WKA: Pit Board 2009-08-11

WKA's Pit Board - 08.11.2009

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New Maxxis tire not allowed for remaining '09 Dirt Nationals

08.11.2009 -- As competitors on the Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series prepare for this weekend's Briggs & Stratton Dirt Nationals at Hanging Rock Kartway in Kershaw, South Carolina, WKA officials have announced that the most recent edition of the Maxxis HT-3 tire will NOT be allowed. The same will apply for the Shadow Racing Chassis Nationals September 11-13 at Hurricane Raceway in Alma, Georgia.

As per WKA Rule 402.1 in the WKA Tech Manual, "Tires must be available to USA general market at least 60 days prior to use in any sanctioned event." Given the timeframe the new tire was made available, the new version of the Maxxis HT-3, which sports a wider tread width, would not be allowed for use until September 28 -- two weeks after the final 2009 points race.

The rule was adopted several years ago, giving all competitors ample time to take advantage of any new tire that comes on to the market.

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Rescheduled Hanging Rock Speedway Dirt race to go off this weekend

08.11.2009 -- The Briggs & Stratton Dirt Nationals at Hanging Rock Kartway in Kershaw, S.C., an event originally planned to run this past spring, will run this weekend as Round 4 of the five-race 2009 Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series. The stars of the Dirt Series will travel to the Palmetto State for the first and only time this season, only a few weeks removed from the last Dirt race July 24-26 at North Carolina's Liberty Raceway Park.

WKA Dirt racers and officials are hoping momentum will continue from a strong event last month at Liberty that saw the series' best turnout of 2009, which was flanked by some terrific racing on the 0.200-mile oval.

Twenty-three national classes will run between Saturday and Sunday. Three local-option classes -- Briggs Medium Flathead (Sat.), Briggs Super Heavy Flathead (Sat.) and Briggs Heavy Flathead (Sun.) -- will run following the national classes and as always kid karts and kid champ karts will hit the track both days during breaks. Hanging Rock is putting up a payout for the three local options. In each of the three classes, $200 will go to the winner, $100 to second and $50 to third.

Saturday night will feature one of the highlights of the weekend, the much-anticipated Briggs Animal Heavy Money Race, which pays a fine $1,700 to the victor. Second through fourth also receive payout, and the $500 bonuses from Firestone and Vega are on line, as they have been at each Speedway Dirt Money Race this season. The Firestone bonus goes to the highest finishing driver on Firestone rubber and the Vega bonus is good only for the winner, and only if he or she is sporting Vega rubber. The Money Race is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton, Firestone and Ultramax Racing Chassis. 2009 Money Race winners have been Dan Sox at Margarettsville, Chris Thompson at Dexter and Tod Miller at Liberty.

Briggs & Stratton's generous giveaways will continue at Hanging Rock. The Saturday morning drivers meeting will see four 2500-psi Brute by Briggs pressure washers and one Briggs 5,550-watt, 10-horsepower portable generator randomly drawn for and distributed to five lucky racers.

Sunday will feature the "Sunday 6" Money Classes. The winner of Briggs Sportsman 1 Heavy, Sportsman 2 Heavy, Jr Heavy, Briggs Medium, Super Heavy and Champ Heavy will net a cool $250 for their efforts.

Like last month's National at Liberty, TS Racing will be awarding every winner running Vega Tires a $50 gift certificate to their awesome Florida-based kart shop. Pole Awards are sponsored by G-Man Kartworks.

Hanging Rock is centrally located and only about an hour's drive south from Charlotte. Top Dirt racers from Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and as far north as Pennsylvania and the Midwest are expected.

For more information, view the entry blank at www.worldkarting.com/downloads/eb-2009/0814_hangrock_dirt.pdf or contact Brian Hutto at 704-827-7938.

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WKA action in Hoosier State kicks off this weekend with Road Racing at Putnam Park

08.11.2009 -- After only two weeks off, the Dunlop Tire National Road Racing Series driven by Mazda will hit the track this weekend at the Putnam Park Road Course in Mt. Meridian, Ind. The National event -- Round 7 of the nine-race tour -- is hosted by the Ohio-based Dart Kart Club and comes on the heels of a safe and successful event less than two weeks ago at VIRginia International Raceway.

The race marks the first of four WKA National events in Indiana this August. The Bully Clutches Gold Cup Series, Rage Karts Speedway Pavement Series and George Kugler / Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series driven by Mazda each will hold events at the popular New Castle Motorsports Park the following two weekends.

The Putnam National also will be the third and final chance this season for WKA's strong group of Midwest road racers to compete in their home region. Fall events in New Jersey and Georgia will conclude the busy '09 tour.

Last year, 340 entries took to the track at Putnam. Since the August Putnam event became an annual WKA National in 2002, entry numbers have remained mostly consistent -- generally around the 350 to 400 mark. The Putnam event was a Grand National in 2002 and '03, which saw the event's best ever entry count at 491. According to Dart Kart officials, entry numbers for the 2009 version of the event are on target with last year's count.

Thirty-nine national and 17 local-option classes will be run over a two-day stretch at Putnam, with races beginning at 10:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Friday will see group practice from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Practice will run from 8:30 a.m. till race time on Saturday and Sunday.

No camping is allowed at the track. Area campgrounds are listed on the event entry blank. All information regarding the Putnam Park National can be found on the entry blank, which is at the following link: www.worldkarting.com/downloads/eb-2009/0814_putnam_rr.pdf.

In a summer that's featured four Road Racing Nationals over the span of 10 weekends, not to mention regional races throughout the eastern half of the country, WKA's road racers will get some time off following Putnam. When racers leave Putnam Sunday night, they'll have over a month to prepare for Round 8, which will be Sept. 25-27 at New Jersey Motorsports Park -- a new stop on the tour that will be hosted by the Woodbridge Kart Club.

The 2009 season will conclude Oct. 30 -- Nov. 1 at Road Atlanta.

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Championship Karting International California recap

PHOENIX (08.11.2009) -- The Championship Karting International national kart racing series did their west coast swing this weekend for the CKI Grand Prix of California, putting on another top-notch weekend of hot competition and big prize packages. Just like CKI's first two events -- New Castle and New Jersey -- all the action was on display, via live video/audio coverage. A race fan's delight, the Grand Prix of California was another big hit, showcasing dominant performances, on-track drama and thrilling checkered flag action. Some of the biggest moments came from new faces including a double Sunday sweep by Gustavo Menezes (Tony Kart) in the KF3 and IAME Jr. classes and Gary Carlton's (CRG) third straight CKI event victory in KZ2.

In what is quickly becoming a Championship Karting International trademark event highlight, CKI once again featured live video race coverage for the Main Events as well as live audio coverage for the Pre-Finals, on SpeedcastTV.com. Another first for a national kart series, CKI announced its 2010 schedule live on air during Sunday's telecast.

"Just a tremendous weekend for CKI competitors -- CalSpeed did an excellent job with the facility, our team was on top of their game and we had great support from our sponsors. We had great story lines -- drivers coming from the back of the pack; tight finishes; dominant performances -- everything you like to see at a big race," states CKI Co-Founder RJ Valentine. "The balance of the year will be just as exciting -- next up is the CKI Grand Championship at Oklahoma Motorsports Complex, Oct. 9 -- 11; then on to the PRI/CKI Karting All-Star Classic at the PRI Trade Show in December. The CKI team is dedicated to providing the type of racing experience that trains the next generation of Motorsport stars, and offers the most open, competitive karting in North America."

KZ2
With $7,000 up for grabs in the KZ2 class -- CRG's Gary Carlton was up to the task. Other than a snag in Saturday's third heat, point's leader Carlton had all the answers, running the table on Sunday, after two heat wins on Saturday. In the pre-final, after Jacob Neal (CRG) grabbed an early lead, Carlton charged ahead on lap three. Those two, along with Alex Speed (Tony Kart), kept up a close race until Carlton pulled away for a 4 second victory, Neal landing 2nd, Speed 3rd and Gregory Leifooghe (Intrepid) DNF due to mechanical issues.

Carlton made it a sweep with a start-to-finish victory worth $3,000 in the Final. Speed, Neal and Leifooghe, staged an entertaining battle for the remaining podiums. Neal constantly challenged Speed for the 2nd spot, finally grabbing it on lap 11 to take the 2nd place $2,000 purse. Speed held on for 3rd ($1,000); Leifooghe in 4th ($750).

KF2
The action was hot in KF2 all weekend, heat wins by three different pilots on Saturday set up a great Sunday showdown. A front row of Chris Wehrheim (Top Kart) and Alex Speed (Tony Kart) brought the field off the line. Tony Kart's Joel Miller joined the mix at the top early on, as he and Speed would jump out in front of Wehrheim. Miller would soon fade with mechanical issues, as Speed pulled away from the pack, taking the checkered flag. Wehrheim took 2nd and Will Martindale (Tony Kart) -- from the 7th position -- would grab 3rd.

In the final Wehrheim would take an early lead on new tires, only to see pole sitter Speed get it right back. Martindale, Richard Benitez (Kosmic), Miller and Brendan Phinney (Top Kart) shuffled early on for the top five positions. Speed would begin to pull away, Wehrheim solid in second; separating from the field. Speed would grab the victory and $3,000, with Wehrheim in second for $2,000. Meanwhile a great battle took place for the final podium with Phinney and Benitez in a side-by-side drag race to the finish. A thriller, Phinney would take the $1,000 3rd place prize by a slim 0.05 seconds, Benitez settling for 4th ($500) and Martindale rounding out the top 5 ($250).

IAME Sr.
IAME Sr. produced a big field and some of the best racing at the event. In the pre-final, two false starts landed Andre Nicastro (ItalKart) and Timmy Bachman (Top Kart) in the front row; with Joey Licata Jr. (CRG) and Mason Marotta (Intrepid) bumped down a row. Out of turn one Nicastro and Bachman would lead the pack, followed by Licata in 3rd and Marotta 4th. In the second lap Licotta would jump Bachman and chase leader Nicastro. Bachman would continue to slip as Cody Jolly (Tony Kart) and Michael Hogg (Top Kart) worked into the 3rd and 4th spots; and Neil McCoy (Top Kart) joined the mix. Licotta ran down Nicastro and kept getting faster, leading the rest of the way for the victory. Hogg took 2nd, when Nicastro let up on the throttle for 3rd place and the inside lane of the second row for the main event; McCoy and Marotta would outdistance the pack for 4th and 5th spots.

The action got better with each round -- setting up a great main event in IAME Sr. At the green flag Licata would get out in front; with Hogg, McCoy, Nicastro and Mike Herta (CRG) in the top group. Plenty of shuffling in the lead group -- Licata would drop back to 4th with Hogg taking the lead for a while. The action would see Licata work his way back up to the front; Jolly and Neil Alberico (Top Kart) climbing into the fray. As the race played out, a great battle for the 3rd spot between Alberico, Nicastro and McCoy took shape. Consistently fast, Licata would run away and win the $2,500 purse to sweep Sunday's IAME Sr. events. Nicastro would lose power and fade; Hogg taking 2nd place and $1,500; Alberico earning $1000 for the final podium; McCoy 4th ($750) and Herta ($250) impressive at the 5th spot.

KF3
Always entertaining, the KF3 class showcased action-packed racing in the pre-final. Gustavo Menezes (Tony Kart), building on two strong heat wins Saturday, came out of a bunched-up field with the lead early, with Nicholas Silva (Kosmic) and Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) two and three. With the action heating up, Miinch would jump into 2nd and the top three would gain ground on the field. Menezes kept the pace, progressively getting quicker and taking the checkered flag. Silva would retire with mechanical problems. Miinch placing 2nd; Tristan DeGrand (Kosmic) worked his way up to take 3rd; Alessandra Madrigal (Kosmic) landing 4th and Phil DeLaO (CRG) working through the pack to take 5th.

In the final, pole sitter Menezes would remain the racer to beat, with Miinch also on the front row. At the green flag Menezes took the lead in turn three; Miinch in 2nd and DeLaO charging into the 3rd position, from the 5 spot. The action would see Menezes immediately begin gaining ground as DeLaO and Miinch battled for 2nd and 3rd. By the half way point Menezes was 3 seconds clear, DeLaO and Miinch tight in 2nd and 3rd; Madrigal and DeGrand rounding up the top 5.

DeGrand would push the pace, closing more every lap on Miinch and DeLaO --setting up a great nose to tail fight for 2nd place. The white flag lap would see Menezes go uncontested for the victory and the class sweep. DeLaO, DeGrand and Madrigal would put on a fantastic battle --arguably the best of the weekend. DeLaO looked sharp to take 2nd, DeGrand bring home 3rd place, Madrigal taking 4th and Miinch holding onto 5th.

IAME Junior
IAME Jr. featured not only Gustavo Menezes (Tony Kart) dominating another class, but also some tight racing from the top pilots and a few surprises. Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) took the green flag lead with Louie Pagano (Birel) also out in front of Menezes, who started on the pole. Soon Menezes would get comfortable, work past pace setters Miinch and Pagano to take the lead; Kiel Spaulding (Top Kart) and Tristan DeGrand (Kosmic) also in the top five. With Miinch and Menezes out in front, the action unfolded in the next grouping as a handful of racers battled for the top 5. Camden Geise (CRG), Phil DeLaO (CRG) joining Pagano, DeGrand and Spaulding in a 3 through 7 place battle. At the finish line, Miinch kept it close but Menezes prevailed. Pagano would earn 3rd place; Spaulding 4th; DeGrand 5th; Geise 6th and DeLaO working his way from 14th to grab 7th.

In the main event, two failed starts bumped Menezes and Miinch to the second row, with Pagano and Spaulding moving up to lead the 20 car field. At the green flag a wild start put Spaulding out front. When the dust settled, Pagano took the lead, Menezes in 2nd. By the second lap, Miinch grabbed the lead with Pagano, Spaulding, Menezes and Geise 2nd through 5th.

By the mid-point, Spaulding would drop off with a spinout; Miinch would remain in the lead but Menezes gaining ground each lap. With six laps to go, Miinch and Menezes started to pull away from the rest -- Menezes gaining the lead after some hot bumper to bumper action -- Miinch better in the turns, but Menezes besting him in the straights. The final two laps provided one of the highlights of the weekend -- Miinch and Menezes battling out in front; Pagano and Geise fighting just as hard for 3rd. Miinch and Menezes came out of the final turn side-by-side -- with Miinch first to the flag by 0.046 seconds. However he would be penalized, moving him to 2nd place and handing Menezes his second sweep of the weekend. Geise made a last lap move to take 3rd; DeGrand landing in 4th and Madrigal finishing in 5th place.

Cadet
The Cadet class is always a crowd favorite featuring hot competition and great strategy -- it held true to form at the Grand Prix of California. The pre-final was red flagged on the second lap. When racing resumed with a single file re-start, Slater Stowell, Brendan Baker (Nevoso) and Willy Axton (TopKart) making a fast top three. Stowell and Baker would battle to the finish, with Baker besting Stowell by just 0.045 seconds; Axton in 3rd; Michael Womack (Birel) 4th; and Riley Reyes coming from outside the top 10 to round out the top 5.

The thrills kept coming in the Cadet Final, with Stowell and Baker in the front row to lead the 19-driver field. Baker grabbed the lead on turn one; with seven drivers in the lead group. Womack then worked his way up to take the top position from Baker; joined by Stowell in the top 3. Typically tight racing, a lead pack of 8 went four and five wide at times. With top spots changing fast and furious, Zane Smith (TopKart), Nick Ramirez and Davey Manthei joined the hunt for top spots. Three deep out of the last turn, Smith would take the checkered flag in a drag race to the line; Ramirez in 2nd; Manthei lands 3rd; Stowell hung on to 4th; Baker in 5th.

Next up on the 2009 CKI schedule is the season finale, CKI Grand National Championship at Oklahoma Motorsports Complex, Norman, OK on October 9-11. CKI then goes to the annual PRI Trade Show for the PRI/CKI Karting All-Star Classic in Orlando, FL on December 10. Entries are now being accepted at the CKI's website event page, offering racers an easy to use, one-stop portal to register for races. Check it out at www.championshipkartracing.com.

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Upcoming National Events

Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series
August 14-16, 2009
Hanging Rock Kartway, Kershaw, SC
www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/ds/ds-main.html

Dunlop Tire Road Racing Series driven by Mazda
August 14-16, 2009
Putnam Park Road Course, Mount Meridian, IN
www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/rr/rr-main.html

Upcoming WKA Divisional Events

Midwest Sprint Series
Mid-State Kart Club in Springfield, Ill.
Saturday, Aug. 15; Sunday, Aug. 16
Contact: Missy Nelson Tate 704.496.1046
Tim Koyen 608-235-4761
info@midwestsprint.com
www.midwestsprint.com

Pennsylvania Dirt Karting Series (PDKS)
Selinsgrove Raceway Park in Selinsgrove, Pa.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Contact: Doug Dietrich 610.750.4501
Ded58@verizon.net
www.padirtkart.com

-credit: wka