PKC-S: Phil Giebler Raicng Santa Maria preview

Phil Giebler Racing enters seven drivers in SKUSA West Coast Shootout at Santa Maria

Former Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Phil Giebler will stay busy in the Superkarts! USA West Coast Shootout on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 13-14) at the Santa Maria (Calif.) Kart Track.

Giebler will split his time between driving in the TaG Senior class and coaching the additional six drivers entered by Phil Giebler Racing in the event, which brings together the SKUSA Pro Kart Challenge South and North divisions. Giebler will be assisted by father Everett Giebler, who provides mechanical guidance and advice to the team.

Giebler, of Huntington Beach, Calif., has a commanding points lead going into the sixth and final round of the South championship over Billy Cleavlin, 1,354-1,185.

"I want to put a stamp on the championship in this best in the West shootout," Giebler said. "I'm leading the points, but I will not be driving conservatively. I am aiming for another victory."

PGR, based in Orange, Calif., will race in four classes. Brothers Shawn and Chris Cricca, of Simi Valley, Calif., join Giebler in TaG Senior. Steve Wiener, of San Diego, will race in TaG Masters, Andrew Wiener, of San Diego, and Mason Daughters, of Polo, Mo., in TaG Junior and Noah Grey, of Dana Point, Calif., in TaG Cadet. Andrew Wiener is the TaG Junior points leader.

Giebler, Shawn and Chris Cricca and Steve Wiener will be driving FA Karts powered by 125cc water-cooled Vortex Racing engines built by Daniel Patino's D Power Engines of Huntington Beach, Calif., on MG tires. Andrew Wiener and Daughters use Iame Leopard engines in TaG Junior and Grey will have a 60cc Vortex engine in TaG Cadet. They will also be in FA Karts on MG Tires.

"I'm competing, but I'll also be focusing my efforts mentoring my team drivers," Giebler said. "I use these weekends as a college of racing. I like to lead by example and have them watch me while they are off track. I also follow them on the track and then we discuss everything between sessions.

"My father is very experienced in karting and he helps with the mechanical preparation of the kart to help everyone understand adjustments and gives advice throughout the weekend."

Giebler has six wins, a second and two thirds in 10 main events this season. He's also the points leader in SKUSA's Pro Tour, which concludes with the SuperNationals on Nov. 14 to 21 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Giebler has lofty goals for his team on Santa Maria's .7-mile track, which is located at the Santa Maria Airport.

"We have to show that we can win on any kind of track and against some of the best kart drivers in the country," Giebler said. "I want to continue the momentum as we head towards the biggest event of the year, the SuperNationals in Las Vegas."

The West Coast Shootout has practice Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT, followed by practice, qualifying, two heat races and a main event on Saturday. The main events begin at 2:20 p.m. PDT.

"We're looking forward to the last event of the PKC South series," Giebler said. "Santa Maria is a fun track and it should be good racing."

-source: Phil Giebler Racing