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| November 02, 2009 News |
| eKartingNews.com Tuner Challenge Race Announced for SKUSA SuperNationals |
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Mechanics, or ‘tuners’ as they have become to be known as, are certainly the unsung heroes of karting’s greatest drivers. They perform their magic behind the scenes, rarely getting a chance to lay down a few laps around the track on their own. They are kept hidden under dimly lit tents, only being let out to fight for space along the cold, sharp edges of pit lane’s chain link fence. Their only recognition comes in the shadow of victory’s glow when their driver ascends the podium at the end of a long, hard weekend. Well, that’s all about to change this November…
EKN and Karting Ventures have teamed up to create the eKartingNew.com Tuner Challenge - a racing tournament specifically designed for tuners and mechanics - to be held on the opening night of the SKUSA SuperNationals XIII at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ‘Challenge’ will utilize Karting Ventures’ fleet of Sport Karts (featured in the overnight Machismo 500 endurance race on Saturday night) and will take place Wednesday evening, November 18, following the first day of open practice for this year’s SuperNats.
“It’s tough for many of our sport’s tuners to watch their drivers run from the sidelines,” states Rob Howden, EKN Publisher and ‘Challenge’ co-founder. “If you look at the names of the guys turning the wrenches, you’ll see some seriously talented drivers! The mechanics that will be in the paddock that week are among the elite in North America. Many are former national champions and former winners of the SuperNationals. To see them go wheel-to-wheel again will put a great cap on what is to be an exciting opening day for the event.”
 | The EKN Tuner Challenge will utilize the same karts that will be used for the Machismo 500
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
The EKN Tuner Challenge is open to any tuner or mechanic planning to attend the 13th annual SuperNationals. The format will feature four heat races of 16 drivers each with the top eight from each heat advancing to a Prefinal. Two Prefinals will be held, each with 16 drivers, where the top eight from each race will advance to the finale. The finale will be a winner-take-all sprint race to crown the top tuner in North America. The cost to enter the challenge will be $100, however, the experience of racing will be priceless.
“Last year, we had a lot of interest from tuners and mechanics who wanted to race in the Machismo 500, but were unable because of their work commitments,” states Rob Niles, Karting Ventures President and ‘Challenge’ co-founder. “That led us to create the EKN Tuner Challenge, as a way for tuners to have some fun on the track, not to mention get some valuable seat time early in the event to help their drivers.”
Entries are being accepted for the EKN Tuner Challenge and are limited to the first 64 registrants. There is also limited space available in the Machismo 500 - the overnight endurance race to be held Saturday, November 21 - at a discounted team rate of $1,999. For information on either program, or to register, please contact Brad Packard at 951-241-3872 or brad@calspeedkarting.com |
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