ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROKART CHALLENGE GEARS UP FOR FOURTH SKUSA SEASON

Fri, 3 May 2013 08:34:14 -0400

Colorado and Utah racers prepare for regional season with opening rounds at Miller Motorsports Park

Tooele UT – The Rocky Mountain Pro Kart Challenge (RMPKC) is set to go off like a powder keg this coming weekend, as racers from throughout the region are heading to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, for the opening two rounds of the 2013 season. Entering the series’ fourth year, the Superkarts! USA regional program has welcomed a steady growth, season after season, thanks to a series of changes, all while sticking to the original SKUSA recipe. This weekend’s opener is expecting drivers from Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming and Utah, with some of the sport’s major operations field drivers in the TaG, Stock Moto and Rotax categories offered for the season.
In 2013, led by series director and long time SKUSA kingpin Stan Bryniarski, the Rocky Mountain PKC brings a new age to what has been, but more importantly what once was, a strong region in the world of shifter kart racing. After years of controversy, track owners in Colorado and Utah have come together under the mediation of Scott Falcone to form a true state series for the first time since the early 2000’s when the region produced talents such as Kyle Ray, Marc Elliott and AJ Noud – as well as young NASCAR standout Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR great Bill Elliott. The region’s karters are applauding SKUSA’s efforts, along with the track owners, for coming together to return the Rocky Mountain area karting to its former glory.
“I am totally excited about the opening rounds of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park,” Bryniarski said in preparation for the opening two rounds. “As one racer put it, ‘It’s amazing to see what can happen when promoters, track owners and racers all work together.’ We now have a true Rocky Mountain series!”
New for the 2013 season, the RMPKC is introducing United States Rotax Max Challenge categories into the mix. The inclusion of the Rotax program will see the RMPKC award the all-important ‘punches’ that Rotax racers need in order to compete in the United States Rotax Grand Nationals and the Pan-American Challenge. Rotax racers competing in the RMPKC series will compete on the spec Rotax Max package: Mojo tires, MS 93 fuel and XPS oil. Any Rotax racer competing in the SKUSA TaG categories, however, must race under the SKUSA TaG rules package: MG-SK tires (all but TaG Cadet), MS 98 fuel and Motul GP oil. The entry numbers in several of the Rotax Max classes, as well as their TaG class counterparts, are already looking strong.
In the TaG classes, Cadet has historically been one of the larger classes, and has provided incredible racing over the past few years. Returning to defend his championship in the TaG Cadet class will be Grand Junction native Riley Cook. Challenging Cook as they did last year will be a slew of young up-and-coming drivers. Last year’s runner up in Cadet, Derek Deslauriers, will be back – as will Tristin MacLeod and Cody Dempster. In TaG Master, while pre-entry numbers are not as strong as expected, the quality of the field will provide big-time racing. Mike Urban and the SKUSA #2 plate holder Scott Falcone will challenge reigning TaG Master champion Bob Rodrick for the crown this season.
Of course, the RMPKC will continue its tradition as being one of the strongest regions for shifter kart racing in the country. Producing front runners at the Pro Tour in nearly all of the Stock Moto classes last year, the RMPKC is already looking good after the SKUSA SpringNationals in Tucson, Arizona just three weeks ago.
Two names are notably missing from the pre-entry list: reigning S2 national champion Sabre Cook, and long time Colorado racer Christian Bird. Cook has school commitments, while Bird has recently moved to Arizona, focusing on growing his new karting business. With the region’s top two S1 pilots from last year missing, the spotlight falls to the S2 class. After coming laps away from winning the main event on Sunday at this year’s Pro Tour SpringNationals, Christian Schureman will be leading the way in S2. There to challenge Schureman will be Chris Neria racing at his home track in Utah. Colorado’s Jack Bradley along with rookie S2 driver Lindsay Brewer are expected to be contenders in the championship chase, as will last year’s regional S5 champion Mianna Wick, graduating up the SKUSA Stock Moto ladder system in 2013.
A full weekend of racing is set to kick off with organized practice on Friday, May 3rd, and two full race days Saturday and Sunday. Play-by-play action of the event is expected to be broadcast live at www.livestream.com/skusamr . To follow updates regarding the 2013 program, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.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 six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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

PSL KARTING DRIVERS TOP THE BLOCKS IN SKUSA AND FKCS COMPETITION

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:04:21 -0400

Leesmann claims victory in S1 while Sirgany stands atop the podium in Rotax Mini Max
Trois-Rivières - Crisscrossing their way across North America and competing in some high profile events, Team PSL Karting branded drivers would recently see action in both Arizona and Florida. While Fritz Leesmann would wheel his CRG machine to a victory at the opening round of the SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour, the SpringNationals, multiple PSL drivers would battle hard at the second round of the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) event in sunny Southern Florida.
Fritz Leesmann would be one of the main drivers to watch at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, as the 2013 Rotax Challenge of the Americas DD2 Champion would trade his two-speed Rotax powered CRG in for a six-speed gearbox kart in his quest for victory in the S1 division. Using the Friday test day to get up to speed, Leesmann poured it on in the Saturday morning qualifying session to steal the day's pole position.
With the two heat race results setting up the all-important grid for the main event, Leesmann would claim a second place finish in heat one, and go on to take the victory in heat two. With the progressive results awarding the starting spots for the main event, the multi-time shifter kart champion would line his PSL/CRG up on the inside of row one as he looked to take the victory in the first event of the season.
"In Mini-Max, it was fairly obvious our new 'Hero-Mini' chassis was the dominating kart in the field." - Andrew Campbell
Able to gain a good start in the main event, Leesmann would fall back to the second position, as four drivers would engage in a battle for the victory. Coming up just short when the checkered flag had flown, Leesman was able to score the fastest lap of the main event en route to a second place podium result.
Back to the track on Sunday for round two of Pro Tour competition, Leesmann would not put a wheel wrong all day long as he swept the day's festivities. Scoring the pole position in the morning, Leesmann wheeled his CRG to a pair of heat race wins before claiming his first SKUSA main event victory of 2013.
Across the country in Florida, PSL Karting drivers would see action at the Homestead Karting Complex in the shadows of the famed Homestead-Miami Speedway. Competing in round two of the FKCS program, three pilots would look to add to PSL Karting's and CRG's 2013 win and podium total.
"Coming down to the FKCS program in Homestead was a real pleasure," explained PSL Karting’s Team Manager Andrew Campbell. "They have a full plate of classes, with most categories having at least 15 drivers and some very competitive fields."
From the very first session, Rotax Mini Max pilot Joshua Sirgany was the driver to beat in the category. As one of the quickest drivers on the national karting scene, Sirgany and his PSL Karting/CRG flexed their muscles throughout the FKCS weekend. Taking the Saturday morning pole position, the up-and-coming talent scored the prefinal win and pole position for the main. Looking to make it a perfect day, Sigany quickly jumped into the lead of the Mini Max final and raced his way to the checkers. With the hat trick of results, Sirgany also added fastest lap honors in the process.
Campbell continued, "In Mini-Max, it was fairly obvious our new 'Hero-Mini' chassis was the dominating kart in the field. Literally, out of the box, team driver Joshua Sirgany displayed consistent speed immediately and was unbeatable over the weekend. PSL/CRG has been working on this frame since Pan-Am, with the most notable improvement being tire conservation as the Mini-Max class requires a driver to use one set of tires for two race days. This will give a big advantage to a pilot on the second day of competition and the Mojo tires on Sirgany's CRG looked practically brand new."
Dominic Tesoro and Ian Cummings would be two PSL Karting pilots that would see action in the Rok Senior category and between them, they would claim four top-six finishes. Both Tesoro and Cummings would show constant improvement on Saturday as they both moved forward from their qualifying efforts. Tesoro would clock the fifth quickest time in qualifying and turn that into a fourth place result in the prefinal. Gunning for a podium in the main event, Tesoro would advance forward another two positions to garner a second place finish. Cummings would see his Saturday start off slow as he would be mired back in the 13th position after qualifying. Placing 12th in the prefinal, Cummings would march his way forward in the main event to cross the stripe in sixth.
"Coming down to the FKCS program in Homestead was a real pleasure." - Andrew Campbell
Sunday would be a much more consistent day for Tesoro as he started off strong claiming the second quickest time in qualifying and an outside front row starting position for the prefinal. Holding station throughout the heat race, Tesoro would fall back one spot in the main event to take his second podium result of the weekend. Cummings would add another top-five result for PSL as he ended the day with another solid result for Team PSL Karting. Qualifying in the fourth position and claiming a sixth place result in the prefinal, Cummings would move forward in the main event to finish fifth.
"Tesoro drove a pretty impressive race, considering this is only his second time as a PSL Team member," expressed Campbell. "With minor adjustments, both Cummings and Tesoro were quite fast, again with a stock-out-of-the-box chassis. Considering our engines were randomly drawn from Rok Cup USA, while competing against drivers who owned their engines, we were very consistent with pace and happy with the results."
Team PSL Karting will continue their 2013 trackside program by competing at the Rotax Pan American Challenge, the United States Rotax Grand Nationals, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Coupe de Quebec and the Canadian National Championships. Team PSL Karting is associated with CRG, Maxter Kart Engines, Rotax, Tillett Racing Seats, Sniper, Unipro, Douglas Wheels, Vega, MG Tires, Arai, Bell, ULV, Mir, Freem, Elf Fuels, Alfano, MaxJet Software, D.I.D. Racing Chains, KC and Power Mist.

SUPERKARTS! USA INTRODUCES NEW PIPE FOR STOCK MOTO CATEGORIES

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:55:58 -0400

New pipe manufactured by Pro Circuit will become sole spec in 2014
TEMECULA, CA – Superkarts! USA is pleased to announce the official launch of a new exhaust pipe for the organization’s Stock Moto categories, one that will feature a much more affordable price point and a six-month warranty, an industry first. As of May 24, the new ‘SK-1’ pipe will join the current RLV R4 as a legal spec exhaust that will be allowed for competition in Superkarts! USA sanctioned events. This new product – manufactured by Pro Circuit Racing International – will come with an unprecedented six-month warranty for cracks, effective from the date of purchase – and it will become the sole spec pipe in SKUSA Stock Moto competition in 2014.
“For the last few years, following the closure of RCE Exhaust, a manufacturer that supplied us with one of our initial spec pipes, our Stock Moto program has featured just a single pipe provider,” stated Superkarts! USA CEO Tom Kutscher. “We believe that the single product approach remains the ideal situation, but our racers have been dealing with numerous reliability, quality and availability issues recently, so we felt that it was time to step in and ensure stability in this segment of the Stock Moto equation. By working closely with a new manufacturer, we are presenting a product that we can completely manage and support. We wanted to develop a product that is priced for the karter, and then stand behind it with a warranty, something that is virtually unheard of in the sport. The quality of product that Pro Circuit manufactures is second to none, and they are a professional operation that is committed to motorsports and exhaust production. We’re thrilled to be working with them.”
The price for the new ‘SK-1’ pipe will be just $280 USD to competitors, and will be available through selected dealers, which SKUSA will begin announcing this week. SKUSA has pipes hitting inventory now that will be shipped to approved dealers shortly, and production will continue to meet the orders, as they will ship daily to their growing dealer network. The ‘SK-1’ pipe is boxed and shipped in a custom carton to protect against damage. Interested racers are asked to contact a dealer from the list that will be announced this week. Superkarts! USA also asks that any dealer inquiries regarding the new ‘SK-1’ exhaust for the Stock Moto categories be sent to info@superkartsusa.com.
The focus of the new program is to ensure a quality product for SKUSA’s customers, one that will be available at an affordable price, come with a warranty, and is easily tested for compliance by the SKUSA Technical Staff. A custom tech jig and template have been fabricated, which will make tech a much easier procedure. In 30 days – effective May 24 – the ‘SK-1’ pipe will officially become one of the two spec pipes that are legal for the Stock Moto classes. Both the SK-1 and the RLV R4 will be legal through to the end of the calendar year. Moving forward, the SK-1 will become the sole spec exhaust pipe in SKUSA competition in 2014.
“When we begin 2014, we’ll be back to a single spec program that will provide everything that we desire for our racers – quality, affordability, reliability and now, with the new pipe, a warranty that covers any potential manufacturing issues,” Kutscher continued. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and gives us the stability that we are looking for.”
Superkarts! USA regional racing is ready to get underway all over the country, and the new ‘SK-1’ will see its first official action on May 25-26 during the second round of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge at IMI Motorsports Complex in Dacono, Colorado. The California ProKart Challenge has two events already in the books, with round three set for Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, CA next weekend, May 3-4. The first weekend in May is a big one for SKUSA, as the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge and Texas ProKart Challenge will both kick off their 2013 seasons. The RMPKC will host rounds one and two at the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah – the site of the 2012 SummerNationals – while the TPKC contests rounds one and two at the Dallas Karting Complex in Caddo Mills, Texas.
The Midwest ProKart Challenge held rounds one and two at the I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Missouri this past weekend, and now looks forward to the May 31-June 2 weekend in Shawano, WI as SKUSA racing returns to the site of the inaugural SummerNationals in 2010. This coming Saturday, the Maui ProKart Challenge continues in Hawaii and the new Can-Am ProKart Challenge is set for its debut on the May 17-19 weekend at the Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack, British Columbia - marking the first event in Canada for the SKUSA organization in over 10 years.
For more on these programs, and the new pipe for the Stock Moto categories, visit www.superkartsusa.com .

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing, and is the leader in the field, promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals – the biggest kart race in the world – held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com

TRISTIN MACLEOD MAKES NATIONAL DEBUT IN TUCSON

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:14:51 -0400

Colorado karter steps up to SKUSA Pro Tour at annual SpringNationals

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – There’s nothing like jumping into the deep end of the pool to push yourself to new heights. This was certainly the case for 10 year-old Grand Junction, Colorado driver Tristin MacLeod, who made his national karting debut this past weekend (April 12-14) at the Superkarts! USA SpringNationals. MacLeod and his father Jim made the trek to the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona with the goal of getting acclimating to top-level competition and the SKUSA Pro Tour, which is the largest national series in the country. MacLeod showed very well, continually improving his pace throughout the weekend as he climbed a very steep learning curve.
After running a full season in the TaG Cadet class of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge series in 2012, an effort that had Tristin finish third in the year-end points, MacLeod entered his first national race last weekend at the SpringNationals. MacLeod arrived at the track on Friday morning having never turned a wheel on the circuit, which presented yet another challenge. The learning curve was made much steeper when Tristin and his father spent half of the practice day on Friday assembling a new kart in the pits as a result of getting to the track late on Thursday evening. With the help of CRG-USA mechanic Brian Fletcher, MacLeod got his CRG built and on the track just in time for the fourth session of TaG Cadet practice on Friday afternoon.
Despite the lack of practice, MacLeod took to the seven-tenths of a mile, 12-turn circuit and steadily improved on both his smooth driving technique and overall consistency. Considering his limited experience, Tristin had no overzealous expectations of running at the front of the pack, so the focus was on improvement and driver development. This proved very successful, as from the last two timed sessions on Friday evening through to qualifying for the opening round of the event on Saturday morning, Tristin dropped a full second each time he hit the track.
In the Saturday heat races, MacLeod improved on his poor qualifying effort and showed poise in his first taste of national caliber race competition in order to pick up six spots and finish 26th. In the second heat, he continued to race smart as he broke into the top-25 for the first time all weekend. Unfortunately, MacLeod suffered a poor start in the main that pushed him back in the early going. Focus and consistency kept MacLeod in the race, as he managed to work his way past several drivers. MacLeod finished his first national race with a 27th place result.
Sunday’s events provided to be was an up-and-down day for MacLeod. In Qualifying, he displayed both increased confidence and speed. While the majority of the TaG Cadet field took advantage of the full 12-minute session, MacLeod ran a quick seven laps, laid down his fastest time of the weekend and subsequently pulled into pit lane. The heat races did not go as well, however. Despite racing up to 25th, MacLeod came back to the pits with a 28th place finish after contact with another driver in turn one of the final lap. The second heat ended about as quickly as it started after additional contact on the warm-up lap resulted in MacLeod’s carburetor falling off the kart, which forced him to miss the start of the race. Thankfully, the Sunday main event was just what the doctor ordered for MacLeod and his crew after the long and taxing weekend. Driving wisely and conservatively, and dodging a few minor incidents along the way, MacLeod advanced all the way up to 21st, narrowly missing out on a top-20 finishing spot.
“I had a great time at my first big race, and I’m happy with how I was able to improve all weekend,” Tristin commented, as he was aiding his team in packing the CRG-USA trailer for the long drive back to Grand Junction. “I was able to get faster and faster, and that was the plan. We had to deal with some stuff, but that’s racing. I can’t wait for the SummerNationals at my home track - Grand Junction Motor Speedway. At least I’ll get to start the weekend knowing which way to turn!”
“It was a rough weekend for sure, Saturday particularly, due to getting on the track so late Friday”, offered Tristin’s father Jim, following the event. “But Sunday was much better and I’ll take a 21st in our first national race any day.”
Tristin would like to thank Stacey Cook and all the mechanics at CRG-USA for the technical support this weekend, Brian Fletcher for stepping in to help with tuning and the Saturday night engine change, and Jet Davis and Sabre Cook for their on-track driver coaching.

About Tristin MacLeod:
Tristin is an energetic and excited young kart racer. Now in his fourth year of racing karts, the 10-year-old has relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado to be closer to CRG USA headquarters and their home track, Grand Junction Motor Speedway. In 2012, Tristin competed in the SKUSA Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge series and finished third in the TaG Cadet point standings in his first season of regional competition. For 2013, he plans to campaign both the SKUSA Pro Tour and run in his sophomore season of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge. In his off time, Tristin enjoys the outdoor life, camping, and fishing and is also an avid archer.

Anthony Willis makes his mark in TAG Cadet at the SKUSA SpringNationals

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:48:52 -0400

Nine year old Anthony Willis started his preparation for the SKUSA Spring Nationals early in the year. The Rotax Challenge of the Americas series hosted two races in Anthony's home state of Arizona and he took full advantage by finishing 2nd in the last race of the year, and 3rd overall in the Micro Max championship. He entered Tag Cadet in Tucson for the Spring Nats with many laps under his belt knowing full well the field was filled with older more experienced drivers.
With a shortage of pistons for the Vortex power plant Willis came in to the SKUSA event with a new OTK MiniRok motor. Doug Fleming added valuable trackside engine support to get the engine screaming for day one qualifying. Day one went well for Willis, qualifying a respectable 3rd and making it cleanly through the difficult starts and hard racing in the heats. Pure Karting's Cliff Kujala through extensive R & D and testing added a final touch to the Willis program and he was set for the main event. Willis stayed in the hunt for the final, battling down to the finish to capture 2nd place. “I really look up to Sting Ray Robb,” explained Willis after the podium. “Finishing just ahead of a great driver like him is really cool.”
Seth Nash had the DR kart dialed in all weekend but race day two didn't go quite as well for Willis. Anthony struggled a little in qualifying to find tenths, putting him further down the grid than he would have liked. The entire field was slower than day one's qualifying session, but Willis now had his work cut out after turning a time only good enough for P9. The starts again were critical as the ebb and flow of the inside and outside lines changed with every start. Willis fought his way into the mix for the final, but was involved in a crash at the finish line while running in 7th place.
“We had a good but disappointing weekend,” describes Stewart Willis, Anthony's father. “After running with the big guns on Saturday we were hoping for a better result on Sunday than what we got. T did a great job behind the wheel, we are very proud of him and look forward to the Summer Nats in a few months.”

RECORD ATTENDANCE CONFIRMED FOR SUPERKARTS! USA PRO TOUR SPRINGNATIONALS

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 07:45:44 -0400

Highest driver total ever are prepping for Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson next weekend

TEMECULA, CA – The 2013 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour is expected to be bigger and badder than ever before. Entering its fourth season, the three-event program has been enhanced by its largest series prize package ever -- now set at roughly $96,000 for the year. A sign of the series’ strength and popularity, the Pro Tour has enjoyed an increase in participation year-after-year and has attained record numbers each season. This year’s SpringNationals, which is set for April 12-14 at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona, is welcoming yet another record-setting number of drivers, as a total of 197 pre-entries have been processed so far and verbal commitments have well surpassed the 200 mark.
The SKUSA Pro Tour has experienced steady growth over the previous two seasons following its debut in 2010. The majority of classes have already surpassed last year’s numbers, highlighted by the strongest increase in the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto, TaG Master and TaG Cadet classes. SKUSA shifterkart racing is continuing to expand – and the cool-factor has increased – as many of the young guns in the sport are working their way up the ranks and into the headline S1 Pro Stock Moto class. The continuing graduation of S2 front-runners means that there is an exciting number of young pilots stepping up to become the next rising star in Superkarts! USA action.
The SKUSA Pro Tour is one of, if not the only, program in the United States that truly welcomes and promotes the gentlemen drivers over the age of 30. The S4 contingent continues to hold strong year after year, and now those in TaG Master are banding together to compete on the Pro Tour. The TaG Master class has almost doubled from last year’s number and could be one of the biggest classes on the weekend. In addition, the TaG Cadet class is seeing another burst in participation this season, thanks in part to the Vortex Mini Rok engine program at the SKUSA ProKart Challenge level. The class is nearly double what it was a year ago, with a mixture of returning drivers and competitors who are new to Superkarts! USA and the Pro Tour.
Superkarts! USA recently announced a $96,000 prize purse for the 2013 Pro Tour, with a maximum of $9,500 in cash to be awarded at the SpringNationals next weekend. The two Pro categories – S1 and TaG Senior – will each have $1,750 up for grabs, with the top driver on the weekend earning a $1,000 pay day. SKUSA is also offering up $1,000 to the other six classes, should the driver total reach 30. S2 Semi-Pro and S4 Master Stock Moto are the first two classes to have reached that mark during the pre-entry stage, with TaG Master and TaG Cadet just a few drivers from reaching that 30-driver mark, as well.
At the SpringNationals, the Superkarts! USA staff will welcome a familiar figure for the weekend. Former SKUSA ProMoto Tour star and three-time SuperNationals winner Darren Elliott will act as Director of Competition, subbing in for Alan Rudolph. The veteran karter will interact with the drivers during the weekend, oversee track activities, and assist Race Director Terry Bybee during the on-track action.
eKartingNews.com, the official media partner of Superkarts! USA, is set to provide a three-day preview program leading up to the SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals highlighting each of the eight classes. From Friday to Sunday of the race weekend, they will be providing their ‘EKN Trackside Live’ broadcast at www.ekartingnews.com/live, presented by Champion Racing. Live play-by-play action, live timing and forum discussion is available all on one page, and a mobile audio link is available to those on the go (mobile.livestream.com/ekartingnewslive).
Competitors who are not yet confirmed to be a part of this historic event have until midnight this Sunday, April 7 to register – although TaG Senior is suspected to sell out to 40 prior to this deadline. Following the cut-off, trackside entry begins on the Thursday prior to the event with an entry fee increase of $150. Racers are also encouraged to submit their pit spot reservations and pre-orders for practice tires and practice fuel by the April 7 deadline. All event details are posted on the SKUSA event page (www.superkartsusa.com/national/skusa-pro-tour/event-calendar/springnationals.html). To follow updates on Superkarts! USA, the upcoming SKUSA SpringNationals, SuperNationals XVII, and the rest of the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com. as well as on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing, and is the leader in the field, promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals – the biggest kart race in the world – held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com

SUPERKARTS! USA EXPLODES SUPERNATIONALS PRIZE MONEY

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:28:41 -0400

$10,000-to-win now up for grabs in KZ2, S1 and TaG Senior

TEMECULA, CA – Over the past three years, Superkarts! USA has been working diligently to develop its program of regional and national level racing, with much success. Thanks to a focused class structure and a dedication to customer service – and with the annual SuperNationals as its anchor event – SKUSA has opened up new regions around the country. It’s a business model that they can duplicate in any program and in any region.
One of the keys to this growth has been a tight focus on the Stock Moto and TaG programs, which have been growing steadily around the country. The top tiers of both categories have now come of age, and the time is right to make a move to reward SKUSA customers for their dedication and support. This reward will come in the form of a vastly increased purse for the S1 and TaG Senior categories at the SuperNationals XVII this November, where the winner of each main event could walk away with a check for $10,000. The cash purse alone for the 2013 SKUSA SuperNationals will be a whopping $45,000.
“There’s no doubt that I love the KZ2 class and the raw competition that it brings to the SuperNationals, but I am the biggest fan of our core headline classes, the men and women who bring us excitement at every Pro Tour and ProKart Challenge event of the season,” admits Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA President. “It’s time to give them their due at the SuperNationals, and we’re going to do that by putting up the same winner’s check in 2013 for S1 and TaG as we do for the KZ2 guys. It’s time….we’re putting up $10,000 to win in S1 and TaG Senior for drivers who run the entire Pro Tour with us this year! I want this to bring out all the big guns.”
The three headline classes at this year’s SuperNationals – KZ2, S1 and TaG Senior – will all run for respective $15,000 purses. In the S1 and TaG Senior classes, the winner must have run both the SpringNationals and the SummerNationals to be eligible for the $10,000 first place check at the SuperNationals. The purse distribution for the 3 classes will feature $10,000-to-win (or $3000-to-win in S1 or TaG Senior if the winner did not compete in the full Pro Tour), $2500 for second, $1250 for third, $750 for fourth and $500 for fifth.
Kutscher pointed out that supporting those racers who support Superkarts! USA the entire season is the focus for this increased cash purse and distribution for the S1 and TaG Senior categories: “Our TaG fields to start the year in the California ProKart Challenge have been incredible, and we hope to see similar fields in our regionals series across the country. The Guaranteed SuperSunday Starting Positions for the PKC champions might play a role in the TaG Senior results, which would be wild. And I’m really thrilled with the growth of our S1 Pro Stock Moto class, as the talent that we’ve been developing in S5 and S2 is now coming to the forefront. I expect that we’ll have 30+ drivers at the Pro Tour events and a full field of 40 at the SuperNationals. This is the payoff for launching the S1-S2-S3-S4-S5 program in 2010. We’re developing drivers, moving them up the ladder with a true licensing system, and we’re now getting to see our best step into the spotlight. It’s really fulfilling.”
Running the SpringNationals and SummerNationals will not only make drivers eligible for the $10,000 first place prize in S1 and TaG Senior, but it will also place them in the SuperNats Priority Pre-Entry program that will give them first-shot at securing a position in the sport’s biggest race. At this time, a two-week window is being established for drivers who qualify for the program by running either the first two Pro Tour races or all of their ProKart Challenge regional events ahead of opening online registration for the Supernats. A full detailed overview of this program will be released in the coming weeks.
The addition of this increased purse for the headline classes will very likely push the total prize package for this year’s SuperNationals over the $100,000 mark, making it the richest karting event in the history of the sport in the United States.
To follow updates on Superkarts! USA, the SuperNationals XVII, and the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com as well as on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing, and is the leader in the field, promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up to the annual SKUSA SuperNationals – the biggest kart race in the world – held every November in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on SKUSA, please visit www.superkartsusa.com.

2013 SCHEDULE SET FOR MIDWEST PROKART CHALLENGE

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:53:22 -0400

Unique opportunities, challenging venues, and new ‘Midwest Shifterfest’ event to highlight upcoming season

TEMECULA, CA The Superkarts! USA brand is continuing to evolve and grow throughout the United States, and in 2013, there will be an emphasis on revitalizing the original region of the organization. The schedule for the 2013 Midwest ProKart Challenge has been confirmed, as the series will again take place over three weekends. One objective this season will be bringing back the enjoyment and excitement that is shifterkart racing, while providing that same SKUSA-style atmosphere and camaraderie that racers enjoy at other regional programs and on the SKUSA Pro Tour.
“2013 marks the 20th year that racers will bang gears under the Superkarts! USA banner here in the Midwest. Back then, it was a unique group of individuals who had two things in common – a kart with a transmission, and a desire to find others to race it against,” remembers SKUSA National Director Stan Bryniarski, a pre-tech and corner official at that time. “The Midwest is where SKUSA got its beginnings, and I was lucky enough to watch it grow as it did. Now I’m privileged to continue that tradition. It may not happen overnight, but I have no doubt we can make this region grow to what it used to be. I want to send a special thank you to all the racers for your patience and support.”
The class structure for 2013 Midwest ProKart Challenge will offer all nine of the SKUSA regional classes – S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, TaG Senior, TaG Master, TaG Junior, and TaG Cadet – but will also host an Open Shifter category at all three events. SKUSA is welcoming any and all shifterkarts in the area to come and compete, rather than leaving the karts in the garage collecting dust. Any engine models and makes will be included; ICC/KZ, Modified Moto, Yamaha, TM, and 80cc Gearbox.
“When SKUSA was first created, it was nothing but shifterkarts. I understand that more than anything,” stated SKUSA President Tom Kutscher. “The Great Lakes area is the foundation of our organization, and we need to regroup the old racers with the new racers -- get them all at the track at the same time. That’s our mission of providing the Open Shifter division. ‘Come one, come all,’ I say. You need to experience the atmosphere just once to understand how awesome SKUSA racing really is.”
To back that up, Superkarts! USA is offering an incentive-based prize package that will award the top three points leaders for this category, cumulatively, for each weekend of competition. For the opening weekend of the series in April -- should more than 10 racers compete in the Open Shifter class -- SKUSA will award the winner with a new set of MG Tires, second place with a free entry to the next event, and third place with free Friday practice and a pit space for that next stop on the schedule.
Those competing in the regular SKUSA categories will enjoy the same benefits that other regional programs across the country receive, including the SKUSA SuperNationals Priority Pre-Entry Program and the SuperSunday Guaranteed Grid Positions. Any Midwest PKC racer who enters the Pevely AND Shawano events will be granted a position in the Priority Pre-Entry Program for SuperNationals registration, which will be a set time period in which to enter before registration opens to the public. Then, the 2013 Midwest PKC class champions will not only gain a trophy to add to the mantel, but they will also earn a guaranteed starting spot on the Las Vegas SuperSunday main event grid in their respective category (class must average five racers for the year in order to receive SuperSunday ticket). When making the investment to travel to Las Vegas for the biggest race of the year, a direct pass into the Main Event is worth its weight in gold.
For 2013, the Midwest ProKart Challenge championship will host three double-race weekends for a six-round program, counting the best five races toward the final point standings. The opening two rounds are set for a return to the I-55 Raceway Complex in Pevely, Missouri, just south of St. Louis in April. Commonly called ‘Thunder Valley’, the track features hairpin turns and a banked Monza to ensure a challenge for all racers. The next stop will take the series north at the beginning of June to the US Air Motorsports Raceway in Shawano, Wisconsin – the site of the 2010 SKUSA SummerNationals. The Kenny Vernberg-designed sprint course is a true challenge to any racer and will be the only national event to visit this amazing circuit in 2013. The series concludes the 2013 season at the New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana. The state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by IndyCar driver Mark Dismore will host the final two rounds, which will also serve as the SKUSA ‘Midwest Shifterfest’. The series year-end awards banquet will follow the action on September 15 on site at New Castle.
2013 Midwest ProKart Challenge Schedule
April 19-21: I-55 Raceway - Pevely, Missouri
May 31- June 2: US Air Motorsports Raceway - Shawano, Wisconsin
September 13-15: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, Indiana
The inaugural SKUSA Midwest Shifterfest will be the debut running of what is planned to be an annual event celebrating shifterkart racing in the East. With a focus on building an exciting purse and prize package, the plan will be to gather shifterkart drivers from all over the country. A solid purse featuring $1000-to-win is the initial plan for the Open Shifter category, providing the field meets the 10-kart minimum. Anything over that number will provide the motivation for expanding the purse. SKUSA is actively working to assemble great prizes and special events for the weekend, and shops interested in partnering with SKUSA on the growth of Shifterfest are asked to contact Stan Bryniarski directly. Racers should book off the weekend (September 13-15) and should also stay tuned for regular updates on the events throughout the year.
The Midwest ProKart Challenge online store will open and begin accepting discounted pre-registration for the I-55 Raceway event in Pevely on March 15 (www.skusastore.com). To follow the updates regarding the 2013 program, be sure to visit the Midwest PKC section on www.superkartsusa.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 five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

SUPERKARTS! USA PREPARING FOR 2013 PRO TOUR AND SPRINGNATIONALS

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:29:36 -0400

Registration open for what is expected to be another record-breaking event in Tucson, Arizona

TEMECULA, CA In less than 30 days, racers from across North America will converge on the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona for the opening rounds of the 2013 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour. The fourth annual SKUSA SpringNationals is set for the April 12-14 weekend on the 8/10-mile course. Registration has opened at skusastore.com, and by early numbers, many of the categories are likely going to see a full grid. Fields for the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour, and especially the SpringNationals, are expected to reach the 40-driver cap mark as entry numbers are already higher than in previous years. The competition level is expected to increase to the next level compared to before, with a number of the SKUSA #1 plate holders returning to defend that honor.
Looking at the eight categories offered, all eight champions will be returning – with many of them defending their titles in 2013. S1 Pro Stock Moto champion Fritz Leesmann earned his second title in just three years, and will have a number of drivers looking to stop him from gaining a third. Those include class rookies Billy Musgrave, the 2012 SKUSA SuperNationals S2 Semi-Pro winner, and last year’s S2 series champion Sabré Cook, in addition to a number of returning drivers. That will leave the S2 category open for a new champion, with a number of young pilots looking to add it to their resume. Phil DeLaO is projected to return to defend his TaG Senior championship with what could be a capped field of 40 racers fighting it out at the SpringNationals.
The TaG Master group is once again working together to form a large field in 2013. Many of the same contenders, including champion Paul Bonilla, have confirmed their intentions to fight for the crown, with a number of new names scheduled to compete. The S4 Masters Stock Moto category will see many of the familiar front runners as Eddie Olpin defends his 2012 championship. Luke Selliken and Jim McKinney are returning in the TaG Junior and S5 Junior Stock Moto divisions as champions, with increased fields projected in both categories. TaG Cadet continues to grow under the SKUSA banner at the regional level, and the Pro Tour will benefit as well with a number of new drivers expected to be in Tucson for the SpringNationals, all trying to dethrone 2012 champion Hunter Kelly.
Registration for the 2013 SKUSA SpringNationals is open at the skusastore.com webpage, and will be open until midnight on April 7 to receive entries at the pre-entry pricing ($395 for S1 and TaG Senior, $350 for other classes). Those unable to register prior to that date are allowed to enter trackside, beginning Thursday of the event weekend, at an increased price of $150 –contingent upon sufficient room in the class.
SKUSA has arranged for two host hotels to accommodate attendees and guests with special pricing for this event. The first is the Four Points by Sheraton, next to the Tucson Airport. Located just 18 minutes from the track, the facility provides great amenities – including in-room refrigerator, microwave, high speed internet access, bottled water, flat screen TV and weekday newspaper for free. The R&R Grill is open all day, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner – including a sports bar section with happy hour and food/drink specials opened until 11pm each night. The special room rate is just $85 per night plus tax for 1 king or 2 queens (up to four people per room). The SKUSA special rate is extremely limited and the deadline is March 15, so you are encouraged to book right away with the Group ID 826 or code word KARTS at 888-627-7099 or the following link: (https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=1302264785&key=DFA0D).
The second host hotel – the Hampton Inn – is also located just outside of the Tucson airport. The same $85 per night is offered with Group Code SUP or code name SUPERKARTS by calling 520-918-9000 or following this link (http://www.hampton-inn.com/hi/tucson-airport).
Teams and drivers are now welcome to make pit spot reservations and tent arrangements by following the directions listed on the SKUSA website event page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/national/skusa-pro-tour/event-calendar/springnationals.html). Move-in will officially begin Thursday, April 11, starting at 7am. Competitors will be able to pick up their registration packets from 10am-5pm. A tentative schedule for the full event can also be found on the SKUSA website event page.
This year’s edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour will begin at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona on April 12-14 for the SpringNationals, and is followed up by the SummerNationals, set for a return to the Grand Junction Motor Speedway on July 19-21 in Colorado. The season will wrap up once again at the SKUSA SuperNationals XVII on November 20-24. To follow updates on Superkarts! USA, the SuperNationals XVII, and the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com, as well as on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.
About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

SUPERKARTS! USA TO ADD ROTAX JUNIOR AND DD2 CATEGORIES TO SUPERNATIONALS XVII

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 07:51:41 -0500

Winners to receive first tickets to the 2014 Rotax Grand Finals in cooperation with MAXSpeed Group

TEMECULA, CA – The 2013 season is going to be a big year for the sport of karting in the United States. The month of November will be a celebration of sport, for certain, as two of the worlds largest and most prestigious events are set to take place on US soil over a span of three weekends. The Rotax Grand Finals will make their first trip to the United States this fall and will take place the week before the country’s biggest event, the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals. Two of the most unique and exciting cities in the United States – New Orleans and Las Vegas – will provide the backdrops for what will be a memorable two weeks in the sport, ranging from the history and stories from Bourbon Street, to the bright lights and big dreams of the ‘Strip’.
It is with extreme excitement that the staff at Superkarts! USA announces the addition of a new program at this year’s SKUSA SuperNationals. Working in cooperation with MAXSpeed Group and the United States Rotax Max Challenge, and with a focus on promoting a celebration of karting in the fall of this year, SKUSA is officially announcing the addition of the Rotax Junior and DD2 classes to the SuperNationals XVII class line-up this November. SKUSA has also confirmed that they will be awarding the sport’s first tickets to the 2014 Rotax Grand Finals, as the winner in both the Rotax Junior and DD2 classes will win positions on their respective national teams for next year’s race.
“I’m proud to say that Richard Boisclair (MAXSpeed) and I have been able to develop a solid working relationship over the past year, one that is based on mutual respect for each other and for our individual business goals,” offers Tom Kutscher, SKUSA President. “Considering that fact that we both believe in our products and want to see the sport of karting grow, there are obvious benefits for everything and everyone involved, from SKUSA and Rotax to our collective racers and the industry, including the shops, the teams and all the mechanics who support our level of competition.”
Rotax racing is no stranger to the SuperNationals. The FR125 engine has been permitted in the TaG Senior and TaG Master categories for a number of years. In 2007, Rotax Senior and Rotax Master classes were offered as part of the SuperNationals, won by two-time Rotax Grand Finals winner Pier-Luc Ouellette and reigning SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Master champion Paul Bonilla.
“It’s an exciting time for karting in the United States and for us at MAXSpeed,” added Richard Boisclair, MAXSpeed Group President. “Hosting the 2013 Rotax Grand Finals is an honor, and we hope to promote the United States well during the week of November 13-16, welcoming racers from all across the world. Our connection with Superkarts! USA and the SuperNationals is something that I’ve always wanted since I started in karting. I attended the SuperNationals last year for the first time, and now I understand what the hype is all about. Tom Kutscher and his staff put together a first class event. He also understands what the Rotax Max Challenge is about, and the addition of two Rotax categories to the SuperNats is great for the sport in general. I hope to see many North American karters in New Orleans watching the best in the world racing before they head to Las Vegas the following week.”
With the scheduling of the 2013 Rotax Grand Finals in New Orleans for the week immediately prior to SKUSA’s annual Las Vegas spectacular, roughly 356 drivers from across the globe will travel to the United States. Another 500 drivers are projected to compete once again during the SuperNationals XVII a week later, making the United States the hotbed of karting for those two weeks in November.
This year’s edition of the SuperNationals will once again be the final event of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour. This year’s schedule will mirror that of 2011, as the SpringNationals will be held at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona on April 12-14, while the SummerNationals is set for a return to the Grand Junction Motor Speedway on July 19-21 in Colorado. With roughly 40 days left until the program kicks off the 2013 season, Superkarts! USA will be releasing more information regarding the SpringNationals in Tucson in the near future.
To follow updates on Superkarts! USA, the SuperNationals XVII, and the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com , as well as on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.
About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE ANNOUNCES DRIVER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR 2014

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:56:39 -0500

Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix to present a California PKC driver with full 2014 scholarship

TEMECULA, CA – The second round of the Superkarts! USA California ProKart Challenge is set for the upcoming weekend (March 1-2) at the Willow Springs International Raceway. Heading to its second stop of six for 2013, SKUSA is happy to announce an additional prize added to the already $70,000 season prize purse. New for 2013 is the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship, worth over $11,000.

“We are always looking to find a way to give back to the racers, whether its money, product or anything we can do,” commented Superkarts! USA’s Tom Kutscher. “The folks at the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix are excited about karting, and want to be part of it beyond the one weekend they host our race. They are stepping up to support a driver’s racing program for a full season, something that is unheard of in our sport. I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity that we can present to our racers.”

The Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship program will reward the performance of a driver on and off the track, providing a full season of sponsorship in 2014 for the ProKart Challenge, the SKUSA Pro Tour and the SKUSA SuperNationals. This award is open to competitors in the TaG Junior, TaG Senior, S5 Junior, S2 Semi-Pro, and S1 Pro divisions.

Included in the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship are the following:
Bell Ultra Star GP helmet
Brett King Design custom SOLGP paint
SOLGP custom suit, gloves, shoes
SOLGP custom bodywork graphics
2014 California ProKart Challenge Series Package (entry, tires, fuel/oil)
2014 SKUSA Pro Tour Package (entry, tires, fuel/oil)
2014 SKUSA SuperNationals Package (entry, tires, fuel/oil)

“This will be our fifth year hosting the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, and the city and the community could not be happier in giving back to the sport of karting,” stated Ronda Perez, Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts for the City of Lancaster. “Our relationship with Superkarts! USA, along with our many sponsors and partners who help this festival come to life, keep making each year bigger and better. The Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for us to award one driver and their family a unique opportunity while demonstrating the City of Lancaster is completely behind the sport of karting. This driver will help spread the word about the event as we work to bring more and more racers to our city.”

Kutscher added, “The chosen driver will be someone who is a professional, both on and off the track, and represent the city the right way. We will announce the winner during the podium presentations at the conclusion of the Lancaster Grand Prix this September.”

The chase for a 2013 California ProKart Challenge championship is setting up to be a hotly contested competition, judging by the opening round held at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Billy Musgrave pulled off a near perfect score in his Extreme Karting/Vemme S1 Pro Stock Moto debut at Buttonwillow. Aside from qualifying, the 2012 S2 SuperNats winner led the way and leads the early standings over defending champ Jimmy McNeil and Ryon Beachner. Robert Marks was the S4 title winner a year ago in the series, and won in his debut moving up to the Buddy Rice Karting S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto class. Battling with Texan Connor Wagner, Marks outlasted the young driver to score the opening round win. Colorado pilot Christian Schureman sits second, with Wagner third in the points. The first event of the 2013 season welcomed 31 drivers in the Pure Karting TaG Senior division, all chasing Senior rookie Alex Keyes. The NorCal transplant via Michigan made his series debut with a stunning performance, winning both heat races and the main event. Last year’s rookie standout Austin Elliott finished second, with Missouri’s Mason Daughters in third.

Another Billy was almost perfect in the Mike Manning Karting TaG Master class, as three-time SuperNationals winner Billy Cleavelin showed the way most of the day at round one. He was at the front in all sessions, except heat two, but found his way back to the lead as the checkers waved in the Final. Kevin Manning won the lone heat race from Cleavelin, placing second in the feature, with Ethan Wilson rounding out the podium. The Leading Edge Motorsports S4 Master Stock Moto division also welcomed a first-time winner, as Mike Mantel climbed his way from 13th in qualifying to standing on the top spot of the podium at the end of the day. Rob Logan recovered from contact in heat one, driving up to second, with NorCal’s Jim Kidd in third, sitting second in the points behind Mantel. Luke Bianco swept the Leading Edge Motorsports S4 Magnum Stock Moto class in round one, with Will Vogel scoring the win in the 2 Wild Karting S3 Novice Stock Moto division.
Brendan Baker was able to fend off the challengers in the Phil Giebler Racing TaG Junior class, earning a near perfect score in Buttonwillow. He held back Christian Brooks and Willy Axton for the victory to lead the standings after the opening event. Jarred Campbell was victorious in S5 Junior Stock Moto, sponsored by SwedeTech Racing Engines. He edged out defending champion Carter Williams for his first series win, with Garrett Dixon earning a podium trip in his first class start. The Sunshine Daydream Creations TaG Cadet class welcomed a record-breaking 22 drivers in the opening round, led by series newcomer Jonathan Shone. The class rookie scored the feature race over Trenton Sparks, who enters Willow Springs as the point leader by just five points.
Pre-entry for Round 2 of the California ProKart Challenge is available now at www.skusastore.com until midnight on Wednesday, February 27. Racers will hit the track Friday, March 1 as the California PKC will host a full day of practice, run from 9am to 5pm. No reserved pit spots will be provided on the weekend, with move-in scheduled to start Thursday afternoon. Overnight camping is available at the track at no charge, and discounts are available at local hotels as listed at the SKUSA event page. See all event details at the following link (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/california-pkc/event-calendar/round-2-2013.html). SKUSA would like to remind competitors of the $10 gate fee due to the track for all attendees, which does not include the PKC spectator passes.
Superkarts! USA would like the thank the following companies, in addition to the support of the class sponsors, for their aid toward the 2013 season: MG Tires, Mothers Polish, Honda/HPD, VP Racing Fuels, Motul, MIR, and AiM. Stayed tuned to www.superkartsusa.com for any late breaking news on the event, as well as updates on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROKART CHALLENGE ANNOUNCES 2013 SCHEDULE

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:37:50 -0500

Superkarts! USA regional program to host seven rounds of racing at four facilities

TEMECULA, CA – The Rocky Mountain area has experienced growth in the sport of karting, thanks in part to a strong core of racers, popular facilities, and hosting the SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals for the past two season. Superkarts! USA is always looking to improve, while also providing the most exciting and customer-friendly race weekends to provide the true SKUSA experience. The 2013 Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge is expanding to a seven round program, visiting four fantastic circuits.
“The 2013 Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge is a culmination of numerous people coming together towards a common goal, a true regional series where a racer can test themselves against the best in the area,” commented SKUSA National Operations Director Stan Bryniarski. “The track owners, series competitors and industry members have all voiced their opinions and concerns, and now we are moving forward. We had more interest in this year’s series than ever, and we will be working throughout the year to broaden our relationship with all groups in the area for the future. If the numbers continue to grow and the series support continues to increase, we could see more races and venues added for 2014. We welcome all racers to come out and see what the program has to offer. The area is a hotbed for karting, thanks to supportive facilities and a thriving regional program. Now with this year’s plan in place, we feel the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge can take karting to the next level.”
The 2013 program for the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge – in addition to all nine SKUSA regional classes – will include the seven categories of the United States Rotax Max Challenge. Drivers competing in the Rotax classes can secure ‘punches’ that count toward participation in the United States Rotax Grand Nationals, held the first week of August in North Carolina. Those racing in the SKUSA divisions will qualify for SuperNationals Priority Registration benefits, along with class champions earning the Guaranteed SuperSunday Grid Positions for the Las Vegas event (class must average five racers for the year in order to receive SuperSunday ticket).
For 2013, the championship will be a seven-round program, counting the best six races toward the point standings. The first stop will visit the first-class Miller Motorsports Park facility – site of the 2012 SKUSA SummerNationals – on May 3-5 for the opening two rounds. Stop number two will take racers back to the IMI Motorsports Complex – a familiar stop for regional racing in the Rocky Mountain states – on May 24-25 for one round of racing. The third facility on the 2013 schedule is the Grand Junction Motor Speedway. The western Colorado course will host rounds four and five on July 5-7, serving as a warm-up event for the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals, scheduled two weeks later. The final two rounds send the series to The Track at Centennial – site of the 2012 Pan American Challenge event – on August 16-18. A series banquet is schedule for the night of the final day of competition in Englewood, Colorado, with details forthcoming.

2013 Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge Schedule
Round 1 & 2: May 3-5 - Miller Motorsports Park - Tooele, Utah
Round 3: May 24-25 - IMI Motorsports Complex - Dacono, Colorado
Round 4 & 5: July 5-7 - Grand Junction Motor Speedway - Grand Junction, Colorado
Round 6 & 7: August 16-18 - The Track at Centennial - Englewood, Colorado

The Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge online store will open and begin accepting discounted pre-registration for Rounds 1 & 2 on April 1 (www.skusastore.com). To follow updates regarding the 2013 program, be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.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 five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE REACHES RECORD NUMBERS FOR BUTTONWILLOW

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 08:04:45 -0500

150 entries kick off 2013 season as young guns star at opening event

TEMECULA, CA – The California ProKart Challenge began the 2013 season for the Superkarts! USA organization as the flagship regional program hosted its opening round at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park on February 1-2. A record number of entries for the program under the SKUSA banner converged on the Buttonwillow, California facility, with drivers coming from as far as Texas, Hawaii and Canada to fill out the 150 total for the event.
“This weekend was just exciting,” stated Superkarts! USA President and California PKC promoter Tom Kutscher. “It was incredible to have 150 drivers and their families in the paddock. The atmosphere was so cool, and everybody was having a great time. It felt like the early days of the ProKart Challenge, people just out at the track for the love of the sport. The racing was outstanding, and to have the numbers we did across the board was awesome.”
The racing was exciting, with some recognizable names and some new faces at the front of the fields on the weekend. A familiar name was at the top of the Pure Karting TaG Senior qualifying sheets, as defending S1 champ Fritz Leesmann returned to the TaG ranks with fast lap of the session. His 48.486-second lap was quicker then young drivers Austin DeMent and NorCal transplant from Michigan Alex Keyes – making his TaG Senior debut. Leesmann set the pace early on in heat one, but Keyes took over the point and went on to score the win. Leesmann sat on his bumper to the checkered flag, with former PKC champ Travis Lowe running third. Keyes led the entire second heat race, pulling away to a three-second advantage as Lowe edged out Leesmann for the runner-up spot. Leesmann was the early charger in the 20-lap main event, taking over the lead from Keyes on lap three, but retired a lap later when with a broken coil wire. Keyes retook the top spot and would hold the position to the checkered flag, scoring his first PKC victory. Austin Elliott advanced up from eighth to second, scoring the fast lap of the race, while Mason Daughters recovered from 12th on the grid to place third. Mason Marotta and Jess Peterson rounded out the top five.
Billy Musgrave marked his SKUSA SuperNationals debut with a victory, and opened up the 2013 season with a solid weekend in his Extreme Karting/Vemme S1 Pro Stock Moto debut by scoring a near perfect event. Ryon Beachner opened the day with the fast lap in qualifying, posting a 47.114-second lap. Defending series champion Jimmy McNeil was second, with Musgrave third. A great jump by Musgrave propelled him into the lead on the opening lap of heat one, and he went on to lead all 10 laps for the win. Beachner was second with McNeil back to third. Musgrave put a stamp on his opening event in the S1 category, winning the second heat and going wire-to-wire in the feature race for a five-second victory. McNeil and Beachner continued swapping, with McNeil getting the advantage in the feature for the runner-up spot as Beachner ran to third. Alec Gumpfer ended his opening weekend in S1 category in fourth, with fellow Hawaiian native Cody Hodgson making his return to PKC action in fifth.
The Buddy Rice Karting S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto looked like a SKUSA Pro Tour race with 20 drivers on the grid in Buttonwillow welcoming a number of new faces to the category, but it was defending PKC S4 champion Robert Marks that showed the way at the end of the day. Marks qualified fourth overall in the S1/S2 combined grouping, edging out Texan Connor Wagner for the pole position in class by five-hundredths of a second. Wagner got the better of Marks in heat one, jumping off the line in first and leading all 10 laps. The two got off the line together to begin heat two, but Wagner held off Marks early on and to the checkered flag for the win. They continued running 1-2 in the feature, but got mixed in with an S1 driver late in the race with Wagner putting a kart between him and Marks. Wagner led up until lap 18 when his engine seized, giving Marks the lead and the victory as he crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of Vivek Tandon and Troy Diede.
Despite the departure of some racers in the Leading Edge Motorsports S4 Master Stock Moto class, 17 drivers filled the grid for round one. Returning driver Fernando Diaz went right back to where he was before taking some time away from the PKC, at the top of the time charts in qualifying with a 48.339-second lap. Rob Logan and Ken Schilling completed the top-three in the session. Logan retired early on in heat one with an airbox issue, leaving Diaz alone out front for the win – with Schilling a few seconds behind in second. Those two, however, retired early in heat two as contact spun both drivers around and out of the race. This put Jim Kidd and Mike Mantel, who worked his way forward after qualifying 13th, at the front of the field. Kidd edged out Mantel for the race win, with Brad Dhesi a close third. Mantel grabbed the holeshot to lead the opening laps of the Main Event, while Rob Logan began his charge from the back of the field. Logan would make it all the way to the front by lap seven with the fast laps of the race, and would dice with Mantel a few more times before regaining the lead on lap 13 and holding onto the position to the checkered. Logan, however, would be moved to second on podium for passing under a yellow flag during the race. That placed Mantel on top of the podium with Logan dropped to second, as Kidd, Dhesi, and Darrell Tunnell completed the top five.
The Mike Manning Karting TaG Master category saw defending champion Billy Cleavelin on top, as the three-time SuperNationals winner started the new season with the feature victory. Cleavelin was quickest in qualifying, laying down the only sub-50 second lap, with Paul Bonilla and Ethan Wilson not far off his time. Cleavelin held off a charge from Kevin Manning in heat one, but Manning struck in heat two as he scored the win. Cleavelin fell to the tail of the field on the opening lap and fought his way to fifth behind Steve Dzurilla, Paul Grey, and PKC newcomer Terry Chen. Contact between Wilson and Bonilla put them down to ninth and tenth in the order in the race. It took Cleavelin nine laps in the feature to return back to the top spot, working around Manning for the position. From there, he pulled out to a two-second advantage over Manning for the victory. Wilson bounced back to finish third, with Dzurilla and Bonilla capping off the top five.
Brenden Baker swept the opening weekend in the Phil Giebler Racing TaG Junior class, but not without a fight all day. Baker showed the way in the timed session with a lap of 49.447, edging out defending champ Carter Williams by less than a tenth of a second. A great battle in the first heat put the top four within one second at the line, as Baker scored the win ahead of Christian Brooks, Noah Grey and Williams. Baker ran away with the race in heat two thanks to some early contact shuffling up the field behind him, pulling out to a four-second advantage after 10 laps. Brooks recovered to finish second with Willy Axton in third. Williams, who finished fifth in heat two, charged early in the Main Event as he put the pressure on Baker. The two went back and forth throughout the 20 laps, coming down to the final lap when Carter experienced motor issues. Baker secured the lead with a pass in turn two, and held on to score the victory, as Brooks and Axton drove past Williams to the podium.
NorCal driver Jarred Campbell scored his first feature victory in S5 Junior Stock Moto, sponsored by SwedeTech Racing Engines. Defending champ Carter Williams was the top qualifier (48.461), and drove to the win in heat one. Heat two saw Campbell continue charging forward after a tough qualifying effort. He took the lead on lap three and sped away with the win, as Williams trailed on his back bumper. The two continued to show the way in the feature race, with Williams leading early on before Campbell retook the spot. They ran nose-to-tail the entire race, with Campbell able to edge out Williams for the victory. Garrett Dixon completed the podium in his S5 debut. In the same race group, Luke Bianco won the Leading Edge Motorsports S4 Magnum Stock Moto division, outrunning Ken Manning and Harris Koenig while the 2 Wild Karting S3 Novice Stock Moto division saw William Vogel score the win.
The TaG Cadet class, sponsored by Sunshine Daydream Creations, welcomed its largest field ever with 22 drivers lined up on the weekend, thanks in part to the new Mini Rok engine program SKUSA and Vortex offered up for the 2013 season. Some of the new faces were seen at the front of the field, with Jonathan Shone securing the top spot in qualifying with a solid lap of 54.158 seconds. The opening heat race would be Trenton Sparks at the front after Shone dropped down the order on the opening lap. Sparks led all 10 laps to score the win by six seconds. Shone came back in the second heat, running down Sparks to take the lead on lap nine and earning the win. Shone proved to be too much for the competition in the Main Event, pulling away and leading all 13 laps for his first PKC victory. Sparks was a solid second, with PKC newcomer Myles Farhan completing the podium. Ryan Schartau and Oliver Calvo put four new TaG Cadet drivers in the top five.
The California ProKart Challenge will continue on March 1-2 as the series hosts round two at the Willow Spring International Raceway in Rosamond, California. Superkarts! USA would like the thank the following companies, in addition to the support of the class sponsors, for their aid toward the 2013 season: MG Tires, Mothers Polish, Honda/HPD, VP Racing Fuels, Motul, MIR, and AiM. Stayed tuned to www.superkartsusa.com for information on round two, as well as updates on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

SUPERKARTS! USA MOVES 2013 SPRINGNATIONALS TO TUCSON

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:04:37 -0500

April 12-14 event shifts south to Musselman Honda Circuit to host event for second time, one California ProKart Challenge location changed as well

TEMECULA, CA – Per the 2013 schedule, Superkarts! USA is just three months away from kicking off this year’s SKUSA Pro Tour program in Phoenix. However, due to disappointing circumstances, SKUSA must now relocate the event. Originally scheduled for the PKRA facility in Phoenix, Arizona for the April 12-14 weekend, SKUSA has been forced to make a change in location to the Musselman Honda Circuit, located outside Tucson, Arizona -- site of the 2011 SKUSA SpringNationals. The three-day event that hosts the first two rounds of the SKUSA Pro Tour will remain on the same weekend as scheduled, just a few hours further south than originally announced.
“First off, I’d like to apologize to our racers and teams that support the SKUSA Pro Tour,” stated Superkarts! USA President Tom Kutscher. “We set our schedule well ahead of time, and unfortunately issues came up that forced us to make this move. After a successful SpringNationals at the PKRA course in 2012, we agreed to return for this coming year. Things were moving in the right direction, until a recent decision made by the PKRA Board of Directors did not uphold the terms we presented to them for hosting the SpringNationals 2013. This forced us to move the event, and Tucson was the obvious choice, as Charlie and the entire Musselman Honda Circuit staff have welcomed us back. We understand that teams and drivers have testing schedules and that travel arrangements have to be made – this is why we wanted to alert everyone as soon as this decision was made.”
With the change to the SKUSA Pro Tour schedule, Superkarts! USA has also made an adjustment to the schedule for the California ProKart Challenge, which was to visit the same PKRA facility. That event – originally scheduled for March 1-2 – will move to the kart track at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California. The remainder of the six-race California PKC series remains unchanged, scheduled to open on February 1-2 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California. The now second weekend at the Willow Springs course on May 31-June 1 will be contested in the reverse direction.
“It was our original goal to expand our California ProKart Challenge into Arizona to help further build the SKUSA name in the state – as we have a number of racers and teams that call the state ‘home’ – in addition to being able to provide a SKUSA Pro Tour warm-up event. Unfortunately, the change to the Pro Tour location necessitated an adjustment to our PKC plan. This year’s schedule is similar to that of last year, with six challenging courses.”
The 2013 program of the California PKC is projected to award over $70,000 in prizes this season – including prizes from MG Tires, VP Fuel, Mothers Polish, and Honda Performance Development (HPD), along with trips to the Granja Viana 500 and Rok Cup International Finals events – while also providing the lowest ‘cost per lap’ ratio anywhere in the state of California. The SKUSA SuperNationals XVII Priority Pre-Entry Program and guaranteed starting positions on SuperSunday for all ProKart Challenge champions are other compliments while racing the California ProKart Challenge in 2013.
Pre-entry for the opening round of the California ProKart Challenge is available now at www.skusastore.com, with registration forms for the 2013 SKUSA SpringNationals to be made available by March 1. Superkarts! USA would like to remind competitors to send in their membership applications and license renewals for the 2013 season, as well. Make sure to check www.superkartsusa.com for more news on the SKUSA Pro Tour and all of the ProKart Challenge events in your area, as well as updates on Twitter at @SuperKartsUSA and at Facebook.com/SKUSA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting five regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Utah, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2013, the organization will be promoting the fourth edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Colorado, all leading up 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.

CRG-USA BAGS S2 PRO TOUR TITLE AT SKUSA SUPERNATIONALS XVI

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 07:48:45 -0500

Sabre Cook leads team with runner-up finish and championship

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – In only their second season as a true team, the youngest CRG importer in North America went head-to-head with the big guns of the karting industry last weekend in Las Vegas. CRG-USA pulled into the parking lot of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino for the 16th running of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals and came away with podium finishes and the prestigious S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto championship thanks to the performance of team driver Sabre Cook. It was the culmination of a successful year for the upstart squad.
Heading into Vegas, the Grand Junction, Colorado based team had plenty of expectations, as well as lots of karts riding in their trailer. Providing support to 20 drivers, CRG-USA had one of the strongest presences at the world’s largest karting event.
The first class to hit the track was the backbone of SKUSA racing, the seasoned S4 drivers. Leading the charge for CRG-USA in the Stock Honda Masters class was SoCal racer Robert Marks. Marks put his CRG on the front row of his respective heat races after clicking off the second fastest lap in his group’s qualifying session on Friday afternoon. Marks ran in the top-five in his first two heat races to gain a solid starting position on SuperSunday, but after botching the start in the main, he had to come back aggressively to salvage a hard fought eighth place. Fellow SoCal racer Darrell Tunnell entered Vegas putting a ribbon on his first year running under the CRG-USA tent. Tunnell recorded a top-10 in his first heat race, and went on to finish 26th in the main event. Jet Davis came in to the Rio knowing that he was guaranteed to see the starting grid on Sunday, thanks to winning the S4 title in the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge (RMPKC). Davis had what could only be described as a rough weekend. Qualifying 18th in a stacked field of 68 entries, Davis struggled to crack the top 15 for the rest of the run. Recording a weekend high finish of 14th in the third heat race, Davis finished his SuperNats weekend in 28th on Sunday.
Two drivers making their respective debuts with CRG-USA drove to top-15 finishes in the S4 category. Former Team USA Rotax Grand Finals team member Derek Wang was among the quickest at the event. After he qualified tenth overall, a wreck in one of the heat races dropped him down the order for the main event. He recovered to score an impressive 14th place finish in his S4 debut. Tim Ulmen enjoyed his first event with Team CRG-USA by recording a 12th place in the feature race. The Florida driver qualified 19th and was able to improve it to 17th for the start of the main even. Ulmen put three CRG-USA drivers inside the top-15, a solid accomplishment for the second year operation.
In one of the closest and most competitive classes of the weekend - TaG Cadet - CRG-USA only had one driver carrying the black and orange banner. Factory driver, and ball of energy, Riley Cook was making his first trip to the SuperNats and played the role with enthusiasm. Cook, like other RMPKC racers, was coming off a regional championship, so he knew his spot in the main on Sunday was safe. After a dismal qualifying effort, Cook held is own against the national talent. Cook showed poise after a lap one incident causing him to finish last in the second heat race. The youngest driver under the tent drove from a dead last starting spot on the grid Sunday to finish a respectable 25th in class.
In S5 Junior Stock Moto, CRG-USA fielded three young shifter pilots. Last year’s third place points finisher and SuperNats runner-up in S5, Ryan Rudolph, was making what is expected to be his last race for quite some time. The young and talented Mianna Wick stepped up to the plate in her second SuperNats, switching from TaG Junior last year, to Junior Stock Moto, while Yigal Rached raced with the team in Vegas as well. Wick just missed the top-10 in qualifying with an 11th place effort, while Rudolph sat two spots behind his teammate on the grid in 13th. Both youngsters had strong runs in the first heat. Rudolph beat Wick to the checkers by one spot as he came home seventh, and Wick eighth. The two teammates stuck together again in the finishing order for the second heat race, but unfortunately, this time they were on the opposite end of the grid. The main saw Wick crash out in the first lap, while Rudolph went on to finish a solid 10th place. Rached brought his #33 CRG home in 14th place on Sunday after Qualifying 16th then running 19th, 12th and12th thru the heat races. The talented Mexican driver finished between his two teammates in 14th place in the final.
Brendan Baker and Chase McDaniel represented the CRG-USA brand in a record breaking TaG Junior class in Vegas. Chase McDaniel had a down right rough weekend at his first Supernats event. Chase showed signs of speed but did not have luck on his side and missed the start to his first heat race after a poor qualifying weekend, the young TaG driver did not make the grid for his third heat race, or the LCQ. Brendan Baker had his share of ups and downs getting as high as 5th in the opening heat race before making contact with a driver on the last lap and dropping to 18th. He came back to finish in the top ten in his last two heat races with two 8th place finishes and then drove to a 17th place finish in the final. Baker did however come home with a 3rd in the National Championship point's chase.
In TaG Master Sandrei Da Silva from Brazil steered through a NASCAR sized field of 43 drivers. Da Silva had a weekend that he is not likely to write home about. A dead last place finish in the third heat race put him in the back for the main on Sunday, in which he salvaged a 17th place finish.
Sabre Cook came in to Vegas as the national point leader in the highly competitive S2 class in the Pro Tour. Accompanied by a pair of teammates, and long time Mountain Region racers Jack Bradley and Ben Schermerhorn, the trio sought Vegas glory. Cook shot into the early lead from her P2 starting spot and her and eventual winner Billy Musgrave pulled away from the field to wage their own battle for the win. Cook played it smart and did not put up much of a fight as she settled for 2nd and the National Championship! It was history in the making, as she became the first female ever to win a Pro Tour title. Bradley and Schermerhorn stayed close together under the CRG-USA tent as well as on the track. Both recorded solid top-20 results, as Schermerhorn claimed a 15th place finish and Bradley came home 20th.
S1 showcased the largest field of CRG-USA drivers on the weekend. Leading the way in qualifying for the team was Northwest racer Joey Wimsett followed up directly by two fellow CRG-USA drivers, Vegas native Matt Jaskol and S4 convert Jimmy McNeil. Last year’s S2 Pro Tour champion Kyle Hathcox struggled and spent most of the weekend chasing the track. Wimsett capped off a strong weekend with a fourth place finish on Sunday to earn himself the #2 SKUSA plate for 2013 with his runner-up in the Pro Tour standings. Jaskol spent a good part of his weekend racing with old teammate and NASCAR racer AJ Allmendinger, earning him a 13th place finish, two spots in front Hathcox. Jimmy McNeil was racing within the top-10 when contact forced the California ProKart Challenge champion to fail to reach the checkered flag and was classified 20th in class.
In the premiere class of the SuperNats, KZ2, Ron White waved the banner for CRG-USA. White stuck his CRG just outside the top ten in an incredibly stacked field of international drivers. Recording a weekend high of finishing ninth in the first heat, White was only able to complete four laps after contact between he and fellow American Gary Carlton ended Whites race early.
CRG-USA owner Stacey Cook summed up the weekend as simply as he could, “I just feel blessed to have such a great team and drivers! We felt our program at the SuperNationals was among the most professionally run operations in the paddock. We had some of the most experienced and successful people in the karting industry leading us - CRG factory driver and 5-time world Champion Davide Foré acting as drivers coach and Euan Jeffrey, a CRG Factory Team manager working with us. We recorded some strong results and took home some hardware in the Pro Tour standings. It was an excellent way to wrap up the 2012 season.”
CRG-USA is an official K1 RaceGear and MG Tires race team, and ready to provide the best trackside service in 2013 at the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour, the Rotax Challenge of the Americas, Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge and other selected events and series. The company is also continuing to add to its growing dealer network with new locations throughout the United States. If you are interested in becoming part of the CRG-USA network, or becoming part of this growing professional race team, please contact Stacey Cook at info@CRG-USA.com or phone 855-TEAMCRG.

About CRG-USA:
Located at the Grand Junction Motors Speedway in Colorado, CRG-USA is the newest importer for the CRG chassis brand. Operated by Stacey Cook, the company will focus their distribution and marketing on the western and central portion of the United States. In addition, the operation is fielding a national race team program through the 2012 season at all the major karting events on the year. If you want to race with the best product in karting, jump on board with CRG-USA today. Visit www.crg-usa.com or phone 855-TEAMCRG (832-6274).

TEAM ALUMINOS PREPARED FOR SKUSA SUPERNATIONALS XVI

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:34:06 -0500

Nine drivers to represent Northern California operation in Las Vegas

SAN RAMON, CA – Team Aluminos/PSL Karting will travel to Las Vegas for the prestigious Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XVI outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on November 14-18. The Northern California operation has put in the extra hours and track time preparing each driver and their ride for the biggest event in the karting world. Each prep time tailored around the needs of each driver and kart, the Aluminos staff has put in every effort to ensure all nine drivers will be in contention for SuperNationals glory.
Defending SKUSA Pro Tour S1 champion Daniel Bray returns to Las Vegas looking for something he has yet to achieve, a SKUSA SuperNationals victory. The New Zealand driver was the quickest driver a year ago, having to overcome a number of circumstances to claw his way back to third place. This year, the GP driver has traveled across the world competing in events, all leading up to this week. A tough SummerNationals put him behind in the title chase, entering the Pro Tour finale in third, but a victory in Vegas can improve his position. Aluminos has scored victory at the SuperNationals in Stock Moto category with leading driver coach Tom Dyer behind the wheel. Dyer will once again pilot an Aluminos-prepared GP entry in search of his third victory to put him in elite status for the SKUSA SuperNationals.
Aluminos will support two drivers in the S2 Semi-Pro category. Colorado driver Austin Schimmel is looking to complete his first Senior season on a high note. The 2011 S5 Junior Stock Moto Pro Tour champion and SuperNationals winner has had a challenging first year in the category, but has shown the speed to compete for a podium aboard his Aluminos-prepared GP kart. Mexican driver Allan Cesarman will compete in his first SuperNationals. The 15-year old has spent time with the Aluminos squad in Northern California, preparing for the event and will join Schimmel aboard an Aluminos-prepared GP kart.
Jonathon Allen will be the lone S4 Master Stock Moto entry for Aluminos. The Californian has been quick throughout the 2012 season, and is looking to improve on his two DNF results from the past two years at the SuperNationals. Marcus Armstrong will round out the stock moto group for Aluminos. The 12-year old New Zealand Yamaha champion will compete in the S5 Stock Moto at his first SuperNationals.
Larry Fraser and Jeff Deehan will compete in the TaG Master category under the Aluminos tent. Fraser, who carries the #3 SKUSA plate from his results in 2011, has only recorded a best finish of 10th in the past four SuperNationals. Moving over to a Tony Kart, and with the assistance of the Aluminos tent, Fraser is expecting a chance at the podium this year. Deehan will make his third straight SuperNationals start, his first working with Aluminos. He will pilot his personal Rosso Korsa kart with guidance from the Aluminos staff. Also joining Aluminos for the first time is NorCal driver Jason Pettit. The TaG Cadet driver scored a victory at the SummerNationals in Utah in his Pro Tour debut and is looking for the same as he makes his first SuperNationals start.
Team Aluminos/PSL Karting is a proficient operation that can formulate arrive and drive programs, driver coaching services, or customized tailored programs to fit your needs in either Stock Moto or TaG categories with your personal kart or one of the many options available from the Northern California operation. If you are already planning for events in 2013, be sure to visit www.Aluminos.com for more information on their professional race team operation and also ShopAluminos.com for new and used chassis listings.

About Aluminos:
Started as a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in kart racing specific products, the San Ramon, CA based operation created its racing team toward the end of the 2007 season. Led by Rob Soares, Aluminos has put together the essential pieces to help groom drivers of any age to reach their personal goals. Driver coaches Tom Dyer and Fritz Leesmann - both successful karters - teamed with their in-house Stock Moto program led by engine guru George Tavares, the Aluminos Trackside Support and Arrive & Drive program is above any other outfit in the country. Their results convey the success achieved by a number of drivers under the Aluminos tent with multiple ProKart Challenge series victories and championships, in addition to the two straight years of SKUSA Pro Tour championships. Aluminos has formed a relationship with PSL Karting, the leading CRG distributor in the world, to offer the best karting product line available. Find out more at www.aluminos.com and the new www.shopaluminos.com for new and used products on-sale from the respected operation.

SOLID ROSTER SET FOR SKUSA SUPERNATIONALS XVI UNDER ROLISON PERFORMANCE GROUP TENT

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 10:31:01 -0500

NEWBERG, OR – The Rolison Performance Group has traveled across the country, working with drivers of all ages toward their goals for the 2012 season. For many, the final journey comes next week as the operation heads to the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour finale - the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI. From Rotax Max Challenge, to Pacific Northwest local and regional events, RPG has reached a wide variety of accomplishments on and off the track. From November 14-18, all attention will be centered on the 10 drivers representing the RPG banner outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
A championship could be on the horizon come Sunday evening following the action in the TaG Junior category. Rolison Performance Group driver Luke Selliken enters Las Vegas as the SKUSA Pro Tour point leader. By a slim 15 point margin, Selliken has little room for error at the biggest karting event in the world. All the hard work Luke and the entire RPG staff put in throughout the 2012 season comes to this point. A strong list of drivers will join Selliken in the category, including season-long teammate Jake Preston. The Renton, Washington driver is currently ranked #1 in the eKartingNews.com US Rotax Driver Rankings for Junior Max. If his top-five performances at the SummerNationals are any hint to what he’ll do in Vegas aboard his RPG Kosmic, we should see Preston fighting for a podium finish on SuperSunday.
Fellow Washington driver Davey Manthei Jr. has worked with the RPG staff at regional events in the past, and is making the full commitment with Rolison and the Kosmic brand for the SuperNationals. Manthei enters Vegas sixth in TaG Junior title chase with a strong chase of finishing the year inside the top-five following a solid outing at the SuperNationals. Northern California driver Blaine Rocha, a former teammate of Manthei, is making the switch to RPG and Kosmic for the SuperNationals and the 2013 season. Rocha is seventh in the Pro Tour standings and claimed the Northern California ProKart Challenge TaG Junior title in 2011.
Representing and working with Rolison Performance Group during the morning sessions are Bruce McKean, Andrew Evans and Brody Zink. McKean is making his second start in the S4 Master Stock Moto class at the SuperNationals, placing eighth in TaG Masters four years ago. After 10 years in the sport, he’s gained a number of local and regional titles along the way, looking to improve on his performance SuperNats performance from last year. Evans is a young driver looking to take in the knowledge from Rolison and the entire staff. Placing eighth last year and entering the Pro Tour finale eighth in the championship standings, Andrew is hoping the move under the RPG tent and a move to the Kosmic chassis takes him to the podium. Zink is another young gun looking to step up his talents behind the wheel. Finishing up his rookie Senior season, the Nevada pilot is taking on the challenging TaG Senior field for the first time aboard a RPG Kosmic machine.
Parker McKean - a winner this winter at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas with Rolison Performance Group - will round out the shifterkart roster for race team in Las Vegas. He made his SKUSA Pro Tour debut at the SummerNationals this year with impressive seventh place finishes both days. He’s set to improve on his 20th place finish in the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto category from a year ago. Rounding out the drivers working with the RPG staff is TaG Master pilot Robby Mott and TaG Cadet star Sting Ray Robb. Mott will join the Rolison Performance Group tent aboard his personal kart, which clinched the Texas ProKart Challenge championship. Robb has been working with the RPG staff all season, and is hoping to climb up the standings of the Pro Tour standings with a solid finish to the year.
Rolison Performance Group operation is geared around each and every customer. From Arrive-and-Drive packages, driver coaching opportunities or kart transportation and tent space, RPG can provide the service you need. Those looking to get a jump start on the 2013 season are suggested to contact Rolison now for driver development and coaching programs today. To learn more about the Rolison Performance Group, visit www.rolisonperformancegroup.com for more about their services and products available or find them at www.facebook.com/RolisonPerformanceGroup

About Rolison Performance Group:
Rolison Performance Group is a leading race team and prep shop in American karting, and is also a Rotax Service Center and a Kosmic chassis dealer. Owner Mike Rolison, known as “Roli” at the racetrack, has built a career coaching some of the best kart racers on the West Coast. Over the past decade, he has helped 100′s of drivers and mechanics improve their craft. Mike brings world class driving and coaching experience to every racer he works with. Whether you are competing on the local, regional, national or world stage Roli’s driving and tuning instruction will improve your abilities and results. RPG provides trackside support and arrive-and-drive programs for many series, including the Challenge of the Americas, US Rotax Grand Nationals, Pan-American Challenge, SKUSA Pro Tour, Northwest ProKart Challenge and the SKUSA SuperNationals. The team is a Kosmic chassis and product line dealer and is proud to campaign karts on the regional and national stage. Bookmark www.rolisonperformancegroup.com today.

TK AMERICA SET FOR SKUSA SUPERNATS XVI

Mon, 5 Nov 2012 15:08:09 -0500

TK America, an independent Tony Kart team with long product and factory connections, announces their driver lineup for the SuperKarts! USA 16th annual SuperNats at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino. For the November 14th- 18th event the team is set with an all-out effort for wins in 6 classes with 17 drivers. All drivers will be utilizing OTK products of Tony Kart and Kosmic chassis. Verde Speed Resources & TK America will be supplying the team will all support and products as well as any others in need of retail Tony Kart and OTK products.
Three drivers are slated for battle in Tag Sr, Joel Jens, Devin Lindsey, and Marco Tulio. Manitowoc Wisconsin’s, Jens enters the event 5th in SKUSA ProTour points and is looking to continue his streak of impressive finishes in the past two events held earlier in the year. Team Tuner, Tiffin Willareth, will be at the wrenches for Jens. California’s Devin Lindsey is always a threat in the class with a 6th place finish last year in the prestigious event and a great race in the last SKUSA Streets of Landcaster event. Marco Tulio is the third entrant in the class for the TK America effort
For the prestigious KZ Shifter class three drivers are entered; Ryon Beachner, Arthur Ortolani, and Guilherme Sallas. Laguna Hills California’s Beachner looks to do battle again, as he completed in the class last year. Brazilian’s, Ortolani and Sallas look to battle with some of the world’s best shifter drivers.
Curtis Paul makes the switch from the Tag Jr division to the Junior Shifter class for this year’s SuperNats. Paul hopes to take his SwedeTech prepared mount S5 entry to a great finish. Team Manager, John Gilbert, will assist Paul as he has all year. Having worked with many young Tony Kart drivers thru the years, Gilbert is no beginner to the SuperNats experience.
S4 will have the strongest presence in the TK America tent with 5 drivers competing in this class of 80 entries. Returning competitor Christian Bartz will join Team Principle, Eduardo Martins in switching over to the class from last year’s G1 entries. Martins finished 2nd in G1 and looks to bring the win home in S4 . Joining them will be long time FWT entrant Vicki Brian, of Florida, as well as Pedro Serrano and Jorge Borrelli, both of South America.
Tag Masters will be represented by 4 drivers, including Jorge Borrelli, who will be doing double duty over the week. Borelli is making a return back to the Tag Masters class and brings with him Roberto Pasqualini and Fernando Guzzi who also are returning from last year. Making a new appearance will be Munir Aboissa.
Tag junior will be once again have Joao Viera entered. Viera won the event in 2010 and was the fast qualifier in 2011. Looking to bring home the win again, Viera is poised to be a front runner as always.
Support crews play an important role in the week-long event and TK America could not do it without the countless efforts of Sergio Vasquez (equipment manager) Michelle Vasquez (hospitality) David Vasquez (translator) Pete Coberly (TAG engineer) and Neil Hodgson (KZ/S4 engineer.
Several spots are still available for anyone looking to team up with TK America for the event. Any interested parties competing on OTK product that are still in need of pit/tent support should contact John Gilbert at 831-229-7927 or jgincalif@gmail.com Be sure to stop by the tent for any parts and supplies needed for your OTK chassis throughout the event. From complete chassis to the smallest part, everything will be available.

SUPERKARTS! USA PRIZE PACKAGE NEARS $100,000 FOR SUPERNATIONALS XVI

Thu, 1 Nov 2012 08:00:35 -0400

Nine categories set to do battle for cash and prizes at 16th annual event in Las Vegas, Nevada

TEMECULA, CA – Now just two weeks away from the opening day of competition for the SuperNationals XVI presented by MG Tires, Superkarts! USA is pleased to announce the current prize package for this year’s event. The 16th running of the SuperNationals, which is set to take place at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on November 14-18, will cap the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour series and will shell out roughly $100,000 in cash and prizes to make the event one of the most lucrative in North America in 2012.

The nearly $100,000 prize package includes cash, contingencies, SKUSA’s ‘Circle of Champions’ program, and numerous products that have been provided by a number of supporting companies. Nearly half of the value that is on the table in Vegas will be actual prize money, as an astounding $42,000 is set to be awarded on SuperSunday. The three ‘Pro’ classes on the schedule – S1, KZ2, and TaG Senior – will see the top-five awarded healthy checks for their accomplishments. The international KZ2 category will once again vie for a total purse of $20,000 – with a stunning $10,000 going to the victor. Both S1 and TaG Senior will be gunning for the $2,000 check that will be provided to the driver standing on the top spot of the podium, and the rest of the top-five in each category will split the balance of the $5,000 class purses. Another $12,000 will be awarded in the SKUSA Pro Tour Points Fund, as the champion in the S1 and TaG Senior categories will leave Vegas with a $3,000 paycheck. The vice-champion takes home $2,000 while the third place driver in the final standings will be awarded $1,000. As always, SKUSA’s Patti Kutscher will be providing the winners with the actual checks during the awards presentations on Sunday night – you won’t hear “the checks in the mail” with Superkarts! USA.

In addition to cash for the Pro categories in the SKUSA Pro Tour, each of the eight class champions will be welcomed into the SKUSA ‘Circle of Champions’ program for 2013 – which is worth nearly $24,000. Each class champion will receive complimentary entry packages for the 2013 Pro Tour – including sponsored entries, race tires, and race fuel/oil (valued at almost $3000 each). They will also be given the honor of running the national #1 plate next season in their respective category. The second and third place drivers in the point standings will also be awarded the #2 and #3 plates, should they remain in the class in which they ran in 2012.

A number of companies have stepped up to show their support for the 2012 SKUSA Pro Tour and the SuperNationals XVI presented by MG Tires. Honda Performance Development/HPD will award $6,400 in cash to the top three in the Pro Tour standings contesting the four Stock Moto categories - S1, S2, S4, and S5. Those drivers who follow the contingency program and finish in the top-three in the standings will have a chance to earn a piece of the $1,600 in each class – $750 to the champion, $500 for second and $350 for third. HPD will also award a complete Honda CR125 Engine Kit (un-assembled parts kit) to one of the podium finishers in S2, valued at $2,400.

Oakley has been a long-time supporter of the SKUSA SuperNationals, and they will continue that tradition for 2012. Each of the five podium finishers in each division will be awarded with Oakley eyewear, valued at $6,750. Oakley will also present the one-of-a-kind ‘Leadfoot Award’ to the top qualifier in the KZ2 class, an award that is simply priceless.

Bernard Richard Manufacture (BRM) returns for a third year, continuing their support of the SuperNationals, and will award one-off timepieces to the winners in S4 and TaG Master – valued at $3,000 each. These are absolutely incredible awards that will represent SuperNationals success long into the future.

Capping off the current prize list is a ticket to the Rok Cup International Final. The Pro Tour champion of the TaG Cadet division will receive a ticket to compete at the 2012 event in Italy, thanks to a support package offered by engine manufacturer Vortex.

Although not included in the overall prize total detailed above, SKUSA’s ‘Guaranteed SuperSunday Starting Position Program’ has massive value to those fortunate to be on this year’s list. The program provides a starting spot on the main event grid, regardless of qualifying and heat race success, to the top-three drivers in the Pro Tour points heading into the SuperNationals, as well as every SKUSA regional champion. There are four classes that will activate this program in its second year: S4, TaG Senior, TaG Junior and TaG Cadet. Considering the effort and expenses necessary to run the SuperNationals, this reward program is hugely important. In the S4 class, Eddie Olpin, Curtis Cooksey and Jordon Musser are confirmed a starting position in the main event as they enter the SuperNationals in the top-three of the Pro Tour championship standings. Robert Marks (California), Jet Davis (Mountain), Ron Petersen (Midwest), Chris Jennings (Texas), and Russell Francis (Northwest) will also be given a reserved spot on the SuperSunday grid for S4.

The top-three in TaG Senior include Phil DeLaO, Remo Ruscitti, and Austin Elliott, and they will be in the hunt for the title to the very end, thanks to this opportunity. Matt Johnson (California), Brandon Southwick (Rocky Mountain), Tommy Andersen (Midwest) and Gill Lipton (Texas) enter Vegas as ProKart Challenge champions, and will therefore be on the grid regardless of their performances. Luke Selliken, Brenden Baker and Carter Williams are the top-three drivers in the TaG Junior standings. Additionally, ProKart Challenge champions Austin Versteeg (Mountain) and Tony Petersen (Midwest) are secured a spot in the main event as well. The TaG Cadet division has Hunter Corbitt, Anthony Sawyer and Hunter Kelly leading the way in the Pro Tour standings, while Riley Cook (Rocky Mountain), Nick Nufer (Midwest) and Ryan C Lewis (Texas) are confirmed for the main event with their ProKart Challenge championships.

Just hours remain before the deadline to pre-register, set for midnight on Thursday, November 1. Head to at www.skusastore.com to secure your spot in the world’s largest karting event – the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI presented by MG Tires in Las Vegas on November 14-18. All drivers and team managers are also encouraged to place their pre-orders for other necessary race products, like practice tires, by this deadline. Please follow www.superkartsusa.com in the days leading up to the event for any breaking news or event updates before you travel to the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

SUPERKARTS! USA ANNOUNCES 2013 PRO TOUR AND CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE DATES

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 07:29:22 -0400

Fourth season of Pro Tour maintains dates in April, July and November

TEMECULA, CA – With the final stage of the 2012 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour series just around the corner – SuperNationals XVI on November 14-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada – the schedule for next year’s national series has now been confirmed. As the final plans are coming together to welcome another record-breaking number of drivers to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for this year’s SuperNats, the SKUSA staff has been working overtime to ensure that they can give the teams and drivers the chance to prepare for the upcoming season as well. The first step in the process is the announcement of the Pro Tour dates for 2013. Superkarts! USA is pleased to be able to release the confirmed schedule for the 2013 Pro Tour:

Superkarts! USA Pro Tour 2013 Schedule
SpringNationals - April 12-14
SummerNationals - July 19-21
SuperNationals - November 20-24

The past three seasons have seen a growth at each and every event on the Pro Tour calendar, and 2013 should be no different. The SKUSA SpringNationals will be scheduled in April once again, moved up one weekend from 2012, staying off the Easter weekend and working around other events that are taking place during the month. The SKUSA SummerNationals remains on the same weekend as it has for the past three seasons, right in the middle of July. The SKUSA SuperNationals, which will be held for the 17th straight year in Las Vegas, is situated the week directly before Thanksgiving falling on November 20-24 in 2013.

“I’m happy to have our plans for 2013 coming together so quickly,” commented Superkarts! USA CEO Tom Kutscher. “We’re busy here putting the final touches on SuperNationals XVI, which is going to be another kick-ass event that will be like no other, but I wanted to make sure our racers know well in advance our plans and goals for next season. 2013 will be our fourth season of the Pro Tour, and from all the feedback we’ve had, it’s going to continue to grow. Our regional ProKart Challenge series across the U.S. are also looking good for next season, and we’re close to finalizing all of those schedules as well. The benefits we’ve offered to drivers supporting our regions are huge, from the first shot at entering the SuperNationals to guaranteed SuperSunday starting positions. We just want to take care of our racers!”

The locations and prize package for the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour will be announced in the coming weeks, but one constant remains – the ‘SKUSA Circle of Champions’ program. Those drivers who are crowned class champions this November in Las Vegas will enjoy a sponsored entry into the Pro Tour for next season. The champions who conquered the competition during the 2012 campaign will earn free entry, race tires, fuel and oil for next year’s SKUSA Pro Tour, sponsored by Superkarts! USA, and the same will be up from grabs for the 2013 title hopefuls.

Superkarts! USA is also happy to announce the tentative 2013 dates for the California ProKart Challenge. The California PKC has shifted its scheduling focus to work more closely with SoCal programs, like the Los Angeles Karting Championship (LAKC), and as a result, SKUSA is planning to move all but one of the PKC dates to the first Saturday of each month, beginning with the first round in February. As the series did in 2012, the California PKC will end the season with the fifth running of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix.

Superkarts! USA California ProKart Challenge TENTATIVE 2013 Schedule
February 1-2: Round #1
March 1-2: Round #2
May 3-4: Round #3
May 31-June 1: Round #4
September 6-7: Round #5
TBA: Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix

“The California ProKart Challenge is the flagship of our regional program under SKUSA,” continued Kutscher. “It’s entering its ninth season, and serves as the top shifterkart and TaG series in the state. We’ve moved to the first Saturday of the month to establish a consistent schedule that our drivers and teams can build around. The other reason for the move involves working with other programs to avoid scheduling conflicts, such as Challenge of the Americas and the LAKC. As we get closer to 2013, we should be confirming the schedules for the other ProKart Challenge regional programs across the country, setting up yet another exciting year for Superkarts! USA.”

Be sure to follow updates at www.superkartsusa.com on the 2013 SKUSA Pro Tour and all of the ProKart Challenge programs, as well as the latest on the upcoming SKUSA SuperNationals XVI in November.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

DARREN KEANE'S INJURY PREVENTS GOOD RESULT AT PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 07:22:12 -0400

Junior rookie will now begin to prepare for RoK International Final and SKUSA SuperNationals

Promising Rotax Junior rookie and Tony Kart pilot Darren Keane would make the trek out west for the annual Rotax Pan American Championships. Taking place at 'The Track' at Centennial near Denver, Colorado, Keane would suffer an injury early in the week that would prevent him from bringing home a good result. After a trip to the hospital and motivation to compete in the final, the 2012 Florida Winter Tour champion would retire from the race to prevent furthering his injury.

Make the cross-country trip from their home base in Florida, Keane Racing would arrive at the tight and twisty circuit in time for the second day of unofficial practice. Showing speed throughout Wednesday and Thursday's sessions, the Tony Kart pilot would consistently run near the top of the time sheets, as the team was confident heading into the weekend.

After a disappointing qualifying session, the young talent would begin to endure pain in his back as a result of the bumpy facility. Trying to work and race through the pain, Keane would claim the seventh quickest time in the first heat race but would struggle to find the results. With the pain increasing with each passing lap in heat two, the Floridian driver would choose to forgo heat three and try to save his body.

Working to make Darren as comfortable as possible in his kart, the team decided to skip Sunday morning's warm-up session in the hopes that Darren would be able to save himself for the wheel-to-wheel action. Padding his seat in every way imaginable, Keane would improve throughout the 16-lap heat race, moving forward to the 17th position after starting 19th.

"Darren did a fantastic job," explained driver coach Fabio Orsolon. "You could tell he was in pain and his facial expression post race would prove that. He is very young and has a lot of talent, and I have no doubt that he will be able to claim a Pan American title in the coming years."

After the prefinal, Darren was transported to the nearest hospital for observations and would be released shortly after with no broken bones, a relief to the team. Looking to get as much rest and medication as possible before the main event, Keane would relax in the team's hauler before the final.

Feeling good and ready to go, Keane noticed on the pace lap that the pain was back. Taking the green flag and only completing a few laps, the up and coming driver would be forced to retire for the event with unbearable pain. Pulling his Rotax powered Tony Kart into the pits, Keane would sit and watch the rest of the Rotax Junior final.

With the Pan American Championships now behind them, Keane Racing will shift their focus to the RoK International Final in Italy as well as the biggest event in North America, the SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) SuperNationals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more information on Darren Keane or Keane Racing, please email info@darrenkeaneracing.com or visit www.DarrenKeaneRacing.com or www.KeaneRacing.com.

For information on press releases or other media services offered by Race Tech Development, please contact Mike Maurini via e-mail at Info@RaceTechDevelopment.com or 317.270.8723. Race Tech Development can also be found on Twitter at @RaceTechDvlp as well as Facebook at their Race Tech Development Fan Page.

SUPERKARTS! USA OPENS TAG SENIOR TO 120 ENTRIES FOR SUPERNATIONALS XVI

Mon, 1 Oct 2012 10:20:29 -0400

Almost 450 total entries already confirmed for November event

TEMECULA, CA – A record-breaking 528 entries coming from well over 500 drivers highlighted last November’s running of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XV, which was held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. This year’s event is just 44 days away, and the 16th running of the world’s largest karting event is set to once again break the entry records when the track goes hot on November 14. A total of nine categories will be offered during the five-day event, and before now the class maximums were set at either 40 or 80 drivers. Due to incredible interest in the race, TaG Senior will now break through this pre-set limit – as SKUSA has elected to open up the category to welcome up to 120 drivers for the 2012 event.

Each and every year since the TaG Senior class was first offered back in 2004, it’s been one of the most attended categories of the SuperNationals. In 2008, Superkarts! USA opened the class to 100 drivers in its return to the Rio parking lot. Now for 2012, the class has been extended to a record-breaking 120 spots, which will very likely be filled as the waiting list for the category is extensive. With the larger number of entries, the class will be split into three groups for practice and qualifying. Each driver will still have three heat races to contest to qualify for the A Main on SuperSunday, with the entire field being split into six different groups. The top 34 drivers following the heat races will transfer directly into the A Main. Drivers ranked 35th-69th after the heat races will transfer into the B Main, and the remaining drivers will be slotted into a C Main. The top six finishers from the C Main will move into the B Main, where once again the top six drivers will earn a position in the Main Event on SuperSunday. Should any of the ProKart Challenge regional champions or the top three in the SKUSA Pro Tour standings not qualify for the main event, they will have a guaranteed starting position at the tail of the field.

As of today, almost 450 confirmed entries have been processed for SKUSA SuperNationals XVI. The S2 Semi-Pro and TaG Master categories are already sold out at 40 entries each, while TaG Junior is full at 80 drivers. S4 Master Stock Moto has reopened due to some recent cancellations, and a few spots remain before it will top out at 80 drivers. TaG Cadet is very similar, as only a handful of spots are still available. The KZ2, S1 Pro Stock Moto, and S5 Junior Stock Moto classes are still open for registration as well. KZ2 is expected to grid a full field at 40 entries, while both S1 and S5 are projected to top 30 entries, which is exciting for both of these growing categories. Only one month remains for pre-registration in all open classes at www.skusastore.com and with all TaG Seniors on the wait list already notified, the class has been re-opened and expected to sell out at 120 drivers prior to this deadline of November 1st.

The daily schedule for the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI will again feature the separation of categories into morning and afternoon shifts. S4 Master Stock Moto, S5 Junior Stock Moto, KZ2, and TaG Senior make up the morning classes, while TaG Cadet, TaG Junior, TaG Master, S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto and S1 Pro Stock Moto fill out the afternoon slots. Wednesday and Thursday will give each class a total of eight rounds of practice. Qualifying and the opening heat races will take place on Friday, with the final two rounds of heats set for Saturday. Those classes needing a Last Chance Qualifier and the B and C Main events for TaG Senior will also run on Saturday, so that the grids for SuperSunday will all be set by the end of Saturday’s action. Following morning warm-ups and the opening ceremonies, the main events will kick off at 10:45 am PST with TaG Senior firing things up in style. Following the feature events on SuperSunday, podium celebrations will take place once again inside the Rio Hotel convention area for everyone in attendance to enjoy. Later that night, the annual AfterParty will bring the racers, crews, and spectators to the VooDoo Lounge at the top of the Rio, overlooking the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Beginning Monday, October 8, pit spot and tent reservations will be accepted at the SKUSA head office. All details, including a pit map, detailed pricing and directions on how to request a pit spot will be posted shortly. Although rooms still remain in the blocked section reserved for the special SKUSA rate at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, the special room block pricing expires on Friday, October 12. After that, any remaining rooms will go back to normal hotel pricing, which is easily three times the special SKUSA rate. If you still haven’t secured your hotel rooms for this event, head over to the following link (http://www.superkartsusa.com/national/skusa-supernationals/hotel-and-accommodations.html) to reserve rooms online or via the Rio toll free phone number.

For any and all information regarding Superkarts! USA, head to www.superkartsusa.com. For information on the SuperNationals event specifically, click on the SUPERNATS XVI link at the top of the homepage.

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About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE TO CLOSE OUT 2012 SEASON AT STREETS OF LANCASTER GP

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:38:49 -0400

Championships for SKUSA regional series to be decided on the city streets of Lancaster

TEMECULA, CA – The City of Lancaster and Superkarts! USA will unite once again to host racers from all across the western half of the United States for the 4th annual Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix. The Southern California city will open up the ‘Boulevard’ for a three day festival, featuring the final round of the California ProKart Challenge around a temporary circuit on the city streets September 14-16. Not only will the event be a prime location for preparation for the upcoming SKUSA SuperNationals XVI, the 10 categories featured on the weekend will wrap up the six-event championship chase that began back in February, with a $65,000 championship prize purse on the line.

The event will just be a formality for Jimmy McNeil who has positioned himself as the soon-to-be champion in the S1 Pro Stock Moto category, sponsored by Extreme Karting/Vemme Kart. With three victories on the year, McNeil will look to earn his fourth 2012 win in Lancaster to secure the title and prepare for the upcoming SuperNationals. Ryon Beachner sits second in the standings, while Peter Abba is third. The same can be said for Matt Johnson in the TaG Senior division, sponsored by Leading Edge Motorsports. A winner in three of the five previous events, the veteran will face another strong field in Lancaster trying to deny him from his fourth victory. 2011 class champion Travis Lowe currently sits second in the standings with Devin Lindsey in third. The title chase is not yet completed in the Phil Giebler Racing-sponsored S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto category. Matias Podboj has led the standing the entire year, opening up the season with a perfect round one at Buttonwillow. Michael Leib has put on the challenge in the second half of the season, out-scoring Podboj in two of the last three events. The difference is just 178 points between the two heading into Lancaster with a number of drivers expected to take part, which could play a big factor in the final standings.

It’s just five points between Robert Marks and PP Mastro in the Pure Karting-sponsored S4 Master Stock Moto category. Marks has been a consistent front-runner in the Masters category, and a champion in 2008, but has yet to secure an S4 California PKC title. Mastro, a multi-time G1 champion in the series, is gunning for his first S4 title as well. Marks has the advantage with one victory in the holster, while Mastro recorded a DQ last round for too wide on the rear width. Trevor McAlister and Arie Luyendyk Jr. have combined to win the last few feature races, and are among the favorites heading into the weekend. Billy Cleavelin will likely secure the TaG Master title on the weekend, entering Lancaster with a healthy point lead after scoring the last four feature wins. Paul Grey is second, with the returning Ethan Wilson in third. Steve Ryckebosch is the top driver thus far in S3 Novice Stock Moto, sponsored by Select Shifter/DR Racing. Todd Wilson and Chalee Siengthai remain in the hunt. Ken Manning will look to wrap up the S4 Magnum Stock Moto title this weekend as well.

The chase in the Russell Karting Specialties-sponsored TaG Junior category will come down to the wire. Defending champion Carter Williams holds the point lead heading into the Lancaster GP weekend, riding on two wins. The latest winner – Santa Maria feature victor Colton Herta – moved to second and is just 93 points out of first before factoring in the drop race. Christian Brooks, the round three winner, sits third in the title chase after missing the opening weekend. The three will decide the title on the city streets of Lancaster. Williams will also wrap up the S5 Junior Stock Moto championship and prepare for a showdown at the SKUSA SuperNationals, which completes the Pro Tour championship. TaG Cadet, sponsored by Sunshine Daydream Creations, is also a three driver chase. Hunter Kelly is the current point leader, holding a 56 point advantage over Anthony Sawyer, with Jack von Quilich only 19 behind him. Kelly took over the top of the standings thanks to his win at Santa Maria last month, including five straight podium finishes. Sawyer has two wins to his credit, but only one other podium trip. Von Quilich also has a win with two top-three finishes, setting up for a great finish to the season in Lancaster.

eKartingNews.com will be trackside for the event with publisher Rob Howden providing the play-by-play over the two days. Live timing and live audio of the event can be followed at www.ekartingnews.com/live all weekend. The Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix will also include a strong presence of mass-media organizations and film crews around the track and throughout the paddock. The film crew of the ‘Become One’ karting documentary will also be on hand in addition to several local television stations. A welcome party for racers will be held Friday night from 7pm-10pm at Kinetic Brewery on Lancaster Boulevard, just west of the street course. Drink specials will be offered for those wearing their wristbands. Another gathering is set for Saturday night – the ‘Racer’s Review’ party – at Coach’s Sports Bar & Grill at 7pm. Big screens will re-broadcast the day’s races, with complimentary shuttles to and from the Oxford Inn host hotel set up for all racers and families. When not racing, be sure to take part in the festival surrounding the race, including live bands, lots of food and drinks, including a car show Saturday and BMX bike show on Sunday.

The event opens Friday, September 13 with pit parking and registration taking place from noon to 7pm, along with tire and fuel desks opening up at 3pm. On-track will be a number of events featuring Lancaster VIP members aboard rental karts. The event will take place over two days, beginning Saturday with two rounds of practice followed by qualifying and heat one action. Sunday serves up a warm-up session along with heat two for each race group and the main events set to start at 12:30pm. A special package price for the two day event is set at $395, which includes race fees and race tires. Deadline to pre-register is Wednesday, September 12 at midnight, with the at-track registration price increased by $200. All event details, including lodging, camping, gate hours and other information, can be found at the PKC Event Page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/california-pkc/event-calendar/round-6-2012.html).

For more information on the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, visit www.streetsoflancaster.com and for race-specific questions head over to Superkarts! USA, bookmark www.superkartsusa.com today.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROKART CHALLENGE ENDS 2012 SEASON IN GRAND JUNCTION

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 10:31:48 -0400

Final two rounds completed for Superkarts! USA regional program at Colorado circuit

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The finale weekend of the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge program took place September 1-2 at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway in Colorado. Drivers from there, along with Utah and other surrounding states, completed rounds five and six of the 2012 calendar for the Superkarts! USA regional series. Ten categories navigated around the 9/10-mile course with drivers looking to secure a final triumph as the summer season closed – and have a shot at wrapping up the regional championship for a guaranteed starting position on the Super Sunday grid of the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI in Las Vegas this November.

Mike Beeny ran away with the S1 Pro Stock Moto events on the weekend. On Saturday, he recorded a perfect score in class, leading from qualifying to the final checkered flag, including the fast lap of the main event to score maximum points and lock in the regional crown. Keenan Schmitke was second, edging out Kyle Hathcox at the line. Sunday was nearly a repeat of events as he was top qualifier and won heat one, but retired early in heat two due to a mechanical issue. That gave the win to Schmitke, with Beeny classified second as Hathcox also retired early. From the back of the S1/S2 combined grouping for the main event, Beeny knifed his way forward quickly, moving into the overall lead on the final lap to end the season on top. Schmitke retired on lap nine, allowing Hathcox to cruise in second alone.

The S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto division has provided a lot of the drama throughout the season, and the final two rounds was no different. Sabré Cook led the way in qualifying, edging out Christian Bird by just a few hundredths of a second. Cook nearly stalled the kart on the line, dropping back in the field but worked back up to second behind Bird. Cook stalled on the line in heat two, and retired just a few laps later, giving Bird a clean run to the race win. In the main event, Christian would not be denied as he put in a solid performance to take the class win and overall victory ahead of the S1 drivers. Christian Schureman ran second with Cook up to third from last. Bird returned the next day, still the driver to beat, qualifying on the overall pole position for the S1/S2 grouping. Bird led in heat one with Cook trailing him and two S1 drivers. Contact was made and Cook wreck going through the esses, ending her race early. Bird appeared to have the race in hand until the final lap when he spun the rear gear, handing the race win to Jack Bradley. Bird rebounded to score the overall win in heat two, with Cook right there in second ahead of Bradley. In the main event, Bird led all but the final lap as Beeny stole the position before the checkered flag. Bird still secured the class victory with Cook trailing, recording the fast lap of the race while Bradley completed the podium.

Scott Allen led things in qualifying for Saturday’s round of action in the S4 Master Stock Moto division, edging out championship leader Jet Davis by 32-thousandths of a second. Rob VanDeren was within a tenth of Allen’s time, showing just how tight the S4 field was on the weekend. Davis grabbed the holeshot in heat one en route to the race win, duplicating the feat in heat two. Davis saw his main event come to an early end on the opening lap when his throttle cable broke, handing the lead to David Conyers. After inheriting the lead, Conyers led the class for all 20-laps to earn his first feature win of the season. Scott Allen was second, with Justin Peck in third. Davis came back on Sunday to lead the qualifying session, earning the pole position by over half a second. Conyers responded in heat one as Davis got off the line slow, dropping down the order. Conyers would hold Davis off for the heat win and five extra points. The two battled for the win in heat two, but Conyers retired on the final circuit to give the win to Davis. With Conyers starting from the back, Davis drove away to an eight-second victory. Peck jumped to second with Allen finishing third.

Chris Neria secured the title for the S3 Novice Stock Moto category with his two feature wins on the weekend. Neria led through qualifying and heat one on Saturday until a spin in heat two trying to run with the S4 leader. Lauren Stark won the race to end Neria’s perfect run on the day. Neria recovered to come from the tail of the combined S3/S4/S5 group to take the overall win and his first S3 feature win of the year. On Sunday, Neria drove to perfection to wrap up the class title, and took the overall victory in the feature as well. Stark drove to second, completing just the second weekend in the class. Mianna Wick ran unchallenged in S5 Junior Stock Moto, securing her first regional championship in her first season in the category.

Riley Cook used the home track advantage to secure a weekend sweep in the TaG Cadet division. From qualifying to the main event checkered, Cook was out front both days. Tristin MacLeod ran second in both main events, with Derek Deslauriers in third. In the local option Mini Max category, Tevin Robbins swept Saturday’s action and won Sunday’s main event to secure the series championship. Robbins went unchallenged on Saturday with Duncan Biles and Max Fedler completing the podium. Biles picked up the pace to challenge Robbins for round six. Coming up just short in qualifying and the opening heat race, Biles earned the win in heat two by just four-tenths of a second to disrupt Robbins’ perfect score on the weekend. Robbins responded in the main event with a five-second victory to close out the year. Biles was second once again, with Fedler holding third.

Brandon Southwick and Austin Versteeg ran uncontested in the TaG Senior and TaG Junior categories to wrap up their regional championships, along with guaranteed starting positions at the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI on Super Sunday. Phil Holmes won TaG Masters on Saturday, with Bonnier Moulton jumping in his kart on Sunday for the class victory over Hugh Templeman. Utah secured the Border War trophy for the second time, earning enough points during the two days to defeat the Colorado drivers once again.

The season awards were handed out Sunday evening during a season banquet hosted in the Grand Junction Motor Speedway pro shop. Rocky Mountain PKC announcer Tony LaPorta and SKUSA CEO Tom Kutscher led the festivities where over 80 people enjoyed a buffet-style dinner of braised turkey and prime rib. Over $11,000 in awards and prizes were handed out, including a set of MG Tires and three free 2013 season entries. CRG-USA awarded a new CRG chassis, with S4 driver Jet Davis winning the raffle. The Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge would like to thank Wood Source, Billet Performance Karting, Miller Motorsports Park, and Grand Junction Motor Speedway for their support of the 2012 season and at the banquet. Official point standings for the 2012 season will be published in the coming days, so be sure to check back at Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge regional page on the Superkarts! USA website. For all other information regarding SKUSA and the Rocky Mountain PKC, bookmark www.superkartsusa.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 six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROKART CHALLENGE RETURNS TO GRAND JUNCTION FOR SERIES FINALE

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:40:16 -0400

Superkarts! USA regional program host final two rounds of 2012 season at Colorado facility

TEMECULA, CA – The 2012 season for the Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge will come to a close this weekend as competitors travel to Grand Junction Motor Speedway. The three-day event will crown the series champions, with plenty of prizes on the line thanks to the many series sponsors and supporters, including a guaranteed starting position on Super Sunday at the SuperNationals XVI in November for those earning a title in the Superkarts! USA nationally-recognized classes.
Returning back to Grand Junction, Colorado, site of the opening two rounds of the year, brings with it the Border War trophy. With the majority of the racers from either Utah or Colorado, the Border War trophy was introduced last year to bring on another form of competitive spirit amongst the teams and drivers. Last year, Utah earned the most points (1 point for pole, 1 point for heat win, 1 point for feature win) and look to retain possession of the Border War trophy for another year.
Utah drivers look good in the S1 category, sponsored by Wood Source, with three drivers at the top of the standings heading into the finale weekend. Mike Beeny leads by a good margin over Pro Tour podium finisher Bonnier Moulton with Tyler Bennett, the 10th ranked driver in the eKartingNews.com Stock Moto Driver Rankings sitting in third. The fight is tight in the CRG-USA-sponsored S2 Semi-Pro category with Colorado drivers Sabré Cook and Christian Bird neck and neck. Cook leads by just 65 points heading into the weekend. Alex Yates has a comfortable lead in the S3 Novice class, sponsored by Wood Source, thanks to his four straight wins this season. Chris Neria sits second with three runner-up finishes with the two drivers scheduled to end up 1-2 in the title chase. With two wins at Grand Junction during the opening weekend, Jet Davis remains in the point lead for the Wood Source-sponsored S4 Master Stock Moto category. David Conyers holds second, 115 points back before the drop with Scott Allen still in the chase.
Mianna Wick has a sizable lead in the S5 Junior Stock Moto category, sponsored by Miller Motorsports Park. Her three wins have her well out in front of Ryan Rudolph. Austin Versteeg will look to close the book in the TaG Junior title chase, sponsored by Billet Performance Karting. Versteeg holds a 223 point advantage heading into Grand Junction over Greggory Payseno. Just 40 points separate Derek Deslauriers and Riley Cook in the Miller Motorsports Park-sponsored TaG Cadet division. Both have a victory on their record with Deslauriers holding the advantage thus far. Tristin MacLeod is sitting in the wings, just a few points back in third. Brandon Southwick (CRG-USA sponsored TaG Senior) and Bob Rodrick (Wood Source-sponsored TaG Master) will attempt to close out the championships in their respective classes. In the local option Mini Max class, sponsored by Billet Performance Karting, Tevin Robbins leads Duncan Biles by just 10 points, leaving each and every session in Grand Junction that much more important.
Following the events on-track Sunday, Superkarts! USA and the Grand Junction Motor Speedway will honor the 2012 season champions at a banquet inside the pro shop. With doors opening at 7:00pm and the festivities scheduled to start at 7:30pm, a buffet-style dinner will be served with event and championship awards along with door prizes handed out during the evening. Among the bigger prizes up for grabs will be a new CRG chassis courtesy of CRG-USA. Competitors who have won a feature race aboard a CRG chassis during the series will earn one raffle ticket toward the drawing. The first ticket holder present will win the new kart, thanks to Grand Junction-based CRG-USA. Banquet tickets are available now via the SKUSA Store, with more information available on the banquet event page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/rocky-mountain-pkc/event-calendar/awards-banquet.html)
The Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge would like to thank CRG-USA, Wood Source, Miller Motorsports Park, and Billet Performance Karting for their support during the 2012 season. For more specific information on the Rocky Mountain PKC finale event in Colorado, visit the event page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/rocky-mountain-pkc/event-calendar/rmpkc-5-and-6-2012.html). For all other information regarding Superkarts! USA, bookmark www.superkartsusa.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 six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

SUPERKARTS! USA SET TO ROCK THE STREETS OF LANCASTER

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:00:22 -0400

Second running of SKUSA-sanctioned event promises to be the biggest SoCal race of 2012

TEMECULA, CA – The newly-revitalized downtown core of Lancaster, California will take its entertainment line-up to the next level in just three week’s time, when the Superkarts! USA road warriors of the California ProKart Challenge invade the ‘Boulevard’ for the 4th annual Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix. The event promises to be the largest in its history, as talk of this year’s festival has spread throughout the karting community. As the perfect ‘temporary circuit’ tune-up for SKUSA’s annual SuperNationals at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this November, the Grand Prix will attract the top shifterkart and TaG racers on the West Coast. No one can argue that Superkarts! USA is the series on the move these days, and their combination of hardcore racing, growing entry numbers, competitive fields, and an enjoyable atmosphere have become the standard to which all other organizations aspire. Registration for the race is now open on the Superkarts! USA website.
SKUSA made its debut as the organizer of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix last year, and brought professional event management to the street race, taking the layout right to the heart of the downtown core to kick things up a notch. The addition of a 1000’ straightaway only served to give the layout a character that is unique in North American karting. The racing that resulted was thrilling for the massive crowd that packed the area’s downtown core for the event. The race has the definite possibility of becoming the largest karting event in southern California, as SKUSA is anticipating that more than 150 drivers will be setting up in the paddock come Friday, September 14.
“The addition of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix to our program has been one of the coolest highlights of our last couple of years in business, and we’re extremely excited about the race’s future,” enthused Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA CEO. “Not only is it the season finale of our California ProKart Challenge this year, but it’s the only street race in Southern California. It’s a unique chance for racers to try something different, like racing on the city streets and in front of a huge crowd! It’s the chance to be a rock star! We’re expecting tons of people in the pit area as well.”
Much of the success comes from the tight partnership that has developed between Superkarts! USA and the City of Lancaster. It’s a marriage made in heaven, one that is producing more and more excitement each year. For example, SOLGP officials are organizing a Friday Night Welcome Party for Grand Prix participants, and more information will be available very soon! In addition, a BMX team will be providing entertainment around the track during the Sunday lunch break.
“With the City of Lancaster behind us, and the support and excitement of all of our racers, this race is only going to get bigger and bigger,” Kutscher continued. “Just like the SuperNationals, we’re focused on making the race better each year – and we’re fired up for this September’s event. The crew from Lancaster has incredible passion for the race, and working with them is a blast. If we need something, they’ll do what they can to get it for us, and they’re always trying to develop new programs to take the Grand Prix to the next level. All SoCal and NorCal racers owe it to themselves to come out and experience this event – it’s one of a kind!”
In regards to the schedule, Saturday’s line-up will feature two rounds of practice, timed qualifying and the first round of heat races, split by the official Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix opening ceremonies. On Sunday morning, a single warm-up session will lead into the second round of heat races, setting the grids for the main event on Sunday afternoon. Both days will be completed by 4:00 pm, giving the participants the chance to enjoy all the post-racing activities and entertainment that is being offered city-wide.
The race is scheduled just two months prior to the SKUSA SuperNationals, and will be an ideal opportunity for drivers to test the ability to come to quick grips with a temporary circuit. This skill will be extremely useful when they head to Las Vegas in November. The enthusiastic crowd, which is expected to top 40,000, will once again get the opportunity to see both 125cc shifter karts and single-speed TaG karts in action, as SKUSA will present the following classes:

S1 Pro Stock Moto
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto
S3 Novice/Intermediate Stock Moto
S4 Master Stock Moto (and the S4 Magnum category)
S5 Junior Stock Moto
TaG Senior
TaG Master
TaG Junior
TaG Cadet

One of the exciting components of this year’s Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix weekend will be the presence of some major media organizations, as video and television cameras will be plentiful around the track layout and event grounds. The crew filming the much-anticipated ‘Become One’ karting documentary will be in town, as they continue to follow the Superkarts! USA circus this season. Videographer John Shofner will bring his team to Lancaster to continue archiving footage for the film, which has been funded through the tremendous support of the karting industry and community. In addition, local television stations will be out in full force to report on the event, beginning with the City of Lancaster Media Race, which will take place as part of Friday’s unofficial on-track activities.
As stated, registration is now open on the www.superkartsusa.com website. Racers can book their entry into this great event by heading to www.skusastore.com. Additional details for the event, including host hotels, pit spot reservations, and the full event schedule, can be found at http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/california-pkc/event-calendar/round-6-2012.html.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

JOHNSON, MCNEIL AT CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE IN SANTA MARIA

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:48:20 -0400

Championship leaders in TaG Senior and S1 Pro Stock Moto score feature wins

SANTA MARIA, CA – The California ProKart Challenge hosted the penultimate round of the 2012 series championship at the popular Santa Maria Karting Association facility in Santa Maria last weekend. A rare facility – located on the grounds of an airport – offered a challenging course and comfortable weather conditions for racing. The fight on-track witnessed the championship leaders in the headline categories – TaG Senior and S1 Pro Stock Moto – extend their advantage in the standings with feature wins Saturday, August 18. Matt Johnson and Jimmy McNeil each scored their third victory of the year in convincing fashion.

Johnson had to battle his way to the front in the Leading Edge Motorsports-sponsored TaG Senior category after qualifying seventh. Top honors went to young pilots Enzo Mestre and Jake Craig. The field was tight as the top six drivers in the session were all within a tenth of Mestre’s time. In the opening heat race, Johnson found his pace and worked his way to the point. By lap seven, Johnson secured the lead and went on to score the win. Mestre and Johnson went back and forth in the second heat race. At the checkered flag, Johnson crossed the line first with Mestre on his bumper. The main event was all Johnson. Jumping out to the lead, championship rival Travis Lowe advanced his way into the second position. The two drivers ran 1-2 the entire time. Johnson drove to his third victory of the season with Lowe, earning fast lap honors, placing second for the third time on the year. Mestre was a close third to round out the podium, with Devin Lindsey and Bobby Kelley completing the top-five.

McNeil was strong in S1 Pro Stock Moto, sponsored by Extreme Karting/Vemme Kart. He qualified on the pole position with a 46.754-second lap to outpace Ryon Beachner. They ran 1-2 in the opening heat race with McNeil able to extend out to a three-second lead after 10 laps. In heat two, McNeil was leading but received the meatball flag for losing his side pod, thus retiring on lap eight. Beachner would take the win, with Peter Abba in second. McNeil, starting at the tail of the field, steadily worked his way back to the point. Once in the lead, McNeil drove on to his third victory of the season. Beachner was just over two seconds back in second with Abba completing the podium.

S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto championship leader Matias Podboj returned to his winning ways during the trip to Santa Maria, earning his third feature win of the season in the Phil Giebler Racing-sponsored category. Podboj began the event with the pole position in qualifying, edging out championship rival Michael Leib by just 18 thousandths of a second. Both were up-ended by Augie Lerch in heat one. Making just his second start of the year, the Arizona driver fought his way to the lead and the win. The championship leaders struck back in heat two, dropping Lerch to third, with Leib coming through with the win over Podboj. At the start of the 20-lap main event, Podboj grabbed the holeshot to secure the lead, with Leib and Lerch slotting in behind. They would run that way to the checkered flag, with Podboj scoring the victory. Leib finished second, but gained the 10 bonus points for fast lap in the race, edging out Lerch.

The Pure Karting-sponsored S4 Master Stock Moto battle on the weekend was a nail-biter – mostly between three veteran drivers – Arie Luyendyk Jr., Trevor McAlister, and Robert Marks. McAlister, coming off a win at the SKUSA SummerNationals, secured the pole position in qualifying with a 47.878-second lap. Just half a tenth of a second behind was Luyendyk, returning to the driver’s seat for the first time since participating in the ‘Bachelorette’ reality show. McAlister grabbed the holeshot to begin heat one, with Luyendyk slotting into second until he made a slight error, spinning around and stalling his kart, thus retiring early. That moved Marks up to second as McAlister drove on to the win. Marks held the advantage in heat two. Taking over the lead on the opening lap, Marks drove to the win with McAlister in second. Luyendyk started shotgun on the field, advancing to sixth in 10 laps. McAlister took back the point as they began the 20-lap main event. Marks slotted into second, challenged in the early laps by Luyendyk, up to third by the completion of lap two. By lap five, Luyendyk took the second position away from Marks, setting his sights on McAlister. Lap 16 is when Arie pulled the trigger, working around McAlister for the lead. Luyendyk led the remaining laps to score the feature win. McAlister placed second – his third straight podium finish in the series – with Marks scoring another third place finish. Nick Firestone was fourth, with championship leader PP Mastro crossing in fifth. Mastro would be removed from the results, however, for being too wide in the rear width measurement, moving Ken Hromada to fifth and changing the complexion of the championship chase.

Billy Cleavelin continues to prepare for a possible third SKUSA SuperNationals victory in the TaG Master class in fine fashion. The championship leader in the Buddy Rice Karting-sponsored category drove to his fourth feature win of the season, and his second event sweep of the year. Cleavelin qualified with a 48.927-second lap to secure the pole position. He went wire-to-wire in both heat races and the feature, driving away to a 14-second victory. The weekend also welcomed the return of Ethan Wilson. Injured at the SKUSA SpringNationals event, Wilson returned to the seat for the first time since, and capped it off with a second place performance. He edged out Paul Grey for the position.

Two-time TaG Cadet Champion Colton Herta earned his first TaG Junior victory in California PKC competition. Herta began the Santa Maria event leading the way in qualifying, posting a 48.727-second lap. Herta led the field in heat one until he was shuffled back on lap two after contact with Scott Huffaker. That put Noah Grey to the point, and he would go on to win over Christian Brooks and Garrett Dixon as Herta placed sixth. Grey led the majority of the second heat race until a charging Herta was able to run him down. On the final lap, Herta stole the lead from Grey on the final circuit and scored the win. Grey finished second, but was removed in tech for an airbox issue. That put Brooks back to second and Carter Williams into third. Back at the front, Herta went green to checkered, leading all 20 laps for the main event victory, with Brooks on his bumper. Huffaker was able to steal third away from Williams for his first podium finish of the season, while Dixon completed the top five.

Hunter Kelly put himself back at the top of the championship standings in the Sunshine Daydream Creations-sponsored TaG Cadet category with his first feature victory of the season. Kelly did so by sweeping the entire event from qualifying to the final checkered flag. Kelly led the way in qualifying with a 53.044-second lap. Hunter went wire-to-wire in the two heat races, along with leading all 15 laps in the main event. Fellow championship rival Anthony Sawyer placed second, with Trenton Sparks making his first series start with a third place podium finish. Hayden Wagner and former point leader Jack von Quilich rounded out the top five. Carter Williams earned his third victory in the S5 Junior Stock Moto division, outrunning Curtis Paul. Jack Freese made the switch from TaG into S3 Novice Stock Moto – sponsored by Select Shifter/DR Racing Kart – and earned the feature win over championship leader Steve Ryckebosch and Chalee Siengthai. Luke Bianco earned his third victory in the S4 Magnum category ahead of Ken Manning.

The 2012 California ProKart Challenge championship will come to a close on September 14-16 at the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix in Lancaster, California. The three-day city festival and two-day street race will welcome a number of top drivers and teams from the west coast, as well as serve as a warm-up event for the famed SKUSA SuperNationals in November. Event details, including lodging, camping, schedule and other information, will be posted shortly at the PKC Event Page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/california-pkc/event-calendar/round-6-2012.html). Be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com for updates on the California ProKart Challenge and all things having to do with Superkarts! USA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii and Texas, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

MIDWEST PROKART CHALLENGE FINISHES 2012 SEASON AT NEW CASTLE MOTORSPORTS PARK

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:27:21 -0400

Hollowell and Batt split S2 feature wins as Russell sweeps TaG Master on the weekend

NEW CASTLE, IN - The 2012 Midwest ProKart Challenge came to an end on the August 10-12 weekend at the New Castle Motorsports Park in central Indiana. The 1-mile course, owned and designed by former IndyCar driver Mark Dismore, played host to rounds five and six of the 2012 championship chase. The finale event welcomed a number of new competitors to the series, boasting strong battles in the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto, S5 Junior Stock Moto, TaG Master and TaG Cadet divisions.

Local drivers dominated the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto qualifying session on Saturday with Tim Hollowell scoring the pole position with a 1:03.566 lap time, edging out Kyle Ludwick and Eric Batt. Hollowell drove to the win in both heat races, the first over Ludwick with Joe Ruch up into the third position. The second saw Batt move forward to finish second with Nick Lougee following through for third. Capping off the sweep for the day, Hollowell posted the fast laps of the main event en route to the victory, his first of the season. Ludwick fought back to finish second with Jimmy Simpson rounding out the podium for an all New Castle driver podium. The following day saw the same driver at the top of the time sheets as Hollowell was quickest in Sunday qualifying, posting a similar lap to Saturday’s fast time. Batt was second with Cole Mathewson third, all within a tenth of each other. Hollowell led the way in heat one until he lost his chain, ending his race early and handing the lead over to Batt who went on to win over Mathewson and Simpson. After an early challenge from Mathewson, Batt went on to score the win in heat two with Ludwick up to second and Simpson finishing third until he was removed in tech for failing inspection, moving Lougee to third. Batt secured the lead once the feature race began and led all 20 laps to score the victory. Ludwick ran a close second for a double runner-up weekend with Hollowell, posting the fast laps of the race, climbing back up to third after his heat one DNF.

Erik Nelson and Collin Willis split the feature wins in the JD Byrider Racing-sponsored S5 Junior Stock Moto. Willis topped the charts in Saturday’s qualifying session, edging out Nelson by just 97-thousandths of a second. Nelson struck back in the heat races to score the win in both, leading to his fifth straight feature win of the season. Willis finished seven seconds back with Max Nufer earning his first podium finish of the year, standing on the third step. Nelson continued to show the way on Sunday, qualifying on the pole position and winning both heat races once again. The feature appeared to be his again as well until lap 14 when a rear axle issue forced him to retire early, ending his streak at five feature wins. This handed the lead and the victory to Willis for his first of the year. Nufer finished second for his best result on the year with Kyle Kennedy rounding out the podium. Ron Petersen completed the season sweep in the S4 Master Stock Moto category, outrunning Kris Dickson in the final two rounds of the year.

Jim Russell Jr. put in a dominant performance on the weekend to sweep both rounds of action, securing the series championship in the process. Russell qualified on the pole position Saturday with a 1:06.540-second lap, out-pacing Indy racer John Dixon and Ohio’s Brian McHattie. He then drove to wins of five and eight seconds in the heat races, earning a 14-second margin of victory in the feature ahead of Dixon and McHattie. Russell stood on the pole on Sunday, this time with Oklahoma driver Anthony Honeywell in second and McHattie in third. From there, Russell led the entire way to the final checkered flag. Dixon ran second in both heat races but ran into trouble in the feature race, leaving Honeywell to place second. Aaron Telitz ran uncontested on Saturday in TaG Senior - sponsored by Kart Star Motorsports - but Sunday brought on local driver Mick Gabriel, out running Telitz in the feature race. Tony Petersen was the lone TaG Junior driver on the weekend, securing the championship crown for the 2012 season.

The TaG Cadet category welcomed six new drivers to the series, led by Leonardo Stoia. The Ohio driver won both feature races on the weekend, preparing for the SKUSA SuperNationals in November. New York driver Anthony Gangi Jr. - third place finisher at the SKUSA SuperNationals in 2011 - was the top qualifier on Saturday, edging out Stoia for the pole position. Gangi however spun at the opening corner of heat one, allowing Stoia to take the lead and go on to score the win over Jack Miller and Jamie Williams. The order remained the same in heat two with Stoia edging out Miller at the line for the win. Holding the top spot to the checkered flag, Stoia earned the feature win Saturday over a charging Gangi with Miller in third. Gangi however was penalized for avoidable contact, moving back one spot to third and giving Miller the second step of the podium. Gangi’s name was at the top of the order in Sunday’s qualifying session with Stoia and Williams just off his pace. Stoia and Gangi swapped for the lead early, but Gangi prevailed with the heat one win. The same happened in heat two, this time with Stoia much closer at the line but Gangi still earning the win. The two broke away in the 14-lap feature with Gangi leading all but the final lap as Stoia was able to slip around for the victory. Gangi settled for second with Williams placing third.

The Open Shifter category rounded out the categories contesting the Midwest ProKart Challenge finale weekend. Alex Conlin won the feature race on Saturday over former SKUSA Great Lakes series director Terry Riggins in second and Tony Maliito in third. Sunday brought in former national shifterkart star David Carmody, out-running Conlin for the victory with Riggins in third.

With the 2012 season completed, the series officials will calculate the final championship standings and have them ready for publication in the coming days on the Superkarts! USA regional page. Be sure to check out www.superkartsusa.com/regional/midwest-pkc.html for the notice and for updates regarding the 2013 series plans.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, with cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

MIDWEST PROKART CHALLENGE TO WRAP UP 2012 SEASON AT NEW CASTLE MOTORSPORTS PARK

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:08:50 -0400

Superkarts! USA visits popular Indiana facility to close out Great Lakes regional schedule on August 18-19

TEMECULA, CA – The Midwest ProKart Challenge will complete the 2012 season with the final two rounds of competition, held this weekend at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The popular Indiana facility will host its first Superkarts! USA regional event under the Midwest PKC banner with an encouraging number of competitors scheduled to take on the 1-mile course designed and owned by karting stalwart and former IndyCar driver Mark Dismore.

“I’m really excited for this weekend’s events and to close out the 2012 season,” commented Stan Bryniarski - Midwest ProKart Challenge director. “This year has been about growth and expanding the SKUSA-brand style of racing back to the Great Lakes area. The states and tracks in the region are second to none, and we have a lot of plans for the future of the series. I’d like to thank all those who supported the program this year, and the facilities that have welcomed us. This weekend will be a great ending and give competitors one final chance at SKUSA competition before they make the trek out to the SuperNationals in November.”

On the line this weekend will be guaranteed starting positions for the main events for the Midwest ProKart Challenge champions at the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI in Las Vegas. The points are tight in the TaG Master category with the title up for grabs between a number of drivers. Brian McHattie leads the championship chase thanks to a near perfect weekend at Road America that included one victory. John Dixon was the top driver at the opening two rounds, and trails by just five points. Thirty points behind him is Jim Russell Jr. with Chris Koster in the mix as well. The title in the S5 Junior Stock Moto class - sponsored by JD Byrider Racing - is hotly contested as well. Erik Nelson has four feature wins to his credit this season, but Collin Willis has been on his heels the entire time. A slip by Nelson could open the door for Willis to steal the title. Ron Peterson and Kris Dickson have battled all season in the S4 Master Stock Moto division. Peterson has the advantage heading into the season finale thanks to four feature victories.

Nick Lougee will wrap up the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto title but is expected to have some competition for the feature wins in New Castle this weekend. The same can be said for Nick Nufer, who has been perfect in TaG Cadet with some new drivers schedule to challenge for the top step of the podium. Tony Peterson leads the standings in TaG Junior heading into the weekend but a late charge by Nick Martin could see a fight for the title come to the final laps. Tommy Andersen has a clear advantage heading into the series finale weekend in the Kart Star Motorsports-sponsored TaG Senior division. Andersen won the opening two rounds at TNT Kartways, following it up with two runner-up finishes at Road America. Due to scheduling conflicts, Andersen will be unable to attend the series finale weekend. This may open up the door for someone to close the gap and hurdle him in the final standings.

Once again, the Midwest ProKart Challenge will open up the schedule for an Open Shifter category, as it has for the first two weekends of the season. In addition, Yamaha Senior and Yamaha Masters classes have been added to the class roster for the weekend, giving many local drivers the opportunity to compete under the Superkarts! USA banner. The Midwest PKC will host a pot luck BBQ, supplying an assortment of meats to all the competitors and families in attendance during the practice day. It is encouraged that teams bring a dish to pass around. Also Friday night, the track will host a 50-lap endurance race on the same configuration. Contact the New Castle Motorsports Park office for more information on entering a team.

Pre-race registration has been extended, closing on Wednesday, August 15 at Midnight at www.superkartsusa.com/rmmw-store with at-track entry beginning Friday, August 17 during the practice day, scheduled to run from 9am to 5pm. Saturday, August 18 will be the official start of the season finale weekend, with two practice sessions in the morning, followed by qualifying, two heat races and the feature. The same format will be followed on Sunday to complete the final round of competition for the 2012 Midwest ProKart Challenge season. For any questions on the weekend, contact Stan Bryniarski at stan@superkartsusa.com or contact New Castle Motorsports Park regarding Friday practice by calling 765-987-8090. For more information on the Midwest ProKart Challenge, be sure to visit http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/midwest-pkc.html

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, with cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE RETURNS TO SANTA MARIA KART TRACK

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:58:16 -0400

The penultimate round of the 2012 Superkarts! USA regional program set for this weekend
TEMECULA, CA – The California ProKart Challenge returns to action this weekend (August 17-18) when it hosts the fifth round of the 2012 season at the Santa Maria Karting Association facility in Santa Maria. A favorite by the competitors and their families, the SMKA kart track has been a familiar meeting ground for the NorCal contingent to meet with the Southern California crowd, hosting the West Coast Shootout in previous years. After a year off of the Superkarts! USA calendar, California PKC drivers will contest the penultimate round of the year at this destination location once again.

With the best five of six results counting toward the final standings, the championships and pieces of the $65,000 prize package are still up for grabs. Matt Johnson has been the best in the Leading Edge Motorsports-sponsored TaG Senior category. Starting out the year with two victories, Johnson has continued to run up front and leads the title chase by 201 points. Defending champ Travis Lowe has two runner-up finishes this season, shut out thus far in the win column to sit second. With his victory in Buttonwillow back in June, Jimmy McNeil secured the lead in the S1 Pro Stock Moto championship, sponsored by Extreme Karting/Vemme Kart. Round three winner Nicky Freytag currently sits second, 124 points out of the lead. Just 24 markers behind him is Ryon Beachner, riding on two straight runner-up finishes.

Matias Podboj and Michael Leib have a good battle in the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto standings. Podboj won the first two feature races for the Phil Giebler Racing-sponsored category, but Leib has returned the fight by outscoring Podboj in the last two rounds. The gap is just 168 points heading into Santa Maria, with another full round of racing to come in September. PP Mastro has a stranglehold on the Pure Karting-sponsored S4 Master Stock Moto title chase. The former multi-time G1 champion leads Robert Marks by 185 points, thanks to a worst finish of third over the first four rounds. Marks has two podium finishes to his credit thus far. Three drivers remain in the hunt for the S3 Novice Stock Moto standings, sponsored by Select Shifter/DR Racing. Todd Wilson currently leads by 115 points over Steve Ryckebosch, with Chalee Siengthai in third.

After racing the TaG Senior category in the opening round, Billy Cleavelin moved back to the TaG Masters division and has recorded three straight feature wins to now lead the Buddy Rice Karting-sponsored championship. The three-time SuperNationals winner has been tough to beat as of late, with Paul Grey in the challenger position. Also on fire this year is defending TaG Junior champion Carter Williams. With two wins and a runner-up to his credit, Williams is leading the Russell Karting Specialties title chase after four rounds. Former two-time TaG Cadet champ Colton Herta stands in second, back by 168 points with two podium finishes recorded. Noah Grey and Christian Brooks enter the weekend third and fourth, still with a chance in the title fight.

Just one point separates Jack von Quilich and Anthony Sawyer in TaG Cadet, sponsored by Sunshine Daydream Creations. Sawyer has two wins while von Quilich has stood on the podium three times, including a victory last round. Hunter Kelly is still in the chase, only 30 points out of first. Any one of the three could leave Santa Maria with the title. Carter Williams continues to lead the S5 Junior Stock Moto category, while Ken Manning has the advantage over Luke Bianco in S4 Magnum Stock Moto.

The California PKC event at Santa Maria Karting Association facility is set to begin Friday, August 17 with a full day of practice beginning at 9:00 am and running until 5:00 pm on the ‘K’ layout. Saturday, August 18 will be race day and features the challenging format of practice, qualifying, two heat races and a main event. A SKUSA membership/racing license is required to compete, along with all kart specifications under the 2012 SKUSA rulebook. SKUSA is offering the same great price to pre-enter online ($295, tax included) by Wednesday, August 15 at midnight, and this rate includes race entry and race tires. Sign up now at www.skusastore.com. All event details, including lodging, camping, gate hours and other information, can be found at the PKC Event Page (http://www.superkartsusa.com/regional/california-pkc/event-calendar/round-5-2012.html). Click the ‘Live’ link to follow the live timing during the proceedings taking place at Santa Maria Karting Association kart track on August 18.Be sure to visit www.superkartsusa.com for updates on the California ProKart Challenge and all things having to do with Superkarts! USA.

About Superkarts! USA:
Established in 1995, Superkarts! USA is dedicated to shifterkart and TaG racing and is the leader in the field, currently promoting six regional racing series. Racing programs are currently running in Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii and Texas, in cooperation and support from official tire supplier MG Tires. In 2012, the organization will be promoting the third edition of the SKUSA Pro Tour, which features a pair of major events in Arizona and Utah, all leading up 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.

ALUMINOS/PSL KARTING RACE TEAM SCORE TOP-FIVE FINISHES AT SKUSA SUMMERNATIONALS

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:01:18 -0400

Bray and Fraser lead results for Northern California based operation
SAN RAMON, CA – The professional Aluminos/PSL Karting race team took on a packed paddock at the Superkarts! USA SummerNationals in Tooele, Utah. The Miller Motorsports Park was the site of the third and fourth rounds of the SKUSA Pro Tour on July 20-22, where the operation fielded eight drivers in four categories. Kiwi driver Daniel Bray returned to the states to record a fifth place finish in the headline S1 category with TaG Master driver Larry Fraser matching the same result.
Bray, the defending series champion, qualified third to begin Saturday’s action. He finished third in the opening heat race but struggled with too much grip in the second, dropping to fifth and holding the position through the main event. The following day was another battle trying to free up the GP chassis. Qualifying third once again, Bray suffered a two position penalty for a parc-ferme infraction. Despite his best effort, the rest of the day did not pan out as expected, placing eighth in the main event. Bray commented on the weekend, "We were OK in qualifying because we could do a good time for a couple of laps before the kart started gripping up. But it was weird. We tried everything to dial the grip out but nothing, and I mean nothing, we tried - and which would have worked at any other track - seemed to work there."
TaG Master driver Larry Fraser experienced an up-and-down weekend, ending with a solid fifth place finish at the end of Sunday. Larry began Saturday in the top-five until contact dropped him down the order in the first heat race. Advancing his Aluminos-prepared CRG forward in the second heat and the feature, Fraser nearly broke into the top-five until the water pump belts to his Motori engine broke and began overheating the engine. Larry pulled off to limit the damage to the engine and retired early. Fraser qualified 10th to begin Sunday’s round and once again raced his way forward. Through the two heat races and the feature, Larry ended the day in the fifth position to put himself sixth in the championship chase.
The weekend was a tough outing for the S4 contingent under the Aluminos/PSL Karting tent. Jonathan Allen made his first Pro Tour start of the season, improving each session on-track. Allen improved seven positions from qualifying to finish 16th on Saturday while making up four spots Sunday to end up 18th. Colorado driver Mike McDonough continued to show speed aboard his GP machine, but two separate incidents took him out early in both main events.
Some of the young talent under the Aluminos tent continue to progress as the season moves along. Colorado driver Cory Milne made the transition to S1 Pro from the S2 category this season, racing against the best shifterkart drivers in the country. Milne hovered around the top-10 for much of the opening round but fell back in the main event when conditions went from dry to wet before they ended the race early. Milne was classified 13th. The following day was much of the same with Milne crossing the line 11th in the main event. He continues to improve under the eyes of the Aluminos squad with plenty of success coming in the future.
The other to show some progress this season is S2 driver Austin Schimmel. The 2011 SKUSA Pro Tour S5 Junior Stock Moto champion is in his first season racing at the Senior level. The 16-year old from Colorado battled through a rough SpringNationals, collected in a hard wreck on Sunday that benched him for the rest of the day. He bounced back in Utah, running with the leaders both days. Schimmel was fourth in qualifying but fell back to 11th by the end of heat two. He came storming back in the main to finish sixth but was disqualified for coming in underweight - due to losing all the water in the radiator because of a puncture. He came back the next day to earn his first SKUSA S2 pole position by 15 hundredths of a second. A third in heat one was followed by a slow launch off the line, dropping him outside the top-10. That would put him in harms way for the main event when he was collected in an opening lap wreck, ending his race early. Despite the tough results, the weekend was a great improvement for Schimmel.
“The transition from S5 to S2 was eye-opening for me as a driver,” commented Schimmel. “As soon as I made the move over, I knew I had my work cut out for me. The SpringNationals in Phoenix was a tough weekend for me. As soon as school got out, I made plans to fly out to California to test some chassis and get driver training with Rob Soares, Larry Fraser, and Daniel Bray. So far, the hardest part of the transition has been giving feedback to my dad and the team. We are working on that each time we hit the track and the crew at Aluminos has been great helping me learn. That week I spent with them made me come back twice the driver. I went from struggling to competing inside the top-10 and to setting pole on Sunday at the SummerNationals. The guys at Aluminos are the true definition of a class act. Most teams today give divided attention, to whoever is fast. Whether you are Daniel Bray, or the weekend warrior in an arrive and drive, you get the same attention.”
Aluminos/PSL Karting can formulate arrive and drive programs, driver coaching services, or customized tailored programs to fit your needs in either Stock Moto or TaG categories. Be sure to visit www.Aluminos.com for more information on their professional race team operation and also ShopAluminos.com for new and used chassis listings.

About Aluminos:
Started as a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in kart racing specific products, the San Ramon, CA based operation created its racing team toward the end of the 2007 season. Led by Rob Soares, Aluminos has put together the essential pieces to help groom drivers of any age to reach their personal goals. Driver coaches Tom Dyer and Fritz Leesmann - both successful karters - teamed with their in-house Stock Moto program led by engine guru George Tavares, the Aluminos Trackside Support and Arrive & Drive program is above any other outfit in the country. Their results convey the success achieved by a number of drivers under the Aluminos tent with multiple ProKart Challenge series victories and championships, in addition to the two straight years of SKUSA Pro Tour championships. Aluminos has formed a relationship with PSL Karting, the leading CRG distributor in the world, to offer the best karting product line available. Find out more at www.aluminos.com and the new www.shopaluminos.com for new and used products on-sale from the respected operation.