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| April 19, 2012 News |
| EKN Trackside: SKUSA Pro Tour MG Tires SpringNationals - Preview |
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This weekend begins the third season of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour with the running of the MG Tires SpringNationals. The Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA) Formula K Raceway will host the April 20-22 event with over 175 drivers in eight categories set to do battle for SpringNationals glory and move ahead during step one of three towards a Pro Tour title. 2012 will be a year of progression, both for the series itself and the drivers within the program. A number of champions from a year ago, along with many others, are moving up the internal SKUSA Ladder System, in TaG and Stock Moto, with a number of championship contenders returning as well.
The PKRA facility will be hosting its first SKUSA event since the May 2000 ProMoto Tour event. The first era of the organization hosted a large event that included some current big names in motorsports, including Scott Speed, AJ Allmendinger, Michael McDowell, Charlie Kimball, Jonathan Bomarito, Darren Elliott, and S1 winner that weekend Alan Rudolph. Many others who will be in Phoenix this weekend were part of the event 12 years ago, and we'll talk about them during our weekend coverage.
The Formula K Raceway circuit is 3/4-mile long with 12 turns, and SKUSA has elected to run the track in the clockwise direction. The new surface is only a few years old, and smooth as glass when compared to the event in 2000 when the surface broke up under the duress of high heat and teh super sticky tires of the day. With temperatures set to reach 100 degrees this weekend, not only will the track challenge the drivers, but the weather conditions as well.
With eight categories on the schedule for the weekend, a number of drivers are in contention for the victory in Phoenix, in addition to kicking off the championship chase in the right direction.
DRT Racing TaG Senior
 | Brett Felkins will look to begin his title defense in TaG Senior with success at the SpringNationals once again
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
For the first time in Pro Tour history, a class has reached the 40-kart limit outside of the SKUSA SuperNationals. A solid group of TaG Senior drivers will do battle at the SpringNats, and much like its headline counterpart in S1, a number of top players from a year ago return. That said, there are also some new faces looking to steal the glory in 2012. Returning as the defending champion is NorCal’s Brett Felkins. Teamed with Greg Bell's Leading Edge Motorsports aboard an Intrepid chassis, Felkins was at or near the front during the entire 2012 season. A victory at both the SpringNats and SummerNats added to a total of four total podiums, as he wrapped up the year at the SuperNationals as the top Pro Tour finisher. Back with Bell to take on the challenge of defending his title, a full field will be gunning for the talented 18-year old.
On Felkins' tail last season was top rookie Dakota Dickerson and veteran Matt Johnson. Dickerson came on with an impressive performance at the SpringNats last year to put him in the title chase. While he faltered to close out the year, the Full Throttle Karting/KartSport North America/Arrow driver is poised to return to the front this season. Johnson seemed to claw his way to the front after early troubles each weekend. A victory at the SpringNats could happen once again this time around as he is growing accustomed to his new Energy ride under the Buddy Rice Karting stable. A recent PKC victory bodes well for Johnson. SoCal drivers Travis Lowe (Energy) and Devin Lindsey (Tony Kart) return to the Pro Tour for another run at the title after finishing in the top-10 last year, both coming off solid 2011 seasons where they finished 1-2 in the ProKart Challenge South program.
Some notable names that stand out when looking at the entry list include Superkarts! USA veteran Michael Valiante. The team manager for Italian Motors squad will strap on the helmet during an off-week from his sports car schedule, piloting an Italkart entry. The three-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner is sure to be near the top of the time sheets. Another team manager/owner will don a helmet for the weekend as Jamie Sieracki of Franklin Motorsports returns to the seat. The proud new papa is set to pilot a Merlin on the weekend. Other interesting pilots to watch out for include local driver Phil DeLaO (Top Kart), a new member of the Rotax Team USA squad thanks to his championship run this winter in the Challenge of the Americas. Another quick driver from that series was Andrew Zimmer (Energy), both making their Pro Tour debuts this weekend.
A good crop of rookie drivers enter the 2012 season, holding two top graduates from the Pro Tour last year. 2011 TaG Junior champion Jake Craig (CRG) is set for a run at the Senior ranks now, running under the CRG-USA banner that helped him score the title a year ago. Reno driver Austin Dement (DR Kart) was fast last year, winning two feature races in TaG Junior, although he was unable to convert those victories into championship gold. Watch for him to be fast, especially in qualifying. Other rookies to watch include WKA Triple Crown winner Joel Jens (Tony Kart), Phil Giebler Racing driver Mason Daughters (FA Kart) and Indiana’s Robby Seward, aboard the American manufactured Ultimate chassis.
Extreme Karting/Vemme Kart S1 Pro Stock Moto
 | Kiwi driver Daniel Bray returns to the States to defend his S1 crown
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Now entering its third year, the S1 Pro Stock Moto category will see its largest field to date. A total of sixteen drivers are set to begin their quest for a SKUSA Pro Tour championship and the field will see a mixture of returning S1 drivers from 2011 and a strong handful of class rookies moving up from S2. The top seven from last year return, led by defending champion Daniel Bray (GP). The Kiwi heads back to the States to carry the #1 SKUSA plate for 2012. Bray hopes to begin his title defense in similar fashion to his 2011 championship run, where he swept both main events at last year’s SpringNats in Tucson.
Number two and three in the 2011 championship, carrying those number plates in 2012, will be Tom Dyer and Lukas Johnson. Dyer, the veteran of the field, placed second in the title chase last year on the strength of two podiums, including one big win in Colorado. Returning with Aluminos aboard a GP machine once again, Dyer is set for another run at the championship, this time with Bray under the same tent. Johnson was the top rookie of 2011, earning three straight podiums to start out the year. Now running under the River Lake Racing banner aboard the Exprit chassis, Johnson will try to not fall into the dreaded sophomore slump. Considering his quick development last year, this is not likely to occur.
A solid group of S2 drivers are graduating to the S1 division for 2012, including five of the top-six from last year’s title chase. Kyle Hathcox (GP) is the 2011 S2 champion and is primed to challenge in the S1 title chase, starting off at his home track in Phoenix. Cory Milne (GP) comes in under the Aluminos tent with plenty of guidance to work with, which will help to make the transition easy. EKN Driver Rankings #1 Stock Moto driver Nicky Freytag has moved to the Phil Giebler Racing stable, aboard an FA Kart for 2012, but comes to the SpringNats at his home track, which could make him a contender. Midwest hotshoe Josh ‘Wild Thing’ Lane will carry the DRT Racing banner aboard his DR Kart into the S1 ranks after an impressive 2011 season in S2.
Young gun Daniel Langon is next on the list of drivers who earned their A License to be promoted to S1 through the internal SKUSA Ladder System for Stock Moto, and he is ready to take on the big dogs in S1 with his Zanardi America entry. Also included on that list is Texan Jake French (Birel). After a limited schedule in S2 the past two years, the 3G Kart Racing pilot jumped to S1 for the SuperNationals last year and he is set to tackle the Pro Tour in 2012.
New names to the Pro Tour are Joey Wimsett (CRG) and Keenan Schmitke (SodiKart). Wimsett moved from the TaG ranks and has made the transition to Stock Moto for 2012. Schmitke has always been a fast driver at the SuperNats and is making his first SpringNationals start. Not new to the series, but making the rare transition from S4 to S1, is 2011 champion Jimmy McNeil (CRG). Walking away with the S4 title last year, McNeil returns to the top level. The hard work and preparation that McNeil puts into his program will have him among the favorites as we enter the weekend.
CRG-USA S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto
 | Matias Podboj is among the long list of contenders in the S2 division
(Photo: dromophotos.com) |
A number of top drivers from 2011 have graduated to the S1 category for the upcoming season, leaving the run at the S2 championship wide open. Top returning drivers include Ryan Kinnear - switching to the new Formula K chassis with Champion Racing, Sabré Cook with CRG-USA and Christian Schureman of Extreme Karting aboard the Vemme kart. Kinnear was hot early last year but faded off as the year went on. Cook was the complete opposite, coming on at the end of the year and nearly pulled off a podium finish at the SuperNats until a spun gear sidelined her on the final lap. Schureman went through some growing pains last year in his rookie campaign, but was fast by earning some fast lap honors and runner-up at the SummerNats.
Those new to the Pro Tour with a shot at the victory in Phoenix and possible the championship include Matias Podboj. Driving for Kimball Williams Racing aboard a CRG, Podboj was a top-10 finisher at the SuperNationals last year and is off to a solid start at the California ProKart Challenge. Another fast driver to watch out is the ‘Flyin Hawaiian’ Alec Gumpfer. Committed to the Pro Tour with Pure Karting/Tony Kart, Gumpfer will be a threat in 2012. Connor Wagner is the top driver currently in the EKN Driver Rankings competing in S2, moving to the Formula K chassis as well with Champion Racing.
Austin Schimmel (GP) and Alex Tartaglia (Formula K) are reaching the second step in the SKUSA Ladder System for Stock Moto. The two rookies were 1-2 in the S5 Junior Stock Moto championship order last year, making their Senior debut at the SpringNationals. A number of other drivers will be making their S2 debut on the Pro Tour, with Friday’s practice set to reveal those up to the challenge in 2012.
Phil Giebler Racing S4 Master Stock Moto
 | Nick Firestone and Lance Lane return to battle for the no.1 plate in S4
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Last year, Jimmy McNeil walked away with the championship with some small battles after throughout the year. With his move to S1, the door has been left open for anyone to enter as the top dog in the S4 division. Five returning championship-contending drivers and a host of new names to run down could make the S4 class the most exciting division to watch. Leading the returning drivers is vice-champion Nick Firestone (Zanardi) and third place finisher Lance Lane. Firestone has the advantage going into the weekend, racing at his home track. Lane, coming off a bad wreck in Texas last month, has recovered nicely and is set to challenge once again in 2012.
The S4 division will see a surge of young talent this season with five names that stand out. Jordon Musser and Chris Jennings have been racing S1 and S2 for the last few years and are making the transition to S4 this year with 3G Kart Racing/Birel. Acceleration Kart Racing’s Curtis Cooksey (CRG) returns to the shifterkart ranks. Cooksey was part of the last SKUSA race at PKRA in 2000, finishing 16th aboard a PTK chassis in the headline S1 division. Also from those times in SKUSA racing is Trevor McAlister (Intrepid). ‘T-Mac’ was the #3 plate in S1 and has returned with Greg Bell/Leading Edge Motorsports for a S4 campaign in 2012. Eddie Olpin (Kosmic) was among the quickest drivers at the SuperNationals this past season, finishing third. Now set for his Pro Tour debut, Olpin will be among the drivers near the top of the time sheets. Others to watch include Jim ‘The’ Kidd (Italkart) and Mike Mantel (CRG), coming off a horrible crash escaping any serious injury last month.
Full Throttle Karting TaG Master
 | Brian McHattie hopes to defend his TaG Master title
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
The ‘most improved’ class of the 2011 Pro Tour was the TaG Master category. With increased field sizes and tough racing throughout the year, it was an exciting class to watch. While the field size for this weekend is not as high as expected, the fight for the championship begins with some tough players at the table. Defending champion Brian McHattie returns following a solid season in 2011. Scoring double victories at the SpringNats and another at the SummerNationals, McHattie locked up the title in Vegas, just missing out on the podium with a come-from-behind drive. Moving to the Exprit chassis for 2012, he’s already earned victory on the east coast in preparation for his title defense. Reno’s David Harwin (Tony Kart) was the only driver to beat McHattie in a feature race outside the SuperNationals. Harwin went on to finish second in the championship standings, looking to move one step up for 2012.
Returning contenders from last year include SuperNationals runner-up Jim Russell Jr. (Parolin), Russell Karting Specialties teammate Chuck Gafrarar (Parolin), 2010 Pro Tour champion Ethan Wilson (Tony Kart), along with Colorado driver Scott Falcone (Arrow) and Brian Robson (Arrow); any one of them capable of victory or a run at the championship once again. Add into the mix SuperNats podium finisher Randy Froom (Intrepid), Wisconsin’s Brian McEvoy (Merlin), Challenge of the Americas champion Paul Bonilla (Arrow) and Andy Seesemann (Arrow), 2012 will be an exciting season for TaG Master.
Innovative Karting S5 Junior Stock Moto
 | Ryan Rudolph is a returning championship contender set to battle for the S5 title
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
On the brink of exclusion from the Pro Tour, the industry and community stepped up to the plate with a record breaking 14 drivers set to battle in the S5 Junior Stock Moto division at the SpringNationals. First and second in the championship from a year ago have graduated to the S2 division, leaving Ryan Rudolph as the top returning driver. The CRG-USA driver nearly squeaked out the victory in Las Vegas, coming just five-hundredths short at the line in his CRG debut. Staying back for a final year in the class, Rudolph is the leading contender for the championship. Up to challenge Rudolph will be Arizona driver Micah Hendricks (Intrepid). Showing vast improvement over the winter, the two-time podium finisher in 2011 is sure to be chasing for victories this season. A number of new names come to the Pro Tour and the S5 division coming from all different areas of the country. Andrew Evans (Italkart) from Washington, Andretta Young (Birel) from Texas, Collin Willis (GP and Jenna Grillo (DR Kart) from Minnesota. The next young guns of Superkarts! USA is sure to come from this group.
Italian Motors USA TaG Junior
 | A number of drivers are set to battle for the TaG Junior championship, including Carter Williams and TaG Cadet champion Colton Herta
(Photo: dromophotos.com) |
The TaG Junior division is welcoming an increase in participation for the SpringNationals as well with the championship chase open to the top contenders from 2011 graduating. Champion Jake Craig moved up to TaG Senior for 2012, leaving the spot open for anyone to assume this season.
The surprise of the year could be the emergence of a Junior rookie standing as the champion at the end of the year. A solid group, including five key drivers, is graduating from the Cadet level to Junior for 2012. Colton Herta (DR Kart) leads this group, coming off his second straight TaG Cadet championship. Davey Manthei Jr. (Arrow) was vice-champion to Herta last season, Christian Brooks (Energy) was fourth and Noah Grey (FA Kart) fifth. Utah’s Austin Versteeg (CRG) is an emerging driver, jumping up to Junior in Vegas last year and already recording solid results thus far in 2012.
The veterans of the category include ProKart Challenge champion and current point leader Carter Williams (Tony Kart). While he was unable to produce results on the Pro Tour last year, moving to Phil Giebler Racing in 2012 could help turn that around. Blaine Rocha finished eighth in the championship chase a year ago. His move to the Arrow brand with Kartel Motorsports has equated to a victory already in 2012 at the Challenge of the Americas, so victory on the Pro Tour is possible as well. Another driver having a break-through winter was Luke Selliken (Kosmic). The February EKN Driver of the Month scored double wins at the PKRA facility, so the Rolison Performance Group driver is poised to compete for SpringNationals glory.
Leading Edge Motorsports TaG Cadet
 | The TaG Cadet division is wide open, Jack von Quilich is among the many contenders this season
(Photo: dromophotos.com) |
For the first time in two years, the champion of the TaG Cadet class will not be named Colton Herta. After dominating the division for the past two seasons, Herta has graduated up to TaG Junior and a new crop of young SKUSA racers are ready to battle for their first championship. Fourteen drivers are entered for the SpringNationals with some familiar names ready for battle. The unmistakable Sting Ray Robb (Tony Kart) is coming back to challenge for the title after finishing eighth a year ago. A number of top drives from the regional levels will be on hand this weekend; including PKC North champion Hunter Corbitt (Top Kart), Colorado’s David Rafailov (CRG), current Califorina PKC point leader Jack von Quilich (Intrepid), along with some local Arizona talent.
EKN Trackside Live Coverage
For those family members, friends, and karting fanatics who are unable to attend the SKUSA SpringNationals event in person, eKartingNews.com will bring you the benefit of feeling like you are there right to your couch or computer desk. The EKN Trackside Live coverage - http://www.ekartingnews.com/live - will give you the play-by-play action from EKN’s own Rob Howden and allow you to view the live scoring feed from Race-Monitor.com. The EKN Trackside Live page is the one page to bookmark for your weekend. If you have a mobile device, you can listen in through EKN’s streaming page (mobile.livestream.com/ekartingnewslive) when racing is taking place. Check updates from the event, including the top-10 of each session, at the Official Discussion Thread in the EKN Forums. Be sure to ‘Like’ us on Facebook/eKartingNews and @eKartingNews on Twitter for extra updates, pictures and videos from this weekend.
Superkarts! USA Pro Tour MG Tires SpringNationals Pre-Entry List |
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