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| Superkarts! USA Releases Renamed Class and Licensing Structure for 2010 |
| Tuesday, 15 September 2009 01:00 |
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As part of a sport that has traditionally been overwhelmed by far too many classes, the continuing growth of the Superkarts! USA organization is being directed at a much tighter focus. The newest announcement from the operation’s Temecula headquarters is the unveiling of a reworked class structure that will continue SKUSA’s dedication to the Stock Moto and TaG categories. At the beginning of the decade, Superkarts! USA benefited from a very simple class structure, and the time has come to re-organize the current line-up. All of the current classes remain in the program, but several will be renamed and re-organized to present a more properly tiered system. Beginning with the 2010 season, this new structure will become the foundation of SKUSA’s future growth, steering the organization clear of karting’s over-flowing mess of categories. The reworked line-up will keep the organization’s ‘S’ nomenclature and will run from S5 up to S1. The program will be headlined by the S1 class - the new name for the current S3 formula - which is the organization’s Stock Moto Expert offering. S3 and S4 have become the backbone of the SKUSA movement, and the excitement over affordable Stock Moto racing has pushed them to the forefront. With S1 positioned at the ‘Pro’ class, the new S2 category will be tabbed as the ‘Amateur Stock Moto’ class. S3 will be re-invented as a new Stock Moto class for Masters drivers. Several current G1 Masters drivers have made the move from the ICC or built moto-powered class to the Stock Moto package, prompting SKUSA to fuel this development by giving the 30+ year-old drivers a chance to enjoy the affordability and reliability of the Stock Honda in an official capacity. Continuing with the re-structuring, S4 name will be re-directed as the new opportunity for rookies to get on-track to learn how to drive, while still having the opportunity to learn how to win as well. Drivers will be allowed one season in S4 before graduating to either S2 or S3. To cap off the new Stock Moto structure, S5 will remain untouched as the Junior category. This new ‘ladder’ will allow drivers to get into the SKUSA program at a level that is correct for both their experience and their personal racing aspirations. It will also give the junior shifter driver the ability to hone his or her skills in S5 before beginning the run up the ranks. One of the key points of the SKUSA package is the use of the powerplant from debut to retirement, as the stock rules set will not obsolete an engine or force its sales when a driver graduates to a new class. The TaG class line-up already enjoys the simplicity that is now being injected into the Stock Moto categories, so a re-structuring was not necessary. The TaG Junior class will feed into the TaG Senior category, and the popular TaG Masters class will remain as an important part of the program. SKUSA will also introduce a new TaG Cadet program that will act as the first step for young drivers looking to become part of the SKUSA family, with details to be announced in the very near future. Drivers who wish to run the KZ2 or built-moto powerplants will still have a chance to compete in the additional gearbox classes, KZ2 and G1, depending on their ages. The new Superkarts! USA class structure, which will debut at the start of the 2010 season, is as follows: Stock Moto Categories S1 – Pro Stock Moto – 15 years and older S2 – Amateur Stock Moto – 15 years and older S3 – Masters Stock Moto – 30 years and older or 200 lb. driver weight S4 – Rookie Stock Moto – 15 years and older S5 – Junior Stock Moto – 12-15 years old TaG Categories TaG Masters – 30 years and older TaG Senior – 15 years and older TaG Junior – 12-15 years of age TaG Cadet – 8-11 years of age – To Be Announced Additional Gearbox and KF Categories KZ2 – 15 years and older G1 – 30 years and older or 200 lb. driver weight KF2 – 15 years and older – Local Option “Despite the fact that the economy is struggling badly right now, our primary growth area is our Stock Moto program,” comments Tom Kutscher, SKUSA’s CEO. “We’ve got new racers coming in and an influx of past and current drivers who are looking to get back to affordable shifter racing. This new approach will help revive one of SKUSA’s key building blocks, a simple class structure. With this new ladder, a Junior driver will be able to start in S5 and grow with the organization, working his or her way to the top, supported by a strong engine package and a true licensing system. I’m really excited to roll this out for our customers!” The new SKUSA Licensing System will feature five different tiers, and each driver will need to apply for any license upgrade from year to year. The program will consist of an alphabetical ladder, beginning with the ‘E’ license for TaG Cadet drivers from the ages of 8-11. A ‘D’ license is required for TaG Junior and S5 competition. The ‘C’ license will be for adult rookie competitors only, those new to SKUSA in the S4, TaG Senior and TaG Masters class. ‘C’ license holders are allowed to compete in regional events only, and once they have shown proficiency on the racetrack, they may apply for their ‘B’ license, which would allow them to run on the SKUSA Pro Tour, or in the case of the rookie shifter competitors, they may then move to either the S2 or S3 class. The top two levels of licensing are the ‘A’ and ‘B’ classifications. Nationally-qualified TaG Senior and TaG Masters drivers may apply for a ‘B’ License, as will all potential S2 competitors. To earn an ‘A’ license, which is required to run in the S1 class, ‘B’ licensed racers must apply to the SKUSA head office with a written reference from their regional director and their performances and race record will be examined to determine if the ‘A’ license will be awarded. SKUSA will release a full overview of the Licensing System very soon. |