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Thursday, 13 May 2010 16:08 |
 The 2010 season has now grabbed sixth gear for the staff of Superkarts! USA, as they continue to promote regional and national karting events throughout the western half of the United States. The organization took a major step during the off-season in launching a new three-event ‘Pro Tour,’ and the impressive success of the inaugural SpringNationals in Sonoma back in April has fired a new wave of momentum. With that breakthrough event now in the books, much of SKUSA’s current focus is now being directed on the upcoming SummerNationals, which will take place on July 16-18 at USA International Raceway in Shawano, WI.
This will be the organization’s first official promotional effort east of the Mississippi, and long-range predictions call for a strong turnout of competitors, including a couple of big-name NASCAR stars. SKUSA is also working closely with several of its partners to ensure that this race will be a major league event, and the new programs that are in the works include a pre-race golf tourney promoted by eKartingNews.com and a special S5 motor rental program. SKUSA is also communicating with its foundation of shops and racing teams to promote affordable equipment shipping opportunities for those drivers who wish to participate in the next Pro Tour event. The key concepts are to produce an enjoyable event that is open to any and all karting enthusiasts. |
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Monday, 10 May 2010 12:26 |
 Riding off the momentum of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour debut in the month of April, the ProKart Challenge South program is set to return to action in the month of May. The Southern California regional series for the national organization will be traveling to the Streets of Willow course in Rosamond, CA for the fourth round of the six race program. The event marks the first time PKC and the Gatorz Karting Cup – a US Rotax Max Challenge program – will work together to co-host a race. The high speed and challenging 1.8-mile circuit at the Willow Springs International Motorsports Park will produce great racing for both programs.
“I am thrilled to be back at Streets. This is actually my favorite track,” stated Superkarts! USA’s Tom Kutscher. “This year will be an even bigger event than before, as we are putting the event on with the Gatorz Karting Cup program. Andy and his crew do a great job, and his Rotax racers are among the best in the country. If you haven’t experienced road racing at 115+ mph, you have to come out. Even if you just want to check it out for Friday practice. This course is a blast!”
“I'm excited to co-promote this event with Tom, Patti and the ProKart Challenge,” commented Andy Seesemann of the Gatorz Karting Cup. “Streets of Willow is my favorite track, as is for many of the Southern California GATORZ and ProKart drivers, and a combined event makes a lot of sense in order to offer our customers the best value possible. Tom and I have talked about a combined event for a few years, and this year we were finally able to get it done.” |
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Tuesday, 20 April 2010 09:56 |
 The Superkarts! USA brass couldn’t have asked for a better launch to their new Pro Tour in Sonoma, CA this past weekend, as their inaugural SpringNationals drew over 100 racers to the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. The racing was insanely good, running the popular circuit in the reverse national layout, and this elevated competition helped develop a great buzz throughout the paddock. Veterans were all talking about how this new series is bringing back the excitement of the famed ProMoto Tour of the late 90s and early 00s. In the headline classes, Fritz Leesmann and Clinton Schoombee split the S1 wins in thrilling fashion, while veteran karter and former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Phil Giebler followed suit in his sweep of the TaG Senior events.
The action in the headline Pro classes was nothing less than incredible, featuring hardcore racing and some impressive come-from-the-back drives by the best in the sport. Aluminos’ Fritz Leesmann (CRG) dropped the gauntlet on his charge for the S1 national title right out of the box, sweeping Saturday’s action with the pole, two heat race wins and the main event victory. Select Shifter’s Clinton Schoombee (CRG) and STA Racing’s Jason Toft (GP) would fight it out for second, and both drivers would be ready to step up on Sunday. In the second main of the weekend, Leesmann would set the early pace, but Schoombee matched his speed this time out, eventually taking the lead midway through the 20-lapper. After Leesmann took back the point, Toft completed his drive from dead-last – following a heat race DNF – by passing Schoombee for second on the final lap. Schoombee would not be denied, however, passing both Toft and Leesmann under braking into the left-hand turn three, much to the crowd’s delight. The CRG driver would hold back his challengers for the remainder of the lap to score a very popular triumph. In the overall weekend points, Leesmann would earn the victory and the $1000 first place prize.
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Saturday, 17 April 2010 09:06 |
A new era for Superkarts! USA began on Friday with a rebirth of national level racing for the organization. The new SKUSA Pro Tour is making its debut this weekend with the running of the inaugural SpringNationals, held at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. The Sonoma, California circuit has hosted a number of major events in its history, including a number of national events from in the previous era of the sanctioning body.
 The weather was perfect for on-track activities with clear skies and warm temperatures. Drivers grew accustomed to the 3/4-mile course, which is being run in the reverse national configuration, a layout that many have never seen. Judging by the practice laps run on Friday, a number of key corners around the course will provide optimal passing opportunities. Following the on-track action of the day, Superkarts! USA hosted a tri-tip BBQ dinner with beverages being provided of J3 Competition. Media leaders eKartingNews.com were also on-hand, streaming a live audio wrap-up show that also played via PA to the racers as they enjoyed their meal.
On the line for the headline categories will be weekend purse of $1,750 in cash for both S1 (Pro Stock Moto) and TaG Senior. Drivers will be gunning for victories, but also for the season championship that features a point fund of $8,000 with $5,000 going to the champ. For all of the classes competing on the SKUSA Pro Tour, the top-five in the standings heading into the finale - the SKUSA SuperNationals XIV in Las Vegas will have guaranteed starting positions for the main events, which is huge considering the fact that only 40 drivers can start the finals. The champions who will be crowned following the November event will earn the National Number One Plate as well as special sponsorship for the 2011 season. |
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Friday, 16 April 2010 12:13 |
 Make sure to tune into www.ekartingnews.com/live for live audio and scoring coverage of the Pro Tour SpringNationals. You will also find the official discussion thread on the EKN forums there as well where you can find up to the minute race results.
EKN will start broadcasting audio near the start of Practice 5 at aproximately 1:30pm PST.
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