael West came out tops in a duel with Michael Rich. Luke Rosewell fell out of the junior 4-stroke lead in favour of Miles Murphy. Honda Cadet poleman Daniel Ticktum was nerfed out of the lead, leaving Jamie Caroline to win.

Tal-Ko ABkC Formula Junior TKM

Heat winners: Oliver Hodgson x 3, Ash Robinson

A Final: Hodgson cantered to victory for the second time this year, and who would bet against him now for the title? Will van Es worked himself to the front of the four way second place battle whilst David McNicoll just grabbed sixth from Lisa Playfair.

Results: Oliver Hodgson, Will van Es, Ash Robinson, Luke Cooper, Sam Grogan.

Tal-Ko ABkC TKM Extreme

Heat winners: Joe Forsdyke, Tom Oliphant, Ryan Cole, Will Waterman, Gary Henderson-Keirle

A Final: Charlie Bruce-White led all the way except for a brief swap with Cole on lap 17. As the race wound down, Bruce-White’s defence allowed the next four karts to join the train, with David Eadon pushing Cole down to fifth on the last corner, for which he was penalised two places. That let Chris Renwick and Oliver Sedden through in the melee, the latter making a great recovery from a heat exclusion.

Results: Charlie Bruce-White, Chris Renwick, Oliver Sedden, Ryan Cole, Randal Lynn

Tal-Ko ABkC Formula TKM 4-stroke

Heat winners: Adam Nichols, Michael Rich x 2, Steven Welsh

A Final: Rich led initially until bested by Michael West. In his efforts to retrieve the lead, a lunge only delayed himself and especially Carly Latcham. She continued for a few laps before retiring. Rich battled back to second but too far behind West. Steven Welsh had earned a good grid place, but his engine failed to start.

Results: Michael West, Michael Rich, Adam Nichols, Brendan Carton, Joel Saunders

Tal-Ko ABkC Formula Junior TKM 4-stroke

Heat winners: William Thomas, Luke Rosewell x 2, Miles Murphy

A Final: Poleman Rosewell succumbed to a lunge up the hill which put him skittering over the grass, shedding places to fifth. Murphy then held the lead to the chequer, Max Haynes chasing. Thomas overcame a 1 lap heat penalty to claim third.

Results: Miles Murphy, Max Haynes, William Thomas, Luke Rosewell, Cavan Corcoran

ABkC Honda Cadet

Heat winners: Jack Mitchell x 2, Daniel Ticktum x 2.

A Final: Hurtling down the hill on the first lap, Jack Mitchell was alleged to have pushed Luke Knott into leader Ticktum, for which he was later excluded. That incident left Mitchell in front barring a lap mid-race when Jamie Caroline took over before Mitchell later dropped to the back with a puncture when the hub on his kart moved in. Knott suffered in the massive battle for third, but fought his way back to second place.

Results: Jamie Caroline, Luke Knott, Dave Wooder, Steven Prentice, Billy Monger

Full results and points are on http://www.s1series.co.uk/9T_3_Larkhall.htm

22/05/2009 - Central States Challenge To Make First Visit to New Castle Motorsports Park

Series travels near racing capital of the world for second round of 2009 season

ST. LOUIS, MO (May 21, 2009) – Following the inaugural event at the Gateway International Raceway for the AMB i.t. Central States Challenge, the Superkarts! USA regional program will add another new facility to its roster as the series travels to the New Castle Motorsports Park for the first time over Memorial Day weekend - May 23-24. The 1-mile circuit East of downtown Indianapolis has become one of the top facilities in the karting ranks in its short six year history. With a record breaking 97 entries gathered at the opener outside St. Louis, the first trip to New Castle should be just as successful.

“New Castle Motorsports Park is one of the top karting tracks in the United States and as the series strives to increase the level of competition for our karters,” commented Central States Challenge coordinator Pam Freund. “Our mission is to test their skills on the top tracks in the Midwest, that must include the NCMP. We also hope to expose more racers to our program that may not be familiar with our series and the Indianapolis area has a ton of karters looking to race against the best and that is what our mission is.”

Drivers in the S1 and TaG Senior categories will be looking to catch Gateway double winner Derek Crockett. He along with Junior driver Kevin Donahue - winner of the S5 Junior and TaG Junior features - were the most successful drivers of the opening weekend. The S3 category, won by defending class champion Matt Zeis, is expected to see high numbers once again with a strong Stock Moto presence at the New Castle circuit along with the Yamaha Junior and Yamaha Rookie divisions. The IAME Challenge class is also expected to see an increase in entries, all chasing Gateway winner Justin Vancil.

The Central States Challenge takes pride in their laid-back but competitive program with plenty of time on the track and off the track fun. The event officially kicks off Saturday morning with six hours of practice followed by qualifying. The ‘Superlap’ session, where drivers will try to better their best lap from qualifying, will take place directly after. Racing action takes place Sunday with the Prefinals set for 11:30 and the main events to start at 2pm.

For all the details on the 2009 season and other information you need to know to become part of the SKUSA Central States Challenge, visit www.centralstateschallenge.com. The series would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in 2009; AMB i.t., MG Tires, Car Car Motorsports, Crockett’s Mobile Car Wash, Russell Karting, and Unique Heating and Cooling.

About the Central States Challenge:
The Central States Super Series enters its second year serving the Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois-based drivers who want to run a quality regional sprint series that is located a little closer to home. A strong, fair, and fun regional series with great competition is the best of all worlds. The 2009 schedule includes six races held at four new locations, such as Gateway International Raceway, New Castle Motorsports Park, Mid-States Kartway and Kansas Speedway in addition to returning to 61 Kartway and TNT Kartways, some of the absolute best tracks in the Midwest. And their status as SKUSA's Midwest Regional Series just pushes the competition level up that much more!

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com .

20/05/2009 - NEAL AND ZEEN SCORE IN PROKART CHALLENGE WEST COAST SHOOTOUT

South tops North in inaugural battle that draws 110+ competitors to Buttonwillow

BUTTONWILLOW, CA (May 19, 2009) – The concept behind the inaugural ProKart Challenge West Coast Shootout was to bring together the competitors of both the North and South PKC regional programs, and the approach certainly delivered – as a thrilling day of racing was the outright result. More than 110 drivers hit the track on May 16 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park kart track, and they were forced to battle extreme heat as well as each other. The mercury rose to over 100 at the California facility, but the SKUSA staff, their drivers and their teams all handled it extremely well. The racing itself was ludicrously good, with some stellar head-to-head battles highlighting the action –as the South edged the North for the overall regional crown. PCH Motorsports’ Jacob Neal (CRG) turned in one of the finest performances in his young career, coming out on top of an exciting scrap in S3, while G-Phactory’s Andrick Zeen (Sodi Kart) was the man to beat in TaG Senior.

Neal faced some serious challengers in the S3 category, qualifying third behind polesitter Jimmy McNeil (CRG) and Tommy Thompson (Trackmagic). McNeil was two tenths clear of the field to throw his name in the hat for the win, until he lost his airbox and had to pull off. Neal took over from there, winning both heat races to start on the pole for the main event. The 20-lap race took place on a very greasy track, made even more challenging by the high heat, as Select Shifter pilot Clinton Schoombee (CRG) grabbed the holeshot to lead the first half of the event. Neal would battle back from a tough start, getting past a pair of Team Aluminos drivers in Daniel Bray (GP) and Tom Dyer (GP) as they battled each other, eventually arriving on the rear bumper of Schoombee. The leader fought valiantly, but Neal would not be denied as he eventually slipped through to take the point. The win did not appear locked, however, as Utah’s Patrick Cushenberry (Arrow) was coming on strong. ‘Cush’ laid down the fastest lap of the race as he reeled in the lead duo, leading many to believe that he was on his way to victory. Cushenberry came up just short, as he was not able to find a safe way by Schoombee, allowing Neal to inch away for the win, his fifth PKC triumph of the year. Schoombee and Cushenberry completed the podium, while Bray and Dyer capped the top-five.

PKC North driver Nic LeDuc (Tony Kart) paced the TaG Senior field to begin the day, laying down a 48.451-second lap to put himself on the pole of the opening heat race. Zeen was second in the timed run, less than a tenth back, while veteran Larry Fraser (GP) was up to speed as well, sitting third after the morning session. Fraser would work his way to the front in the opening heat races, but Zeen took the second as Fraser scrapped with Mason Marotta (Intrepid). In the main, Zeen led early but was overtaken by Fraser, who led the majority of the laps. Marotta took the point for a single lap, but the freshman senior could not hold back Zeen, who assumed the lead on lap 14 – which he took to a 0.306-second triumph. Marotta capped a great weekend in second, while Fraser completed the podium following a stellar run that has allowed him to close on PKC North point leader Brett Felkins (Intrepid), who was not able to finish the main at Buttonwillow. Miles Maroney (CRG) and Brett Buckwalter (Italkart) completed the top-five.

Two-time eKartingNews.com Driver of the Year and former SuperNationals winner Gary Carlton (CRG) was back behind the wheel in Buttonwillow, turning up the heat in the S1 class. In qualifying, Carlton battled an issue that restricted him to just one timed lap, which was good enough for fourth in the order. Kartel Motorsports’ Brendan Phinny continues to improve during his rookie campaign and turned up the wick in qualifying, putting his Top Kart on the pole with a lap of 47.251. Neal was doing double-duty and was second in the S1 order, just ahead of Peter Abba (GP). Carlton would not be denied in the heat races as he got out front and stayed there, securing the pole position for the 20-lap Shootout main event. After getting the holeshot, Carlton simply walked away from the field to score a 6.357-second victory over Neal and Abba.

In the S4 class, American steel found its way to the front as Emmick Cobra Racing pilot Cory Gwin was the lead driver, putting his new kart on the pole. Jamie Wilson (Birel) and Jeff Smith (GP) capped the top-three in qualifying. Gwin struggled a little in the first heat race, but battled back to win the second moto to start from the front row in the main. In the final, Gwin was chased aggressively by Jared Woolf (Intrepid) as the battles for both first and third were extremely entertaining. The scrap for the final podium position was waged between Smith and Ken Schilling (GP), as the duo fought back and forth for the spot. Schilling would eventually win out, making a great move to take the position for good late in the race. Up front, Woolf challenged Gwin at every turn, taking the lead for a time, but Gwin would not be denied as he took the victory by 0.379 seconds. Smith took fourth and was followed in the top-five by Rob Whitley (Tony Kart). In the S4 Magnum class, Luke Bianco led the way all day, finishing up 1st in the S4-M class and seventh overall for the S4 category. Tony Morrison and Michael Morgan completed the podium.

The HPV2 Jr. pilots raced well all day, led in morning qualifying by Joey Teves (Tony Kart), as the top six drivers timed in within less than two tenths of a second. After exciting heat races, the main event came down to a battle between David Vasquez (Tony Kart), Kiel Spaulding (Trackmagic) and Jason Hannegan (Intrepid), who was making his first PKC start. All three led at one time and it looked like Hannegan would eventually score the win after catching and passing the lead duo, but Vasquez rebounded to be first to the flag, edging Spaulding and Hannegan for the victory. In the TaG Junior class, Adrian Starrantino (CRG) was the driver to beat, qualifying on the pole and then walking away to a 4.024-second win in the main after pacing the second heat as well. Rookie driver Dylan Lupton (Birel) turned it on in the final, chasing down and passing Louie Pagano (Birel) to record an impressive runner-up finish. This freshman driver has shown tremendous natural talent since arriving on the scene late last year.

The PKC West Coast Shootout attracted a quality field of 11 KF2 drivers, which was led in qualifying by Alex Speed (Tony Kart). Brett Felkins (Intrepid) and Gustavo Menezes (Tony Kart) completed the top-three in the timed session, as Menezes would improve in the heats by taking both wins over Speed and Andrick Zeen (Sodi Kart). The main event was a spirited battle, as young Menezes grabbed the early lead after ‘moving’ Speed out of the way. Speed got back by to lead laps three and four, but Zeen was the charger through the middle part of the race. Speed would eventually gather things back up, taking the lead and powering away to the win over Menezes. Zeen held on to third, taking the final podium position ahead of Will Martindale (Tony Kart) and Ryon Beachner (Tony Kart).

Capping off the day’s action, Team Aluminos’ Fernando Diaz (GP) scored the win in the G1 class, defending an early lead from a charging PP Mastro. The arrival of Mastro on Diaz’ rear bumper awakened the leader, who stepped up his game to score his first win of the year. Mastro just couldn’t find a way by in the waning laps and needed to settle for second, as Roy Montgomery (GP) completed the podium. In TaG Masters, the Emmick name was up front again as Paul Hohlbein swept the proceedings en route to a 1.218-second win over Steve Wiener (Trackmagic). Jeff Bobbitt (Tony Kart) emerged as the fastest driver in the class by the end of the day, but mechanical difficulties prevented him from getting all the way to the flag in both the second heat and the main event. Jim Zootis capped the podium in the TaG Masters group.

When it was all said and done, the South topped the North in the overall Regional Shootout, which took each region’s best three finishes in the six cross-over classes. Race wins by Fernando Diaz and Andrick Zeen gave the South top points, but it was the sweep of the top-three in the S3 category that made the difference. In the end calculations, the South had amassed 134 points to the North’s 114 markers. This will certainly become an annual battle for bragging rights in California.

With the annual SuperNationals set as the Superkarts! USA season finale – it’s date and location to be announced later this week – the ProKart Challenge racers will be looking forward to the next events on their respective schedules. The North competitors will be back in action on June 13 at the Jim Russell International Karting Center, while the South pilots head to Santa Maria on June 27. For more information on the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge, head to www.prokartchallenge.com.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

15/05/2009 - SKUSA Race Report: Central States Challenge Nearly Tops 100 Entries for Opening Event

Crockett doubles up while Donahue family scores three inside the Gateway International Raceway

MADISON, IL (May 10, 2009) – The AMB i.t. Central States Challenge kicked off the 2009 season on May 9-10 inside the Gateway International Raceway, along the mighty Mississippi River in the metro-St. Louis area. The event, sponsored by the Missouri Army National Guard, was contested on a revamped road course utilizing the majority of the infield section and a portion of the oval’s back straightaway, resulting in a 3/4-mile sprint track. Along with Sergeant Register of the Missouri Army National Guard, Superkarts! USA President Tom Kutscher was on hand to lend his support of the new event as the Central States Challenge enters its second year under the SKUSA banner.

The new facility was a popular addition with a record-breaking 97 entries making their way to the Madison, Illinois circuit from as far as Texas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Seven of the classes offered in the series follow the SKUSA structure from S1 to TaG Junior, while five other categories filled up the remainder of the schedule – including Powder Puff, Yamaha divisions and Kid Karts. The big winners of the weekend included Derek Crockett, who took home two feature wins Sunday, while Kevin and Kyle Donahue combined for three victories.

Crockett is no stranger to running as many classes as possible. For this weekend, he would challenge in the S1, S3, and TaG Senior categories. Though he would only earn top honors in qualifying in S3, it was the S1 and TaG Senior divisions that Crockett would grab the checkered flag. Top qualifier and Prefinal winner Pat Malacarne would be Crockett’s challenger in S1 as the two displayed a great duel. At the line, Crockett had the advantage by just over half a second while Kyle Gnau completed the podium. Crockett had his hands full in TaG with pole winner Justin Vancil after Prefinal winner Keith Freber sat out for the feature with a rib injury. Crockett and Vancil went back and forth, but it would be Crockett to get to the line first by just four-tenths over Vancil, with Gnau also running to earn another third place finish. Matt Zeis was the lone driver to beat Crockett in a feature race as the defending S3 champion began his title defense with a victory. He and Crockett battled all day long, with Zeis earning the Prefinal win but finding himself trailing Crockett in the Feature. Making a final lap pass stick, Zeis earned the win by seven-tenths at the line, while Chris Thomasson rounded out the podium in third.

The S5 Junior and TaG Junior categories saw their highest kart numbers in the series’ two-year history, as the younger levels of the program continue to grow. Kevin Donahue would shine in both divisions as he earned the Feature win in each. Lukas Johnson was the early driver to beat as he topped all others in the qualifying session, but Donahue stormed through from third to grab the Prefinal win. From there, Donahue went untouched in the Final for the victory over defending champion Kaylee Granberg and Johnson. The TaG Junior victory was more work after Donahue did not record a lap in qualifying, having to start the Prefinal from the back. After coming through to take the win, Donahue held off a late charge from top qualifier Drake Ostrom to score his second feature win of the event. Colton Brooks, TaG 60 champion from last season who is moving up to the Junior category, finished third in his Junior debut. Kevin’s brother Kyle got a slow start on the day as well, starting the TaG 60 Prefinal from fifth to climb up to the point by the end of the eight-lap race over pole sitter Kyle Kennedy. In the feature, Kyle would lead all 12 laps for a four-second victory over Zach Bohmer and Nathan White.

Three drivers put in a complete sweep in their categories for the opening weekend. While he pulled out of the TaG Senior category after injuring his ribs in a Prefinal victory, Margay Racing Products owner Keith Freber swept the action in the TaG Masters division. Freber added some much needed padding and muscled his way to a 15-second Feature win over Tim Koch and Greg Seep. Jack Kloeber showed the way in the S4 category as he outran Rick Freund and Ralph Woffard in the Feature. Grant Sandberg was the other driver to perform a class sweep in the Yamaha Rookie division. Jacob Blair and Kamryn Sloan ran second and third to Sandberg.

The final winners on the day included Tucker Cory in the Yamaha Junior division – after he held off Drake Ostrom in a photo finish while Adam Poliette finished third – and Powder Puff winner Kiersten Koch.

The Central States Challenge would like to thank the following for their support of the Gateway event: AMB i.t., Missouri Army National Guard, MG Tires, Car Car Motorsports, Crocketts Mobile Car Wash, Unique Heating and Cooling, Oakley, Russell Karting and the Gateway International Raceway staff. The next event is just around the corner as the program travels to New Castle, IN on Memorial Day weekend to the New Castle Motorsports Park for the first visit in series history. For all the details on the 2009 season and other information you need to know to become part of the SKUSA Central States Challenge, visit www.centralstateschallenge.com.

About the Central States Challenge:
The Central States Super Series enters its second year serving the Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois-based drivers who want to run a quality regional sprint series that is located a little closer to home. A strong, fair, and fun regional series with great competition is the best of all worlds. The 2009 schedule includes six races held at four new locations, such as Gateway International Raceway, New Castle Motorsports Park, Mid-States Kartway and Kansas Speedway in addition to returning to 61 Kartway and TNT Kartways, some of the absolute best tracks in the Midwest. And their status as SKUSA's Midwest Regional Series just pushes the competition level up that much more!

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

13/05/2009 - Super One Series British Championships report

Race Report
Round two of the MSA British Kart Championships came to England’s Oxfordshire for a sunny weekend complete with excellent racing over the one kilometre Shenington track. It was notable that several top Renault and Formula Three team owners were seen talent-spotting the F1 hopefuls, who are all eager to follow in Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton’s footsteps.

Renault MSA Formula KF1 British Kart Championship

Ben Cooper hit top form in two thrilling finals. In the first, class rookie Luke Wright saw all his hard work in the heats to earn a front row position vanish when he was bumped by Lee Bell, as poleman Elliot Burton took the lead. Bell succumbed to Jordon Lennox-Lamb and Ben Cooper at the first hairpin, and then to the upwardly mobile Jonathan Walker. Cooper nosed ahead of Burton with a light kiss, the latter falling several places in his endeavours to stay on terms. Last round double winner Jordon Lennox-Lamb, finding insufficient pace to stay with the new leader, was gobbled up by the pack, falling to seventh. Walker sliced into first with Cooper fighting back as they traded the lead several times, the pace so hot they put three seconds on the rest. Cooper managed to get back in front to defend to the flag, with Walker observing: “It’s hard when I am on antibiotics for a chest infection.” The battle re-commenced in the second final, Walker again managing to find a gap in Cooper’s defence to snatch the lead, but briefly. Cooper was put down to third behind Rob Foster-Jones, with defending British champion Mark Litchfield finding form for the first time this season, accelerating into the lead with a neat move over Foster-Jones in the chicane. Foster-Jones re-took the lead, but Litchfield was forced up the bank by an over-eager Richard Bradley trying to follow, the latter later excluded from the race. That just left the two final twists, as Cooper squeezed through into the lead, with Foster-Jones losing speed trying to hold him off. He fell into the clutches of Luke Wright and Lee Bell for fourth. And finally Bell dived into the chicane to take the runner-up spot. Cooper, who is the reigning Rotax class world champion, said: “It was so close, Rob tried to defend too soon, but when you get to the front it’s very hard to stay there.”

Results

Final 1
1 Ben Cooper Tonykart/Vortex
2 Jonathan Walker Gillard/TM
3 Lee Bell Wright/Parilla
4 Rob Foster-Jones Alonso/Vortex
5 Elliot Burton Tonykart/Vortex
6 Mark Litchfield Maranello/Maxter

Final 2
1 Cooper
2 Bell
3 Luke Wright Tonykart/Vortex
4 Foster-Jones
5 Sam Snell Intrepid/TM
6 Jordon Lennox-Lamb Topkart/IAME

Championship Standings
1 Ben Cooper 184
2 Jordon Lennox-Lamb 183
3 Lee Bell 174
4 Robert Foster-Jones 172
5 Jonathan Walker 167
6 Elliot Burton 166

Renault MSA Formula KF3 British Junior Kart Championship

Racing Steps Foundation backed Jake Dennis starred at his local track with two wonderful wins. In the first final, Sennan Fielding out-witted poleman Alexander Albon to lead the first corners, the pair then trading first place as Dennis sat in third. Dennis upped the pace, slicing past both for the lead but unable to sustain it for long. Sam Blake and Alex Walker pulled the next group into touch, so now a ten kart express train was hurtling round the track, all nose to tail. Dennis had just hit the front once more when Fielding and Walker tangled in the chicane, gifting a big cushion and the win to Dennis, Blake, Jake Dalton and the Red Bull backed Albon following. “I heard a noise behind me and had a quick look to see I had a gap,” said Dennis who added that he had been struggling for power. Walker had two points added to the four he received earlier for an exclusion, which was sufficient for his licence to be withdrawn by the MSA Steward. After two red flags to attend to crashed karts, the second final eventually got underway with Fielding having to pit to attend to a mashed sidepod. Again a long train contested the lead, with Sam Blake leading from Dennis, Albon, Dalton and Callum Bowyer. Dennis stepped up to the lead, with Dalton following, then Dalton took over as they pulled away from Albon. Dalton put up a strong resistance to all the Dennis moves, until eventually Dennis executed a neat switch-back out of the chicane to snatch his second win. He said: “It was very close, the rest were all battling behind then I thought I should go for the win.” Dalton ruefully exclaimed: “I defended too much on the way into the chicane.”

Final 1
1 Jake Dennis Topkart/TM
2 Sam Blake Octane/XTR
3 Jake Dalton Alonso/Maxter
4 Alexander Albon Tonykart/TM
5 Paul Hardy Intrepid/Maxter
6 Callum Bowyer Intrepid/tba

Final 2
1 Dennis
2 Dalton
3 Albon
4 Abigail Gerry Gillard/TM
5 Macaulay Walsh Birel/IAME
6 Jordan King Maranello/Maxter

Championship Standings
1 Jake Dennis 196
2 Alexander Albon 183
3 Sam Blake 168
4 Paul Hardy 165
5 Jordan King 164
6 Callum Bowyer 161

Renault ABkC National KF2 Kart Championships

Team-mates Jordan Chamberlain and Shaun Carter had the legs on the rest of the large KF2 pack, the pair drawing clear of Jake Ball in the early stages of the first final. Ball failed to sustain his place when the rest caught up, and he fell to sixth in favour of Mackenzie Taylor, Alex Lynn and James Godbehere. Chamberlain never looked in serious danger, although Carter observed: “In the middle of the race I had the legs on Jordan, but for the last five laps I was struggling to stay in touch.” Chamberlain had found even more speed for the second final, pulling clear of Carter who was coming under pressure from Lynn towards the end. Taylor had to settle for fourth this time, with Charles Bonsey and Laura Tillett not far behind. A delighted Chamberlain exclaimed: “I’m over the moon now, I put this down as my best and biggest win by far!”

Results

Final 1
1 Jordan Chamberlain Tonykart/TM
2 Shaun Carter Tonykart/TM
3 Mackenzie Taylor Alonso/Vortex
4 Alex Lynn Alonso/Vortex
5 James Godbehere Maranello/Maxter
6 Jake Ball Tonykart/TM

Final 2
1 Chamberlain
2 Carter
3 Lynn
4 Taylor
5 Charles Bonsey Tonykart/Vortex
6 Laura Tillett Gillard/TM

Championship Standings
1 Jordan Chamberlain 180
2 Shaun Carter 176
3 Mackenzie Taylor 176
4 Jake Ball 175
5 Charles Bonsey 171
6 Alex Lynn 159


ABkC Dunlop Cadet National Championship

A large slip streaming battle for the lead in the first final seemed to resolve itself into a two way fight when George Russell and Harry Woodhead broke clear. Lando Norris had been the initial leader, but he fell as far as seventh, before managing an eventual fourth. Then TJ Nelson towed the next group up to the leaders to join the party and when Russell pulled out to try for a pass they all nipped through, putting him down to fifth, although he managed to recover to third by the flag. Woodhead hung on for the win over Nelson. In the second final, the battle re-commenced with Woodhead content to sit behind Nelson, pulling them clear of the rest. Russell struggled with an engine problem and fell to mid-pack, leaving Max Vaughan to head up the third place fight. On the last lap, Nelson left the door open in the chicane, gratefully accepted by Woodhead for his second win.

Results

Final 1
1 Harry Woodhead Zip/Comer
2 Trevyn-Jay Nelson Zip/Comer
3 George Russell Zip/Comer
4 Lando Norris BRM/Comer
5 Max Vaughan Zip/Comer
6 Ross Gunn Zip/Comer

Final 2
1 Woodhead
2 Nelson
3 Vaughan
4 Norris
5 Alex Gill Wright/Comer
6 Josh White Zip/Comer

Championship Standings
1 Harry Woodhead 186
2 Alex Gill 184
3 George Russell 175
4 Treyn-Jay Nelson 171
5 Josh White 171
6 Sam Webster 164

Full results are available on http://www.s1series.co.uk/9M_2_Shen.htm

13/05/2009 - GREAT LAKES PRO SERIES COMPLETES BACK-TO-BACK WEEKENDS

Series contested third round at Mayor’s Cup Grand Prix in Anderson, Indiana

ANDERSON, IN (May 3, 2009) – Following a double-header weekend at the New Castle Motorsports Park, the Krahl Construction Great Lakes Pro Series (GLPS) presented by MG Tires returned to action a week later to contest the third round of the 2009 schedule. The May 3 event was part of the 15th annual Anderson Mayor’s Cup Grand Prix - sponsored by the Anderson Sertoma Club and the City of Anderson, Indiana. Along with the Mayor’s Cup events run on Saturday, the Southern Indiana Racing Association (SIRA) joined the GLPS program on Sunday just as they did in New Castle. The numbers for the second event in two weeks did not match the stats produced in the opening weekend, however, the racing action was just as stout.

Masters Shifter pilot Kurt Mathewson earned his third victory of the season after sweeping round three’s action. The defending class champion won both features the previous weekend but he would produce a perfect score in Anderson by taking top honors in qualifying and leading the field to the checkered flag in both the Prefinal and Final. Billy Conlin was Mathewson’s closet competitor, sitting second on the podium with Matt Tangeman finishing third.

Another defending champion - Jason Lee - swept the action in the Stock Moto Shifter category. Lee was challenged all day by series newcomer Scott Hamble, but Lee would come out on top each on-track session. Hamble settled for second in the feature with Greg VanAlst finishing third. The third sweep of the event came from another series newcomer - Cody Elliott. The Pro Shifter championship leader earned his third feature win of the season as he went toe-to-toe with defending champion Alex Conlin. Elliott nipped Conlin for the pole position in qualifying by just 0.023-seconds. Mechanical issues for Conlin allowed Elliott to cruise to the Prefinal win while Conlin was unable to match Elliott’s pace in the Final.

The TaG Masters category was a great battle between Scott Hamble and Mike Richey. Hamble got the edge in qualifying while Richey got to the line in the Prefinal first by just over a tenth of a second. In the Feature the two swapped the lead position numerous times but in the end it would be Richey that took the checkered flag by just 0.033-seconds. The duo should produce more exciting finishes throughout the year.

Three drivers went unchallenged in their respective divisions at the event. Miles Miller (TaG Senior), Cameron Smock (Rotax Junior) and Karl Weber (Mini Max) earned maximum points toward their championships.

The fourth round of the Great Lakes Pro Series will take the program into the Detroit area for the Grosse Ile Grand Prix hosted by Michigan Kart Club (MKC) on June 6-7. This will be the first trip for the series to the newly-established event, held on the grounds of the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport.

For more information on Great Lakes Pro Series membership, sponsorship packages, and everything else, contact Terry and Shirley Riggins - (765) 643-2752 and also visit their website - www.glproseries.com

About Great Lakes Pro Series:
The Krahl Construction Great Lakes Pro Series presented by MG Tires and National Kart News is a six-weekend, eight-race regional program promoted by Terry and Shirley Riggins. Their purpose and focus is on providing a great atmosphere for the competitive karters while also introducing the younger generations to the sport. As young as eight, and as old as 60, the GLPS offers eight different classes to race on tracks ranging from short temporary circuits to 2-mile road racing courses.

11/05/2009 - Andy Chan from Macao at the Rok Cup

Andy Chan is the young rokker that arrived in Europe directly from China to accrue his first experience with the crazy Juonior Rok drivers.
Andy, after his participation at the Asian Mini Rok, was noticed by the Macao’s Government, which made him one of his youngest ambassador in the motorsport. The first approach with the Rok Cup Italia was tough but at the same time positive and the young Chan drew determination and obstinacy, without giving up his natural liking. Supported by DRD Team run by Daniele Dallari, the European adventure of the young Asian driver continued at Ottobiano on May 10th, after the positive and wet experience at Castelletto di Branduzzo.

What do you think about the Italian Junior Rok?
“I think that is faster than the Chinese, the competitiveness level of the material is higher and the technical side is better. The mechanics in China have less experience and the races are less tough. Under this point of view we are making a good experience and I am learning a lot.”
You are having a funny experience in which you have already shown you skill.
“I have the great chance to compare with a lot of drivers here in Italy, all of them are at very high level, so I can learn a lot of things from them and in these new tracks I make a very formative experience.”
For the future the young Chan already has very definite ideas.
“I would like to stay in Italy next year to study and take part to the European races of the Junior Rok, having a very advanced training period in order to participate at the KF3 races, which are even more competitive and tough. If everything will go in the right way and I keep on working well with the kart, I would like to take part at the Formula 3 races and get to be a star in the Macao Grand Prix.”
Which is your favorite track?
“The South Garda Track at Lonato, but of course I like the Macao’s Track as well.”
Which is your favorite category?
“The Mini Rok”

06/05/2009 - Team Aluminos Wraps Up a Bust Two-Week Schedule with ProKart Challenge

Dunford and Smith earn podium results for Aluminos in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA (April 25, 2009) – It was a busy two weeks for the Team Aluminos squad as they contested two events roughly 500 miles apart on two different types of courses. Following a strong showing at the second round of the ProKart Challenge North event in Sonoma, California, the team loaded up to head down San Diego for the fourth event of the ’09 ProKart Challenge South program. A 1-mile temporary circuit situated outside the Qualcomm Stadium would be the site for the April 25 event with eight drivers sporting the Team Aluminos colors. Second year S3 driver Brad Dunford earned his first podium trip of the season with his third place run, while Jeff Smith earned his third straight runner-up finish in the S4 category.

Under the watchful eyes of the Aluminos staff over the last two years, Dunford has continued to make strides in his driving, race craft and understanding about chassis tuning. The Cypress, California driver qualified fifth in the lining up behind his fellow championship contenders. Dunford would gain one spot in the opening heat and two more following a great start for the final heat to line up second for the feature. After another great start to begin the 20-lap feature, Dunford engaged in a race long battle for the podium that resulted in a third place finish, gaining some valuable championship points.

The event began slowly for Smith as he was only seventh after the S4 qualifying session. Once the racing action began however, Smith’s pace picked up as he hauled himself up to fourth in the first heat and then gained one more spot in the second heat race. In the feature, Smith had his hands full, holding off another competitor for the second spot. After 20 laps, Smith would come out on top with a last lap final corner pass to seal the runner-up spot on the podium and continue to hold the championship lead.

Joining Smith in S4 was Peter Workum and Jonathan Allen, both driving to top-five finishes on the day. Workum edged Allen in qualifying to line up fifth in the order and would hold that spot in the opening heat while Allen fell one position. Workum advanced up to fourth in the final heat while Allen stayed static in seventh. The feature however Allen picked up the pace and the Carmel Valley, California driver advanced up to finish fourth. Workum’s race would be marred by a spin at the start. He restarted and charged back making it back up to fifth after 20 laps.

Following his first podium finish last weekend at Infineon, Steve Reasoner experienced a tough turn-around in the early stages of the Qualcomm event in S3. After qualifying seventh, the Ripon, California driver was unable to start the first heat with mechanical issues. Once resolved by the Aluminos staff, Reasoner came up from the tail of the field to regain the seventh spot. In the feature Reasoner gained two more positions to finish fifth in his first PKC South event.

16-year old Harley Owen continues to make improvements each event. After sitting 10th in the S3 order, the Phoenix, Arizona pilot advanced to eighth at the end of the feature race. Owen currently sits seventh in the championship.

It was an up and down weekend for the G1 Aluminos contingent in San Diego. Fernando Diaz and Blair Chang were both making their 2009 PKC South debut, sitting third and sixth on the timing sheets following qualifying. Chang retired in the opening heat as Diaz finished fourth. The two swapped stories in the final heat as Diaz watched from the sidelines as Chang charged up to third. Both however, would DNF the main event after experiencing issues. Chang retired due to a bent steering shaft and tie rods after clipping a tire barrier attempting to get every inch out of the apex, while Diaz pulled off prematurely with an undisclosed problem.

The Team Aluminos squad will now have three weeks to prepare for the mega event of the PKC schedule, the West Coast Shootout with both the North and South programs competing at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park kart track on May 16. The full Aluminos crew will be on hand to ensure the best results will be achieved at the marquee event.

Any interested parties wishing to learn more about this professional team are asked to contact Aluminos at 925.786.7865 or visit them online at www.aluminos.com. You can also e-mail at sales@aluminos.com

About Aluminos:
Aluminos Inc. offers a comprehensive arrive and drive program for all racers from beginners, to seasoned veterans and pro level drivers looking to climb onto and on top of the victory podium. Through proper equipment preparation to driver development the Aluminos team is dedicated to establishing and achieving the goals of its customers on an individual basis.

The Team Aluminos Trackside Support and Arrive & Drive programs are the brain child of longtime racer and karting enthusiast, Rob Soares. A fixture in the US karting scene for the last five years, the former owner of GP kart importer KLS Racing has returned to the competition side of the sport, creating the Team Aluminos brand based out of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.

Aluminos, Inc. also is a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in kart racing specific products, out of the new location in Danville, CA. For more information and updates visit the team’s website at: www.aluminos.com.

05/05/2009 - JAF ALL JAPAN CHAMPIONSHIP - SPIRIT WINS IN KF2

At Twin Ring Motegi circuit last weekend has played the first round of the Japanese JAF - KF2 CHAMPIONSHIP IN JAPAN.
Ottimi i risultati dei telai Spirit frutto di un buon lavoro e di un progetto vincente. Excellent results of the frames resulting from Spirit a good job and a winning project. In KF2 il dominio è stato incontrastabile tanto da piazzare 3 telai Spirit nelle prime 4 posizioni. In KF2 the domain was uncontested as to place Spirit 3 frames in the first 4 positions. Vincitore della gara K. Winner of K. NOJIRI seguito in 3a posizione da H. NOJIRI followed in 3rd position by H. AGUI e in 4a posizione da M. Aguiar and 4th position in M. SHIMADA. Shimada.
Soddisfatto Gianluca Beggio che ringrazia ed augura una stagione piena di successi. Met Gianluca Beggio thanks and wishes that a season full of successes.

30/04/2009 - Neal Doubles Up for Third Straight Event at ProKart Challenge South

SoCal star continues to shine at race of 100+ competitors outside Qualcomm Stadium

SONOMA, CA (April 25, 2009) – The fourth round of the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge South program took the competitors to the 1.1 mile temporary circuit outside the Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers. Running in conjunction with the San Diego Karting Association (SDKA), the two organizations merged similar classes, including the nine PKC divisions, to share the course throughout the April 25 event in perfect San Diego beach weather. As in the previous two rounds of the series, 17-year-old Jacob Neal continued to be the star of the traveling show by scoring two feature wins on the day.

The event in San Diego seemed to be much easier for the young hotshoe, as he swept all on-track sessions for the S1 and S3 divisions back-to-back. In the stacked S3 category, Neal led the way in qualifying as the only driver to post a sub-one minute lap time. In the opening heat, Neal was chased by Jimmy McNeil until he retired on lap five, after a steering component broke while attempting to pass Neal. Point leader Patrick Cushenberry and defending champion Bobby Legate assumed the chase positions, but came up just short at the line. In the second heat, Neal got away from the line clean, while Cushenberry had a tough opening lap and fell back to sixth to allow Brad Dunford to slide into the second spot. Though Dunford gave a solid effort, he settled for second, as Neal was able to hold him off for the win. Legate ran third until lap seven when his engine seized. By then, McNeil and Cushenberry had advanced up to fourth and fifth, and then moved up one more spot with Legate’s retirement.

In the feature, Neal would go unchallenged, as he put down a pace similar to his qualifying time to pull out to a 26-second margin of victory. McNeil looked to have the runner-up spot locked in, until a broken shifter cost him the podium. That gave a charging Legate the second spot, with Dunford winning the final podium spot – after Cushenberry spun while in battle on lap 14. Neal went on to sweep the S1 division, as well. Challenged early on by point leader Peter Abba, Neal would be too strong en route to a 28-second win, with Abba beating Imran Husain for the second spot.

The G class continues to carry large fields in 2009, with longtime PKC regular PP Mastro besting the field in San Diego. After earning the top qualifier honors, Mastro went unchallenged in the opening heat. The final heat race, however, would see Mastro battle Roy Montgomery for the top spot. The two shared the position, until Mastro retired on lap 10 with a broken throttle cable, handing Montgomery the win. Mastro’s pace in the feature, on the other hand, would be too much for Roy, as Mastro would recover the positions he lost by his DNF to regain the top spot in the first half of the 20-lap race – then go on to win by six seconds. Montgomery would also surrender the second spot to point leader Troy Butts to sit third on the podium.

Ken Schilling was the man to beat early on in the S4 category, as he began his bid for the first feature win of the season with the top qualifier spot. The rest of the day did not pan out Schilling’s way, as he had a bad opening lap of the first heat race and fell to fifth, managing to recover back to second. The win would go to outside front row starter and championship contender Rob Whitley. Another poor start for Schilling to begin the second heat race allowed Whitley to show the way once again and a second heat victory, this time with PKC newcomer Dave Van Gordon on his bumper for the entire 12 laps. Schilling would be unable to score a comeback, finishing fifth in the heat race and retiring on lap six of the feature after spinning to avoid contact with another kart. At the front of the field, Whitley was able to get away clean early on in the 20-lap feature to take home the win by nine seconds -- his first of the season. Van Gordon lost a great battle with point leader Jeff Smith for the second spot to complete the podium.

The TaG Master category saw its fourth different feature winner in as many events in 2009. After placing second at the Grange event last month, Jeff Bobbitt ultimately emerged as the victor in San Diego. Bobbitt began the event second in qualifying after Mike Kelley, who was just over two-tenths quicker on his fastest lap. Bobbitt got the jump to start the first heat race, and held on for the win. The rest of the event, Kelley continued to chase Bobbitt unsuccessfully, as he would finish second in the final heat and feature. Round two winner Jeff Deehan would complete the podium, with point leader Steve Wiener ending up fourth.

The Qualcomm Stadium event was the second trip for the new KF2 division in the PKC South program, with former shifter kart national champion Alex Speed dominating the day’s action. Grange winner Will Martindale – as well as Cody Hodgson – kept it close throughout the day, but Speed’s pace at the end of the day would keep them second and third. Larry Fraser was able to edge TaG Senior point leader Howie Idelson for the TaG Senior victory, his first of the season. In S4 Magnum, Luke Bianco had the field covered until retiring early in the feature, handing the win to point leader Tony Morrison for his second straight victory. Max Zacky was the lone TaG Junior competitor in San Diego, but gained valuable track time running with the TaG Senior and TaG Master fields. The Friday night ProKart Challenge complimentary BBQ, sponsored by PCH Motorsports, impressed the crowd with an amazing, slow-cooked brisket and a multitude of salads. A fantastic event, for sure! Special thanks to SDKA for hosting such a positive experience.

Up next on the ProKart Challenge calendar is the much anticipated West Coast Shootout on May 16 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park kart track, where both the South and North programs will compete against one another. Some of the best karters from California and the surrounding areas are expected to compete in this South vs. North battle. For more information on the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge, head to www.prokartchallenge.com.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

29/04/2009 - Record Numbers Set at Second Round of ProKart Challenge North

Close racing produced by nearly 80 drivers contending the Infineon Raceway circuit

SONOMA, CA (April 18, 2009) – In its second season, the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge North program continues to gain momentum throughout the Northern California area as the top regional series in which to compete. The second round of the year was held on April 18 at the Jim Russell International Karting Center on the grounds of the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, with nearly 80 drivers on hand. Aside from the numbers, the racing was even better – with seven new winners declared in the eight classes offered.

The largest field of the weekend was the TaG Senior group, which saw 18 drivers battling around the 3/4-mile course. As he did at the opening round, Larry Fraser took top honors in qualifying as the only driver under the 50-second mark. Fraser was a good two-tenths quicker than Brett Felkins. Landon Yee was third on the charts in his ’09 PKC debut with Brett Buckwalter and Neil Alberico completing the fast five.

The opening heat race saw the top four in a heated battle, with Yee finding himself at the point after the opening lap. Fraser applied heavy pressure, breaking through for the lead on lap seven only to have Felkins steal the spot the following lap as he would go on and take the win. Fraser held off Buckwalter for second as Yee dropped to fourth. Felkins went green to checkered in the final heat race, taking the win by a comfortable gap over Fraser and Buckwalter. Yee retired on lap six, moving Will Martindale up to fourth and Alberico holding strong in fifth.

Fraser and Buckwalter were strong on the cold tires at the start of the feature, as they relegated Felkins back to third. Behind them, Martindale got crossed up in the tic-tac-toe and collected Alberico, ending his day while the round one winner rejoined at the tail of the field to eventually finish 10th. As his MG Tires warmed-up, Felkins began to pressure the top two, first getting by Fraser on lap six and then Buckwalter for the lead the next time by. From there he pulled out to a 1.286-second advantage to take the victory and assume the championship lead. Fraser beat Buckwalter to the line for second, with Yee coming through the field to place fourth in front of Canadian Michael Hogg.

The next largest class was the HPV 2 Junior division with 15 young, rising stars entered. The HPV program has continued to grow since being introduced mid-season at the PKC North program last year. Despite the high number of drivers, the battle at the point was a dual between defending class champion Kiel Spaulding and Junior rookie Luis Tyrrell. Qualifying was led by Tyrrell, who is making the move up from the Cadet ranks this season, and he cleared Spaulding’s best lap by just over two-tenths. Tyrrell had issues at the start of the first heat, allowing Spaulding to run unchallenged. Falling back to sixth, Tyrrell advanced back to third behind Donavon Wheeler at the checkered flag. Tyrrell improved in the second heat, as he was able to work up to the point by lap six and take the victory over Spaulding.

The two went toe-to-toe in the feature as they both started from the front row. Spaulding led the early portion, with Tyrrell assuming the point on lap six. Tyrrell looked to have the win locked in until lap 16, when his brake rotor exploded and left him with no stopping power, eventually causing him to pull off track. The lead would transfer to Spaulding who would take his second straight feature win in the class, with Wheeler and Dylan Lupton completing the podium. Alessandra Madrigal made the trek from the East coast to finish fourth, with Marvin Gardner rounding out the top-five.

The second Junior class – TaG Junior – was another great battle involving Spaulding, this time matching him up against Louie Pagano. In qualifying, it was Pagano who would secure the pole position by just 0.039-seconds over Spaulding, with Dylan Lupton just three-hundredths back of him. Spaulding scored the victory in heat one, after Pagano led all the laps minus the final circuit where Spaulding was able to squeeze by for the position. Pagano made sure to break away from the field early in heat two to be able to score the win by two-seconds, as Spaulding fell one spot with Alessandra Madrigal taking the second position in the 10-lap race. Though the fight became three with Madrigal in the mix, Pagano was unfazed as he would go on to lead all 20 laps of the feature to take the victory. Madrigal was a close second as they crossed the line, minus Spaulding who retired on lap 17 with mechanical issues, moving Adrian Starrantino to the podium.

The S3 division looked as if it would be an exciting day at the front, with a number of drivers close to the pole-winning time set by karting veteran and Grand-Am Rolex star Memo Gidley. The top five, including Steve Reasoner, New Zealander Daniel Bray, Jacob Neal, and round one winner Tommy Thompson, were within two-tenths of a second for their best laps. Once the green light went on for the opening heat, Gidley launched away from the grid like a rocket and was alone out front until a broken shifter linkage ended his chance at victory on lap three. That gave Neal the point, as he had assumed the second spot in the opening lap. Neal went on to lead the remaining laps for the win. Neal would continue to show the way in the final heat, with Reasoner and Bray keeping within striking distance. After Bray was slow off the line to begin the feature, it was Neal and Reasoner alone at the point. In a very clean but tight race, Neal was able to hold off Reasoner’s advances to lead all 20 laps to take the victory. Thompson ran alone in third, with Gidley moving up to fourth ahead of Brad Dunford.

Two drivers were on point all day long and swept their respective classes. Jared Woolf was looked to be the man to beat at round one, until a mechanical failure put him on the sidelines. He returned a month later to finish the job and dominate the S4 division. Woolf took the feature by a four-second advantage over Alex Keith and round one winner Jamie Wilson. Defending TaG Masters champion Rob Soares made his PKC North debut a clinic for his competition with an outstanding performance. Soares went on to take the feature over Jim Zootis and Steve Elo – who won the opener last month.

The S1 category had a number of high-profile guests filling the grid for the second round. Former national champions Gary Carlton and Ron White made their ’09 PKC North debuts, along with defending SKUSA SuperNationals S3 champion Brendan Phinny. In the end, however, it would be the S1 defending champ Cody Hodgson who stood on top of the podium. Carlton looked to have the field covered following qualifying and the first heat. However, in heat two a bad start put him at the back of the field. That gave Hodgson the point, and he never looked back. In the feature, he and round one winner Jacob Neal battled for the lead, with Hodgson posting the fast lap of the race enroute to the victory. White joined Hodgson and Neal on the podium in his first race of 2009. On track at the same time was the G1 category, which saw Jim Kidd take the win over Ethan Wilson.

The PKC staff will now travel roughly 500 miles south to prepare for the fourth round of the PKC South program, set for April 25 in conjunction with the San Diego Karting Association outside Qualcomm Stadium. The next round for the PKC North program will be the much anticipated South vs. North battle at the West Coast Shootout on May 16 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park kart track, where both the South and North programs will compete against one another. For more information on the Superkarts! USA’s ProKart Challenge, head to www.prokartchallenge.com.

About Superkarts! USA:

Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting four regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Missouri and Iowa. These programs all lead to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals, the biggest shifter kart race in the world, held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

29/04/2009 - WEEKEND OF VICTORIES FOR CHAMPION RACING AND INTREPID

Intrepid brand wins at ProKart Challenge North and Southwest Regional Cup programs

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (April 19, 2009) - It was a strong weekend for the Intrepid chassis in the United States as it took home victory in two different states at prestigious events. In Texas, the site was the first weekend of the Southwest Regional Cup (SWRC) at the MSR Houston facility, while in northern California the Infineon Raceway karting circuit was the location of the second round of the ProKart Challenge North series. In total, Intrepid took home five feature wins by five different drivers.

Intrepid importer Champion Racing was in nearby Texas for the SWRC opener with Blake Teeter and Bryce Cornet piloting their TaG Senior and Rotax Senior packages. Cornet was the class of the field in TaG Senior as he swept on-track action while taking the feature victory by over 17 seconds. Teeter competed with a Rotax engine for the first time and matched Cornet’s effort as he too dominated qualifying, the prefinal and the final. His margin of victory was seven seconds. Intrepid dealer 3G Racing found success behind former multi-time Rotax national champion Jordon Musser. After running second in the S3 Stock Shifter prefinal, Musser went on to earn the feature win.

On the west coast, Intrepid dealer Leading Edge Motorsports saw two drivers stand on top of the podium for the second round of the PKC North series. Brett Felkins nearly pulled off the class sweep in TaG Senior. After posting the second quickest lap in qualifying, Felkins went on to win both heat races and the feature. LEM did, however, record a class sweep with Jared Woolf behind the wheel of his Intrepid in the S4 Stock Shifter division.

“Intrepid was on top of their game all weekend, says Champion’s Rodney Berryhill. “The SWRC is the place to race with some of the top competitors in the nation there and Intrepid came away with three wins in three of the top divisions. With the results being produced in California as well, I’d say it was a great weekend for Intrepid.”

A number of top Intrepid drivers from North America will be competing at the Snap-on Stars of Karting national championship this weekend at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California for the opening round of the Western Division.

For more information on Champion Racing/Intrepid USA, please contact Team Manager Rodney Berryhill @ 405.579.5278 or e-mail Rodney via rodney@championkart.com Also, visit them online at their new website, www.championkart.com.

About Champion Racing:
Champion Racing, located in Norman, Oklahoma next to the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex, has a long history as one of the most respected shops and teams in the sport. The North American importer of the Intrepid kart line, which runs a national-level arrive-and-drive racing team, is also well-known for their engine building performance. In both 2006 and 2007, the team won the prestigious eKartingNews.com Team of the Year Award.

29/04/2009 - RACING IS GREAT AT MICHIANA RACEWAY PARK

NORTH LIBERTY, IN (April 23, 2009) – The Great Lakes Sprint Series season opener was hosted by North Liberty, IN’s, Michiana Raceway Park this past weekend and the racing action couldn’t have been better. Racers from all over the Midwest, Canada and as far as Texas arrived to race in one of the Midwest’s largest karting series. The event broke the previous attendance record for the series set back nearly ten years ago.

“I can assure you our entire staff was impressed by the turnout,” said track owner, Garry Lobaugh. “In our economic times, it seems family entertainment in the form of karting has been rebounding very well. We promote karting as a family sport here locally and we hope to see more and more people come out to get involved.”

The weekend went without incident and on schedule, running 25 classes over two days of racing. Michiana Raceway Park staff ramped up for the event by adding more parking spaces and landscaping the grounds and playground areas. Over the May 1-3 weekend, the track will host another event as the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup Series will come to town with expectations of eclipsing the 500-entry mark.

“The GLSS was a great warm-up event for the WKA National for the May 1-3 weekend,” said Lobaugh. “WKA events are the largest events in karting and we are honored to be hosting them. We hope the local community will come out and see what karting has to offer.”

Results from the event can be found on MyLaps at the following links:
Saturday: www.mylaps.com
Sunday: www.mylaps.com

Michiana Raceway Park (MRP) features a safe and positive atmosphere with a friendly staff to service your needs while providing racers with a smooth and efficient race program that runs on schedule. There are also excellent viewing areas for family and friends to watch the event including the covered Pace Pavilion picnic area. Throw in good food and excellent amenities and MRP is the place to go racing in Michiana!

MRP also offers several programs for those that want to get involved in karting, including beginner karting schools, spectator racing, kid-kart youth programs and corporate entertainment programs. Visit www.michianaracewaypark.com for a schedule of events or click on the MRP Discussion Forums for calendar and school specials. For more information call 574-288-4922.

28/04/2009 - Another Solid Weekend for Team Aluminos at ProKart Challenge

Aluminos drivers among the quickest at round two of North program

SONOMA, CA (April 18, 2009) – It was another successful weekend for the Team Aluminos Arrive and Drive program at the second round of the SKUSA ProKart Challenge North series, contested at the Jim Russell International Karting Center on the grounds of the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Recent testing by the Aluminos staff proved to be a key factor in the strong performances by the drivers and crew on April 18. Driver coach/tuner Tom Dyer helped the drivers adapt around the 3/4-mile circuit quickly, as he has recorded many laps around the course. Engine specialist George Tavares keeps the packages running strong all weekend, while top shifter kart driver Fritz Leesmann provided superb help throughout the weekend. GP Kart importer AJ Noud of Rocky Mountain Kart Works was also on hand to offer support to the Aluminos squad.

Returning to the driver’s seat in his 2009 debut with a victory last month, Team Aluminos manager Rob Soares was back behind the wheel in Sonoma. The defending PKC North TaG Masters champion skipped round one to focus his efforts on the Arrive and Drive program. Soares was back behind the wheel with the Aluminos staffed and equipped to handle round two. Aboard his Aluminos GP Kart machine, Soares repeated the same feat he did during the Grange weekend by sweeping each session. In qualifying, his fast lap was roughly half a second quicker than his closet competitor. The pace laps of the heat races were as close as anyone got to Soares in the heat races, as he took the wins by one-second and six seconds. The feature was all Soares as he piloted his Aluminos entry to a 17-second victory.

The Aluminos Arrive and Drive S3 program was in full force with New Zealander Daniel Bray - moving over from the S1 category - Steven Reasoner, and Brad Dunford. Reasoner and Bray were among the quickest after the qualifying session ended with Reasoner missing pole by .048 hundreds to Grand-Am Rolex star Memo Gidley. Bray was just .190 tenths of a second back in third. Dunford had a bit of a tougher go in the session slotting in the ninth position. The heat races would see Reasoner and Bray finish 2-3 both times. Bray took second in the first outing with Reasoner right behind and setting fast lap of the race, while heat race 2 was reversed with Bray in second and Reasoner third both taking the two quickest laps honor. Dunford improved in the opening heat to finish fifth while falling back two spots to seventh in the second.

The feature would see the Aluminos duo run up front with Reasoner nipping at the leaders heels shadowing him throughout the 20-lap event. Though he kept on the pressure, Reasoner was unable to take over the lead and cross the line just short of victory. Bray’s hopes of making it a three horse race evaporated when one of his rear wheels had other ideas and separated itself from the kart while Bray was on his way to a solid 4th place in his S3 debut. Dunford improved in the feature to run on the heels of Gidley for a fifth place finish and improve his point standings position.

First year Team Aluminos Arrive and Drive program pilot Peter Workum was the lone S4 driver. Working with the experienced Aluminos staff and continuing to learn the nuances of the Infineon Karting Center, Workum was a solid top-five contender all weekend long. Workum was able to advance up to fourth in the feature race after running fifth in qualifying and the heat races.

It will be a quick turn-around for the Aluminos crew as they get ready to head south to San Diego for the fourth round of the ProKart Challenge South series. The event will be on a temporary circuit outside the Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers. Any interested parties wishing to learn more about this professional team are asked to contact Aluminos at 925.786.7865 or visit them online at www.aluminos.com . You can also e-mail at sales@aluminos.com

About Aluminos:
Aluminos Inc. offers a comprehensive arrive and drive program for all racers from beginners, to seasoned veterans and pro level drivers looking to climb up to and the top of the podium. Through proper equipment preparation to driver development the Aluminos team is dedicated to establishing and achieving the goals of its customers on an individual basis.

The Team Aluminos Trackside Support and Arrive & Drive programs are the brain child of longtime racer and karting enthusiast, Rob Soares. A fixture in the US karting scene for the last five years, the former owner of GP kart importer KLS Racing has returned to the competition side of the sport, creating the Team Aluminos brand based out of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.

Aluminos, Inc. also is a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in kart racing specific products, out of the new location in Danville, CA. For more information and updates visit the teams website at: www.aluminos.com

28/04/2009 - EKN Trackside: Snap-on Stars of Karting Grand Prix of Sonoma - Friday Report

It was an exciting first day of official on-track action at the Snap-on Stars of Karting Western Division opener. The Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway is a challenging 3/4-mile course that the nearly 70 competitors attacked Friday with a full day of practice completed with the qualifying sessions that will line up the six divisions being contested on the weekend for their three heat races on Saturday. Five of the categories saw drivers earn their first top qualifying honors in their respective divisions.


Photo: OTP.caThough all three former national champions - Alex Speed, Gary Carlton and defending champ Michael Vincec - are absent from competition, a good field of drivers took to the challenging circuit in their qualifying session. Taking the provisional pole was Brendan Phinny (Top Kart) with a 47.992 while Marc Elliot (Arrow) held the second spot. Local NorCal pilot Gregory Liefooghe (Intrepid) would take the spot with nine minutes remaining until Phinny would steal it back the next lap. Turning laps quicker as the session progressed Phinny knocked his time down to a 47.546. When the checkered flag flew, it was Phinny earning his first KZ2 pole position of his career. Liefooghe ended the session in the second spot with the CRG of Cody Jolly in the third slot while Elliot edged out the only former winner in the field - Ron White (CRG) - to compete the fast five.

With Senior National championship contender Joey Wimsett in the pits with a broken clutch, fellow Intrepid driver Bre tt Felkins took the pole early in the session. With the session winding down, Wimsett got on track with six minutes remaining and quickly climbed into the top-10. With hard work from mechanic Mike Rolison, Wimsett advanced up to P3 by the time the checkered flag flew to end the session. No one was able to find the speed to knock Felkins off the pole, scoring the Stars of Karting track record in Senior National with his 50.575. Canadian Remo Ruscitti (Italkart) looked to have a strong run early before pulling off to the inside of the front straightaway mid session with motor issues to end 12th overall. Rounding out the fast five behind Felkins was Brazilian Andre Nicastro, Wimsett, privateer Nic Le Duc (Tony Kart) and Brett Buckwalter (Italkart).

Felkins made it two for two as he put his Intrepid TaG ICC entry on the top of the qualifying charts in their 15 minute session to begin his bid at the $5,000 check to win Sunday's feature race. Ocala runner-up Remo Ruscitti (Italkart) was unable to knock Felkins off the top and will start the heat races from outside row one. Italkart will fill row two with Andre Nicastro and Neil Joseph. Championship runner-up in '08 Michael Hogg (Top Kart) completed the fast five. An interesting note is four the of top five are competing in the Senior National category on the weekend as well.


Photo: OTP.caA field of 17 drivers took to the track in the Junior National class with Eastern division winner Phil DeLaO and his CRG looking to take the pole. Standing in the way was a Top Kart pilot by the name of Luis Tyrrell. Tyrell took the early pole against a deep field of juniors with Alessandra Madrigal (Kosmic) close on his heels. Californian Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) took the second spot briefly before Madrigal took the position back. The driver mechanics had their watch on during the session was Trackmagic's Kiel Spaulding as he began to move up the order late in the session. With the session coming to a close, a few drivers were able to make moves forward but no one could touch Tyrrell - who earned his first pole position honor in his first start in a Stars of Karting junior division. Coming home in second was the charging Spaulding who came just 0.075-seconds short of Tyrrell's time. Madrigal ended up third ahead of Miinch and Dylan Lupton (Birel). De La O would claim the six th position in the session, leaving some work to be done in the heat races.

DeLaO would however find the way to the top of the time charts in the KF3 category. His 50.696 lap would put him on the pole for all three heat races with Alessandra Madrigal (Kosmic) to start outside row one. Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) was third with Broc Yocom (Kosmic) ending the session in fourth.

The battle for pole started early in Cadet with Top Kart pilots Jacques Saurino and Carter Williams. Saurino held the provisional pole Noah Hermanson (Birel) stole it at the checkered flag to end the first group's session. With the faster drivers in the second group, a group of Californians took to the circuit as they looked to knock down Hermanson's time. One of the top drivers were out early with Zane Smith (Top Kart) pulling into the pits with a leaking gas tank and was unable to get back on the racing surface. Getting below the one minute barrier was JR Raczko (Energy) with a 59.541 lap time to take the pole position ahead of Riley Reyes (CRG), Hermanson, Williams and Saurino.

With the grids set, the drivers will get down to wheel-to-wheel action on Saturday with three heat races per classes scheduled on the day. The Sonoma circuit offers great racing and though the numbers are lower than expected, good battles for the wins are in the forecast for the day. For complete coverage, visit the Official Event Page with links to results and the Official Discussion Thread and make sure to tune into the EKN LIVE page with the final heat races of the day to be aired through the EKN TV section.

Snap-on Stars of Karti