WKA: South Bend Manufacturer's Cup report

SOUTH, BEND, IN-Rookie Jordan Johnson joined three veterans as a double winner during the WKA/George Kugler Manufacturer's Cup Series National presented by Bridgestone Kartsports/Track Magic Nationals hosted by South Bend Raceway Park in South Bend, IN July 12-14. More than 400 racers from the US and Canada entered the series' third national of the 2002 season.

Johnson, a New Bedford, IL based Woltjer Racing Engines powered Tony Kart pilot, notched his first national win in that Saturday's Matt-Con Services Corp. HPV Junior Sportsman where he earned the pole with a 43.489-seconds lap around the 1/2-mile nine turn asphalt road course. From there he beat Thomas Hartensveld to the Pre Final race's finish by 4.772-hundreths of a second and in the Final by 6.598-seconds.

"The Tony Kart and Woltjer motor both worked good," said the 9-year-old Tony Kart/Intense Karting/Woltjer Racing Engines/Trac 5/Tony Coello/Johnson Racing Engines backed double winner during his first trip to victory lane. "It feels really good winning my first national," he added.

Later that day Hartensveld turned a 44.951-seconds lap for Grand Products/Bridgestone Cadet Junior Sportsman's pole. This time he trailed Johnson in the Pre Final and by 0.081-hundreths of a second in the Final.

Tony Loniewski topped two classes that weekend. The Michigan City, IN based Moore Racing Engines powered Margay kart pilot beat Tim O'Brien to the stripe in Saturday's MCP Brake Systems Yamaha Lite by 0.079-hundreths of a second and by 0.673-hundreths of a second in Sunday's Intense karting Imports HPV Senior Lite.

"The Margay kart ran great and Jimmy Moore's motor was stronger then ever," credited the Lonici Rentals/Margay/Moore Racing Engines sponsored winner. "I want to thank Keith Freber of Margay, Jimmy Moore of Moore Racing Engines, Brian Hannon and my mom and dad."

Aston, PA Woltjer Racing Engines powered Biesse kart pilot Robbie Pecorari decisively swept both 80cc Shifter classes with perfection. In Saturday's J&J Racing/Biesse 80cc Shifter he clocked the pole time with a 39.573-second lap from where he beat Mike Giessen to the finish in the Pre Final and Final. At the Pre Final strip Pecorari owned a 3.646-seconds advantage over Giessen and when the Final's checkered flag waved he was a comfortable 8.278-seconds ahead of Giessen.

Sunday's Abbale/Lee Motorsports 80cc Shifter was a repeat of Saturday's race with Pecorari posting his second Final win 2.503-seconds ahead of Giessen.

"It takes a lot of determination to come here an win two nationals, but the kart was perfect all race and the motor ran good all weekend," Pecorari credited after his second win.

Giessen, a Deer Park, NY based Pitts Performance powered Fullerton kart pilot, didn't settle for second in Saturday's Boyer Construction Yamaha Junior Super Can or in Sunday's Lonici Rental Group Formula Yamaha Junior. He won both.

"I just want to thank my dad for giving me the greatest kart in the world and the motor was flawless the whole time," Giessen said. "It takes a lot of hard work and concentration to come here and win two races," he added.

Fair Lawn, NJ based Hi Rev Racing Engines powered Invader kart pilot Paulie Harraka put himself in the WKA record book again, this time with a win in Grand Products/Bridgestone Cadet Junior Sportsman for his eighth national win this season and becoming the first junior driver to clinch a championship with two races remaining, one of which is the Grand Nationals where racers earn bonus points for their efforts.

"Mark Zartarian built us a motor that was unreal, it couldn't be better," said the Hi Rev Racing Engines, Burris Racing, Auto Light, MY-CHRON, Invader Racing Chassis, Dunlop Tires, Simpson, Russell Karting Specialties, Streeter Super Stands, Dumonde Chain Lube Tech, G-Man Kart Works, Gold Speed USA, Outerwears sponsored winner. "The Invader kart helped me in the corners and the motor helped in the straights and I want to say a special thanks to my dad for the great setup."