The 2012 season signaled a partnership between MAXSpeed and eKartingNews.com, bringing about new article series focused on the promotion of the United States Rotax Max Challenge program. Among that was the addition of the eKartingNews.com United States Rotax Driver Rankings. Taking over the USRMC National Point Standings, EKN combined that system with its own ‘Driver Rankings’ formula to create a new program for the 2012 season.

The EKN United States Rotax Driver Rankings tabulates the best six results for each USRMC driver in each of the six Rotax categories, using a weighted point system that increases based on event participation. Now that the season is completed, EKN is happy to highlight the top-10 drivers in each category, while also recognizing the #1 driver in each class heading into the 2013 season.

Masters Max
As with most categories in the Rotax Max Challenge program, the Masters Max division is also seeing increase in numbers across the country. The 2012 season saw a 15% increase in participation, as 123 drivers recorded results. Six different USRMC programs are represented in the top-10, separated by less than 100 points. F1 New Jersey and MRP series stand strong with three drivers each in the top-10. Sanzaru NorCal, Racing the Rockies, North Florida and Northwest Gold Cup round out the other series, hitting all four corners of the country. Four drivers return from last year’s standings, including top driver from a year ago John Bonanno.

1. Scott Ripslinger

Scott Ripslinger

Hometown: Sonoma, California
USRMC Series: Sanzaru Games NorCal Rotax Max Challenge
Points: 5576

Age: 37
Chassis: Energy
Engine Service Center: SwedeTech
Sponsors: Thank you to Diego Valverde (Valverde Racing Performance-VRP). Thank you for helping me all year long and getting a setup at Fontana Gatorz that was successful for us all year long. The carburetor setups were awesome. Also thank you Becky. Thank you to SwedeTech for the awesome engine that lasted all year long. You guys made me sweat during tech but it passed every time. And last to SCR Installers for putting up the big dollars to keep me racing all year.
Years Karting: 10 indoor, 3 outdoor
Favorite Track: Simraceway Performance Karting Center (Reverse National)
2012 Accomplishments: Sanzaru Games NorCal Rotax Challenge – Masters Champion
2013 Goals: Defend my championship and place well at Rotax Challenge of the Americas (Fontana)

2. Scott Falcone

Scott Falcone

Hometown: Denver, Colorado
USRMC Series: Racing the Rockies
Points: 5572

Age: 44
Chassis: Arrow X2
Engine Service Center: KartSport North America
Sponsors: KartSport, SFI
Years Karting: 5
Favorite Track: I find some good in all that tracks that I have run
2012 Accomplishments: Being more consistent
2013 Goals: Win every race I enter

3. Dave Gilderseleeve

Dave Gilderseleeve

Hometown: Syracuse, Indiana
USRMC Series: Jet Karting at MRP
Points: 5560

Born: 8/5/1946
Chassis: 2007 Birel R31 with Front Brakes
Engine Service Center: LSR Motorsports
Sponsors: Lakeside Fitness, MRP Motorsports, Automotive Racing Products, LSR Motorsports
Years Karting: 4 years in the early 1960’s and for the last 30 years
Favorite Track: USA International Raceway
2012 Accomplishment: Being one of several at the Grand Nationals who were helped with their corner speed by Scott Falcone
2013 Goals: Enjoy karting with my friends

4. John Bonanno

John Bonanno

Hometown: West Deptford, New Jersey
USRMC Series: F1 New Jersey
Points: 5536

Age: 40
Chassis: Kosmic
Engine Service Center: Jim Hanson – Engine Services in Braselton, GA
Sponsors: I want to thank Jim Hanson, J3 Competition, SKTL Apparel, Compressed Air Equipment, Al V-team Tachyan, the team at NJ Motorsports Park and all the family & friends that made 2012 possible and so much fun.
Years Karting: Who’s counting, at least 4 this second time around
Favorite Track: New Jersey Motorsports Park
2012 Accomplishments: Didn’t make as many events this year, but most proud of being back in the hunt in South Bend, until losing a chain in the final.
2013 Goals: TBD – semi retirement

5. Marshall Martin

Marshall Martin

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
USRMC Series: Jet Karting at MRP
Points: 5535

Age: 65
Chassis: CRG Road Rebel
Engine Service Center: LSR Motorsports
Sponsors: LSR Motorsports, Kartfinder.com, AMR Kart Products, NKN
Years Karting: Stared karting in 1965
Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park
2012 Accomplishments: Finished five races for the first time in several years after neck issues. Most fun I have had in a long time competing against the Masters group at MRP.
2013 Goals: See my Granddaughter succeed in her move from Micro Max to Mini Max

6. Chris McGinley

Chris McGinley

Hometown: Sewell, New Jersey
USRMC Series: F1 New Jersey / Northeast Rotax Max Challenge
Points: 5512

Born: 1/24/1976
Chassis: Kosmic
Engine Service Center: AKR Engines and Engine Services
Sponsors: SKLTN Apparel, BTB Security
Years Karting: 4
Favorite Track: F1 New Jersey
2012 Accomplishments: 8th – US Rotax Max Grand Nationals, 4th – Compressed Air Equipment F1 Karting Championship
2013 Goals: Improve my ability to read and tune the ##10#547#chassis##, become even more consistent, and have another year of great karting with my fellow racers!

7. Kristian Werkley

Kristian Werkley

Hometown: Lindenwold, New Jersey
USRMC Series: F1 New Jersey
Points: 5508

Age: 34
Chassis: CRG
Engine Service Center: CRG America
Sponsors: Chris McGinley, Adam Pettit
Years Karting: 6
Favorite Track: F1 New Jersey
2012 Accomplishments: Won the Compressed Air Equipment F1 Karting Championship
2013 Goals: To be deteremined…

8. Rob Maier

Rob Maier

Hometown: Oakland, Florida
USRMC Series: North Florida Rotax Max Challenge
Points: 5503

Born: 9/17/78
Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine: Ocala Gran Prix
Sponsors: My Beautiful Wife
Years Karting: 4
Favorite Track: Ocala Gran Prix
2012 Accomplishments: North Florida Rotax Masters Champion
2013 Goals: 1st place U.S. Rotax Grand Nationals

9. Chad Hartzell

Chad Hartzell

Hometown: Granger, Indiana
USRMC Series: Jet Karting at MRP
Points: 5491

Born: 1/23/1973
Chassis: Birel R32
Engine Service Center: Tim Lobuagh @ MRP Motorsport
Sponsors: Team Crumstown Racing, Ryman Designs, SLC Automotive, MRP
Years Karting: 15
Favorite Track: Michiana Raceway Park
2012 Accomplishments: 2nd – MRP Rotax Series, 11th – Rotax Grands (the fun I had that week outweighs the disappointing results)
2013 Goals: MRP Series Championship; quit losing to guys that race on social security checks.
Comments: Big thanks to Josh Koch for his time and efforts in tuning each race day and Tim Lobaugh @ MRP for his continued support with our engines. Also- to my wife, Kristin, for supporting my passion that keeps me away from the family on occasion while also keeping our boys involved in sports that don’t involve a steering wheel.

10. Doug Huggler

Doug Huggler

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
USRMC Series: Northwest Gold Cup
Points: 5480

Born: 5/10/1967
Chassis: Top Kart Flash
Engine Service Center: Huggler Racing Engines
Sponsors: Lori’s Money Tree
Years Karting: 33
Favorite Track: Pats Acre’s Racing Complex
2012 Accomplishments: Raced hard had fun
2013 Goals: Focus more on business and win another year

2012 Masters Max Final Driver Rankings

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