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| November 05, 2012 News |
| EKN Exclusive: MG Tires SKUSA SuperNationals XVI - Preview Program - TaG Cadet |
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eKartingNews.com, the official online media partner of Superkarts! USA, is proud to present the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI Preview Program. Over the coming days leading up to the November 14-18 event, EKN will preview each of the nine categories that will compete for a share of the prize package worth roughly $100,000, and the completion of the 2012 SKUSA Pro Tour.
For complete coverage of the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI presented by MG Tires, visit the Official EKN Event Page
The 2012 SuperNationals will mark the third year that the TaG Cadet have competed at the Las Vegas event. Over the past several years, Superkarts! USA has been busy extending its own internal ladder into the Junior categories and TaG Cadet now serves as the entry level division into their TaG program. The class opens the door for drivers from age 9 to 12 years old get to enjoy the experience of racing alongside the best in the world. The last two SuperNats have provided loads of excitement with Patricio O’Ward and Logan Sargeant scoring the victories. This year will welcome another first-time winner as both drivers have moved up the ladder, O’Ward into S5 and Sargeant to TaG Junior. In fact, over 60% of the TaG Cadet field will be making their first SKUSA SuperNationals start. And showing just how international the event has become, 28 drivers hail from outside the United States.
Much of the focus this year will be on the contenders for the SKUSA Pro Tour championship. During the last two seasons, Colton Herta had all but wrapped up the title heading into Vegas, so we didn’t focus much on the title fight. This year, four drivers, three of which come from California, are in the hunt and the top position remains very much up for grabs. The drivers in the championship challenge include Hunter Corbitt, Anthony Sawyer, Hunter Kelly and Sting Ray Robb.
 | Hunter Corbitt
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Hunter Corbitt
Corbitt (Top Kart) leads the championship chase by 95 points when the drop race is factored in, and he is the only driver with two feature wins - one at each of the Pro Tour stops. His past record at the SuperNationals shows an improvement from the first year to the second, and a continuation of this development could see him walk away with the crown.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 1st
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 4th
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 8th
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 1st
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 6th (2011), 12th (2010)
Anthony Sawyer (-95 points)
Of the four drivers in the hunt, Sawyer has been the most consistent on the year. The only driver to podium in all four events, the DR Kart pilot has yet to stand proud at the top step so the SuperNationals would be the prime place to end this streak. Another driver with two years of racing in Vegas under his belt, Sawyer will need to improve on his 10th place finish from a year ago in order to eliminate the 95 point deficit in the championship.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 3rd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 3rd
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 2nd
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 10th (2011), 21st (2010)
 | Anthony Sawyer
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Hunter Kelly (-130 points)
Trailing by just 130 points entering Vegas, Kelly (Tecno) remains in the hunt for the series title. A podium finisher in both main events at the SpringNationals - including victory - Kelly struggled in Utah at the SummerNationals. Considering the fact that the SuperNationals feature three heats races, and the extra points involved, Kelly will need to score in every session to put himself into contention come SuperSunday and the TaG Cadet main event.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 1st
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 16th
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 4th
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 18th (2011)
Sting Ray Robb (-197 points)
Robb (Tony Kart) is a young driver with diverse experience. Racing all over North America, from 2-cycle to 4-cycle, Robb is no stranger to big events. The SuperNationals, however, have not been kind to the driver from Idaho. Placing 17th at the inaugural event for TaG Cadet, Robb was unable to qualify for the main event last year. With redemption on the mind of the 11-year old, anything can happen in Vegas and Robb could cut into the 197-point gap that Corbitt holds, or at least earn a top-three finish for the year.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 4th
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 6th
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 9th
Previous SuperNationals Finish: DNQ (2011), 17th (2010)
 | Hunter Kelly
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
While the majority of the drivers in the field are SuperNationals rookies, there are a number of competitors with a great deal of experience. Three drivers from the eastern half of the country have shown well in Vegas over the past two years. Anthony Gangi Jr. (Tony Kart) is the only returning podium finisher as the rest have moved up the racing ladder. A now two-time Rotax Grand Nationals champion at just 11 years-old, winning this past year in the Mini Max category, the New York driver will be a force at the SuperNats once again. Illinois driver David Malukas (Birel) has placed inside the top-12 both years. His best finish came in 2010, placing eighth. While championships eluded him this season, the young pilot scored a number of victories on the WKA Manufacturers Cup Series. Another star from the east is Leonardo Stoia (PCR). Like Malukas, Stoia was a front runner all season long - earning the Komet Sportsman title. With two SuperNationals under his belt, the third could be the year he stands on the podium for the first time.
EKN Selections:
Rob Howden
The SuperNationals is simply the biggest race of the year, and this fact is not lost on the youngest drivers in the field. Winning in Las Vegas is extremely important to them, but remember, the title fight is also in the minds of a handful of drivers and this might play a role in the final decision to make a pass or hold a spot to win the crown. I do love the fact that the SuperNationals draws in the big guns from SKUSA, Rotax and the WKA, and this throws everything up in the air. That said, Gangi has the confidence that comes with victories, and I think his pace from last year, coupled with his Rotax Grand Nationals win, will make him the favorite. But, I’m going to do with Corbitt for the victory. Hunter has matured greatly and I think he will realize that winning outright, taking the Pro Tour championship in the process, will sweeten the triumph all that much more. My sleeper pick will be young Antonio Serravalle. Although he’s just 10 years of age, he raced in Canada successfully against stiff competition in 2011, spent the year in Italy and was impressive in the Mini Rok class at the recently Rok Cup International Final, and finished 15th last year in Las Vegas. All this experience adds up to the chance to make something happen this time around.
1. Hunter Corbitt
2. Anthony Gangi Jr.
3. Anthony Sawyer
4. Hunter Kelly
5. Antonio Serravalle
 | Sting Ray Robb
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
David Cole
An OTK brand has won the first two TaG Cadet SuperNationals main event. So looking at this year’s field, I have plenty to choose from with roughly 45% of the field on an OTK chassis. The two previous winners have come into Vegas with momentum, and this year Gangi brings it with the Rotax Grand Nationals title on his young CV. After that, it’s anyone’s for the taking as we often see in Cadet racing. I feel the championship contenders will find their way onto the podium, as will SummerNationals winner Jason Pettit (Wild Kart).
1. Anthony Gangi Jr.
2. Hunter Corbitt
3. Jason Pettit
4. Anthony Sawyer
5. Hunter Kelly
TaG Cadet Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 72 | Jose Alvarado | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | | | VEN | | 294m | Sebastian Alvarez | PSL Karting | CRG | Alvaro Obregon | Distrito Federal | MEX | | 88b | Ethan Barrett | Tony Kart USA / 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | | 521f | Michael Benyahia | MSB Racing | Kosmic | Doral | FL | USA | | 74t | Nick Brueckner | Southern Karting Specialists (SKS) | Tony Kart | Hockley | TX | USA | | 524d | Riley Cook | CRG USA | CRG | Grand Junction | CO | USA | | 1y | Hunter Corbitt | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Folsom | CA | USA | | 4e | Braydon Cromwell | Fairfield Motorsports | Parolin | Lee's Summit | MO | USA | | 29t | Pierce Dawlett | Iron Rock Motorsports | Tony Kart | Austin | TX | USA | | 471 | Roman DeAngelis | DeAngelis Racing | Kosmic | Belle River | ON | CAN | | 30 | Lachlan DeFrancesco | DeFrancesco Racing (DFR) | Top Kart | Fort Lauderdale | FL | USA | | 53t | Riley Dickinson | Iron Rock Motorsports | Tony Kart | New Braunfels | TX | USA | | 33 | Jack Doohan | | Intrepid | Coomera | QLD | AUS | | 57 | Michael D'Orlando | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Hartsdale | NY | USA | | 95 | Nicholas D'Orlando | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Hartsdale | NY | USA | | 16 | Griffin Dowler | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Edmonton | AB | CAN | | 111 | Alessandro Famularo | AM Engines | Tony Kart | Doral | FL | VEN | | 12 | Anthony Famularo | AM Engines | Tony Kart | Doral | FL | VEN | | 010 | Broc Feeney | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | AUS | | 186y | Roy Fulmer IV | Kartel Motorsports | Arrow | Placerville | CA | USA | | 07n | Anthony Gangi Jr. | GT7 Motorsports | Tony Kart | Brookville | NY | USA | | 568m | Javier Gonzales | Advanced Karting | Intrepid | Weston | FL | MEX | | 221a | Ruben Grillet | AM Engines | Tony Kart | Hialeah | FL | VEN | | 155 | Kaden Harter | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Bensalem | PA | USA | | 522t | Max Hewitt | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Houston | TX | USA | | 222 | Zach Holden | Motorama Kart Parts (MKP) / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Greenfield | IN | USA | | 3a | James Howe | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Ballajura | WA | AUS | | 151 | Lochie Hughes | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | AUS | | 532t | David Ilavia | PSL Karting | CRG | Houston | TX | USA | | 98x | Jagger Jones | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Scottsdale | AZ | USA | | 55j | Max Kaeser | North Star Karting | PCR | Cincinnati | OH | USA | | 103y | Hunter Kelly | Bordogna Racing Team | Tecno Kart | Elk Grove | CA | USA | | 01 | Brandon Lemke | Merlin USA / Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Eagle | WI | USA | | 177d | Liam Letzsch | Ruthless Motorsports | KGB | Golden | CO | USA | | 6t | Ryan C. Lewis | Iron Rock Motorsports | Kosmic | Cedar Park | TX | USA | | 65t | Ryan P. Lewis | Iron Rock Motorsports | Arrow | Lufkin | TX | USA | | 412 | Rasmus Lindh | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Kullavik | | SWE | | 99c | Jackson Logsdon | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Scottsdale | AZ | USA | | 011 | Marek Machulda | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | CZE | | 79j | David Malukas | MRP Motorsport | Birel | Chicago Ridge | IL | USA | | 40j | Jack Miller | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Westfield | IN | USA | | 777 | David Morales | Euro Motor Sport | Birel | Ft. Lauderdale | FL | USA | | 555 | Alfonso Perez Jr. | Falcone GP | OTK | Cumbres | | MEX | | 110 | Gianluca Petecof | | FA Kart | Alphaville | SP | BRA | | 46y | Jason Pettit | Kartel Motorsports | Wildkart | Walnut Creek | CA | USA | | 129 | Victor Prato | IPK North America | OK1 | Uxbridge | ON | VEN | | 19 | Petr Ptacek | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | CZE | | 20 | Emiliano Richards | Gayo Kart | CRG | Benito Juarez | Distrito Federal | MEX | | 316z | Sting Ray Robb | Kartel Motorsports | Tony Kart | Ontario | OR | USA | | 545a | Giovanny Rafael Nieto Rodriguez | | Kosmic | Doral | FL | VEN | | 456 | Sebastian Rodriguez | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Bogota | Cundinamarca | COL | | 52a | Roger Rojo | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | | | VEN | | 888a | Valentina Sarmiento | | Tony Kart | Plantation | FL | VEN | | 06c | Anthony Sawyer | Pitts Performance | DR | Los Angeles | CA | USA | | 7c | Ryan Schartau | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Montclair | CA | USA | | 18 | Antonio Serravalle | Pserra Racing | Tecno Kart | Markham | ON | CAN | | 49c | Jonathan Shone | Grand Products / Top Kart USA / Empire Karts | Top Kart | Fontana | CA | USA | | 520j | John Paul Southern Jr. | Checkered Motorsports | PCR | Westlake | OH | USA | | 32b | Trenton Sparks | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Bakersfield | CA | USA | | 27 | Leonardo Stoia | PCR Distribution | PCR | Medina | OH | USA | | 08 | Santiago Terife | AM Engines | Tony Kart | Miami | FL | VEN | | 05 | Sergio Terife | AM Engines | Tony Kart | Miami | FL | VEN | | 92 | Alex Verhagen | KartSport North America | Arrow | Ridgefield | CT | USA | | 91 | Neil Verhagen | KartSport North America | Arrow | Ridgefield | CT | USA | | 15y | Hayden Wagner | Pitts Performance | DR | Paso Robles | CA | USA | | 106 | Darryl Wenas | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Hacienda Heights | CA | IDN | | 44x | Dante Yu | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | El Monte | CA | USA | |
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