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| November 10, 2012 News |
| EKN Exclusive: MG Tires SKUSA SuperNationals XVI - Preview Program - S2 Semi-Pro 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
The renewal of the S2 category at the SuperNationals in 2010 provided a valuable Semi-Pro level of Senior 125cc competition and development, and the class will make its third appearance at the prestigious event as part of the SKUSA Stock Moto ladder system. After watching a number of drivers graduate to the S1 division for 2012, a new crop of racers have emerged as the new contenders in the class, all primed to make the jump to the headline S1 category. It’s a diverse roster that is very competitive, as four different drivers won in the four feature races that have made up the Pro Tour thus far. With no previous SuperNationals winner in the field, this year a first-time victor and class champion will be crowned.
Leading the charge is the talented Sabre Cook, who has shown great poise and maturity in addition to blinding outright speed. The Colorado pilot is chased closed by Utah competitor Cody Tracy, meaning that the Rocky Mountain region is well represented in the S2 title fight. Californian Cody Deide is by no means out of the fight, but he’ll have work to do from the get-go.
 | Sabre Cook
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Sabré Cook
CRG-USA driver Sabré Cook is among the best of the young talent that makes up the competitive S2 division. Cook’s string of three runner-up finishes places her at the top of the championship standings heading into Las Vegas. A loose carburetor took her out of contention for her first S2 victory in round four of the Pro Tour, but has not put a dent in her confidence. While she’s spent the last two months working hard to start off her freshman year at the Colorado School of Mines, she’s ready for her third SuperNats in the S2 category. Cook could become the first female driver to win at the SuperNats, returning for redemption after coming just a few corners from a podium finish last year.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 18th
Previous SuperNationals Finish: DNF (2011), 18th (2010)
Cody Tracy (-45 points)
Utah driver Cody Tracy is making his first start at the SKUSA SuperNationals since his major incident at the 2008 event. Racing in the TaG Senior category, he was involved in a single kart incident during a heat race. The results were two broken feet and a compound fracture in his wrist. After a long recovery and with a few years of racing back under his belt, Tracy is in contention for the S2 title. Leading in the overall points total by 33 markers, he falls behind Cook by 45 points when you factor in the drop. The Powers Racing driver has been the most consistent of the front-runners, earning victory in his debut race back at the SpringNationals.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 1st
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 5th
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 4th
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 3rd
Previous SuperNationals Finish: 2nd (2006 in S3)
Cody Diede (-108 points)
Possibly one of the most improved drivers from last season is Cody Diede (CRG). The NorCal pilot has shown the speed for the past three seasons, but has yet to take it to the next level. This year, working with Ricky Luther and Fritz Leesmann, both Diede brothers (Cody’s sibling Troy currently sits fourth in standings) have progressed to contenders each and every weekend. Cody broke through for his first Pro Tour victory at the SummerNationals, and with a solid SuperNats could come away as the 2012 champion.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 11th
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 15th
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 5th
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 1st
Previous SuperNationals Finish: DNF (2011), 3rd (2010)
 | Cody Tracy
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Despite the number of drivers who were among the Pro Tour and SuperNats contenders last year, two of the podium finishers return for more hardware. 2011 runner-up Milan Dontje (Energy) followed in his brother Indy’s footsteps, coming to America for the SuperNationals. Along with race winner Nick Neri, he dominated the field. Back for more, Dontje is sure to be a contender once again running with Energy Corse/Buddy Rice Karting. Rounding out the top-three from last year, all of which were wildcards, was Scott Hargrove (Italkart). The Canadian came from 18th on the grid after a heat three DNF to finish a strong third (watch his drive forward HERE). Returning with Italian Motors once again, Hargrove could make it two years straight on the podium. Hargrove spent the year racing in the USF2000 with solid results and this diverse experience, along with continued coaching from Michael Valiante, could play a factor.
Current S4 championship contender Jordon Musser (Birel) finished sixth last year, competing in both categories. This time around, the 3G Kart Racing/Team Burger King driver is utilizing two different karts rather than the same one for the Ironman attempt. Matias Podboj (CRG) ran eighth a year ago, and is entering Vegas as the California ProKart Challenge S2 champion. That should put the Kimball Williams Racing/Extreme Karting driver among the contenders for the victory on SuperSunday.
Aside from the top three in the Pro Tour standings, the remaining top-20 drivers will all be in Vegas. Those sitting within the top-10 all have a chance at the SuperNationals victory with nothing to lose. Troy Diede (CRG) has improved much like his brother, and is set to make his second S2 start after placing 18th last year. Veteran Ryan Kinnear is making the switch to Leading Edge Motorsports and the new OK1 chassis after running the Formula K chassis all season. Familiar with the ‘Intrepid-like’ brand, Kinnear shouldn’t miss a beat. Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge S2 champion Christian Bird (GP) is making his first start in the S2 category at the SuperNats, spending much of the last few months testing in preparation.
SummerNationals winner Christian Schureman (Vemme) is completing his second season in the S2 category. After a rough freshman season, the Team Vemme/Extreme Karting driver skipped over the sophomore slump and could be a contender in Vegas. The ‘Flyin Hawaiian’ Alec Gumpfer (Tony Kart) has been a top-five runner all season. Partnering up with Pure Karting, the 17-year old is looking to improve on his 13th from last year. Also flying the Pure Karting colors is emerging star Augie Lerch (Tony Kart). Since moving over to the Arizona-based OTK shop, Lerch has been on a charge and scored victory at the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix. Texan Connor Wagner has had bursts of speed throughout the season. Now part of the Phil Giebler Racing stable, he’s hoping to establish a new home with a strong result to begin the partnership. SpringNationals winner Billy Musgrave skipped the SummerNationals, and returns to the SuperNationals aboard a Tony Kart with 2Wild Karting/Musgrave Racing Company banner.
There are a few wildcards to watch who we have not seen much of this season, including Michael Leib (DR Kart), a championship contender at the California PKC, Canadian Remo Ruscitti (Italkart), who is in contention for the TaG Senior championship and will make his first S2 start, and Alex Yates (Tony Kart) - a young-gun from Utah who impressed at the SummerNationals running for MSquared Karting.
EKN Selections:
 | Cody Diede
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Rob Howden
In the 15 years of the SuperNationals, some very impressive names have won in the S2 category, all working their way towards the headline S1 class, including guys like Alex Speed and Josh Schreiber. I believe that it is very important that these drivers get the chance to learn how to race for wins and championships on the way up, instead of fighting for spots mid-pack. The fight this year between Sabré Cook and Cody Tracy has been stellar, and Cook’s consistency has been awesome. Paired with her incredible pace last year, I believe that she will win outright this year, but it will be a dogfight all weekend with Tracy, thinking about the title. Neither will get a chance to use the #1 plate if they attain it, as their time in the S1 spotlight awaits them. Dontje was so quick last year, and I believe that the dramatic advancement of Lerch and Gumpfer could put them into contention. We have been lucky to see enough of Musgrave, who obviously has incredible pace, and Musser, Hargrove, Ruscitti, Podboj or either Deide could all get the job done. It really doesn’t matter which way we go, because this one is too close to call.
1. Sabre Cook
2. Milan Dontje
3. Augie Lerch
4. Cody Tracy
5. Jordan Musser
David Cole
As a journalist, and as a fan of the sport, you want to see history made right before your eyes. We have a chance this year as Sabré Cook could become the first female SuperNationals winner, the first female SKUSA Pro Tour champion, or both. Knowing Sabre, she’s not looking to make history in general, but just wants to do this for herself as she’s worked hard to get to this point. To make it even more thrilling, I’d love to see the fight for the championship go down to the wire with Cody right there, as we know he will fight for it all if they cross the finish line in a photo finish. As mentioned above, the top-10 could be any of the drivers mentioned, but Lerch has the momentum going into Vegas and Gumpfer is hungry for the podium. Diede will complete a strong season with his second SuperNats trophy in the last three years.
1. Sabré Cook
2. Cody Tracy
3. Augie Lerch
4. Alec Gumpfer
5. Cody Diede
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 324d | Christian Bird | | GP | Grand Junction | CO | USA | | 164y | Adam Booker | Kartel Motorsports | Arrow | Citrus Heights | CA | USA | | 100t | Garrett Boone | | RK | Houston | TX | USA | | 38d | Jack Bradley | CRG-USA | CRG | Littleton | CO | USA | | 313 | Allan Cesarman | Aluminos | GP | Acapulco | Guerrero | MEX | | 145s | Hunter Ceto | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Suwanee | GA | USA | | 146u | Zac Clark | MSquared Karting | Tony Kart | Salt Lake City | UT | USA | | 317d | Sabre' Cook | CRG-USA | CRG | Grand Junction | CO | USA | | 111y | Joshua De Losier | Acceleration Karting | CRG | Las Vegas | NV | USA | | 248y | Cody Diede | Diede Racing / PSL CRG | CRG | Lodi | CA | USA | | 441y | Troy Diede | Diede Racing / PSL CRG | CRG | Lodi | CA | USA | | 43 | Milan Dontje | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Seriate | BG | NLD | | 33 | Adam Dowler | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Edmonton | AB | CAN | | 96z | Dalton Egger | Pat's Acres | Tony Kart | Canby | OR | USA | | 151 | Jason Faint | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Gladstone | QLD | AUS | | 526o | Tyler Fling | Champion Racing | Formula K | Edmond | OK | USA | | 727y | Jack Freese | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Salinas | CA | USA | | 405m | Alejandro Gonzales | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Mexico City | Distrito Federal | MEX | | 15b | Alec Gumpfer | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Kula | HI | USA | | 138r | Scott Hargrove | Italian Motors | Italkart | Surrey | BC | CAN | | 39r | Austin King | Overdrive Motorsports | PCR | Calgary | AB | CAN | | 8t | Ryan Kinnear | Leading Edge Motorsports | OK1 | Richmond | TX | GBR | | 18j | Ryan Lankenau | DRT Racing | DR | Warrenville | IL | USA | | 39k | Michael Leib | Pitts Performance | DR | Palmdale | CA | USA | | 12k | Augie Lerch | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Tucson | AZ | USA | | 13t | Miguel Lopez | GP Texas | GP | Tyler | TX | USA | | 0z | Parker McKean | Rolison Performance Group | Kosmic | Gig Harbor | WA | USA | | 91x | Justin Miller | Team AZ Karting | Birel | Scottsdale | AZ | USA | | 322c | Billy Musgrave | Musgrave Racing Company / 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | Norco | CA | USA | | 16t | Jordon Musser | 3G Kart Racing / Team Burger King | Birel | Coppell | TX | USA | | 88c | Matias Podboj | Kimball Williams Racing / Extreme Karting | CRG | Anaheim | CA | ARG | | 9m | Mariana Ramirez Savage | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Coyacán | Distrito Federal | MEX | | 2r | Remo Ruscitti | Italian Motors | Italkart | Burnaby | BC | CAN | | 55d | Ben Schermerhorn | CRG-USA | CRG | Highlands Ranch | CO | USA | | 199d | Austin Schimmel | Aluminos | GP | Colorado Springs | CO | USA | | 17d | Christian Schureman | Team Vemme / Extreme Karting | Vemme | Golden | CO | USA | | 17b | Vivek Tandon | Kimball Williams Racing | CRG | Chatsworth | CA | USA | | 10t | Alex Tartaglia | Champion Racing | Formula K | Colleyville | TX | USA | | 71u | Cody Tracy | Powers Racing | Tony Kart | Holladay | UT | USA | | 15t | Connor Wagner | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Flower Mound | TX | USA | | 131y | Paul Whiting | | CRG | Pahrump | NV | USA | | 66f | Don Whittington | Pure Karting | Tony Kart | Fort Lauderdale | FL | USA | | 140y | Jamie Wilson | Cambrian Go Karts | Birel | Pacific Grove | CA | USA | | 26u | Alex Yates | MSquared Karting / JH Precision | Tony Kart | West Jordan | UT | USA | |
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