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| Features |
| eKartingNews.com Driver Rankings – December 3, 2010 |
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As snow begins to cover the northern half of the country and the Christmas shopping is taking away from the racing budget, the 2010 karting season is coming to a close. The last year has been an interesting and very exciting time for the sport with a mixture of young talent and unyielding veterans shining in the spotlight over the course of the season. That holds true for the eKartingNews.com Driver Rankings with the final edition ready for release. With the results tabulated from the last 12 months from a host of national and regional events throughout the United States, the specialized formula has equated just who is the best in the TaG and Stock Moto divisions.
Holding through the final events of the year, the soon to be 15-year old Daniel Formal (Kosmic) continues his reign as the youngest driver to hold the #1 spot in the TaG division. On the Stock Moto side, newly-crowned SKUSA Pro Tour champion Fritz Leesmann (CRG) moves up to the top spot for the first time to wrap-up the 2010 season.
Formal and second place driver Sam Beasley (Arrow) avoided an attack from drivers at the SKUSA SuperNationals with many of the top finishers no where inside the top-50. WKA champion Robert Bujdoso (PCR) took advantage however to move up the order, into the third spot while Victor Pedrosa (Arrow) also moved up two spots to fourth as Michael Politis (Merlin/EKS) fell to fifth. Last year’s SuperNats winner Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) fell outside the top-10 after sitting fourth last edition, after not defending his crown. Jesus Rios Jr. (CRG) and Andy Dunne (Birel) each moved up the order despite racing in the Rotax Grand Finals while reigning Rotax Grand National champion Stepanova Nekeel (Tony Kart) fell down one spot to eighth. Kyle Wiegand (Top Kart) jumped three spots without racing recently, having solid results in the early portion of the 2010 season. Capping off the top-10 is two-time WKA Grand National winner Tommy Andersen (Merlin).
While the first position changed in the Stock Moto rankings, Jason Toft (GP) remained in the second spot. SKUSA SuperNationals S1 winner Alex Speed (GP) jumped to the third spot after earning his sixth race result while former number one driver Clinton Schoombee (DR) fell to fourth after recording a DNF in Vegas. The new S2 SuperNats winner and SKUSA Pro Tour champion Derek Crockett (GP) rounds out the top-five, putting in probably the best season of his career thus far. Nic LeDuc (Energy) fell one spot after not attending this year’s SuperNats. Despite a solid performance in Vegas, Brad Dunford (CRG) fell three spots to seventh while Brett Buckwalter (Italkart) jumped up two after a top-10 run last month. Back into the mix, Kiwi driver Daniel Bray (GP) recorded his sixth race of the season to move into ninth while Tommy Thompson (CRG) struggled and fell to tenth.
TaG
TaG Driver Rankings Top-10
| Pos. | Oct. 28 | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 1 | NC | Daniel Formal | 16 | 7120 | | 2. | 2 | NC | Sam Beasley | 20 | 7048 | | 3. | 5 | 2 | Robert Bujdoso | 13 | 6948 | | 4. | 6 | 2 | Victor Pedrosa | 26 | 6936 | | 5. | 3 | -2 | Michael Politis | 19 | 6908 | | 6. | 8 | 2 | Jesus Rios Jr. | 9 | 6874 | | 7. | 10 | 3 | Andy Dunne | 19 | 6862 | | 8. | 7 | -1 | Stepanova Nekeel | 15 | 6852 | | 9. | 12 | 3 | Kyle Wiegand | 10 | 6828 | | 10. | 13 | 3 | Tommy Andersen | 11 | 6824 | |
For the full TaG Driver Rankings, Click Here
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 | Daniel Formal
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media) |
TaG #1 - Daniel Formal
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Florida driver Daniel Formal ends the 2010 season as the youngest driver to ever hold the number one position in the TaG Driver Rankings. In his first full season in the Senior ranks, the Advanced Karting/J3 Competition driver was vice-champion in the internationally-stacked Florida Winter Tour Rotax Challenge. The soon-to-be 15 year old earned a spot on Team USA with a third place run at the US Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals. And capping off the year, Formal swept the victories at the Rotax Pan American Challenge round in Homestead. With the results put up by the Kosmic driver, there is no doubt Formal one of the top TaG drivers in 2010.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #2 | 9 | 1 | 1015 | | Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #3 | 9 | 3 | 998 | | Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #4 | 9 | 1 | 1021 | | Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #5 | 9 | 3 | 1013 | | US Rotax Grand Nationals ’10 | 10 | 3 | 1107 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - Homestead #1 | 9 | 1 | 983 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - Homestead #2 | 9 | 1 | 983 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 1.86
Average Points: 1017.1
Total Points: 7120
**************
 | Sam Beasley
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
TAG #2 - Sam Beasley
Leroy, Ohio
A rising star over the past few seasons, Ohio driver Sam Beasley is building a strong resume at just the young age of 16. Able to compete in Junior and Senior ranks in 2010, Beasley earned another Triple Crown honor in WKA competition in the Junior level. It was his results in the Senior classes that helped him earn the second spot in the Driver Rankings. A victory at the Rotax Pan American Challenge and a drive from 33rd to second at the Rotax Grand Nationals solidified his talents. The Arrow driver stamped the exclamation point with a Rock Island Grand Prix in the competitive TaG Senior class with a runner-up in the IAME division. Rumored to be moving to Formula Ford national racing in 2011, Beasley’s talent will be missed in karting.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| Florida Winter Tour ’10 - Rotax #6 | 9 | 1 | 1023 | | Florida Winter Tour ’10 - FK-IAME #6 | 8 | 3 | 863 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - New Castle #1 | 9 | 4 | 975 | | Rotax Pan Am Chall. ’10 - New Castle #2 | 9 | 1 | 1005 | | US Rotax Grand Nationals ’10 | 10 | 2 | 1118 | | Rock Island GP ’10 - TaG Sr. | 10 | 1 | 1107 | | Rock Island GP ’10 - IAME | 9 | 2 | 957 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 2.0
Average Points: 1006.9
Total Points: 7048
**************
 | Robert Bujdoso
(Photo: Sean Burr - Go Racing Magazine) |
TAG #3 - Robert Bujdoso
Canfield, Ohio
Ohio driver Robert Bujdoso made his full season at the Senior level a break-out year. The 17-year old put in some impressive results in the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series, clinching both the TaG and TaG Heavy championships. In a part-time Championship Karting International schedule, the Checkered Motorsports/PCR driver showed speed there as well, standing on the podium at the season opener in April. Missing from his results is a solid results from a 10-base ranking, however, his performance at the SKUSA SuperNationals was a great recovery. Starting 19th in the LCQ after two DNFs in his heat races, Bujdoso drove to a 19th to first to make the main, where he finished 26th after starting 35th. More is sure to come from him in 2011.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| CKI 2010 - New Castle #1 | 9 | 2 | 964 | | WKA Man. Cup ’10 - SB - TaG | 9 | 1 | 1030 | | WKA Man. Cup ’10 - RA - TaG | 9 | 2 | 997 | | WKA Man. Cup ’10 - RA - TaG H | 9 | 2 | 985 | | CKI 2010 - New Jersey #1 | 9 | 4 | 959 | | WKA Man. Cup ’10 - NC - TaG | 9 | 4 | 1000 | | WKA Man. Cup ’10 - NJ - TaG | 9 | 2 | 1013 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 3.29
Average Points: 992.6
Total Points: 6948
Stock Moto
Stock Moto Driver Rankings Top-10
| Pos | Oct. 28 | Plus/Minus | Driver | Races | Score| 1. | 3 | 2 | Fritz Leesmann | 11 | 6235 | | 2. | 2 | NC | Jason Toft | 10 | 6171 | | 3. | 42 | 39 | Alex Speed | 6 | 6068 | | 4. | 1 | -3 | Clinton Schoombee | 12 | 5986 | | 5. | 7 | 2 | Derek Crockett | 9 | 5901 | | 6. | 5 | -1 | Nic LeDuc | 9 | 5880 | | 7. | 4 | -3 | Brad Dunford | 15 | 5875 | | 8. | 10 | 2 | Brett Buckwalter | 9 | 5872 | | 9. | 45 | 36 | Daniel Bray | 6 | 5870 | | 10. | 6 | -4 | Tommy Thompson | 13 | 5759 | |
For the full Stock Moto Driver Rankings, Click Here
**************
 | Fritz Leesmann
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
NEW Stock Moto #1 - Fritz Leesmann
Elk Grove, California
A former number one driver in the ICC Driver Rankings, Fritz Leesmann climbed his way to the top of the Stock Moto standings to close out 2010. The NorCal stud is riding high off a runner-up finish at the SKUSA SuperNationals in the headline S1 category, helping to clinch the inaugural SKUSA Pro Tour title and 5k in cash. The Aluminos/PSL Karting driver was very cool and collective during his ‘rookie’ year in the Stock Moto category. After starting off the season with victories in the ProKart Challenge North and SKUSA PT, Leesmann scored the regional championship, national title, and the number one spot in the EKN Driver Rankings…certainly not a bad 2010.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 1 | 1054 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 2 | 1037 | | ProKart Chall. North #3 - S1 | 8.5 | 1 | 964 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 7 | 993 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 1 | 1057 | | SKUSA SuperNationals 2010 - S1 | 10 | 2 | 1130 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 2.67
Average Points: 1039.2
Total Points: 6235
**************
 | Jason Toft
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Stock Moto #2 - Jason Toft
Petaluma, California
The ProKart Challenge North inaugural Stock Moto champion, Jason Toft continues to demonstrate his talent behind the wheel. Ending the 2010 season second in the Driver Rankings, Toft was one of Leesmann’s closest rivals throughout the year. Despite missing one round, Toft ended the year third in the PKC North S1 standings, earning a victory in round four. The STA Racing/GP driver was second overall at the SpringNationals, once again behind Leesmann and ended the year with a podium finish at the SKUSA SuperNationals.
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 2 | 1043 | | SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 3 | 1026 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 2 | 1046 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 7 | 993 | | ProKart Chall. North #6 - S1 | 8.5 | 2 | 955 | | SKUSA SuperNationals 2010 - S1 | 10 | 4 | 1108 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 3.33
Average Points: 1028.5
Total Points: 6171
**************
 | Alex Speed
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Stock Moto #3 - Alex Speed
Manteca, California
Considered by many as one of the best shifterkart driver ever, Alex Speed is no stranger to the upper tier of the EKN Driver Rankings. The former multi-time national champion ‘retired’ after the 2005 season on top and after a brief time away, has been climbing his way back to the top. With the ICC category lost here in the United States, the NorCal star campaign the KF program for some time before the rebirth of the Stock Moto became his new challenge. Making his first start back in June, the STA Racing/GP driver is back on his game slamming the six-speed of a Honda powerplant and has been nearly unstoppable. The S1 victory at the SKUSA SuperNationals was his first headline victory at the event and first win since scoring the ‘S1
Point Breakdown
| Race | Rank | Finish | Points| ProKart Chall. North #4 - S1 | 8.5 | 6 | 906 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - S1 | 9.5 | 1 | 1057 | | SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - S1 | 9.5 | 2 | 1046 | | ProKart Chall. North #6 - S1 | 8.5 | 1 | 953 | | ProKart Chall. North #6 - S1 | 8.5 | 1 | 964 | | SKUSA SuperNationals 2010 - S1 | 10 | 1 | 1142 | |
Inside the Stats
Average Finish: 2.0
Average Points: 1011.3
Total Points: 6068
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. |
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