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| November 09, 2012 News |
| EKN Exclusive: MG Tires SKUSA SuperNationals XVI - Preview Program - S4 Master Stock Moto |
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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
When the sun rises above the Las Vegas Strip this coming Wednesday morning, the first drivers to hit the track to open up the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI will be the 68 competitors that make up this year’s record-setting S4 Master Stock Moto field. The line-up is diverse with loads of talent and experience, as the class continues to be among the most populated at the event. The competition has taken a step up on the SKUSA Pro Tour as well - as it is one of only two classes to see four different winners in the four feature races leading to the SKUSA SuperNationals. Mix in roughly 13 or more drivers who have moved over from the G1 category, and the S4 class is the deepest and most competitive in its history.
In an interesting development, the championship chase on the SKUSA Pro Tour has seen one of the contenders remove himself from the running. Acceleration Kart Racing’s Curtis Cooksey (CRG) currently sits just 35 points out of the lead heading into the SuperNationals, but despite this fact, the Las Vegas resident has elected to watch from the sidelines this year, as he has for the past three years. The SpringNationals round one feature winner told EKN that he is focused on maintaining his company’s level of customer service during one of its busiest months of the year, and this required that he skip the season finale. Cooksey stated that he enjoyed racing the Pro Tour this season, and is working on a plan to compete the entire 2013 season.
Despite the absence of Cooksey, the championship fight will remain exciting, although it certainly provides the current leader with a much easier road to the #1 plate.
 | Eddie Olpin
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Eddie Olpin
Utah driver Eddie Olpin has been a great addition to the SKUSA Pro Tour this season, much to the dismay of the other S4 competitors. A two-time S4 podium finisher at the SuperNats, he continued that success into his first year in the series with three straight top-three finishes. Pulling off a podium ‘cycle’ in the first three races, the Powers Racing Kosmic driver suffered a mechanical failure in round four that could have possibly been his fourth. Going into the series finale, Olpin will have all eyes on him once they hit the track.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 1st
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 3rd
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 24th
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 3rd (2011), 2nd (2010)
Jordon Musser (-134 points)
With Cooksey out of the picture, Texan Jordon Musser (Birel) will become the lead challenger for the SKUSA Pro Tour title against Olpin. Musser was his own worst enemy at the SpringNationals, involved in incidents during both feature races while running in contention for victory. Those results hampered his point total heading into the SuperNationals, as he now needs to make up 134 points in five on-track sessions, including SuperSunday. The positive is this…the 3G Kart Racing/Team Burger King driver has a solid resume up through this year, as the four-time Rotax Grand Nationals champion and now a two-time King of the Streets winner grabbed his latest Rock in September at the Rock Island Grand Prix. He’s got another other challenge though - he’s slated to run the S2 category as well, where he finished sixth last year.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 22nd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 22nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 3rd
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 5th (2011), 16th (2010 in S1)
 | Jordon Musser
(Photo: High Velocity Productions) |
Much like TaG Master, the talent pool of the S4 category is plentiful, with four of the five podium finishers returning, including Olpin and Musser. Last year’s champion Bonnier Moulton (Tony Kart) is set to defend his crown, as one of two competitors to race in all 16 SuperNationals (fellow S4 driver Howie Idelson is the other). The MSquared Karting pilot will bolt on some extra weight to move from the S1 category he contested this past July at the SummerNats at his home track in Utah to take on the S4 field for a second time. Moulton has a G1 SuperNats win to his credit, and another victory would put him among the SuperNats elite in the win column.
PP Mastro drove to fourth in last year’s event, and is always a contender in Las Vegas. The long-time CRG driver made the move to Tony Kart recently with the Arizona-based Pure Karting operation. Mastro did not miss a step at Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, finishing second to end the year as the runner-up in the California ProKart Challenge standings. The one driver who outran him at the growing West Coast street race was Trevor McAlister (Praga). ‘T-Mac’ is entering Vegas with momentum on his side, ending the California PKC season with three wins in the final four races, and a victory at the SummerNationals in Utah. The Leading Edge Motorsports driver will make his first SuperNats start in S4 after placing 13th in TaG Master in his return to the sport last year.
Nick Firestone (Zanardi), Brian Fisher (DR Kart) and Rob Logan (CRG) round out the drivers returning from last year’s top-10. Firestone, who finished second in last year’s title chase behind Jimmy McNeil (now running S1), has had an up-and-down season. At his home track in Phoenix, Firestone suffered bad luck all weekend. The Arizona competitor is looking for Lady Luck to turn his way in Vegas. DRT Racing’s team manager Fisher spent most of his time road racing this summer, but some recent tests at the new Mooresville Motorplex has him and the rest of the team feeling good about the trip to the Rio. The privateer Logan has been fast the past few SuperNationals and 2012 should be no different.
EKN Selections:
 | Bonnier Moulton
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Rob Howden
As the S4 class develops, we’re seeing some of drivers who starred in SKUSA’s early years finding their way back to 125cc racing. I expected a few more dudes to come out and play, but it doesn’t really matter, as both Trevor McAlister and Bonnier Moulton should be ready to rekindle the excitement of the ProMoto Tour. Both drivers will arrive in Las Vegas with momentum, Moulton with the confidence from last year’s win and a solid run against the S1 stars in Utah. McAlister counters with a run of success that is perfect for the SuperNationals, as it’s the natural high point for a developing program. I see McAlister as being undeniably hungry to grab a win at the race that eluded him, and paired with Greg Bell on the Praga, it will be a fight to the finish over Moulton. I like Musser over Mastro and Olpin, who only needs to cruise into the top-five to win the title and the #1 plate. I find this to be an incredible crap shoot, as how can I not insert guys like Marks, Montgomery, Lane, Kidd, Fisher and Logan in the top-five. This is likely the hardest class to pick because the talent level is so deep. I know David’s going to mention Mike Mantel, and I agree with his call, but a sleeper for me might be the S4 debut of Don McGregor. The Canadian has been an S1 stalwart and has always shown solid pace with the young guns of SKUSA racing. I think he could surprise the regulars and run in the top-five or top-10.
1. Trevor McAlister
2. Bonnier Moulton
3. Jordan Musser
4. PP Mastro
5. Eddie Olpin
David Cole
Repeat victories are hard to come by in the sport of karting, especially at the SuperNationals. And while this is the third driver of my selections in just five classes, all three are at the top of their game. If you were to select the top-five drivers in Superkarts! USA history all-time, Moulton would be on my list. Despite what some may think, this guy loves the sport and cherishes the SuperNationals. I may have put the curse on him to win it again this year, but I’ll never bet against the old man. T-Mac has been strong the second half of the year, and it will look like the old days of SKUSA with him and Bonnier going head-to-head. Musser has a chance to match Connor DePhillippi’s record of two wins in the same year, running S2 and S4. Olpin will clinch the Pro Tour title with his third podium finish at the SuperNationals. My sleeper…an IKF Expert in nearly every category - Mike Mantel (Tony Kart). The driver hailing from Texas has worked hard all year to compete for the Pro Tour title, and while still mathematically in the hunt sitting fourth behind Musser, may not reach the top position but should be a factor during the SuperNats.
1. Bonnier Moulton
2. Trevor McAlister
3. Jordon Musser
4. Eddie Olpin
5. Mike Mantel
S4 Master Stock Moto Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 5 | Sergio Aguilera | Estral Logistics Racing | CRG | Tlajomulco de Zuniga | Jalisco | MEX | | 14k | Jonathon Allen | Aluminos | GP | Newport Beach | CA | USA | | 22y | David Arnstein | Cameron Karting | CRG | Los Gatos | CA | USA | | 327f | Christian Bartz | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Orlando | FL | BRA | | 57 | Jorge Borelli | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Sao Paulo | SP | BRA | | 26f | Vicki Brian | Vicki Brian Racing | Tony Kart | Orlando | FL | USA | | 09 | Antonio Canedo | | CRG | Sao Paulo | SP | BRA | | 33d | David Conyers | Ruthless Motorsports / CRG USA | CRG | Golden | CO | USA | | 8s | Brian Davies | DRT Racing | DR | Mooresville | NC | USA | | 22d | Jet Davis | CRG-USA | CRG | Glenwood Springs | CO | USA | | 2t | Coy Dayton | Texas Karts | Tony Kart | Austin | TX | USA | | 72 | Gary Delcoure | Acceleration Karting | CRG | Las Vegas | NV | USA | | 00c | Brad Dhesi | PSL SoCal | CRG | Irvine | CA | USA | | 45u | RJ Edgington | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | Salt Lake City | UT | USA | | 23u | Todd Edgington | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | South Jordan | UT | USA | | 2 | Nick Firestone | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Paradise Valley | AZ | USA | | 90g | Brian Fisher | DRT Racing | DR | Bluff City | TN | USA | | 9x | Chris Fosso | Pure Karting / Scottsdale Ferrari | Tony Kart | Glendale | AZ | USA | | 122z | Russell Francis | Pat's Acres | Tony Kart | Salem | OR | USA | | 19b | Ken Hromada | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Rio Rico | AZ | USA | | 19c | Howie Idelson | Team Sodikart / G-Phactory | SodiKart | Pacific Palisades | CA | USA | | 111y | Jim Inglebright | STA Racing | GP | Fairfield | CA | USA | | 86c | Erik Jackson | Tony Kart USA / 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | Long Beach | CA | USA | | 23x | Al James | Tony Kart USA / 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | El Cajon | CA | USA | | 175t | Chris Jennings | 3G Kart Racing / Team Burger King | Birel | Coppell | TX | USA | | 47y | Alex Keith | Infinity Kart Services | Energy | San Jose | CA | USA | | 98y | Jim Kidd | Cameron Karting | CRG | Campbell | CA | JAM | | 3 | Lance Lane | DRT Racing | DR | Algonquin | IL | USA | | 161 | Jim Lewis | | Tony Kart | St. Johns | FL | USA | | 33x | Rob Logan | Kimball Williams Racing | CRG | Newport Beach | CA | USA | | 88y | Kassy Loving | Cameron Karting | Italkart | Campbell | CA | USA | | 161t | Mike Mantel | Seventh Gear Karting | Tony Kart | New Braunfels | TX | USA | | 103x | Robert Marks | CRG-USA | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 5f | Eduardo Martins | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Orlando | FL | BRA | | 8c | PP Mastro | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Bakersfield | CA | USA | | 46x | Trevor McAlister | Leading Edge Motorsports | Praga | Los Angeles | CA | USA | | 28t | Steve McCaffery | 3G Kart Racing / Team Burger King | Birel | Katy | TX | GBR | | 71r | Don McGregor | Italian Motors | Italkart | Langley | BC | CAN | | 555z | Bruce McKean | Rolison Performance Group | Kosmic | Gig Harbor | WA | USA | | 55x | Roy Montgomery | Kimball Williams Racing | CRG | Humble | TX | USA | | 49u | Bonnier Moulton | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | Sandy | UT | USA | | 422c | Willy Musgrave | Musgrave Racing Company / 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | Norco | CA | USA | | 16t | Jordon Musser | 3G Kart Racing / Team Burger King | Birel | Coppell | TX | USA | | 181q | Andy Noyes | DRT Racing | DR | Woonsocket | RI | USA | | 14u | Eddie Olpin | Powers Racing | Kosmic | Pleasant Grove | UT | USA | | 7 | Emilio Padron | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Sao Paulo | SP | BRA | | 249u | Justin Peck | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | Riverton | UT | USA | | 75 | Steve Perdue | Northwest Race Karts | Ultra Kart | Algona | WA | USA | | 21r | Chris Perreault | Team Vemme / Checkered Flag Racing | Vemme | Campbell River | BC | CAN | | 42u | Ryan Pool | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | South Jordan | UT | USA | | 117 | Petr Ptacek | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | CZE | | 42f | Scott Rister | | Tony Kart | Hollywood | FL | USA | | 48 | Miguel Angel Rojas | SKUSA Mexico / Casillas Racing | Italkart | Corona | CA | MEX | | 13 | Byron Rothenhoefer | DRT Racing | DR | Leesburg | VA | USA | | 89x | Paul Russell | Seventh Gear Karting | Tony Kart | San Diego | CA | USA | | 40c | Curtis Ruth | Innovative Karting | Intrepid | Peoria | AZ | USA | | 21x | Ken Schilling | Team Vemme / Extreme Karting | Vemme | Stanton | CA | USA | | 27 | Pedro Antonio Serrano | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Sao Paulo | SP | BRA | | 41t | Mike Smith | Texas Karts | CRG | San Antonio | TX | USA | | 81 | Luis Filipe Malhao Sousa | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Sao Paulo | SP | BRA | | 121y | Mike Sullivan | Acceleration Karting | CRG | Las Vegas | NV | USA | | 67 | Doug Taylor | Kart-O-Rama | ART GP | East Olympia | WA | USA | | 102x | Darrell Tunnell | CRG-USA | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 115 | Petr Ulbert | IPK North America | Praga | Uxbridge | ON | CZE | | 00f | Tim Ulmen | CRG-USA / Homestead Karting | CRG | Miami | FL | USA | | 888 | Derek Wang | | LH | Kirkland | WA | USA | | 94 | Tom Wood | GT Parts | Intrepid | Plainfield | IL | USA | | 11k | Peter Workum | Ruthless Motorsports | KGB | Paradise Valley | AZ | USA | |
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