|
 |
|
 |
| Features |
| eKartingNews.com Driver Rankings - July 28, 2010 |
| |
The month of July has been a busy one for kart racers with a host of big events having been completed in the five weeks since the last edition of the eKartingNews.com Driver Rankings. The meat of the season is upon us and the first ‘10’ ranking race for the TaG standings has now been completed following the US Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals. In addition, the second round of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour has helped change the complexion of the Stock Moto order with its position with an event ranking of 9. Drivers are also in hot pursuit of their season championships while at the same time looking to progress up the EKN Driver Rankings.
As predicted, the top spot of the TaG Driver Rankings has been seized by a new driver - Victor Pedrosa (Arrow). The BTK Motorsports pilot moves to the top spot as the driver with the most races recorded in the program (23 currently) and solid results at big events over the past 12 months. Despite not recording a victory in the seven races that are counting toward his rankings total, Pedrosa is not the first driver to hold the top position without having the points benefits of a win. Pedrosa takes over the top spot from 2009 EKN Driver of the Year Marco Di Leo (Intrepid) who has spent his season north of the border, finding success there as well. Di Leo has fallen to fifth in the order as his strong results from the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010 still keep him near the top.
Moving up into the top-five is Daniel Formal (Kosmic) to make it a Florida 1-2 at the head of the class. Formal scored a solid podium finish at the recent Rotax Grand Nationals, going together with his solid Florida Winter Tour results from this winter to only sit just three points back of Pedrosa. Certainly when the 2009 edition of the Grand Nationals is subtracted from the rankings after September, Formal could be sliding up to the number one spot. Also moving forward is the new US Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals champion Stepanova Nekeel. Purchasing a used Tony Kart chassis at the New Castle Motorsports Park from another competitor, the Pacific Northwest driver drove flawlessly in the main event to score his first national title.
Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) falls to fourth in the order ahead of Di Leo, but is coming off a solid event at the WSK North American Series in New Jersey. With the weekend victory, Miinch moves into the lead in the TaG Senior championship chase in his rookie season in the Senior ranks. Falling out of the top-five is former number one Kyle Wiegand (Top Kart). The Indiana native had a tough WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series event at Road America but return to the front at the WSK weekend in New Jersey.
Two drivers on the rise are Michael Politis (Merlin) and Andy Dunne (Birel). Politis has teamed up with Franklin Motorsports and has become a consistent factor at the front in WKA competition. Dunne has also posted some top-notch results recently. The Andersen Racing driver was in the hunt for the Rotax Grand Nationals title last year when a flat tire took him out of contention. This year, Dunne returned to the front and ended up finishing fourth - one spot out of Team USA for the Grand Finals in Italy. Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon (Arrow) drops to ninth banking on his winter karting results with a possible return to the kart track in the near future during the upcoming IRL break. Jumping up 51 spots is Ohio’s Robert Bujdoso (PCR). In his first year as a Senior driver, Bujdoso has wins at the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series and podium runs in the WSK North American Series. While 51 spots is significant, Bujdoso was beat out for the ‘On the Move’ position this month as you will see below.
With the launch of the SKUSA Pro Tour in the off-season, the Stock Moto Rankings were in need of a slight adjustment. Without a national program on which to hang the event ranking of nine, last year, regional Stock Moto races were given that base ranking. With the SuperNats and Rock Island Grand Prix maintaining the only 10 rankings, the Pro Tour now enjoys the base ranking of nine and all the of assorted Regional programs will be given a base of eight points. The Stock Moto driver rankings have now been fully updated for this month (and moving forward) regarding the 2009 results. To help bring the standings up to its current status, EKN adjusted all the remaining regional results from '09 to an 8-base ranking. With this edit, the rankings will now match what the results have produced this season.
Having produced some impressive results this season, we are proud to announce that the new #1 Stock Moto driver in the country is Clinton Schoombee (CRG). The SoCal pilot has been impressive at the regional level in ProKart Challenge action and he stunned the paddock with his move in the late stages of the SKUSA SpringNationals to claim victory. While the Sunday results were not as he hoped at the SummerNats, Schoombee still reigns supreme as the top driver in the Stock Moto rankings. With the rankings adjustments, former number one Tyler Bennett (PTK) falls to 11th in the order. With his Utah State Championships results from 2009 moving from a ranking of 9 to an 8, his total fell nearly 500 points. With zero national level results on his ranking resume aside from the ’09 SuperNats, Bennett has relied on his regional finishes. While the 2009 EKN Rising Star competes in one of the highest regional when looking at the field strength, Bennett’s absence of SKUSA Pro Tour results certainly hurt his ranking standings.
Jason Toft (GP) still remains second in the rankings. The NorCal star is 25 points back of Schoombee in this month’s edition. Last month’s ‘On the Move’ driver Fritz Leesmann (CRG) continued his progression, jumping to third from 14th thanks to his victory at the SKUSA SummerNationals. The former ICC star could possible move even higher as he continues to lead the ProKart Challenge North standings. Up one spot to fourth is S2 competitor Derek Crockett (GP). The St. Louis driver has a top-five from last year’s King of the Streets at the Rock Island Grand Prix along with two victories at the SKUSA SummerNationals. Back up into the top-five is Brad Dunford (CRG) as he continues to claw toward his first break-out victory while running consistently at the front.
Up 12 spots is SKUSA Pro Tour runner Nic LeDuc (Energy). A former TaG standout in the NorCal area, LeDuc has made the transition to Stock Moto faultless. Tommy Thompson (CRG), Schoombee’s closets rival in the ProKart Challenge South, falls to seventh in the order while fellow PKC competitor Jimmy McNeil (CRG) jumps to eighth from 16th. Kiwi driver Daniel Bray (GP) has moved up 26 spots into the top-10 after achieving enough races to contend for the top spot. Now working with Rocky Mountain Kartworks, Bray hopes to continue his advancement in the rankings.
TaG
TaG Driver Rankings Top-10
| Pos. | 18-Jun | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 2 | 1 | Victor Pedrosa | 23 | 7077 | | 2. | 6 | 4 | Daniel Formal | 14 | 7074 | | 3. | 10 | 7 | Stepanova Nekeel | 15 | 6965 | | 4. | 3 | -1 | Taylor Miinch | 15 | 6952 | | 5. | 1 | -4 | Marco DiLeo | 13 | 6930 | | 6. | 4 | -2 | Kyle Wiegand | 12 | 6925 | | 7. | 12 | 5 | Michael Politis | 13 | 6855 | | 8. | 13 | 5 | Andy Dunne | 16 | 6846 | | 9. | 5 | -4 | Dan Wheldon | 13 | 6843 | | 10. | 61 | 51 | Robert Bujdoso | 9 | 6824 | |
For the full TaG Driver Rankings, Click Here
**************
 | Victor Pedrosa
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
NEW TaG #1 - Victor Pedrosa
Davie, Florida
Making his debut at the top of the EKN Driver Rankings is Florida’s Victor Pedrosa. The native Brazilian has become one of the most talent drivers in the country while also maturing. A fiery competitor in his early years here in the state, Pedrosa has grown to a more calculated pilot behind the wheel. Part of Team USA at the Rotax Grand Finals last year following his runner-up performance at the US Rotax Grand Nationals with Ocala Gran Prix, Pedrosa made the switch to BTK Motorsports/Arrow at the start of 2010. The transition has been flawless however the partnership is still hunting for their first big victory, which could extend his driver rankings lead.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| US Rotax Grand Nationals ’09 | 10 | 2 | 1106 | | Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #6 | 9 | 2 | 1012 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - New Castle #1 | 9 | 2 | 995 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - New Castle #2 | 9 | 4 | 975 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - RA - TaG | 9 | 3 | 987 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - RA - IAME | 9 | 3 | 963 | | US Rotax Grand Nationals ’10 | 10 | 9 | 1039 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 3.57
Average Points: 1011
Total Points: 7077
**************
 | Tommy Andersen
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
ON THE MOVE: Tommy Andersen - Ranked #16
Spring Grove, Illinois
This month’s ‘On the Move’ driver - Tommy Andersen - progressed an astounding 103 positions in the standings thanks in part to his four recent results. In just his second year in the Senior ranks, and first in TaG, Andersen scored two Grand National Eagles at the WKA Zoom Zoom Nationals at Road America. Andersen outran two solid fields to the victories. He then drove up about an hour north to the SKUSA SummerNationals the following weekend, placing on the podium on the first day and fifth on day two. For Tommy, who competes with support from his father Tim and Franklin Motorsports, the progression is only beginning.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - Daytona - TaG | 9 | 9 | 930 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - Daytona - IAME | 9 | 8 | 920 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - South Bend - IAME | 9 | 6 | 935 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - RA - TaG | 9 | 1 | 987 | | WKA Man. Cup Series ’10 - RA - IAME | 9 | 1 | 963 | | SKUSA SummerNationals ’10 #1 | 9 | 3 | 961 | | SKUSA SummerNationals ’10 #2 | 9 | 5 | 941 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 4.71
Average Points: 953.7
Total Points: 6676
Stock Moto
Stock Moto Driver Rankings Top-10
| Pos | 18-Jun | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 3 | 2 | Clinton Schoombee | 11 | 6148 | | 2. | 2 | NC | Jason Toft | 11 | 6123 | | 3. | 14 | 11 | Fritz Leesmann | 8 | 6049 | | 4. | 5 | 1 | Derek Crockett | 10 | 5982 | | 5. | 9 | 4 | Brad Dunford | 16 | 5910 | | 6. | 18 | 12 | Nic LeDuc | 8 | 5880 | | 7. | 4 | -3 | Tommy Thompson | 13 | 5874 | | 8. | 16 | 8 | Jimmy McNeil | 8 | 5775 | | 9. | 35 | 26 | Daniel Bray | 7 | 5745 | | 10. | 19 | 9 | Brett Felkins | 11 | 5726 | |
For the full Stock Moto Driver Rankings, Click Here
**************
 | Clinton Schoombee
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
NEW Stock Moto #1 - Clinton Schoombee
Laguna Beach, California
Following the adjustments to the Stock Moto rankings, Clinton Schoombee has emerged as the new number one driver. A solid competitor in the ProKart Challenge South program, it was his amazing performance at the inaugural SKUSA SpringNationals that caught the attention of many. The Select Shifter team pilot last lap pass for victory around Jason Toft and Fritz Leesmann in the same corner was a thing of beauty. Looking ahead, Schoombee is in position to close out the season with the PKC South S1 title and with success at the SKUSA SuperNationals, possible the SKUSA Pro Tour championship.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| SKUSA SuperNationals 2009 | 10 | 6 | 1109 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 3 | 1033 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 1 | 1047 | | ProKart Chall. South #4 - S1 | 8.5 | 1 | 967 | | ProKart Chall. South #5 - S1 | 8.5 | 1 | 967 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 4 | 1025 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 2.67
Average Points: 1024.7
Total Points: 6148
**************
 | Evan Walters
(Photo: WaltersMotorsports.com) |
ON THE MOVE: Evan Walters - Ranked #37
St. Louis, Missouri
As the Stock Moto package continues to develop throughout the country, so does the names entering the Stock Moto rankings. This month’s ‘On the Move’ driver is another making the transition to Stock Moto package - Evan Walters. The 18-year old from Missouri currently pilots an Intrepid/Honda ride after moving up the ranks in karting since 2004. In his first three results recorded on the EKN Driver Rankings, Walters stood on top of the podium twice, including a big win at the Central States Challenge event at Gateway. In only his fifth race, competing in the S2 category at the SKUSA SummerNationals, Walters was a factor at the front of the field.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| Southwest Regional Cup ’10 - Oklahoma #1 | 8 | 2 | 828 | | Southwest Regional Cup ’10 - Oklahoma #2 | 8 | 1 | 837 | | Central States Chall. ’10 #3 - Gateway | 8 | 1 | 823 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - S2 | 9 | 11 | 891 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - S2 | 9 | 11 | 891 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 5.2
Average Points: 854
Total Points: 4270
EKN Driver Rankings Calculation Process
The EKN Driver Rankings are calculated using a driver’s best finishes in major North American races. Assembled using events from the previous 12 months from the current date, we use a driver’s best seven finishes in TaG and six in Stock Moto to determine their overall current point total. With each new release, results posted from more than one year ago are discarded. To deliver our ranking list, we tabulate the results of all the WSK North American Series, Superkarts! USA Pro Tour, Rotax Pan American Challenge and other national programs and events, as well as other regional programs. We have also included the results for the major one-off events such as the SKUSA SuperNationals, the Rock Island Grand Prix and the US Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals.
Each race is initially weighted based on the prestige and history of the event or series with a score of ten (10) being the highest attainable base ranking. For 2010, the SKUSA SuperNationals, US Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals and the Rock Island Grand Prix receive a score of 10 in their initial weighting in the TaG category while the SuperNats is the lone event in the Stock Moto division. The WSK North American Series, SKUSA Pro Tour, and Rotax Pan American Challenge national series events draw a base ranking of nine (9), while the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup, Florida Winter Tour, Challenge of the Americas, IKF 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals and other regional program races were given a base ranking of either eight (8) or nine (9).
The EKN staff reserves the right to adjust the rankings of each event throughout the year. New for 2010 is a minimum entry total for any events considered for the Driver Rankings program. If an event does not have at least five (5) drivers starting the race, those results will not be tabulated toward the Driver Rankings.
Added to these initial rankings are two variables that help confirm the true importance of an event to the ranking process – field size and field strength. A percentage of one weighting point is added for the size of the field, while the number of existing top 50 drivers entered offers another full point or fraction of a point. The sum of these numbers becomes the overall ranking for any race. Following a race, drivers receive points based on their finishing positions with 100 points earned for a win. Each subsequent position drops by one point with 99 points given to the second place driver and so on throughout the field. These points are then multiplied by the overall ranking to produce a driver’s final point total from each event. Using a driver’s best seven races in TaG, six for Stock Moto, we calculate each driver’s overall score and subsequent ranking.
For the complete 2010 EKN Driver Rankings schedule, click HERE. |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
