go racing magazine, november 2014
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
TALKING TO: All Around Racing Expert Phil Giebler
VOL: 19, NO: 10 NOV 2014
FINAL FINISH
PROKART TEXAS
DRIVER FEATURE
WEEKENDING AS A RACER
ROTAX PAN AMERICAN CHALLENGE
PROKART CALIFORNIA
QUICK NOTESEVENT INFO
WEEKEND RACESINTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS
KILLER INSTINCT
DRIVERPROFILES
BUYER’SGUIDE
$5.99 USA | $6.99 CAN
BUYER’S GUIDETAKING A LOOK AT KARTING STANDS
MOM AT THE TRACKCAREERS IN MOTORSPORTS
KARTS TO CARSCHOOSING YOUR HELMET’S DESIGN
Whether you’re seeking a once in a lifetime experience or you’re a driving enthusiast in search of critique, Allen Berg Racing Schools offers world class instruction featuring direct consultation with Formula One driver Allen Berg.
With events at Auto Club Speedway, Pomona Raceway, Willow Springs Raceway, Arizona Motorsports Park we offer something for everyone.
Program DetailsDetailed data analysis of your driving using MoTec data systemsOn-board video footage of your driving using GoPro camerasCorporate, Group and Individual packagesEntry-level drivers to experienced racersHalf, One, Two and Three day programsHighly qualified, experienced instructorsSCCA accredited for race licensingSchool of choice for Team USA Scholarship
SpecificationsItalian built Tatuus Formula Renault 1600 racecarsMonocoque 100% carbon fiber chassisState of the art mono-shock pushrod suspensionFive speed sequential transmissionsGoPro on-board video camerasOn-board MoTec data acquisition computersHankook racing slicks
• Subscribe to the Go Racing Magazine for 12 issues and you are automatically entered to win a one day session at Allen Berg Racing Schools
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ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION
WORLD CLASS
• b&w logo for use on dark background
• color logo for use on dark background
2015 ROTAX CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS SCHEDULEJAN 9 - 11
musselman honda circuit
FEB 13 - 15 phoenix kart racing association
MAR 13 - 15 simraceway karting center
2015 FLORIDA WINTER TOUR ROTAX SCHEDULEJAN 23 - 25
homestead karting
FEB 27 - MAR 1 orlando kart center
MAR 27 - 29 ocala gran prix
GO
30FINAL FINISHRotax Pan American Challenge invades NASCAR country
4 GO Racing Magazine
THE WORLD OF KARTING
38WEEKENDING AS A RACERSabre’ Cook takes us through the KZ World Cup Experience in Sarno, Italy
EVENT INFOWEEKEND RACESINTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSKILLER INSTINCT
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CLUTCH CLOSERSTexas Prokart Challenge closes season at Gluf Coast Kartway
DRIVER FEATUREAn extended look at AJ Matheson
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TALKING TOAll around racing expert Phil Giebler
QUICK NOTES
FEATUREDDRIVER FEATUREAn extended look at AJ Matheson
FINAL FINISHESRotax Pan American Challenge invades NASCAR country
WEEKENDING AS A RACERSabre’ Cook takes us through the KZ World Cup Experience in Sarno, Italy
TALKING TOAll around racing expert Phil Giebler
CLUTCH CLOSERSTexas Prokart Challenge closes season at Gulf Coast Kartway
CHAMPIONS DECIDEDCalifornia Prokart Challenge champions decided
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50CHAMPIONS DECIDEDCalifornia Prokart Challenge champions decided
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THE INSIDE LINEBUYER’S GUIDETECHKARTS TO CARSMOM AT THE TRACKDRIVER PROFILESSERIES DIRECTORY
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DEPARTMENTSCONTENTS
GO5GO Racing Magazine
NOVEMBER 2014
GO6 GO Racing Magazine
Phot
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STAYINGIn this issue of GoRacing Magazine, we continue with our driver interviews. We begin with little AJ Matheson. Yes I mean little. He is arguably the smallest Kid Kart driver out there but has a huge heart. Not only is he fast and one of the funniest kids to talk to, but he is racing for a good cause. AJ donates money for every lap completed to the Wounded Warrior Project. His article and interview is a must read and will certainly bring a large smile to your face. Oh, and this kid knows his cars. If you see him at the track start talking cars with him and he will simply amaze you with his knowledge.
With AJ at the beginning of his driving career we go to the other end of the spectrum with an interview with Phil Giebler. Phil has had (and still has) a stellar career in karting and auto racing. As a veteran of the Indianapolis 500 and his international experience in auto racing, Phil provides his prospective on the karting industry and what it takes for a karter to make the jump to auto racing and move up the auto racing ladder.
We also continue with our buyer’s guide this month by showcasing kart stands. There are a few kart stand manufactures and all of them build quality stands. The choice can be difficult depending on style, function, and price therefore we are doing our part to present the reader with all the information to make an educated decision. Kart stands are an essential part of karting and being informed as much as possible can make your life easier or harder at the track and in the garage.
Additionally, Patricio Jourdain joins us again, but this time he
talks about helmet designs. At some point every driver wants their own unique paint scheme so they may stand out amongst the crowd. Helmet designs are like a driver’s signature, all unique and each tells a little story about each driver. Furthermore, as sponsor dollars become more and more rare, it is essential that karters give up some of this sacred ground if they are to receive the funding to allow them to show off their helmet designs.
Please don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoRacingMagazine and visit our website for all the latest news at www.GoRacingMagazine.com.
DATE
His article and interview is a must read and will certainly bring a large smile to your face.
Words: Richard Zimmermann
GO
www.goracingmagazine.com
MAILING ADDRESS6212 Corte Del Abeto
Carlsbad, CA 92011
SALES & MARKETINGRichard Zimmermann
(760) [email protected]
CONTRIBUTERSMaxSpeed Group, CalSpeed, Pro Media
Motorsports PR, Kory Zimmermann, Patricio Jourdain, [email protected], Scott Shimane,
Cody Schindel (CanadianKartingNews.com), Ron Matheson, Dallas Hollins, OMR UK, Sabre’
Cook
SEND CONTRIBUTIONS TO:[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHYCalSpeed, Pro Media Motorsports PR,
Dromophotos.com, Dreams Captured, Scott Shimane, Cody Schindel (CanadianKartingNews.
com), Angela Matheson, Phil Giebler Racing, Phil Guest | Pedrik, Sabre’ Cook
ART DIRECTORRob Dommes
DESIGNJared Novakovich
GO RACING Magazine is published monthly and is distributed to Kart Clubs, Tracks, Shops, and Kart Racers in the United States, Canada,
and the world. If your club or kart racing organization is not receiving GO RACING
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KART PRODUCTS
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L t d t I fi R
8 GO Racing Magazine
With over twenty years in the racing industry, Richard Zimmermann brings a plethora of knowledge from both a drivers’ perspective and the business side of the sport. With a background racing both open wheel and sedans, driver coaching, team management and heading up the day-to-day operations at K1 RaceGear; Richard brings both knowledge and a fresh approach to GoRacing Magazine. Overseeing content, in addition to contributing monthly in his “Inside Line” Richard brings a unique perspective to GoRacing Magazine. When not working on his many projects you can find Richard at the kart track with his son, and Jr. Rotax driver, Arie or at the beach with his family enjoying the surf!
PIT PASSMAKING THE MAG
RICHARD ZIMMERMANN
GO9GO Racing Magazine
QUICK NOTES
Event InfoFOUR ROTAX DRIVERS SELECTED FOR MAZDA ROAD TO INDY USF2000 TEST
Words: MAXSpeed Group
After ensuring a true ladder program from the grassroots of karting to the upper echelon of motorsports in North America, the Mazda Road to Indy in conjunction with the MAXSpeed Group are pleased to announce the finalists of the inaugural Mazda Road to Indy and MAXSpeed Group Driver Advancement Program. The four winners will be given the opportunity to “sample” the next step in their careers with a test in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. “We had 12 very worthy semi-finalists, which is a testament to the caliber of drivers in the Rotax program,” said Michelle Kish, COO of Andersen Promotions. “I would like to thank our judges for giving back to the sport with not only their time but their enthusiasm. We’re excited to introduce our four winners to the USF2000 platform and, hopefully, the next step in their career paths.” The four rising stars chosen were Oliver Askew, 17, of Tequesta, Fla.; Christian Brooks, 14, of Santa Clarita, Calif.; Sabre Cook, 19, of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Austin Versteeg, 15, of Sandy, Utah. All are competitors in the United States Rotax MAX Challenge program. The candidates participated in in-depth video interview conferences with Verizon IndyCar Series multi-time race winner James Hinchcliffe, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion Gabby Chaves, three-time Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals champion Ben Cooper and veteran karter and multi-time Team USA member Alan Rudolph. The interviews were
mediated by the “voice” of the Mazda Road to Indy, eKartingNews.com’s Rob Howden. “This was our first year working with the Mazda Road to Indy program and what a great group of people they have behind the scenes,” said MAXSpeed Group’s Richard Boisclair. “A top-notch crew made this lengthy process an easy one as we all worked seamlessly as a team. Our judges did a great job in the interview process and we couldn’t have asked for anything better. I would like to personally thank all the applicants as well as congratulate those who were chosen by our panel of judges.” Michael McCarthy, 15, of Clearwater, Fla., was selected as first alternate should any scheduling conflicts arise with the winners. “First off, it was great being asked to be a judge for this program,” said Hinchcliffe, who recently announced his return to Sam Schmidt Motorsports after finishing fifth with the squad in the 2009 Indy Lights title chase. “Karting is such an important element to the health and growth of motorsport in North America. As far as the 12 finalists, wow! The talent pool was deep and all of them should be proud of what they have accomplished and of making it into the finals. The interviews were a blast and they all did exceptionally well. The winners will be truly deserving, but I wish each and every one a huge amount of success in their careers.” The drivers are each awarded a full one-day test and will turn their first USF2000 laps on January 28 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., with the support of both Mazda Road to Indy and MAXSpeed Group personnel. “Karting was my roots for racing so it is an honor for me to be able to be part of this opportunity for up-and-coming young talents,” noted Chaves. “The Mazda Road to Indy has been a huge factor in my success and to be able to give back and help young drivers is great.” (Continue)
• Subscribe to the Go Racing Magazine for 12 issues and you are automatically entered to win a one day session at Allen Berg Racing Schools
• Current and new subscribers are eligible to win
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twice a year in July and January
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GO10 GO Racing Magazine
QUICK NOTES
The last two seasons has seen the United States Pro Kart Series become the top summer series in the eastern half of the country. Welcoming drivers from all over the country, continuing its focus on more track time and more fun, the 2014 season was a huge success for the series. Planning continues for 2015, as the schedule for the third season is confirmed, setting up another four-event championship at some of the top circuits in the country. “This past season was a big success, with the numbers growing compared to our inaugural season in 2013,” commented USPKS series owner Mark Coats. “We welcomed a number of new racers to the series, and crowned eight class champions for 2014 at the New Castle event. Next year is going to be another big step, as we want to make attending a United States Pro Kart Series an experience that the entire family can enjoy. Helping to make that a success is selecting four outstanding race tracks for 2015.” The third season will begin as the previous two did, hosting the opening rounds of 2015 at the GoPro Motorplex. The North Carolina facility hosted its first national event in 2013, welcoming the inaugural USPKS event. A duplicate of the Kartdromo Parma in Italy, the 7/10-mile course provides a challenge at every turn. The new circuit to the USPKS program is another demanding course, the US AIR Motorsports Park. Formerly known as the
UNITED STATES PRO KART SERIES AND ROUTE 66 SPRINT SERIES RELEASE 2015 SCHEDULES
Weekend Races
‘USA International Raceway’, the northern Wisconsin facility opened in 2004 and hosted a number of major karting events over the past decade. The 1.1-mile course is a roller coaster for karts, with multiple elevation changes. The final two events of the season will keep the series in the state of Indiana. Stop three is a return to the Michiana Raceway Park. Located just outside the South Bend area, it is the second straight year the tough 7/10-mile course is part of the USPKS program. The New Castle Motorsports Park is scheduled to host the series finale for a second straight year. At 1-mile long, the course puts the drivers to the test, and allows the engines to stretch their legs with the two long straights. 2015 United States Pro Kart Series Schedule April 24-26: GoPro Motorplex - Mooresville, North Carolina June 19-21: US AIR Motorsports Park - Shawano, Wisconsin July 31-August 2: Michiana Raceway Park - North Liberty, Indiana August 21-23: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, Indiana The Route 66 Sprint Series, the leading Midwest regional program, is also promoted by Mark Coats and welcomed a historic 2014 season. Record numbers throughout the year was seen in all categories, as the program will host a similar schedule for 2015. A five event, 10-round series is scheduled for the upcoming year, visiting five of the top facilities in the area.
Words: ProMedia Motorsports PR
(Continued) Today’s announcement kicks off a busy week for winners Brooks and Versteeg who will head to Mooresville, N.C., for one of Rotax’s biggest events – the Cold Stone Rotax Pan American Challenge – on October 17-19 where “Rotaxians” from all over the world vie for coveted spots at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals to be held in Valencia, Spain. “I am very proud to have been a part of the Mazda Road to Indy selection process; it’s just one more way I can give back and hopefully be a part of the next rising star,” added Rudolph. “All the candidates did a fantastic job with a few really random questions that would be difficult for anyone to answer. In the end only, only four can win this test but the fact remains they are all winners in their own right and have bright futures.” “It has been great to be a part of the judging panel for the Mazda Road to Indy/MAXSpeed Group Driver Advancement Program and Andersen Promotions,” said Cooper. “It has been a privilege and a honor to help these young drivers hopefully progress through their careers.” The partnership between the Mazda Road to Indy and MAXSpeed Group was announced in June to foster the next wave of up-and-coming drivers. Rotax is the largest racing series in the world in any form of motorsports with over 15,000 drivers competing each year. For more information on the MAXSpeed Group and MAXSpeed Entertainment, promoted events including the Florida Winter Tour, Rotax Summer Shootout, United States Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Nationals, Rotax Pan American Challenge, Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, Team USA and the entire Rotax program, please visit www.GoRotax.com. Be sure to like GoRotax on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/GoRotax) and follow on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GoRotax) and Instagram (www.Instagram.com/MAXSpeedGroup).
T: 909.948.2717Se Habla Espanol
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GO11GO Racing Magazine
2015 Route 66 Sprint Series April 10-12: Mid-State Raceway - Springfield, Illinois June 12-14: US AIR Motorsports Park - Shawano, Wisconsin July 17-19: Michiana Raceway Park - North Liberty, Indiana August 14-16: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, Indiana September 25-27: Briggs & Stratton Raceway Park - Dousman, Wisconsin Before the 2015 season planning can begin, the Route 66 Sprint Series will honor the champions and top performers of 2014. The season-end awards ceremony will take place October 11 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. There will be thousands of dollars in awards and prizes will be given away during the evening. Two Merlin chassis, one Tony Kart chassis, IAME Leopard, two Komet, three Yamaha and a Briggs LO206 engine will be part of the raffles. L&T Clutches, Sniper alignment gauges, Prisma tire gauges, six Leopard and KPV rebuild kits, AMB transponders, five $100 Comet Kart Sales gift certificates, over 60 boxes of chain, three KartLift stands and a KartWinch, eight Douglas Wheel & Tires rims, Beta Tools, over $10,000 in MG Tires and much more. A limited number of walkup tickets are available at the door for those that have not registered to attend, just email [email protected]. For more information on the United States Pro Kart Series, please visit them online at USPKS.com. Those interested in the Route 66 Sprint Series, head to route66kartracing.com.
GO12 GO Racing Magazine
QUICK NOTES
IN SARNO (I), ARDIGÒ (I - TONY KART-VORTEX) IS THE NEW CIK-FIA KZ CHAMPION, WHILE VAN DER BURGT (NL – DR-TM) CONQUERS THE KZ2 SUPER CUP AND VERSCHOOR (NL – PAROLIN-FIM) THE ACADEMY TROPHY
International Champions
Words: [email protected]
THE NEW CHAMPIONS OF INTERNATIONAL KARTING AWARDED IN SARNOIt was the right place and the right time for a great show of Motorsport. The International Circuit Napoli fullfilled all the expectations: extraordinary races those run at the Italian facility for the final day of the World CIK-FIA KZ Championship. Besides the World Championship, there were two more events on schedule: the Final of the CIK-FIA International Super Cup KZ2 and the last round of the Karting Academy Trophy. Great celebartions for the winner of the World Championship, the Italian Marco Ardigò (Tony kart-Vortex-Bridgestone), the winner of the Super Cup KZ2, the Dutch Ryan van der Burgt (DR-TM) and the winner of the Academy Trophy, the Dutch Richard Verschoor. Their success was well deserved and they all showed great competitiveness and skills.
MARCO ARDIGÒ WINS IN KZA brand new world title for Marco Ardigò, who was able to beat a pack of strong rivals in Sarno today, just before laying his hands on the title. It is the third world title for Ardigò, the first in KZ after the two successes in KF1 in 2007 and 2008. Getting the title was not as easy as it might seem: few laps after the start he got overtaken by Paolo De Conto (Birel-TM-Bridgestone), who showed to be in great shape and kept the lead fending off Ardigò’s counterattacks. Immediately behind the two leaders, the Italian Flavio Camponeschi (Tony Kart-Vortex-Bridgestone), the Belgian Rick Dreezen (Zanardi-Parilla-Bridgestone) and the Italian Mirko Torsellini (Birel-TM-Bridgestone) were ready for the battle. They had their chance after that Ardigò took the lead of the race back: De Conto was overtaken and he lost three positions. The two Tony Kart drivers kept the leadership until the end, ahead of Dreezen in third position.RYAN VAN DER BURGT WINS THE SUPER CUP KZ2. The victory in the CIK-FIA International Super Cup KZ2 was a matter between the two Dutch drivers who won the two Prefinals raced this morning: Menno Paauwe (Birel-TM-Bridgestone) and Ryan van der Burgt (DR-TM-Bridgestone). Van der Burgt had a better start and took the lead leaving his main rival behind. After few laps, Lorenzo Camplese (Maranello-TM-Bridgestone), in third position, began to outpace Paauwe, who had to give in
and left the second place to the Italian. The leader controlled the rest of the race, even though Camplese finished only two tenths of a second behind. So, Van der Burgt deservedly won the Cup, with Camplese in second position and Paauwethird. Behind them, outstanding performance for the Italian Luca Tilloca (Intrepid-Modena-Bridgestone), who started from the eighth position and finished fourth ahead of the Italian Francesco Celenta (Energy-TM-Bridgestone), the Danish Andreas Hansen (Tony Kart-Vortex-Bridgestone) and the Spanish Jorge Pescador (Praga-Parilla-Bridgestone). The Spaniard, during the qualifying session, seemed the driver with the best chance to win the Cup.
VERSCHOOR WINS THE RACE AND THE ACADEMY TROPHYHe made his bid for the victory after scoring the second place in the Prefinal and after dominating the qualifying session but not the heats: Richard Verschoor took the lead in the Final in the last round of Karting Academy Trophy winning, during the first laps, the duel against the Turkish Berkay Besler, his main rival. Verschoor kept the head of the race until the end, while Besler could not resist the Spanish Xavier Lloveras recovery. The Spaniard started from the seventh position and, little by little, managed to close the gap and scored the second position, just ahead of the Turkish. Thanks to this victory in Sarno, Verschoor conquered the Academy Trophy.THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON RAI SPORT 2.The delayed broadcast of the finals will be aired by Rai Sport 2 on Wednesday 15th at 06.00pm and at 03.35am. The last TV appointment, always on Rai Sport 2, is on Friday 17th with the special report and the recap of the whole weekend.
GO13GO Racing Magazine
DANIEL RICCIARDO THANKS KARTING FOR HIS KILLER INSTINCT
Killer Instinct
Words: OMR UK | Photos: Phil Guest | Pedrik
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo may have been accused of lacking the killer instinct when it came to overtake his competitors in the past, but this year he has harked back to his former karting days to reach the podium.
Ricciardo Rediscovers his Killer Instinct Daniel Ricciardo began karting at the tender age of nine and worked his way up through Formula BMW, Formula Renault and Formula Three before finally earning himself a Formula One Drive with Hispania Racing in 2011. After three seasons racing inferior cars and being forced to move over by the likes of current teammate Sebastian Vettel, he is now at the front of the grid and, with Red Bull, has the power to compete with any car in the field. After so many years trailing towards the back of the pack, his move to Red Bull in 2014 forced him to rediscover the killer instinct he developed as a young kart driver. Ricciardo is now clearly happy to take chances on the track and at home on the podium. But if he ever felt a Grand Prix wasn’t enough, he would no doubt see plenty of opportunities with another type of heart-racing activity - online games. Indeed, many sportsmen always have their eye on the prize and are drawn to big bonuses such as those afforded by the well-known site http://www.gamblingland.com/bonuses/. Whether it is being given free money to be played within an hour or having their deposit matched 100%, gambling fans can always find a way to increase their bankroll.
2014 FormBut let’s have a look at Ricciardo’s ascent in the world of racing. Prior to his arrival at Red Bull, the driver’s previous best finish was in seventh position, which he achieved twice in 2013 (in China and Italy) whilst driving with Toro Rosso. Having secured 10 championship points in 2012, he then went on to double the score in 2013 and has already amassed 199 points this season, including seven podium finishes.
Lead Driver?Despite failing to qualify at the front of the grid once in 2014, Ricciardo has enjoyed a remarkable run of success and he is clearly more suited to race conditions than qualifying. Currently third in the Driver’s Championship behind Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Ricciardo may be out of the running for this season but if he can improve his times in qualifying then he may be competing for top spot next year. With the news that Sebastian Vettel will be leaving Red Bull in 2014, the Head of Driver Development Helmut Marko has hinted that Ricciardo will be lead driver next season - a huge responsibility after just one year with the team. Next up for Red Bull and Ricciardo is the US Grand Prix in Austin on 2nd November and if he can continue to channel the animal instinct from his karting days then Ricciardo will be confident to get another podium finish.
Race Date Qualifying Position Finishing Position
Spanish Grand Prix 11/5/14 3rd 3rd
Monaco Grand Prix 25/5/14 3rd 3rd
Canadian Grand Prix 8/6/14 6th 1st
British Grand Prix 6/7/14 3rd 8th
Hungarian Grand Prix 27/7/14 4th 1st
Belgian Grand Prix 24/8/14 5th 1st
Singapore Grand Prix 21/9/14 3rd 3rd
GO14 GO Racing Magazine
KART STANDSBUYER’S GUIDE
WINCHLIFT KART STANDKartLift has been supplying the US with high quality one person kart stands since 1999. Our most popular kart stand ever, the WinchLift LT, uses a powerful, high quality electric winch to provide the lifting power. Simply add your U1 type lawnmower battery and you’ve got yourself a machine capable of lifting karts weighing up to 300 lbs. with push button ease. The powdercoated frame is fabricated
TAKING A LOOK AT KARTING STANDS THAT WILL GET YOU FROM A TO B WITHOUT EVER SETTING FOOT ON THE GROUND
from full 1.25” steel tubing. A 2” wide nylon strap is used in place of the typical winch cable and provides a reliable, safe, lift. The high quality 10” flat free tires have long life bearings that won’t wear out. Eight inch pneumatic tires on precision swivel casters mounted on the rear of the stand provide rough terrain capabilities and turning ease. The large rear handle provides a comfortable platform from which to push your kart. Push handle is removable and folds down for compact storage.
Comes standard in black powdercoat finish. Contact us about availability
of other colors. Comes with your choice of hooks to fit either the steel rear bumper, or the plastic.
Weight: 95lbs.
Price: $720.00, includes US 48 Shipping.
The WinchLift is also available in a heavy duty (HD) version for lifting up to #400 karts, and a Commercial version for up to #650 rental karts.
Contact us for more info at 877-777-8020 or visit www.kartlift.com for more info.
GO15GO Racing Magazine
A. EXTREME DUTY X-FRAME KART STAND The Folding X- frame Kart Stand is an essential piece of a Racers equipment package. Continuously utilized to transport your precision Racing equipment while at the track. This piece of equipment must work flawlessly in the background of a hectic race day, ensuring maximum attention is available for improvements to one’s race craft.
Manufactured to reliably withstand the rigors of everyday use, a KartWorkz Extreme Duty X-frame Kart Stand is designed with long lasting durability in mind.
Spotlighted Features include:
• Robust 11GA. tubing within X-frame, virtually eliminates frame sagging due to material fatigue.
• Top tubes are 1” round finished in rubber padding
• Large 3/4”dia. rear axles
• Heavy duty tray w/large aluminum tray insert
• Engineered/Gusseted front caster plates/Gusseted rear axle tube
• High Quality Pneumatic Wheels and Casters
• Front Casters 8” Pneumatic
• Rear Wheels: 10” Pneumatic
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
• Weight: 58lbs
Durable powder coat finish available in multiple colors (Glossy Red, White, Blue, Green, Black and Matte Black Texture Coat)
Custom Tray Graphics available
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Shipping Method: UPS Ground
MSRP: 255.00
B. STACKING KART STANDSA Premium Quality KartWorkz Stacking Kart Stand is ideal for multi-kart transport to and from the track.
Optimize your Garage/trailer real estate by storing/transporting your karts flat, one above the other. Whether you are hauling one Kart or Multiple, a KartWorkz Stacking Kart Stand is a preferred means for trailer transport. Aside from the Kartworkz framework providing additional protection to your chassis, and ease of loading/unloading, the stacking Kart stand provides a means to securely strap down your equipment without placing any of the ratchet straps to the kart chassis.
Haul your equipment to the track with a greater level of confidence that your equipment is safe and secure.
Features include:
• Manufactured with a selection of 1.250 Square and 1.250 Round Steel Tubing
• Gusseted corners provided additional strength/Support while providing tie down locations
• Durable baked-on powder coat finish is available in multiple colors (Glossy Red, White, Blue, and Black) will stand up to frequent use and retain its high quality finish.
• High Quality Pneumatic Wheels and Casters make easy work of it on various hard- pack surfaces.
• Front Swivel Casters 8” Pneumatic
• Rear Fixed Casters: 8 “ Pneumatic
• Machined Round Pins for easy stacking alignment
• Measures 30”W X 48”L X 34.5(double) 57.75 (Triple)
• Shipping Method: UPS Ground (Partially Assembled)
• Designed for rapid assembly, you will be loading Karts within the hour.
• MSRP $325.00 (double)• $450 .00 (Triple)
C. REGULAR X FRAME (NON ROLLING) KART STAND These economical Regular X-Frame Kart Stands are very handy at home, we found, having them to greatly reduce the unloading efforts after a long weekend at the track.
They are Very Stable and provide a great solution for supporting your Kart during your weekday preparations
These stands also provide an economical solution for Karting shops to display Karts.
Available either Unfinished, Durable Baked Black Powder Coat, or call us with your color requests.
MSRP: $65.00 (unfinished) or $75.00 Powder coated
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GO16 GO Racing Magazine
BUYER’S GUIDE
BIG FOOTSince the 80’s, Streeter Super Stands has been the original and genuine manufacturer of their aptly named Big Foot model of kart stands which continue to be popular amongst kart racers all over. While others have borrowed the products name, Streeter’s quality and commitment to giving kart racers the best cannot be duplicated and continued innovations have kept The Big Foot by Streeter the only choice for those not willing to sacrifice for lesser built similar copies. Available in black, red or blue powder coated finishes, the popular 34” height stand, made with 1” tubing, uses quality pneumatic 8” swivel casters and 10” wheels to handle even the roughest of pit areas. Streeter’s Big Foot is available as a 28” work height stand, known as their “Shorty” model (available in black powder coat finish), which has been gaining popularity with drivers and tuners whom prefer the lower working height. Streeter also offers a super duty styled version of their Big Foot that is offered in three color choices. At standard height, is the very stout “Fatty” model Big Foot that is built from 1 1/4” steel tubing- a great choice for Shifter, TaG and racers with heavier karts. Built, packaged and shipped right from their Wisconsin headquarters, Streeter Super Stands Big Foot models of stands continues to be the preferred choice of shops, teams and racers whom won’t settle for anything less.
• The Original and Genuine Big Foot Stand
• 34” height on standard and “Fatty” models, 28” on “Shorty”
• High quality pneumatic casters and wheels standard
• Laser cut tubing, welded in precise fixtures assures the best in quality and performance
SUPER LIFTThe Super Lift is the headliner on the roster of stands manufactured by Wisconsin based Streeter Super Stands and is recognized as one of the premier stands
(sold separately). Streeter includes an exceptional battery cover with The Super Lift, something other brands do not, which will prevent dropped parts or tools from coming in contact with battery terminals. Not only will it help with your kart, The Super Lift raises the standards when it comes to auto lift stands! When quality equipment and getting what you paid for counts, Streeter once again, leads the way. Available options like a Storage/Tool Tray, Air Tank Holder and the recently released Upper Parts and Beverage Holder add to
on the market. This auto lifting style stand, which is available in black, red or blue powder coated finishes, utilizes a belt drive SUPERWINCH brand winch with integral push handle and controls. There are no exposed control wires to get snagged or broken- as Streeter’s impressively designed stand has them running inside the confines of the handle and base. The base of the stand is made with high quality 1 1/4” steel and will not sag or stress fatigue as other lesser brands are prone to. The fully adjustable anodized hooks that come with the stand are applicable to virtually every style of bumper used in karting today and additional support gussets add to the durability and superior function of The Super Lift. The stand uses a common U1 style lawn and garden battery
Streeter’s Super Lift ease of use and setup. Even better, The Super Lift ships to you via UPS Ground. Capable of lifting Sprint, Oval, Champ, Winged Outlaw Karts
Ships via affordable UPS Ground
Black, Red or Blue powder coat finish standard
Belt Drive SUPERWINCH brand winch
Push handle with built in controls and hidden wiring
The only automatic lifting stand tough enough to carry the Streeter name
GO17GO Racing Magazine
Specs – Retail $475.00
• Main frame- 1 1/2″ box tubing
• Tires- 10″ pneumatic
• Handle- Removable with rubber grips
• Winch- 2000 lbs.
• Aluminum floor pan-
Diamond or Smooth
• Strap- 6500 lb.
• Delron rollers
• Wide Hooks- For plastic Bumpers
• Weight- 80 lbs. without the battery
• Accepts a UL1 battery (not included)
• Option: Receiver Hitch if you haul with a truck
West Coast Sales Steve Manus - Rialto, California [email protected]
Logan Manus - Rialto, California [email protected]
East Coast Sales Chad Siemer - Orlando, Florida [email protected]
GO
Kart racing is a technology driven sport with new products hitting the market all the time. One facet that has not changed in the many years of hollow axles is how the distance between the outer edges of the rear wheels are measured. Common tape measures were the standard method of acquiring this measurement for many years.
Three methods of using tape measures come to mind. There is the “line of sight”, the “two person” and the “multi-measurement” methods. Today, these antiquated methods of measurement are destined to become obsolete with the introduction of AccuWidth by Champion Karting.
For the first time an accurate, reliable, one person tool is available from Champion Karting. AccuWidth with its many features and planned upgrades by the designer can be used with most hollow axles on the market today from cadet to full sized karts and is sure to become the de facto standard in every kart racers tool box worldwide.
The key features of AccuWidth are: 1. Inch and metric measurements. 2. CNC machined for accuracy. 3. Self-centering design. 4. Aircraft quality aluminum. 5. Oversized Swiveling-T. 6. Compact foldable design. 7. Clear Anodized.
Precision is a key requirement in motorsports. Especially with continually changing rules. Whether you race in the United State or abroad AccuWidth helps you keep in compliance with measurements in both inch and metric markings. The measurement markings are CNC engraved so they will not wear out and cannot be scrapped off with use.
The pointers on the Measurement-T Slide are parallel with the wheel perimeter and the self-aligning Swiveling-T squares both ends when pulled through the axle for accurate readings.
AccuWidth is manufactured with 6061-T6 aluminum and high quality stainless steel fasteners. While more expensive than other materials Champion Karting decided aircraft quality
aluminum and stainless steel fasteners would withstand the rigors of use and would not be affected by ozone, weather, fuel and solvents. A definite benefit for the harsh environment of racing. We could have manufactured AccuWidth at a lower cost in plastic but we knew it would not hold up to the abuse of daily use by our most active customers.
The compact foldable design make storage easy in standard twenty-four inch wide tool boxes. A double sided Velcro® strap in conjunction with a boss and detent holds the folded assembly together for convenient storage. AccuWidth is supplied with a hard container to protect the tool during transportation and storage.
AccuWidth is clear anodized to aid in help avoid and scratching of the aluminum surfaces. Clear anodizing was chosen to protect and retain the readability of the scale.
Precision is the name of the game in motorsports and the “Line of sight” method is by far the least accurate of these three methods. AccuWidth is CNC machined using the best quality tooling available for accurate measurements. The measurements are the same the first time and every time. Exact repeatability is what the designer was after because in motorsports fractions count. Gone are the days of line of sight measurements, which won’t do when a fraction off can get you disqualified.
“Testing at an actual race Champion Karting saw rear wheel widths off by as much as a quarter of an inch with drivers using the “line of sight “method. The kart owner that set the measurement with the “line of sight” method said it was under the 55.25 inch maximum width. In actuality the measurement with AccuWidth showed it to be over by a quarter of an inch. Making the kart out of spec and subject to disqualification, if left unchanged”.
Drivers do not always have the luxury of having friends to help at the track making the “two person” method impractical. AccuWidth was designed to be used single handedly, so there is no need to drag friends to the track for practice or race days.
18 GO Racing Magazine
TECH
Content and Photos Provided By: Scott Shimane / Champion Karting
ACCUWIDTH
“The primary reason AccuWidth was designed and developed was because working alone on several karts for friends was a big challenge. First, being alone I tried using the “line of sight” method but the tape measure kept falling out of the axle. I was so annoyed that I sat on the ground in disgust. Then I had an epiphany. Looked around for some scrap metal and AccuWidth was born”
With limited time between track sessions, time is the equalizer between competitors. Time is critical in racing and the “multi-measurement method” is a great time waster. Removing the rear wheels, getting measurements and reinstalling the wheels is time consuming and unnecessary with AccuWidth. AccuWidth was designed from the start to work with the wheels mounted to the hubs on the axles.
“At Champion Karting we are extremely proud of the simplistic design of AccuWidth. We have been told by experienced drivers and mechanics that every driver in the sport needs to purchase this tool because of its ease of use”
When every point counts do you really want “approximate measurements” or waste precious time. If you are detail oriented and serious about racing then you shouldn’t settle for second best. Champion Karting has built the proverbial better mouse trap for karting, making all other methods of measurement old technology and quite frankly obsolete.
AccuWidth gives you the ability to repeat settings, exactly, every time. With the number of race tracks dwindling, returning to the same track on a rotating basis is becoming more common. AccuWidth and good record keeping makes changing back to a previous setup faster, easier and more precise than other methods. Face facts, the competition is getting stronger and tougher. Whether you wrench for yourself or have a mechanic AccuWidth is a tool that keeps you ahead of the competition. No matter the series with championships at stake, why risk missing valuable sessions because your kart is not prepped or why get a DQ and lose points!
“Southern California F100 Karters Promoter is considering using AccuWidth in their highly successful 100cc series for Tech Inspection. AccuWidth will be used after qualifying and race finals to maintain compliance with the rulebook for all classes in the series”
Regardless of your experience in kart racing, AccuWidth is easy to use for the beginning driver or the experienced mechanic. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Really, it is that simple. 1. Open AccuWidth. 2. Extend to full length. 3. Measure. Make any adjustments and re-measure. Additionally, AccuWidth can be left in the axle while adjustments are made. Tape measures can be difficult and time consuming to use. AccuWidth has none of the deficiencies of tape measures because the design is simple, yet thorough.
“AccuWidth is so simple to use. We randomly showed the tool to non-racers, non-engineer/technical friends and with a brief explanation of the tool they immediately used the tool in our karts without any detailed instructions or directions”
Long time motorsports enthusiast Scott Shimane of Champion Karting in Southern California designed AccuWidth with many features from his many years of racing experience both as a racer, mechanic and team manager. During the design and testing of AccuWidth, Champion Karting has performed extensive testing both in the garages of friends with karts and at the track for practices and races with mechanics. Every driver and mechanic that has used the tool is surprised by the ease of use and the accuracy.
Having raced in the past, Champion Kartings Co-owner knows how difficult it is to do separate multiple task at 100% each. Doing the setup for a race and also trying to concentrate on racing something is going to get sacrificed. Having a tool like AccuWidth that reduces setup time gives more opportunity to concentrate on the task of competitive driving”
Champion Karting solicited input on the design from many long time drivers and mechanics to come up with the final product. Basically AccuWidth was designed by racers for racers.
AccuWidth is designed and manufactured in the United States using high-end CNC equipment and the best quality tooling available. This is important because “quality input equals quality output”. Champion Karting uses high quality tooling to insure their customers receive high quality product that will last.
Champion Karting is releasing AccuWidth in 2014 not as a singular tool but as a wholly designed system. The add-on alignment pieces will be released by Champion Karting in 2015 to complete the system. AccuWidth as a precision instrument is priced moderately at $175.98 MSRP. According to current users the price is lower than expected. Dealer inquiries are welcomed.
“For what the tool does for my race setup and time savings I would have paid more in a heartbeat”
“If a driver cannot afford this amazing tool then they should look at getting out of motorsports because racing is expensive regardless of what level you are at”
Look for other Champion Karting products currently being designed and developed to be released after thorough testing.
Champion Karting Contact Information:[email protected] Box 549 Lake Forest, CA 92630
GO19GO Racing Magazine
GO
Choosing your Helmet’s Paint Design
KARTSCARS
FRO
MT
O
Most of the time race car drivers are recognized by their helmets, especially in open wheel cars or karts because the helmet is exposed and is what people can see live at the track, on TV or in photographs.Since so much has changed over the past 15 years or so; marketing and publicity campaigns have been getting more and more competitive. Saying this, in motorsports sponsors are looking for every inch of space they can use to place not only their company logos but the colors that identify them as well. So with this, the driver’s own helmet design has changed as well, especially in the world of NASCAR, where you mainly see drivers wearing their sponsor’s colors on their helmets, not only is this happening in the stock car series, but also in open wheel racing as well. Before, drivers used to choose their paint schemes according to their hometown’s flag, favorite colors, name initials, using a family members old design or any other personal interests, some good examples for this are: Mark Blundell, the F1 and Indy Car driver that had the MB on the top of his helmet; the Andretti’s using the same design for 3 generations, Mario, Michael and now Marco and one last example and a more recent one Matt Jaskol the driver from Las Vegas, NV has a roulette table image on the top of his helmets, of course representing the casino lifestyle in his hometown. You can all check these examples online to get a better reference.For me, the first helmet I ever owned was given to me by my uncle Bernard Jourdain, Indy 500 rookie of the year in 1989. This helmet had his design on it, so I kept it this way for the first few years of my karting career. My second helmet, I got a plain white Bell helmet from Bernard as well; and this time I was able choose a paint job.
At the time my cousin, Michel Jr., was racing CART / Indy Car and I looked up to him as a driver, so I chose his design with the Mexican flag colors on it and made a few changes to make it uniquely mine and got it painted. My third helmet was a Simpson Speedway Shark, this paint scheme was my own idea. I started looking at a lot of different helmets online and started mixing up different ideas, I knew I wanted the Mexico flag colors involved but at the same time I wanted it to be bright and colorful to attract the media and people’s attention. At the end of the day this is what gives you exposure and that is what racing is all about. I came up with several designs and went for the one I liked the most and had my helmet painted. After the helmet was finished, I got hired by the Ford Motorcraft Factory Team for the NASCAR Mexico Series and needed to get a new helmet, although the color structure remained the same, the design had a few changes to modernize it a little. Years passed and I was still using that same helmet up until last year; when I began racing for Team Nissan in the Grand Am Continental Tire Series sponsored by K1 Speed. It was time again for my helmet to be a “victim” of a modernized marketing world, like I said before; sponsors are looking for every inch available to have their logos and colors and this time it was no different. My Stilo helmet was designed around K1 Speed and its colors, don’t get me wrong I love it, it turned out great! It is great to be able to have an opportunity to drive and be able to provide valuable exposure for your sponsor.I hope you have enjoyed reading about how I have come up with some of my helmet designs and that this can help you decide on your next helmet design. Remember be unique, be original, and make sure it will get you noticed!
20 GO Racing Magazine
KARTS TO CARS
Words | Photos: Patricio Jourdain
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GO
MOMat the
TRACKA Mother’s PerspectiveWords: Kory Zimmermann
22 GO Racing Magazine
Last month we talked about the dreams of becoming a race car driver and how as a racing community we need to come together to grow the sport for the future generations of racers. But what if your dream of becoming a driver doesn’t become a reality; luckily there are many career opportunities within motorsports to stay close to the action even if you are not the one behind the wheel.
At some point in a driver’s career, the realization occurs that Williams-Renault, Target Ganassi or Hendrick Motorsports just isn’t going to call. What’s your Plan B, do you even have a Plan B? There are a number of career opportunities in the motorsports industry; maybe you have a keen understanding of car dynamics, automotive engineering might be a viable option. Or maybe you are a natural leader, you know what it takes to put all the pieces together and you work well under pressure; opportunities in motorsports management or running a racing organization might be the perfect fit. Are you a “tinker” and like to take things apart and put them back together; do you like to improve upon things to make them faster and more dependable; a racing mechanic while being able to do all of those things must also work fast, accurately and under a time constraint to get the driver on the track. Sound like something you would like? There are also jobs in public relations, accounting, and hospitality.
The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child” can be applied in motorsports as well. It takes a team of people all with certain responsibilities and skill-sets to create the optimum team. Every good driver will tell you that they are nothing without the mechanics, managers and their race car. The driver might just have the easiest job of them all? So while not everyone can be the driver, maybe you know someone that has a passion for motorsports. Invite them out to the track, show them what is involved in preparing and competing during a race event.
In 2011 we as a family had the opportunity to be involved with one of our son’s sponsors “The Race to Win” thru their involvement with Communities in Schools, we went and visited race tracks across the nation; inviting middle and high school students and speaking to these at risk teens about the importance of staying in school, completing your education and the careers available in racing and motorsports. Much of the feedback from the young adults included that they were excited to know of the opportunities available. Many of them love fast cars; some involved in illegal street racing and now knew of a legal outlet and education and career opportunities to follow their passion. Through presentations such as this, we are reaching out to the general public and making them aware of the racing opportunities available to them. I would love to see this done more often through field trips, on campus demonstrations, and even state approved curriculum. What if instead of auto shop (which doesn’t exist in most high schools anymore) you could take “Kart Shop” and learn the skills of what is involved in taking a chassis and motor package, putting it together, learning the technical and set-up aspects and ultimately taking it to the local track to compete? Sign me up!
MOM
GO
Want to promote your driver, recognize a sponsor or post race results?Driver Profiles are $25.00 (50% off) per month (for a limited time) and a
great way to get National and International recognition. For more information contact [email protected]
Shea Weston
Age: 11
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Engine/Chassis: Jr. 1 Comer and TaG Cadet
Team: Baldozier Racing
Racing Experience: I began my karting career this year (2014) at the age of 10. I have
competed in 13 races this year so far and placed 5th or better in 10 of them. I race in
LAKC, Tri-C, and PKC.
Future Racing Goals: I want to expand my exposure as an up and coming future
professional auto race car driver.
Social Media: www.sheaweston.com or www.youtube.com/sheawestonracing.
DRIVER PR FILES
24 GO Racing Magazine
DRIVERS
Upcoming Events:Super Series Round #11: November 1stSuper Series Round #12: November 22ndSuper Series Round #3 rain date: November 8th
SPORT KARTS p o t l i g h t
Jon KimbrellIndustrial mechanic/Machinist for CR Meyer at Kimberly Clark
Started indoor karting 12 years ago when his Dad Dennis stumbled across Dromo 1, and has been in Sport Karting ever since. Has also raced competition karts (Rotax, PRD, World Formula).
“My career highlight would be the first USIKC National championship I won in 2009. Crossing the checkered flag in the final race and knowing I secured the championship is a feeling ill never forget.”
Most successful driver in American Sport Karting History, with three na-tional championships (’09,’10,’11). Also the winning-est driver in Cal-Speed Super Series history with 9 A-Main wins and two championships (’10,’11). Currently leading the overall standings at Super Series.
Jose da SilvaOwner of American Pet Grooming.
Introduced to Karting in 1985 by Alex Dias Ribeiro; scored first championship in 1987 in Sao Paulo, Brasil. Introduced to CalSpeed via friend Jeremy Al-dridge showing him some videos.
Career highlights are his victory in IronMan Series Round #2, and his perfor-mance at the 2013 Machismo 12 hrs. Did double duty and received the Race Director’s pick for Driver of the Race.
Currently sits 2nd in the Overall IronMan CalSpeed championship, and is in the running for the Summer Shootout sub-championship in the same series. Has 1 win and 3 podiums in 2014.
Paige KauffmanStudent at Cal State San Marcos majoring in Kinesiology, planning to become a physical therapist.
Started racing at K1 Speed in 2010, chose to compete in GP series in 2013, placing 2nd overall. First got in a sport kart at CalSpeed Karting in 2012; is contesting her rookie Super Series season in 2014.
Enjoys taking skills learned in the Super Series and applying them in a controlled, competitive race environment.
Regular top 15 contender in the Super Series heat races, having made a pair of B-Main appearances in her transition to outdoor karting. Best heat race finish of 10th in round #1.
www.calspeedkarting.com
December 12-13, 2014
GO
DRIVER FEATURE
GoRacing Magazine sat down with AJ Matheson to talk about his 2014 racing season, and what he likes to do off the track. Not only is he a great driver, he is also plays baseball and soccer! A fierce competitor on the track, off the track AJ has a heart of gold as he has dedicated his 2014 racing effort to support the Wounded Warrior Program. Make sure you keep an eye on AJ as he moves into the Cadet category for 2015!
(GoRacingMagazine) Hi AJ, thank you for taking the time to talk to GoRacing Magazine! How old are you and what grade are you in?AJ: I am eight years old and I am in the third grade.
(GRM) How old were you when you started karting?
Words: GoRacing Magazine | Ron Matheson | Photos: Angela Matheson
AJ: I was five years old.
(GRM) What are some of the things you like to do when you are not at the kart track?AJ: Pretty much playing baseball and soccer and having fun like that. Having fun with my friends.
(GRM) Who is your favorite race car driver? AJ: I would have to go with Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick.
(GRM) What do you want to do when you grow up?AJ: I really haven’t decided about that. I don’t know if I’m going to be a fighter jet pilot or a sports car driver or what.
(GRM) What has been your
favorite race or racetrack?AJ: My favorite race was up in Oregon getting the Duffy at the Grand Nationals.
(GRM) Now you and I have talked about sport exotics and your love of fast cars. What is your favorite street car?AJ: It’s hard between the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and the Hennessey Venom GT for me.
(GRM) Is there anything special you do before a race to prepare?AJ: Just try to get a good night’s sleep.
(GRM) Is there anyone you would like thank for helping you with your racing (sponsors)?AJ: I would like to thank my mom and dad, my sponsors, and my grandparents for coming out and supporting me.
GO
26 GO Racing Magazine
DRIVERS
AN EXTENDED LOOK AT AJ MATHESON
Two and a half years ago in the echoing hallway of a military hospital, a Marine in uniform stands at attention awaiting a fellow soldier arriving via medevac. This area of the hospital is known to those who work here as the Wounded Warrior ward, and is capable of providing the acute care needed for those clinging to life. That same afternoon, five year old AJ Matheson is at the same hospital visiting his ailing grandmother who just two months earlier was cheering him on at his first ever kart race. AJ noticed the Marine and asked family members why the soldier was waiting there like that. After getting his answer, he was worried for the injured Marine and hoped he would be okay. If only there was something that he could do. Fast forward one and a half years and AJ is doing exactly that.
AJ lives in Southern California and has enjoyed growing up with many opportunities to experience a multitude of exciting things including theme parks, local beaches, military airshows, and professional sporting events. He also started attending motorsports events from a very early age. Everything from NASCAR Superspeedways to Midwest dirt ovals, NHRA National Events to quarter midget tracks, and everything in between. AJ has always been attracted to fast and loud racecars, so it was only natural that he jumped at the opportunity to strap on a helmet and climb behind the wheel himself. AJ went out to the local kart track in December 2011
to take it in, and then talked about it incessantly until he got a kart of his own.
His first season went better than expected, with AJ winning three races, including the US All Junior Grand National race in the Kid Kart rookie division, and earning 2012 Rookie of the Year honors with San Diego Karting Association. Also in his first year of racing, AJ had the good fortune of gaining the support of Bob and Sue Sutherland’s McDonald’s Restaurants as a primary sponsor.
In 2013, AJ competed at seven different tracks and picked up four more victories. The highlight of the season was traveling to Missouri to compete in the Kid Kart Nationals hosted by the St. Louis Karting Association. The race did not go as he had hoped, but it was a valuable building block in his progression as a driver.
The image of the Marine standing at attention at the Wounded Warrior ward and what he represented was something AJ could never forget. He knew what these brave soldiers had done for their country deserved to be recognized and supported. AJ learned that the Wounded Warrior Project was a group dedicated to these brave men and women and in 2014 he dedicated his efforts to support this organization. He called upon another of his sponsors, K1 RaceGear, to design a custom suit drawing attention to the cause. Richard and Dustin at K1 took the idea and created a great
looking McDonald’s suit and gloves incorporating the familiar Golden Arches with red digitized camouflage. Blacart Creative Designs matched the suit with an equally impressive new scheme on the kart as well. AJ then developed a system that awarded podium finishes with a dollar amount pledged by family, friends, and sponsors that would go to help injured soldiers returning home.
By all accounts, 2014 has been a breakout year for the young racer. With the help of stout Sanner Racing Engines powering his kart, AJ has captured eight wins along with a 1.6 average finishing position this year. Of all the races, none were bigger than earning the Screaming Eagle pole award and winning the Duffy at the IKF Grand Nationals in Medford, Oregon. AJ also captured the championship with So-Cal Sprinters Kart Club at Adams Motorsports Park. Along with racking up great finishes all year, AJ made good on his pledge to donate a large sum of money to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Next year AJ will be moving into the cadet ranks, running at select race tracks and events with the hope of gaining as much experience as possible. As always AJ and his team realize that all of this would not be possible without the efforts of numerous individuals. He would like to especially thank Bob and Sue Sutherland, Jim and Pat Hodge, Illa Matheson, and his mom and dad. See you at the track in 2015.
GO27GO Racing Magazine
20455 Central Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307Driving Directions:
Take I-15 North towards Las Vegas, exit Bell Mountain / Stoddard Wells Rd.Turn Left (East) to Central Rd. Then go Right (South) to track.
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ROTAX PAN AMERICAN CHALLENGE INVADES NASCAR COUNTRY| Cody Schnidel | CanadianKartingNews.com
GO
Deep in the heart of NASCAR country, karters from around the world travelled to Mooresville, North
Carolina, USA, for the Coldstone Creamery Rotax Pan American Challenge. Hosted by the beautiful GoPro Motorplex, a 0.7 mile circuit that replicates the historic Kartodromo Parma in Italy, karters were seeking the final available tickets to the 2014 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Spain along with prestigious Rotax Pan American titles.
The week was highlighted by picture-perfect weather, 137 drivers representing 10 different countries and stellar racing in every category that saw many drivers
32 GO Racing Magazine
fight through adversity on their way to the podium.
SuperPole QualifyingFriday featured popular SuperPole qualifying where following 15-minute timed sessions, the top-six drivers from each category returned to the track for Green-White-Checker SuperPole shootouts. Posting the quickest times in their respective categories were: Canadian Ben Cooper (Rotax DD2), Italian Max Papis (Rotax Masters), Brazilian Enzo Fittipaldi (Mini-Max) and Americans Anthony Gangi Jr. (Rotax Junior), Dan Roeper (Rotax Senior) and Reece Gold (Micro-Max).
Rotax DD2Making his debut in the category, Englishman Ed Brand entered the Rotax
DD2 category amongst many former Rotax Grand Finals’ Champions and National Champions. Through the first two days Canadian Ben Cooper and his KMS/Birel machine dominated the class, but Brand edged closer as Sunday approached. Also in the hunt were Canadian rivals Fred Woodley and Jeff Kingsley, and Americans Gavin Reichelt and Alan Rudolph, each of whom had already qualified for the Grand Finals, along with two-time Grand Finals’ Champion Pier-Luc Ouellette who was still seeking a ticket to this year’s event.
Sunday’s fight in the Final saw Brand jump out to a lead early but Cooper attacked on lap two and quickly regained the point as the two waged a spirited battle in the opening laps. With Cooper and Brand out front, the fight for third also heated up. Woodley was holding third over Ouellette, Rudolph and Reichelt until a broken steering wheel ended his podium bid. This allowed Ouellette to break free from the
group and Brand was then in his sights.
Up front Cooper had lost and returned to the lead by lap five with an aggressive pass and appeared to be free and clear until he suddenly slowed heading to corner three, eventually coming to a stop with a broken air box. While Ouellette did all he could to catch Brand, the Intrepid driver managed a gap all the way to the finish to earn a Pan American crown in his DD2 debut. With the victory, Brand surrendered his Senior Max ticket and will compete in the two-speed division in Spain. Ouellette had to settle for second and will miss the Grand Finals for the first time since 2008 while Reichelt completed the podium.
Rotax SeniorThere was a big shakeup in the Rotax Senior division on Sunday as the likes of Zachary Claman DeMelo and Kyle Kirkwood, who dominated the heat races, found themselves on the sidelines through the PreFinal with mechanical issues interrupting their reign. This opened the door for Dan Roeper, Luke Selliken and Thomas Issa to take over the front running in the Final.
An additional face at the front of the field when the dust from the opening laps settled was Ashley Rogero - making just her first start of the season after shifting her attention to stock car racing in 2014. Rogero slowly progressed through the field in the heats and PreFinal, and by lap seven of the Final had worked her way to the lead. From there she held Roeper at bay for more than 15 laps to score the victory.
The crowd roared, fans cheered and many in attendance were very emotional to see Rogero take the win as a father-daughter privateer effort. Roeper had to settle for second while Dalton Sargeant, another driver making a one-off appearance at the Pan Am, finished third. DeMelo recovered well and was running as high as third before eventually crossing in fourth while Selliken finished fifth after starting the Final from the pole-position. Kirkwood, Elliot Finlayson, Morgan Healey, Issa and Zacharie Scalzo completed the top-ten.
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Above: Austin VersteegAbove Left: (517) Andres FonsecaLeft: Luis Schiavo
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Rotax JuniorQualifying 31st was no big deal to Austin Versteeg, as the Utah resident put in stellar drives through the heats, PreFinal and Final to earn a 2015 Rotax Grand Finals’ ticket. 31st after qualifying, 13th after heats, 7th after PreFnal and first in the Final!
In the Main event, polesitter Nicholas Brueckner and off-pole man Darren Keane clashed wheels entering the first corner, sending Keane wide and opening things up for the field. Turn one also collected Trenton Estep and Anthony Gangi Jr., title protagonists all week long. This allowed Brueckner to gain a significant advantage and Matt Solarczyk emerged in second place followed by Christian Brooks, Versteeg, Canadian Samuel Lupien and Keane.
Versteeg made quick work of Brooks and then worked with Solarczyk to track down Brueckner, who seemed to struggle with a big lead. The three traded the head of the field until Versteeg made a move in corner one with two laps to go. The Orsolon driver opted to take the curb over turn two, jumping into the air and over the grass and creating enough separation between the front three to call it a race. Versteeg scored the win, a very impressive comeback after qualifying 32nd and passing more than 50 karts through the heat races. Solarczyk crossed in second and Brueckner third while Lupien ran an uneventful race all alone in fourth, a strong effort before he travels to Spain for the Rotax Grand Finals as a member of Team Canada. Australian Jack Black finished fifth.
The reminder of the top ten was Brooks,
Aiden Keel, Keane, Mayo Livingston and Andre Castro. With his victory, Versteeg is the first driver to qualify for the 2015 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
Rotax Mini-MaxAfter being forced to start all three heat races from the rear of the field, Lance Fenderson had his work cut out. To make matters worse, a penalty following the third heat race meant he would start the PreFinal from 16th instead of eighth. But all he needed was a fighting chance and on Sunday it was all Fenderson in the Mini-Max category. He drove all the way to second place in the PreFinal, giving him a front row starting spot for the Final.
Along with Enzo Fittipaldi and Harry Coulton, Fenderson then broke away from the field from the drop of the green flag. The three traded the lead gracefully in the first half of the race, while those behind fought hard, including an accident between Lachlan DeFrancesco and Sebastien Alvarez that took them out of contention early. With two laps to go Fenderson moved to the lead in corner one and never looked back, leaving both Fittipaldi and Coulton scrapping for the runner-up spot. Taking the victory with both hands in the air, Fenderson completed the weekend comeback in superb fashion to win over Coulton and Fittipaldi.
In a very exciting closing-lap race for fourth, Canadian Matthew Latifi scored the position after starting back in 18th. Fifth place went to Michael d’Orlando as he too had to drive through the field after an incident in the PreFinal.
Rotax Micro-MaxAfter a scare on the second lap for leader Ugo Ugochukwu resulted in him spinning out on the first corner, the youngster kept his kart moving in the right direction and regained in seventh place. A lead group of six featured great battles between Reece Gold, Jak Crawford, Sebastien Montoya, Leland Honeyman, Tyler Maxson and Josh Pierson as Crawford and Montoya exchanged the lead often.
This battling allowed Ugochukwu to slowly catch the group of leaders as the laps wound down. Shuffling positions like cards in a deck the final two laps were a shootout. Gold, Crawford and Ugochukwu each held the lead at one point on the final circuit, but once out front Ugochukwu held through the final few corners to take the win. Gold grabbed the second position with a pass on Montoya in the final corner while Crawford had to settle for fourth over Maxson.
Rotax DD2 Masters and Max MastersIn the two Masters divisions for drivers over the age of 30, two drivers stood out from the rest. Italian Max Papis went untouched in a small Max Masters division, taking a clean sweep of every official session, while in DD2 Masters it was Venezuelan Luis Schiavo who took control on Sunday and he never looked back.
Canadian Elvis Stojko, a three-time World Champion figure skater, and Costa Rican Andres Fonseca also battled in DD2 Masters all weekend long, but an early race incident for Stojko sent him for a wild ride and allowed Fonseca to easily finish second and secure himself a ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals with Schiavo having already qualified.
The Rotax Pan American Challenge closed out the North American Rotax Max season. Preparations by the MaxSpeed Group are already in full force as it gets ready to host the 2015 Florida Winter Tour beginning in January.
An extended photo gallery from the event can be found at http://canadiankartingnews.com.
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The week leading up to the World Cup consisted of testing with CRG and Maxter. Joey Wimsett and I used the week to get acclimated to the karts, motors, track, tires, and the atmosphere in general. I felt the week went very well as I made
good progress throughout the week improving each session. Adapting quickly to new situations and parameters has always been a challenge for me so I was ecstatic to be a little faster than Joey since I consider him to be one of the best drivers in the US and a good bench mark for me. At first the motor and tires were very different to get used to and the first couple sessions we were well off the pace as to be expected. I made sure to seek as much help from the CRG data analyst, Marco, to see exactly where I could improve my driving and technique. We were very pleased to hear from Mr. Tinini and others at CRG that we were
RACERWEEKENDING
CRG DRIVER SABRE’ COOK TAKES US THROUGH THE KZ WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE IN SARNO, ITALY
| Sabre’ Cook
AS
Aperforming better than expected and adapting well. Overall I think the test days were successful as we made progress with chassis selection, carburation, and my driving. I felt ready and like I would be going into next week on a good note. Don’t get me wrong I knew it was most likely going to be the hardest race of my career, but the test week gave me confidence going into the race.
The next several days were ones of luxury, adventure, and being a typical tourist! Oh and shopping; I do allow my girly side to indulge itself once in a while! My parents joined Joey and I a few days after we had arrived and on our days off we traveled to Pompeii first to see the ruins, then to Naples (quite a sketchy place) to take a bullet train to Venice. The train ride was a blast and once we arrived in Venice we met up with two of CRG-USA’s S4 drivers Juan and Victor and their wives, Queta and Elle. We were so lucky to have them because they were great company and could speak Italian! The next few days were absolutely amazing; we were able to tour Venice, the Church of Saint Mark, go on a Gondola ride, and venture to Verona to see Juliet’s house and the lover’s wall. Oh and eat lots of Gelato! I must say I prefer northern Italy much more than the south, and not just because it has better Gelato.
Our final stop was Desenzano where the CRG factory and team are located. We were able to tour the entire CRG and Maxter facility, and shop in the CRG store (best shopping spree I went on in Italy!) It was so interesting to see how all the chassis and parts are made. I also had the privilege to meet one of Maxter’s engineers who designs every piece that’s manufactured in an Auto CAD or Solid Works program. It was one of the biggest highlights of the trip for me being able to speak with him; my inner nerd was delighted! We concluded our trip by touring the nearby beautiful island Sirmione, and having an amazing dinner with the Tinini family. The next day we traveled back to Sarno to check in for the race and help with final kart prep. Finally, the race was almost here and I was very excited and nervous for what the next few days would bring.
Official Practice Thursday, October 9th, 2014Today I woke up nervous and unfortunately went to bed disappointed, it was a long cry from the beginning I had hoped for. The morning consisted of attending the KZ2 driver briefing, where the official controlling drivers check in, was a bit rude, telling me the meeting was only for drivers. I simply showed him my pass and tried to brush it off as I entered the room. Unfortunately that was only the beginning of the awkwardness. Once I entered the room for the briefing I could feel all the stares and I just tried to focus on not making direct eye contact with anyone but keep my head up. I had hoped in Europe there would be more females racing than in the US, but I quickly discovered that was not the case. I realized looking around at the drivers I was the only girl and unlike the US I could tell it was a bit less accepted. I tried to forget the oddness of the morning and proceeded to help Bolla with checking in both chassis and motors into Parc Ferme. This seemed to take forever with over 100 drivers in the category. Practice 1 was at 12:15pm and I had to break in my two engines, one on each chassis for the entire session. Practice 2 was more of the same with me having to break in a little in the beginning then 3 hard laps then come in
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am fully prepared and hopeful of moving forward tomorrow.
Heat Races Saturday, October 11th, 2014Right from the start I knew it would be a tough day and learned just how hard this challenge would be. We had 5 heat races and each one was a fight every moment for every inch whether you were in 1st or 21st. Morning warm up went well as I posted the 9th fastest time in my group. Heat 1 set a good tone for the start of the day with me getting a fantastic start and being able to move up and finish 12th. I gained more confidence as the day progressed and became more and more hopeful of moving forward each time. Heat 2 I got another great start moving up to 12th position however I got punted into the grass on the first lap and lost a lot of positions before being able to re-enter the track. I came up to 19th but a red flag was thrown due to a photographer being hit so the last lap didn’t count and I ended up 23rd. The next heat race I got a good start but just couldn’t get a handle on the race craft needed to move forward so I ended up 17th. I was pretty disappointed and it put a damper on my spirits. My Dad was there to keep encouraging me like always and I felt better after he pointed out that my times were faster than all the other people in the heats following mine. That made me realize I have the speed to compete but I just need to understand race craft and aggression a bit more. After a lot of private reflection I was ready to try again in the next heat but my race was over before I even had the chance. I had a decent start however coming into turn 2 the field bottle necked and I was hit from behind and collected in a large crash with several other drivers. Fortunately no one was severely hurt and only some spectacular bruising remained on my left shoulder and right thigh. My kart was severely damaged and I was unable to continue the race which jeopardized my chances of making the pre-final. Fortunately I was the last heat of the day so Bolla had plenty of time to repair the kart, but being the best he probably could have done it in a quarter of the time! The last heat came around and I knew I had to achieve a good finish to make it to the pre-final. I guess I was so excited and so stressed that I jumped the start pretty bad. I ended up 15th but was given a 5 second penalty so I ended up 22nd which put me 63rd overall and just enough to make the pre-final. (68 make the pre-finals.) Everyone was very worried though because the penalty used to be 10 seconds but was recently reduced to 5 thankfully! If it had been 10 I wouldn’t have made it
and finish off the session breaking in the second kart and running a few hard laps. With only a few laps at speed I was off pace and getting frustrated. My in lap I ran all my best splits, however Bolla wanted me to pit so I was unable to post a good time for the session and that was the beginning of the end of my day. My mental state was negative and stressed the rest of the day and I was unable to pull myself out of it. The next session I drove both chassis’ again even though I could already tell which would be the right choice for the weekend. The final session Bolla changed the axle, front set up, and gears on both karts. The front hub slid in on one of the karts so that was a bit of a hindrance but I still was able to run the fastest I had all day. Though I improved from the beginning of the day I was not satisfied with my pace. It felt like all the progress I made the week prior didn’t fully translate to today. I felt very uncomfortable with all the people and switching chassis’ so much. I was literally shaking before going on track each session from being so nervous. I have not been that nervous for years and it took me a few sessions to get it under control. The strange looks from the other drivers and mechanics each time we waited in Parc Ferme didn’t exactly help. The way the men here look at women makes you feel very uncomfortable and I’ve never experienced it in this magnitude. I never realized how misogynistic European society can be compared to the US. I now truly appreciate living in America and just how blessed I am not just as a person but as a woman. I finished the day by reviewing data, cleaning the karts, and going to dinner with the team at the track restaurant which had really great food! I just tried to forget today and conjure up positive thoughts for tomorrow. I will be faster!
Official Practice and Qualifying Friday, October 10th, 2014Today was a better day but there is still much more room to improve. We had three more practice sessions before qualifying and I continued to improve every session and had good pace for most of them. I simply tried to focus on moving forward and having a more positive attitude. I was put in the first group to qualify and was a bit worried as the track seemed to get better as the air improved with the cooler temperature for the later sessions. I qualified 15th in my group and 52nd overall. I had good speed and was running with Xen De Ruwe and a fast Swedish Tony Kart Driver. Unfortunately when I was in position to run my fastest time the Swedish driver’s engine ceased coming out of one of the hair pins and ruined all of our fast laps. After that happened I knew I didn’t have much time left to get a lap in so I decided to go on my own with no draft. Xen De Ruwe and I seemed to be on the same pace but took advantage of my draft and gained 2 tenths on the last lap which and allowed him to qualify much higher. I was only 0.6 seconds off the fastest time and 0.8 second off the KZ1 drivers. I suppose I can’t be too disappointed with that! However, it was torture watching the other qualifying sessions that followed mine and helplessly waiting to see what position I would end up. I was happy that I wasn’t too far off the factory CRG drivers in both KZ2 and KZ1. I am hopeful for tomorrow but slightly frustrated with myself because I know I have much more speed than what I have been able to show. I’m never a good qualifier and I recognize that as one of my biggest weaknesses that I need to work on. I am more confident in my race craft though and I
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and my racing would have been finished. Everyone, especially me, was ecstatic and relieved I would be able to participate tomorrow. I wish I possessed a better starting position but at least I still have the opportunity to race, which has been denied to over half the field already. Joey, always trying to advise me and lift my spirits, says I can’t have too high of expectations my first big race like this. I know he has a point but I still expected more of myself. Marco says I am still progressing and doing well in my driving based on the data but again the race craft and aggressiveness needs to improve. In all honesty I’m not sure I will be able to make the final tomorrow. No matter what happens I’m happy to have the experience and I know in the long run it’s made me a better driver. Tomorrow I will fight to the end just like I always do. Win or lose it’s been a good learning experience for me and I am very grateful.
Pre-Final and Final Sunday, October 12th, 2014This was it! The only day that matters is today and I was excited and nervous all at once. During morning warmup I had to break in the motor for most of the session with only a few hard laps at the end. I was happy to be quick in the warm up but still not totally satisfied with my speed. It was time for the pre-final and I was doing my best to be in the right mind set. I felt it was my last chance to put up a fight and whether I made the main or not I was going to fight for as long as I could. As cliché as it sounds I listened to the song “The Fighter” just before we went out and I felt good and ready to
go. Starting 32nd wasn’t the best place to be but I just focused on moving forward. I got a great start and was able to weave my way through the pack and get up to 12th or 13th by lap 3. My Dad said he’d wave his hand high above his head so I could see if I was in qualifying position and as I came around to start the 3rd lap I could see him waving furiously from a-top the CRG trailer. I could almost see the excitement on his face and I was more determined than ever to continue to move up. I began to catch the drivers in front of me until I noticed my water temp suddenly started rising and got dangerously high up to 200+ degrees. I wasn’t sure if the temp sensor was going bad or if the motor was really that hot. Either way I had no choice but to continue on and if the motor gave out so be it. As I continued the motor began to run poorly and I knew something was wrong as the kart began to slide. I slowly fell back one position at a time to 16th and got passed in the final 2 corners to hold on and finish 17th. I wasn’t sure I had still remained in qualifying position or not so I was nervous heading to scales until I heard the British driver who had passed me be told he finished 16th. I shook his hand and he chuckled and said “Damn, you put up much more of a fight than I thought you would.” The top 17 go from the two pre-finals so I made it by the skin of my teeth! I was a little bummed I didn’t continue to move forward but I still made it! As I looked to outside of Parc Ferme Lennox was perched on the gates smiling and giving me thumbs up and I knew I had made it and I couldn’t help but smile the whole way back to the
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pit. I had made the final and no matter what happened now no one could take that away from me. Of course when I got back my Dad was unbelievably happy I made it but said I had almost given him a heart attack. (He says that every race.) I was so happy I could share this experience with him and my Mom because they’re the reason I’ve made it so far. After the race we came to find out my radiator got punctured and that’s why the motor got hot and the kart began to slide because water was leaking onto my left rear tire. Bolla easily replaced the radiator and the Maxter staff checked the engine for damage and I was ready to go once again. I was honestly worried the motor might be damaged but I was just so happy I made the final I guess I couldn’t complain and tried to push my concerns out of my head. After the pre-finals ended the opening ceremonies and driver presentations consisting of lots of pictures and shaking of hands took place. Some of the officials insisted on the Italian greeting of kissing cheeks with me as they shook hands with all the drivers. You would think I’d be used to it by now being here for two weeks but I think it made me feel awkward then more than ever. We proceeded to get ready for the final after that and I wasn’t as nervous as I imagined. We went to line up on the front straightaway with all the umbrella girls. (Maybe one year I’ll get an umbrella boy!) I was starting at the back of the grid, second to last, 33rd position. My spirits were lifted and the magnitude of the situation dissipated a little by Rodney Berryhill’s fun and outgoing personality as he shouted “USA” and “Girl Power” as we lined up and prepared to start. I never got a chance to thank him but it was what I needed at that moment, it put a smile on my face and gave me more confidence to face the field ahead of me. Before I knew it we were off on the warm up laps and ready to go; but something wasn’t right. The motor lacked the grunt it had all weekend and when I performed my practice start just before lining up it didn’t feel right. It lacked the power to even perform a decent start. I shook my head and just hoped for the best. The lights went out and I got a decent start but not like I had hoped to get. I managed to move up a few positions on the first lap and tried to find my way through the craziness of the first lap. I took another positon on the last corner as we came around to start lap 2. Heading into turn one something wasn’t right but I was still clinging to the hope and trying to convince myself the whole lap before the motor felt normal. Sadly though, as I passed through turn 1 there was no more denying it. The motor stuck just before the middle of the long back straight, wide open in 5th gear. The rear
locked up and spun me around toward the wall on the outside of the straight. Thankfully I didn’t come in contact with the wall or any other karts as the motor gave out. I pulled my kart away from the track as much as possible and was commanded to relocate myself to the barriers by turn 2 for safety. Ironically one of the other Americans, Christian Schureman, was also there. So for the remainder of the race we kept each other company and watched as the laps of the KZ2 Final wound down. Dalé and Zanchetta were also there and I will never forget the look on Dalé’s face. I felt pretty bad for the guy, he had a real chance at winning and all the work put in year after year to get there ended in that moment and he was sitting right next to me watching the race we were supposed to be in. It reminded me just how harsh racing can be.
After the race we were carted off the track on the recovery vehicle and returned to Parc Ferme. Bolla took a look at the spark plug and turned out the ceramic had broken off the plug and the pieces went down into the cylinder causing the motor to stick. I suppose it is what it is and I can’t be too upset because after all I made the final in my 1st attempt and I am the only girl to ever do so. There were over 70 drivers who didn’t make it that far so I have to keep it in perspective even though it maybe wasn’t the result I wanted. I do wish I could have put up one last fight, but I guess that will be saved for next time! I honestly didn’t really believe I would make the main at the beginning of this day, but God blessed me with the possibility and the tools to keep going and I cannot thank all the people who helped me along the way enough. I wasn’t on my game this weekend and I’m not afraid to admit it. There are many things I could have done differently or better and I will be reminding myself every day so I can perform better in the future. But if I can make the final not performing to the best of my ability it gives me hope that if I keep working at it, and I get another chance I can really improve upon my results and do something truly extraordinary in this level of competition. I can only pray that one day I’ll get another chance to fight again and show the rest of the world that Americans and women can no longer be overlooked!
Thank you to CRG Spa., Franco Bologna (Bolla), CRG-USA, Grand Junction Motor Speedway, Russ McGrane, Viceroy Snowmass, K1 Racegear, Women in Sports Foundation Project Podium, Gold’s Gym, Brett King Design, Bell Helmets, and all my wonderful family and friends. Thank you all for helping me chase my dreams, it means more than you’ll ever know!
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Dallas HollinsPhil Giebler Racing
If there’s anyone who you should listen to in this business, it’s Phil Giebler. Having been in the sport for over 20 years, you could say that he is a bit of an expert on racing. It’s not often that you get to see a kart racer go on to be a professional racecar driver, who then goes on to be a karting team owner. Former karter, 2007 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, and current karting team owner, Phil Giebler, offers his experience and insight into the world of karting.
Dallas Hollins: How has karting changed since you were a kid?Phil Giebler: There are additions to the
engines to try and make them more user-friendly, in doing so they have made it more complicated with more things to go wrong. Now we have radiators, water pumps, electric starters, batteries, rev-limiters, relays that not only add weight and increase the costs and tend to fail or create another item to refresh. It takes a lot more money to get started and compete so a lot less people have access to the sport. Now the learning curve is sharper and the need of mechanics and coaches are more common to help the new drivers progress a lot faster.
DH: What are some of your fondest memories from your karting days?
PG: Kicking dirt around with Pat Long, racing for the pure fun of it and camping together at the tracks. Nothing super serious, just having fun and learning as we went. When karting became more serious and I picked up some amazing sponsors to allow me to travel and race against the best in the world. One of the most satisfying moments was winning the CIK North American Championship race in Charlotte, NC (1998). Going head-to-head with Fernando Alonso, Ryan Briscoe, and many other world class drivers.
DH: Many of the professional open-wheel rides all over the globe, go to Europeans. Why do you think that is?
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KARTING’S VERY OWN DALLAS HOLLINS SAT DOWN WITH PHIL GIEBLER TO TALK RACING!
TALKING TOPHIL GIEBLER
PG: I think it starts in karting. The level you have to be at to excel there is very demanding, as well as the financial backing that they are bringing. Unfortunately, that has been the norm in most professional racing series. There are so many US based companies that are major sponsors with teams in F1 and IndyCar, but they do not require that the driver is American.
DH: What do you think it takes for an American driver to establish themselves amongst the best in the world so they can be considered for a series such as IndyCar or Formula One? PG: I really wouldn’t have gone anywhere without karting and competing internationally was one of the best things I was able to do. Compete against the toughest competition you possibly can. It might be rough at first, but you will learn quickly and push yourself to the max to get to the top level. I think you really have to standout on all levels. On the track, in the garages with the team, and outside of the track as well. Top teams are looking for the
whole package. Driving is just part of it.
DH: Instead of pursing your racing career, you chose to create your own karting team, what made you decided to go that route instead? PG: It was kind of a natural step, I was already coaching a lot in-between traveling for A1GP races all over the world and racing domestically here in IndyLights & Indy 500. I was enjoying being back at the kart track and driving karts. It was also satisfying to see so much progress from the kids I was coaching.
DH: Can you tell me a little bit about your racing team?PG: For my team and shop I really went back to my roots and re-connected with Tony Kart. At the same time I wanted to stand out so we all decided to use the FA Kart brand which is the same kart in every way only painted blue with different kart decals. Winning races is important but more about the progress of the individuals. The heart of our program is creating a good environment to learn, have
a good time, and get the most potential out of the racing weekend and season. This level is all about building the foundation and enjoying your time at the track.
DH: What is your overall goal for PGR and its drivers?PG: Provide top equipment, knowledgeable support, and take what I’ve learned over the past 25 years and shorten the learning curve. Ultimately, helping to prepare young drivers for a shot a becoming a professional racing driver.
DH: Where do you see the future of karting going? PG: At the moment it looks like karting is going to an all spec kind of racing, which is good in many ways, but there are also some downsides to that as well. It would be nice to see a uniform karting structure across the U.S. and less national series that are really glorified local club races, claiming to be National Championships. If we want to breed better racing drivers as a country we need a better national platform and uniformity.
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DH: What are some changes within the sport that you think need to happen in order for it to advance? PG: Creating more uniformity across the US with classes, rules, and governing. Simplifying the platform to get the best drivers from all over the US shooting for the same goals to truly find the best in America. This is another reason why European karting is at such at a high level. There are international rules in place [for a certain amount of time] with engine specs, and competition rules, that are very consistent. With many engine manufactures allowed but they all have to meet the same specs. This creates more interests from all the manufactures to perform at a high level, and more likely for good drivers to get factory support and sponsorship. I would love to see the return of direct drive engines. Ayrton Senna said “Karting is the purest form of motor sport” and we need to get back to that.
DH: What advice can you give to someone in karting looking to advance and take their career to the next level?PG: The things that any driver looking to propel their career and succeed in motorsports will need are the following:
• Lots of seat-time (testing and racing)• Massive desire and dedication• Always be learning and striving to make
yourself a better [and] faster driver• Be physically fit• Stop making excuses, taking
accountability is not a knock on yourself, it’s how you improve
• ABS ... Always Be Selling... Yourself! To make it in racing is tough on your own, you will need the help and support of your parents, friends, family, and most importantly sponsors. You never know who is around that will be able to help take your career to the next level
• Be well rounded. Learn about the car and how it works. Learn about your team, and be a team player. Learn the business side of racing, understand that driving is just part of the job.
Karting is the grassroots of auto racing, and the more talented drivers we see in this stage of the game, the more promising the sport will be in the future.
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Mike Wherley doubled up in
the DD2 Masters division
Chris Jennings locked up his third straight S4 Master
Stock Moto with two wins in Katy
Jesse Woodyard locked up the
Rotax Senior title with a win on
Sunday
Austin Osborne won both features
in the TaG Senior division
S1 Pro driver Garrett Boone
returned to the seat after a heavy crash
in August
Cody Jolly returned after a six
year hiatus to win Saturday in the S2 Semi-Pro category
Trenton Estep was a double
winner on the weekend, scoring a victory in Rotax Junior along with a win in S5 Junior
Jak Crawford secured the Micro
Max title, and added his first win
in TaG Cadet
The 2014 season came to a close for the Texas ProKart Challenge as the series hosted the finale weekend on October 3-5 at the Gulf Coast Kartway. The series - presented by 3G Kart Racing/Burger King®/Chase Racing/Dallas
Karting Complex/Fernelius Alvarez Attorneys - traveled to the Katy, Texas facility to close out the eight-race championship program with the final two rounds. Drivers of the Burger King® Rotax Max Challenge and Superkarts! USA regional series decided this year’s champions and who gets part of the $40,000 prize package for 2014. The weekend in Katy saw a number of round sweeps, along with a few first-time winners on the year. The Pole Position/DR Kart S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto class has been one of the most competitive divisions all season, and it continued this way in Katy by welcoming two new race winners in returning pilot Cody Jolly and series regular Luke Shanahan. CJ Cramm opened up Round Seven with the fast time in qualifying, earning his first pole position of the season. The heat races, however, went to Jolly, who was making his first start in nearly six years. He and Shanahan fought their way forward in Heat #1. Jolly then led all 10 laps in Heat #2 as Shanahan fell back midway through the race. Grabbing the holeshot to start the main, Jolly showed the way for all 16 circuits to claim the victory in his first Texas ProKart Challenge start. Championship leader Miguel Lopez scored the most points possible, placing runner-up and earning the fast lap honors. S2 rookie Nathan Adds completed the podium, just ahead of Cramm, while Shanahan worked back up to fifth. The following day, Jolly began where he left off, running at the top of the order. Shanahan was right there in both qualifying and the two heat races, with Jolly leading the way. Jolly led the first half of the 16-lap main event before Shanahan took over, holding on for his first victory of the season. Cody held on for second, with Lopez on the podium once again in third. Graig Alvarez and Jordan Dick made up the top-five.
CLOSERSCLUTCHTEXAS PROKART CHALLENGE CLOSES SEASON AT GULF COAST KARTWAY
ProMedia Motorsports PRDreams Captured
For a third straight season, Chris Jennings was crowned the HPD/Honda S4 Master Stock Moto champion after locking up the title with two wins in Katy. Jennings swept the action on Saturday, earning fast time in qualifying and the two heat wins before grabbing the feature race and posting the fast lap of the race. The win was his fifth of the season, as he finished three seconds ahead of defending Pro Tour champion Jordon Musser and Steve McCaffery. McCaffery stopped the perfect weekend for Jennings, securing fast time in qualifying on Sunday, along with the opening heat race win. Jennings took the helm in Heat #2 after McCaffery retired before the completion of lap one, taking the win over Musser. Leading all 16 laps in the main, Jennings won for a sixth time in 2014, finishing fifth overall in the combined S1/S2/S4 race group. With both Musser and McCaffery unable to reach the checkered flag, Patrick Roth finished second with Mark Reid in third. Three drivers took part in the Champion Racing/Intrepid S1 Pro Stock Moto class on Saturday with Ryan Kinnear edging out top qualifier and two-time heat winner Jake French. The big story however was the return of Garrett Boone, who was injured in a hard wreck at the SKUSA SummerNationals. Both Kinnear and French left at the end of the day, as they headed to Italy to compete in the CIK-FIA KZ2 Super Cup event in Sarno. Boone ran unchallenged on Sunday as a result, enjoying his return to the seat while mixing it up with the S2 drivers. Louie Pagano won his third feature race of the season in the Gaddy Web Design Rotax Senior division. The California racer swept Saturday’s action ahead of Jesse Woodyard and Gabe Bargas. Sunday was a very competitive day, with Bargas earning the fast time in qualifying. Both Bargas and Woodyard had trouble in Heat #1, allowing Conner Clay to claim the race win. Woodyard bounced back to win the second heat, and drove away to a five-second victory in feature to claim the championship. Pierre-Paul Baradat ended up second, edging out Bargas. Austin Osborne doubled up for the first time this year in the Fernelius Alvarez Attorneys TaG Senior class. A winner at Round Six, Osborne swept the action on Saturday to earn a perfect score. Texas PKC newcomer Erin Sims was runner-up while point leader Luke Waller ended up in third. The following day began with Osborne still at the top of the time sheets, however, Waller snuck by to win both 10-lap heat races ahead of Osborne. The duo was joined by Louie Pagano, who switched over to TaG Senior on Sunday, that is, until he retired with just a few laps remaining in the final. Osborne would eventually take the lead back, and beat Waller to the checkered flag by just over a tenth. Nick Martin completed the podium. The wins in Enertech Rotax Junior were split by Trenton Estep and Brett Mitchell, each earning their first victory on the
GO47GO Racing Magazine
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Crawford was able to secure a second win on the weekend, conquering the Kart Life TaG Cadet category on Sunday. On Saturday, the day was led by Cade McKee, earning the fast time in qualifying and winning each of the heat races. At the start of the feature, McKee was shuffled back, allowing Yusuf Moola through. Moola led all 12 laps to secure his first victory of the season, edging out Crawford. McKee worked his way back up to third. Sunday was very similar, this time with Moola at the point in qualifying and both heat races. Crawford jumped to the lead on the opening circuit of the main event, and led the entire distance for his first victory in the category, clinching the championship in the process. Matthew Stretch was second with Moola on the podium once again in third. CJ Cramm and Michael Ilavia split the victories in the Dallas Karting Complex DD2 class. Cramm fought off rookie Nathan Adds all day, sweeping the day and securing the victory by just over four seconds for his first of the season. Ilavia joined them on Sunday, getting up to speed by Heat #2 by scoring the race win. Ilavia, in his first series start on the year, edged out Cramm by just three tenths with Adds in the third position. Dallas Karting Complex DD2 Masters category saw Mike Wherley add to his recent win at Round Six, taking both main events in Katy. Point leader Lance Lehrman was the top driver all day, including the feature where he won by just over one second. Lehrman would be removed from the results for a carburetor issue, which promoted Wherley to the top of the podium after edging out Jason Morski on-track. Wherley continued to challenge, posting the fast lap in qualifying and winning Heat #1. Lehrman fought back to win Heat #2, however, Wherley outlasted both Morski and Lehrman in the 16-lap feature for his third straight victory. Will Vasser made it a ‘one and done’ debut with the Texas ProKart Challenge, dominating the Saturday round in the Dreams Captured Photography TaG Master division. Vasser beat point leader Juan David Gomez in all on-track sessions. Vasser sat out Sunday’s action, where Drew Neubauer challenged Gomez. The point leader was too much, earning a perfect score on the day to secure the championship. Garrett Ramirez came just 13 laps short of sweeping the RPM Race Karts S3 Novice Stock Moto field in Katy. He was the top driver all day in Round Seven, but retired on lap four of the main event to allow Austin Jeffries to the victory, his first of the season, with Kyle Counts in second. Ramirez came back the following day to dominate for his third victory of the season with Jeffries in second and Counts in third. Banquet information and a full championship report will be available in the near future on the Texas ProKart Challenge website - texasprokartchallenge.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for more information on the 2015 Texas ProKart Challenge series.
season. Estep put himself at the front of the field in Heat #2, working past top qualifier and Heat #1 winner Max Hewitt. Leading all 12 laps of the main event, Estep earned the top step of the podium, outrunning both Ryan C. Lewis and Mitchell. Estep began Sunday as the quick driver in qualifying, but Mitchell took over for the rest of the day. Winning both heat races, Mitchell drove to a 2.6-second margin of victory for his first Texas PKC win. Parker Chase stood second on the podium with Hewitt third. Blair Hosie drove uncontested in the Turbo Lube/Motul TaG Junior class. Estep was a double winner on the weekend, splitting the victories in the SwedeTech Racing Engines S5 Junior Stock Moto division with Raul Guzman. Entering the weekend as the point leader, Guzman stamped his bid for the series championship with a sweep of Round Seven. Guzman was the top qualifier, going on to win both heat races and the main event, including the fast lap of the race. Jacob Loomis was second with Colin Long earning his first podium in third. After recording a DNF on Saturday, Estep bounced back to earn his own sweep on Sunday. Estep drove to a five-second victory in the main event after posting fast time in qualifying and winning both heat races. Guzman drove to second with Long once again in third. It was nearly a weekend sweep in Chase Racing Mini Max category with Brandin Warwas earning his first victory of the season, but coming up just short on Sunday. Saturday was all Warwas, earning a perfect score on the day toward his first Texas PKC Mini Max win. Ethan Arndt and Dylan Schlegel were second and third in the 12-lap feature. The following day was much of the same, as Warwas put himself at the top of the results sheet in qualifying and both heat races. A spin on the opening lap of the main event put Warwas to the tail of the field. That allowed championship leader Riley Dickinson and Cash Tiner to fight for the victory. Dickinson crossed the finish line just 15 thousandths ahead of Tiner to earn his fourth win of the season. Schlegel placed third, ending the season with his best two results of the year. Jak Crawford was just another sweep away from clinching a championship on the weekend, as he dominated the action in the Ribtect Micro Max class on Saturday. It was a near perfect score for Crawford as he drove to a six-second advantage in his sixth victory of the season. John Burke was second and Logan Stretch was third, while Dylan Hajicek posted the fast lap of the race. With Crawford electing to sit out on Sunday, it brought on a host of drivers battling for the final win of the season. Hajicek transferred his speed over to qualifying to post the fast time, only to see Branyon Tiner win Heat #1. Vittorio Catino won the second heat, and led all 12 laps of the main event. However, officials penalized Catino for avoidable contact, moving him back to second position and handing the win to Hajicek. Juan Pablo Cepeda was classified in the third spot.
48 GO Racing Magazine
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Racer_Sub_GoRacing_Ad_08-14.indd 1 8/11/14 3:55 PM
Stephen Brucker
Christian Brooks
Jeff KrogstadTrey Brown
Darren Elliott
Steve Wetterau
Ethan Wilson
Kolton Griffin
Nicky Hays
Billy Musgrave
The 10th season of the California ProKart Challenge concluded at the end of September, celebrating one of its best seasons to date. The flagship Superkarts! USA regional program completed the six-event season at the recent Streets of Lancaster
Grand Prix on September 27-28. Over 230 racers took part in this year’s championship series from all along the western half of North America, including pilots from as far as Texas and North Carolina. It was a challenging year for the PKC competitors and teams, featuring six distinct circuits – including one historic track, a return trip to Sonoma, and two temporary courses – that highlighted the skills and talent of the 11 drivers who finished the year at the top of the standings. The Mike Manning Karting TaG Senior championship is the second regional title for Austin Elliott. A championship winner in 2011 in the last season of the ProKart Challenge North program, Elliott has been at the edge of returning to the top of the standings once again. Two straight podium finishes to open up the year helped to put Austin in position, but the victory in Round Four at Simraceway propelled him to the top. Top-five results in the final two rounds helped him to secure the title. Then to top it off, the Shingle Springs, California driver was awarded the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship program, worth $12,000. The early pace-setter in the TaG Senior standings was current Pro Tour leader Jake Craig. A runner-up finish and victory put Craig as the target, but he was unable to return to the podium for the remainder of the season and settled into the vice-champion position. Brenden Baker was the top rookie driver on the season and finished the year third in the points race. Baker secured the fast time in qualifying three of the six events, but only managed one podium finish. For the second straight season, Billy Musgrave is the champion in the Extreme Karting/Vemme Kart S1 Pro Stock Moto category. A winner in three of the six events on the season, Musgrave was runner-up in the other three main events on the year (behind former champion Jimmy McNeil and Ron White twice). Ryon Beachner landed on the
podium three times in six races, scoring the vice-champion position in 2014, with Matias Podboj ending up third. The championship for the Leading Edge Motorsports TaG Masters went down to the wire, with two-time race winner Ethan Wilson edging out Kevin Manning. Going into the finale at Lancaster, every point mattered. Wilson took the 10 bonus points for the fast time in qualifying, and the two drivers split the heat races, keeping the totals very close. The main event was a great battle, with Manning able to secure the top spot on the final lap to earn his first victory of the season. Wilson settled for runner-up, but secured the fast time in the race for 10 more bonus points. The final standings have Wilson ahead by just six points, giving the former Pro Tour champion his second regional title. Ending up third is current Pro Tour championship leader Billy Cleavelin, showing the high competitiveness of the category this season. The Phil Giebler Racing S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto was a close affair, dominated by two drivers. Arizona driver Kolton Griffin and S2 rookie Jarred Campbell split the race wins on the year, with Griffin coming away with the point championship. Both were in the hunt for the win at the finale, including the overall win against the S1 drivers. The rookie and 2013 S5 champion Campbell was able to secure the big victory at Lancaster, but fell 40 points short in the title chase to Griffin. Behind them was the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Driver Scholarship winner for 2014, Carter Williams. A S2 rookie as well, Williams had five top-five results on the year to finish third in the title chase. 2014 marked the return of former SKUSA driver Darren Elliott. The three-time SuperNationals winner made a comeback behind the wheel and dominated the 2 Wild Karting S4 Master Stock Moto championship. A total of four feature wins, including two on-track sweeps, helped to put the veteran back on top in his debut season. Chasing him all year was Rob Logan. Three runner-up finishes preceded Logan’s triumphant victory in Lancaster over Elliott for his first of the season, ending the year second in the standings. Third in the final points is defending champion Willy Musgrave, ending up with three top-five results this season. Jeff Krogstad won his first championship in the Mothers Polish S4 Magnum Stock Moto category. This season was the best yet since the creation of the Nash Motorsportz S3 Novice Stock Moto division. Sixteen different drivers contested the class on the season, helping to build the future of Stock Moto racing in California. At the top of the standings after six rounds is Steve Wetterau. Four podium finishes in six rounds, including a sweep in Round Two, helped to give Wetterau a 55-point advantage over Travis Nicklas in the end. A winner in four rounds, Nicklas’ disqualification in Round Two prevented him from scoring the championship. Cris Araujo ripped off six straight top-five finishes to end up third at the end of the year.
The Sunshine Daydream Creations S5 Junior Stock Moto championship was decided just after the final checkered flag was waved in Lancaster. Christian Brooks had led the championship
DECIDEDCHAMPIONS
CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS DECIDED
ProMedia Motorsports PRDromo Photos
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for much of the season, winning three of the four races to begin the season. Nicky Hays, however, came on late but strong, earning two runner-up results and then finishing up with victories at the last two rounds, including Lancaster. Although Brooks was the provisional winner, he did not past post-race inspection. That gave Hays the victory and the championship. Brooks finished the year second just 35 points back, with Jack von Quilich in third. Brooks was dominant in the Buddy Rice Karting TaG Junior division, winning three races and placing runner-up at the other three races to secure the championship. When the final points were tallied, Brooks won the title by 131 points. Royal McKee’s victory at the season finale in Lancaster helped to promote him into the vice-champion position, ending the year with five top-five results. Michael Avansino ended up third, earning four of his own top-five finishes. Trey Brown was able to hold the championship lead in the Pure Karting TaG Cadet class almost the entire 2014 season – for his first California PKC title. Brown won the first three races of the season, and held off a charging Jagger Jones who won the final three races of the year. Just 66 points separated the two after the final tally was calculated. Oliver Calvo was a strong contender, and finished the year in third. Leading the Rookie division was Stephen Brucker, placing 11th overall in the standings and first in class. Jullian Busick was second, with Luca Roma in third. The California ProKart Challenge champions (in the SKUSA Pro Tour categories) will once again be awarded a guaranteed starting position on SuperSunday at the SKUSA SuperNationals XVIII, set for November 19-23 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. For more info on anything related to Superkarts! USA, please visit the website – www.superkartsusa.com – or call the SKUSA head office at 951-491-0808.
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Austin Elliot
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Series DirectorySeries State Web Address
Bakers Creek Kart Club AL www.bakerscreekkarting.com Arkansas Motorsports Park AR www.arkansasmotorsportspark.comKartways of Arkansas AR www.kartways.comArizona Karting Assoc. AZ www.azkarting.comLake Havasu Speedway AZ www.lhksa.comMusselman Honda Circuit / P1 AZ www.mhcircuit.comPhoenix Kart Racing Assoc. AZ www.pkra.comTucson Kart Club AZ www.tucsonkartclub.comAdams Motorsports Park CA www.adamsmotorsportspark.comAtwater Kart Club CA www.atwaterkartclub.comBest in the West Oval Series CA www.bestinthewestracing.comBlue Max Kart Club CA www.bluemaxkartclub.comCalSpeed Kart Track CA www.calspeedkarting.comGatorz CA www.gatorzkarting.comGrangé Motor Circuit CA www.grangeracetrack.comIKF Region 7 CA www.ikfkarting.comIKF Region 11 CA www.norcalkarters.comInfineon Raceway RLOKC CA www.redlineoilkarting.comKinsmen Kart Club CA www.kinsmenkartclub.netLos Angeles Kart Club CA www.lakc.orgMonterey Karters CA www.montereybaykarters.comNCK Road Racing CA www.nckroadracing.comNorcal 4-cycle Racing Assoc. CA www.norcal4cycle.comPacific Assoc. of Karters CA www.pacifickarting.comPro Kart Challenge CA www.superkartsusa.comRailto Airport Speedway CA www.rialtoairportspeedway.comSan Diego Karting CA www.sdka.comSanta Maria Karting CA www.smka.orgShasta Kart Club CA www.shastakartklub.comSo-Cal Sprinters CA www.so-calsprinters.comSoCal Oval Karts CA www.socalovalkarters.com Tri-C Karters CA www.tri-ckarters.comWillow Springs Kart Track CA www.timipromotions.comWestwood Karting Assoc. Canada www.westwoodkarting.orgPoint Pelee Karting Club Canada www.pointpeleekarting.comColorado Jr. Kart Club CO www.coloradojuniorkartingclub.comCRE CO www.cremotorsports.comGrand Junction Motorspeedway CO www.gjmotorspeedway.comIMI Motorsports Complex CO www.imimotorsports.comPikes Peak Kart Racing Club CO www.PPKRC.comThe Track at Centennial CO www.thetrack.usUS 13 Kart Club DE www.dekarting.netDesoto Speedway FL www.tricitykartclub.comHomestead Karting FL www.homesteadkarting.netMRP Motorsport at Palm Beach FL www.racepbir.comNorth Florida Kart Club FL www.nfkc.usOcala Karting Raceway FL www.ocalagranprix.comSouth West Karting Assoc. FL www.swflkarting.comWest Coast Karting FL www.westcoastkarting1.comROK Cup USA FL www.rokcupusa.comGeorgia Sprint Karting Assoc. GA www.georgiasprintkarting.netSouth East Rotax Super Series GA www.georgiasprintkarting.netBig Island Kart Club HI www.bigislandkartclub.com
Series State Web Address
Maui Go Karters HI www.mauigokart.com61 Kartway IA www.61kartway.comSnake River Karters ID www.srkarters.comChampionship Enduro Series IL www.championshipenduro.com Mid State Kart Club IL www.midstatekartclub.comRiver Valley Kart Club IL www.rivervalleykartclub.comRoute 66 Series IL www.route66kartracing.comGreat Lakes Pro Series IN www.glproseries.comMichiana Raceway Park IN www.michianaracewaypark.comNew Castle Motorsports Park IN www.newcastleraceway.comPark Raceway Louisiana LA www.mooreparkraceway.comF1 Outdoors MA www.f1outdoors.comNicholson Speedway MD www.nicholsonspeedway.comSandy Hook Speedway MD www.sandyhookspeedway.comMichigan kart Club MI www.michkartclub.comKid Kart Nationals MO www.slka.net/dnn2/Home.aspx Montana Karting Assoc. MT www.montanakarting.comWorld Karting Assoc. NC www.worldkarting.comNew Jersey Sprint Series NJ www.NJSprintSeries.comNorthern Nevada Kart Club NV www.nnkc.comSouthern Nevada Karting NV www.snvkc.comChampionship Kart Racing Assoc. OH www.ckra.orgG & J Kartway OH www.gandjkartway.comOhio Valley Karting Assoc. OH www.ovka.comPat’s Acres OR www.patsacres.com/Portland Karting Assoc. OR www.portlandkarting.comSouthern Oregon Karters OR www.sokarters.orgBeaveRun PA www.beaverun.comOreville Kart Club PA www.orevillekartclub.comPenns Creek Raceway PA www.pennscreekracewaypark.comDarlington Kartway SC www.darlingtonkartway.comAmped Up Racing Series TN www.ampedupracingseries.comDallas Karting Complex TX www.dallaskartingcomplex.comSouth East Karting Challenge TX www.southeastkartingchallenge.comFranklin Mountian Karting TX www.franklin-mountain-karting.comHill Country Kart Club TX www.hckc.orgNASKART Pro Racing Series TX www.naskartproracingseries.comNorth Texas Karters TX www.ntkarters.comSouthwest Regional Cup Series TX www.southwestregionalcup.comSouthwest Road Race Assoc. TX www.swra.org Utah Kart Championship UT www.millermotorsportspark.comWoodbridge Kart Club VA www. woodbridgekartclub.com PGP Motorsports Park WA www.pacificgp.comPuget Sound Go Kart Assoc. WA www.psgka.comSeattle Karting Club WA www.seattlekartingclub.comSumas Int. Motorsports Academy WA www.simaracing.comSpokane Kart Racing Assoc. WA www.spokanekarting.orgSunset Speedway WA www.sunsetspeedway.orgTri Cities Kart Club WA www.tckc.netBadger Kart Club WI www.badgerkartclub.comMid West Sprint Series WI www.midwestsprint.comUSA International Raceway WI www.usainternationalraceway.com
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