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| SKUSA Re-Confirms S5 Junior Stock Moto National Effort |
| Tuesday, 06 October 2009 11:16 |
 The recent announcement regarding the return of Superkarts! USA to a national level program, coupled with SKUSA’s unveiling of a re-worked class structure, has certainly prompted many trackside and online discussions. Shifter aficionados often look back at the initial explosion of the gearbox categories, which debuted in the early 90s and blossomed at the end of the previous decade thanks to Jim Murley and the Superkarts! USA ProMoto Tour, and wish for a return to form. One of the highlights of the ProMoto Tour was the inclusion of a single class for younger drivers – 80cc Junior – which helped launch the careers of so many current pros, such as Scott Speed, AJ Allmendinger, Robert Wickens, Cole Whitt and Colin Braun.Just as they have done for the past five seasons, SKUSA is now focused on further developing their Stock Moto program, which touts the package’s limited buy-in and operating costs in contrast to the sky-rocketing prices of ICC powerplants. Along these lines, SKUSA still longs for a solid gearbox program for its Junior level drivers and the S5 class promises even more value than its 80cc predecessor. There is no doubt that 80cc Junior was an expensive undertaking. As engine development progressed, the motors became increasingly fragile with a number of weak points, including the gearbox. Should S5 catch up as the past junior gearbox class did, it would do so without the cost. S5 is simply the Junior version of the proven Stock Moto category, which has become more attractive thanks to the absence of necessary engine modifications and the affordability of replacement parts. And in the end, the young drivers get to shift gears, which has always been the selling point. One only needs to look at the face of a young pilot when he or she gets out of a shifterkart for the first time to see how much they enjoyed the experience. Ear-to-ear smiles are the norm. EKN spoke recently with SKUSA’s Tom Kutscher to discuss the development of his Junior program, touching on its current status and what the organization plans on doing to fuel its development. “The S5 class is extremely important to SKUSA as it offers the opportunity for the family of a Junior driver to invest in their racing future,” Kutscher stated. “The key to Stock Moto is that the motor is the same for every one of our ‘S’ classes. From S5 all the way to S1 in our new structure, you can keep the same motor. They never have to worry about the engine being obsolete. They can take it with them when they graduate to the Senior classes.”  There’s no doubt that the opportunity to get into a shifterkart has hooked many a young pilot, but in the end they all still want to run against deep and strong fields. And while the 125cc Junior program has not taken off with the same nationwide support that helped grow the 80cc formula, there are a few regions of fanatical support that are building the foundation.The SKUSA Central States Challenge is the current center for the class’ rise to the national stage, where they are closing in on double-digit entry numbers. “The S5 class is our fastest growing class, one that is strictly about the driver,” said Pam Freund of the SKUSA Central States Challenge. “The racing between these kids this past season was unbelievable. Positions came down to hundreds of a second many times and the second through fifth place positions in our championship were decided at the last race. The kids made passes on the track most adults would never have attempted because it's all about the driver and confidence. This is what racing should be about for kids not about whose daddy has more money.” Freund is not only the series director, but she has also put her son in the S5 class, which speaks volumes. “As a parent of an S5 driver, I can go to the track knowing that as long as we do not have any mechanical issues, my son has complete control over where he finishes,” she added, coming from a different perspective. “He has a fair shot…what else could I ask for? What drew us to this class was the fact that when he turned 12, we purchased a motor and a shifter chassis that he could theoretically run until he retires from karting. It just doesn't get more economical than that.” “As a side story, which tells me that we made the right decision, my son finished fourth at one race this past season and when he came off the track, we told him he ran a good race. His reply was that he “made one mistake, but that's all I made was one mistake and it was all he (his competitor) needed to pass me". He didn't complain that the gear was wrong, that he needed more power, etc., it was a driver error that cost him third place and I will guarantee that he won't make that mistake again! He knew that his race package was not a factor.”  SKUSA’s Tom Kutscher has re-affirmed his focus on the development of the class, realizing that it will provide him with his future pilots. The motor used in the S5 class is the same Stock Honda CR125 used in his current S3 and S4 classes, which will make it easy for drivers to graduate into the senior categories. There is no need to ditch one’s current engine inventory when advancing up the ranks, nor is there the worry of a motor becoming obsolete at the end of a homologation period. Heading into next year’s new class structure, S5 drivers would graduate into the S2 class in preparation for a potential entry into the elite S1 division.“Like many people, I loved watching the 80cc Juniors run back in the old days of the SKUSA ProMoto Tour,” offered Kutscher. “We got a chance to see future stars like Graham Rahal, Robbie Wickens, Cole Whitt, Alan Sciuto, Alex Speed and Joel Miller bang gears, and it’s really sad that we don’t have that opportunity right now. The S5 class brings it all back, and it also provides a stable equipment platform for our customers!” Kutscher will stand behind his words by maintaining the category’s position on the docket for the upcoming SuperNationals, and the class will also be front-and-center on the 2010 SKUSA Pro Tour. It appears that with the continuing growth of the regional level, the S5 category will do what any class should to ensure long-term stability and numbers: grow from the bottom up. Strength and support on the regional level is what will secure its future, and inclusion at the SuperNationals along with next year’s Pro Tour will be the payoff. Last year, S5 attracted 15 drivers to the SuperNationals and they expect the potential for 30 entries for this year’s trip to the Rio. A handful of SKUSA’s most supportive shops have put together arrive-and-drive programs for young pilots interested in sampling the class at the SuperNats, which would certainly help grow the category. The simple launch of the SKUSA Central Mountain States Challenge in Colorado will provide yet another community of drivers, which should push the class to the entry maximum at next year’s SuperNationals. At the heart of the program is Kutscher’s goal of building a solid and stable platform for his regional programs. SKUSA’s new class line-up is well structured with a clear road from S5 Junior to S1 Pro. If the S5 Junior Stock Moto class can catch on in numbers, this organization will have finally accomplished one of karting’s most elusive concepts - basic and uncomplicated class structure with support across the board. |