WKA: Pit Board 2008-08-07

WKA's Pit Board presented by AMB i.t. - 08.07.2008

***

Horstman Gold Cup Series Completes Third Race Of Season

08.07.2008 -- The Horstman Gold Cup Series completed their third race of the season in the mid-west, leaving only one race left in the 2008 season. The Circleville Raceway Park in Circleville, OH, hosted the American Power Sports Nationals on August 1 -- 3, 2008. Although the numbers may not have been as high as expected, there was great racing nonetheless.

Dakota Bell was a big winner in the weekend, taking home three trophies in the Briggs Restricted Jr Lite, Medium, and Heavy classes. Spencer Boyd left with a trophy in each hand after earning a victory in the Briggs Jr 2 Lite and Heavy classes. Gary Lawson was a multiple winner after taking the checkered in the Briggs Animal Super Heavy and Briggs World Formula Heavy. Ryan Phillips also had two wins after taking the top spot in the Briggs Raptor 340 and 370 classes.

Next up for the Horstman Gold Cup Series is the season finale, GT Machine Grand Nationals, being held at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC on October 31 -- November 2, 2008.

***

KartFest 2009 Announcement

08.07.2008 -- WKA has announced the dates for 2009's annual KartFest. The event will be held the weekend of January 23 -- 24, 2009. KartFest info will be going out to exhibitors soon. Please keep checking www.worldkarting.com for more information on the upcoming event.

***

Mike Clements Moves To The Carolinas

08.07.2008 -- Mike Clements, former owner of Heartbeat Racing has relocated to the Carolinas. Mike has sold Heartbeat Racing to a business associate, John Matthews, and will be operating in North Carolina under the name of Clements Racing Enterprises.

Clements Racing Enterprises, now located in Granite Falls, NC will focus on building open modified motors such as the Big 305 Briggs motors and big bore outlaw Tecumseh motors. They will also be building 4-cycle motors for WKA national classes. In addition to that they will be starting a new line of billet racing engine components for racers wanting to run open modified's. Clements Racing Enterprises will also be one of three new distributors for Tillotson carburetors recently appointed to the US market.

A new opportunity that helped bring Mike back to the Carolinas is a position with Morgan Shepherd and his race team, Faith Motorsports. Mike will carry the title of Team Manager organizing the crew in the shop and seeing to it that the cars are prepped properly and on time.

Mike is also planning on becoming more involved with WKA's Karting Scene by submitting technical and human interest content. His past articles have always added great value to the association's magazine.

The new owner of Heartbeat Racing (John) has a love for the sport of karting and intends on moving forward with Heartbeat Racing including with continued production of the Cheyenne chassis (oval racing) and Time Machine chassis (sprint racing). John has taken Heartbeat Racing and combined it with TMS Racing under the new name of KartingStore.com. KartingStore.com will provide 4-cycle Animal motors, 2-cycle Yamaha motors, and also TaG/Shifter motors to racers. Along with that, racers will be able to get a part for any kart, be it chains, wheels, etc. KartingStore.com handles any karting part on the market.

A new website is underway for Clements Racing Enterprises. The web address is www.MikeClementsRacing.com. Part of the site is up and running but until it is in full gear, you may contact Mike via email at mikeclements4@gmail.com or via telephone at 828-212-4664.

***

Former WKA Driver Wins First USAC Win In Only Fifth Start

08.07.2008 -- Former WKA competitor, Jacob Wilson, has decided to continue his racing career in USAC National Sprint cars. It looks like the decision to move up is paying off for the Crawfordsville, In, native. Wilson won Sunday's 49th Indiana Stone Woks "Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial" race at Salem Speedway in just his fifth career start.

After posting the day's quickest qualifying lap, Wilson led the final 21 laps on the 1/2 mile paved oval in his Fatheadz.com / Jet Star Beast / Claxton Chevy. Tracy Hines finished second ahead of Mike Murgoitio, Eric Gordon and Marc Jessup. Jessup led the first 29 laps of the race.

***

Tyler Thomas Has Eyes On New Castle

08.07.2008 -- Fresh off his best results as a junior at the WKA Manufacturer's Cup Grand Nationals in Dousman, WI. Tyler Thomas was looking forward to continue this success.

Saturday's events consisted on HPV Junior Lite and Yamaha Junior Supercan Heavy. HPV Jr. Lite was up first and Tyler qualified in fourteenth position. The prefinal proved to be much better where he moved up throughout the whole race to finish in sixth position. Unfortunately Tyler was involved in an incident early in the race, which ruined his chances to compete for the victory.

Tyler showed the speed he has known he has had all season long by grabbing pole position in the Yamaha Jr. Supercan Heavy class. Tyler fell to third in the Pre-final, but ran the fastest lap of the race. Unfortunately in the Final Tyler was involved in another incident, though he would battle back to finish tenth.

Putting Saturday behind him, Tyler was ready to rebound just as he did at the Grand Nationals. He did this by qualifying third in HPV Junior Heavy and fifth in Yamaha Jr. Supercan Lite. In the HPV Junior Heavy Pre-final Tyler ran in the lead group and finished in third just waiting until the Final. The final went very well with Tyler scoring another podium finish in third position. In the Yamaha class Tyler broke away with the leader again waiting till the final to show his cards. Getting a great start Tyler sat in second position working with the leader to break away. While in second Tyler made a small mistake which cost him major track position, but he would battle his way back up to sixth.

"We are so close to getting our first win in juniors, I can feel it," commented Tyler Thomas. "I love New Castle and can't wait to get my first win there. I also have to thank Chris Wehrheim for all of his help this season."

Next up for Tyler is the final round of the WKA Manufacturer's Cup Championship at the famed New Castle Motorsports Park. Tyler would also like to thank his sponsors for all of their support: Grand Products, Bridgestone, Woltjer Race Engines, Top Kart, BT Machine, Bell, Citizens Security Bank, Doug Fleming.

-credit: wka