|
Written by Tony Leone
|
|
Thursday, 23 June 2011 17:55 |
|
After a short hiatus, the PKC crew was back at Qualcomm. Not only did we run a combined race with SDKA (big thanks!), we also shared the track with a SuperMoto group from SMX Racing. It was actually a real treat for me as I have never been so close to SuperMoto racing before, and it was a nice to take photos of something other than karts. Racing was pretty intense for such a fast wide open track. There were a few photo finishes, including TaG Sr where Billy Cleavelin made a move on Phil Giebler towards the finish. Both drivers bounced frantically in their seats and I think Billy even stuck his feet out past his bumper, but Phil took the checker by 16 thousandths. It's all in the MyLaps Results. We've (actually, Ken) also updated the Series Points, and this morning the Race Report was on EKN. Seacrest, Out. |
|
Thursday, 23 June 2011 17:51 |
 With the season changing to the summer months, the ProKart Challenge South program is aiming at the final stretch of its 2011 season after completing round five of the six-race championship on June 18. In partnership with the San Diego Karting Association, the Superkarts! USA regional series held the latest event at the Qualcomm Stadium on a temporary circuit, roughly 9/10 of a mile long. The fast design of the course provided the backdrop for some close finishes and exciting racing with picture perfect Southern California weather. Among those able to leave San Diego with a victory included headline winners Phil Giebler and Brad Dunford.
The Tony Kart West-sponsored TaG Senior category has by far been one of the most competitive classes of the season, and the championship battle will rage on to the finale in August. Despite the solid number of regular drivers, a few ‘wild-cards’ are playing into the chase in the final few events. Reigning SKUSA #1 plate holder Phil Giebler returned for just his second PKC start of the season and was quick out the gate as he recorded the fastest lap in qualifying (51.482). Making his first start of the season, veteran John Zartarian was second quickest – with point leader Travis Lowe clocking in third ahead of championship rivals Devin Lindsey and Billy Cleavelin. Trouble struck early for Lowe in the opening heat race, retiring after two laps with a mechanical issue and then Cleavelin just four laps later. Out front, Giebler and Zartarian were greeted by P6 starter and SKUSA Pro Tour winner Matt Johnson. After a 10-lap scrap, Johnson emerged with the win over Zartarian and Giebler, with Lindsey a solid fourth. The front four continued their fight into heat two, joined by the charging Lowe and Cleavelin, who started at the back. In just six laps, Lowe was into the lead and drove on to a near two-second win over Lindsey and Johnson, with Cleavelin up to fifth behind Giebler. With the stage set for a 15-lap shoot-out, trouble hit some of the front-runners. Lowe was the first to drop off the pace, eventually running with a flat tire but muscling through to finish fifth. Johnson would retire on lap three with a broken coil wire, leaving Giebler, Lindsey and Cleavelin to break away from Zartarian to make it a three-driver fight. The final five laps were wild, as the drivers exchanged position numerous times, with Giebler coming away the victor in a photo finish – just 0.016-seconds ahead of Cleavelin at the line – with Lindsey in tow. John Wallace III was fourth, just two seconds back of the fight.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Monday, 13 June 2011 19:36 |
 ProKart Challenge South, the flagship Superkarts! USA regional program, returns to action on June 17-18 outside the Qualcomm Stadium for round five of the 2011 season. In cooperation with the San Diego Karting Association and the SMX Racing SuperMoto program, the three organizations will hold one event on the stadium’s parking grounds in the same day. A .9-mile, 10-turn temporary circuit will host the two karting programs with a modified course, including multiple jumps to be set up for the SuperMoto categories.
The San Diego Karting Association will mix in their regular club classes within the SKUSA class structure with similar classes running on track in the same group, scored separate. Those classes include: Kid Karts, KPV 1, Junior 1, Open Shifter, KPV 2, KPV 4 Senior, YC Heavy, Shifter Light, Shifter Heavy, and 80cc Shifter. The SuperMoto riders of SMX Racing will be split into two groups, running in two separate time slots in the rotation of classes.
“The San Diego Karting Association has always been a big supporter of SKUSA and the ProKart Challenge,” stated Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA President. “The backdrop for this event reminds me of our first years in charge of the SuperNationals in Las Vegas, and the racers down here are very welcoming. I’m excited that we have been able to partner up with the SuperMoto group as well, as it allows us to show fellow motorsports junkies what professional karting is all about – and we can witness just how crazy those motorcycle guys are on the same tracks we race at across the country. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Friday, 10 June 2011 09:49 |
 Superkarts! USA is pleased to announce that they will partner with Mothers® Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners for the upcoming stop on the national karting schedule. Mothers® has signed on to become the title sponsor of the second event of the 2011 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour – now labeled as the Mothers® SummerNationals. The event will be held at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway in Grand Junction, Colorado on the July 15-17 weekend, with an expected 200 drivers competing in the shifterkart and TaG divisions. Mothers® will be out in force, supporting the racers with prize packages for each and every podium finisher.
“Mothers has been a valued supporter of SKUSA ever since I’ve been at the helm, and we couldn’t be happier to continue this strong relationship,” stated Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA president. “Their products are superior and the relationship they have with motorsports, especially the grassroots level, is phenomenal. We are extremely pleased to have a company like Mothers as part of the SummerNationals this year. There is no doubt this event will be one step above what we did in Tucson for the SpringNationals, and that’s saying something. I can’t wait.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Tuesday, 07 June 2011 23:37 |
This year’s SKUSA SuperNationals is less than six months away, and as is the case with an event of this magnitude, long-range planning is crucial to the success of the race. SKUSA opened the online registration for the race on June 1, and while pre-entries are coming in on a regular basis, the SKUSA staff once again understands that by opening the registration for both the SummerNationals (Grand Junction, CO -- July 15-17) and the SuperNationals (Vegas, NV -- Nov 16-20) in the month of June, a financial strain has been put on a number of Superkarts! USA competitors. So, in an effort to support its customers, SKUSA’s Tom Kutscher has again confirmed that any driver who enters the SummerNationals can have their spot in the SuperNationals reserved until later in the summer.
Entry and payment for the SuperNationals may be deferred until August 15 to ease the burden. Those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity are asked to either send an email to Superkarts! USA (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) AFTER they have pre-entered for SummerNats, or add the note in the Special Instructions box at the bottom of the Online Entry Form.
Hope to see you in Colorado AND Las Vegas!
The Superkarts! USA Registration Team |
|
|
