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| December 10, 2012 |
| EKN Paddock Pass: SKUSA SuperNationals XVI / 2012 Rotax Grand Finals |
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Instead of ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’, it’s Rob and ‘Dave’s Excellent Adventure’. I’m not quite sure which one I would be, Bill or Ted? Since Rob always refers to me as ‘David Cole Esquire’, so I’ll take Bill. When the 2012 schedule came out, the SKUSA SuperNationals is always one you write down with a permanent marker. And this year we had the honor of attending the Rotax Grand Finals in Portugal. This was similar to a trip we made in 2006, covering the SuperNationals and leaving directly Monday morning for Porto, Portugal for the Rotax world championship. Thankfully, there was a full week between the events this year, thus we were allowed to enjoy the Thanksgiving week with our family and friends. Looking back at both events this time around, I consider them to be the top two karting events in the world, period. While I have not been to the CIK-FIA World Karting Championships, it would have to be a close third for now. Now back in the home office, I’m able to review what we saw that may have not been in any of the publications over the two EKN Trackside coverage programs.
SKUSA SUPERNATIONAL XVI
 | The curbing is something we may see at all SuperNats events in the future
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Superkarts! USA continues to make the SuperNationals better and better year after year. 2012 was no different with a number of track updates, star-studded fields and exciting racing. The track layout was voted informally by the drivers as one of the best circuits for the SuperNationals. It was safe, fast and provided for plenty of passing to put on a great show. The schedule this year allowed the workers - who worked their butts off once again - and competitors to end the day at a reasonable hour to relax and enjoy the Vegas night life. Below is a look at some of the stories we picked up through the paddock this year.
Curbs on a Temporary Circuit?
Why not? If you polled the paddock about what they don’t like about temporary circuits, they will tell you all the barriers that surround the outside AND the inside of the track. This year, Superkarts! USA discovered a way to install apex curbing around the course this year to eliminate the inside barriers in the corner. The main purpose was to define the corner using the curbing, but also to provide better site for the drivers on-track, and the spectators as well. At first, there were questions by a number of drivers about the construction and if it would be usable like permanent curbs. By the time the heat races began, the curbing was given a 100% grade. Drivers were using the curbing for passing, avoiding wrecks, and the site line was vastly improved for drivers as they arrived at the corner. Plenty of run-off room, wide enough to move around without the hunting barriers snatching you up, and plenty of passing opportunities, it was one of the safest SuperNationals courses in years.
 | | Alessandro and Alessio Piccini |
Family Dual in KZ2
From personal experience, I know nothing is better than beating a family member, as the bragging rights can last for a long time. Now a father, I can only imagine no better feeling than racing your son at the top level. For Alessandro Piccini, three-time Formula C world champion, the SuperNationals was his first opportunity to compete on-track at the same time as his son - Alessio. The younger Piccini competed at his first SuperNationals last year in the S5 Junior Stock Moto class. He spent 2012 competing in KF3 in Europe, making his KZ2 debut in Vegas. For both, it was business as usual, compete to the best of their ability and treat each other on-track as just ‘another driver.’ On the results side, experience outran youth as Alessandro was quickest in qualifying and placed higher in the main event - finishing 13th, as Alessio was just one spot back at the checkered flag.
KGB Looking for New Agents
A rekindling of the KGB brand took place at the SuperNationals, as the once popular brand is making a return to the United States market. Led by Dan and Ryan Ruth, partnering up with Italian manufacturer Parolin, the KGB brand is back in North America after a seven year hiatus. The chassis saw success during its first period in the states, including drivers like Alan Rudolph, Alex Speed, Scott Speed, and many others across the country. S5 Junior Stock Moto driver Jim McKinney made his debut on the KBG, leading the Pro Tour championship heading into the event. The Arizona driver was among the quickest in practice and finished eighth to secure the point title. Ruthless Karting and Team KGB have a full line of karts available, from Kid Kart to shifterkarts.
 | | The Rex Tek piloted by AJ Allmendinger |
A…J…Allmendinger!
This year’s SuperNationals saw familiar names from some of the early years of the event - S4 winner Bonnier Moulton competing in his 16th straight event, Las Vegas native Matt Jaskol, and many others. One name that had not echoed across the PA in the paddock for nearly 10 years was AJ Allmendinger, who made his return to the SuperNationals. The northern California native used karting as the stepping stone up the motorsports ladder, reaching victory lane in Champ Car before moving on to NASCAR. He came back to karting a few years ago, competing at the first SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals in 2010 in Wisconsin. With an open schedule for the SuperNats week, Dinger went all in to compete in S1 Pro Stock Moto. What made his start different was the kart he piloted. Working with longtime partner in crime Tim Pappas, they created the Rex Tek chassis. The chassis was built with 30mm tubing in the front porch area with the side rails just 28mm, though the side was made up of four rails rather than two. It was manufactured with adjustability in mind, as nearly every section of the chassis can be fine-tuned. They began with a 40mm axle, but changed to a 50mm after just a few practice sessions in Vegas. The unique section of the frame was the front geometry, with a caster/camber system similar to what you see in the dirt kart, and the steering components as only one bar was used to hold the steering shaft in place
For complete trackside coverage, including audio of all nine main events, visit the EKN SuperNationals Event Page
ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS
 | | The view in Portugal was nice, just hard to follow the action |
The ‘Olympics of Karting’ is exactly what the Rotax Grand Finals is truly about. There is a lot of pride you get when you attend or compete at the Rotax world championship, as you know you’re competing against the best from around the globe, wearing the colors of your home country. This year, Team USA featured 19 drivers - the most ever for the squad - with Team Canada bringing 14 drivers. Team Canada was able to walk away with a three podium finishes, including the victory in DD2 while lady luck was not on the side for Team USA.
Awesome for the Drivers, Bad for the Spectators
The Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve outside Portimao, Portugal is a newer facility, and is one of the largest karting circuits in Europe. Alongside the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve facility, which hosts a number of international car and motorcycle series, the facility appeared to be first-class viewing from home. Once we arrived, it was apparent right away that it was. The track received rave reviews from the drivers, and Alan Rudolph stated it as is ‘favorite track in the world’. It’s fast, where draft was a major factor in qualifying and in the race with its long front straight. The inner portion of the track is still technical that driver and chassis set-up is key. There were a number of passing spots around the course, and as we saw on championship Saturday, provided some exciting racing from Junior to DD2. The only negative on the facility was how the facility was laid out for viewing. The view for spectators was difficult, as you can only set up shop on the main straight, with the best location on top of the buildings (not good for media trying to work and watch at the same time). The track drops away from you so the far part of the course is difficult to view. But then again, I don’t have $250 million to build a motorsports park so what do I know. Overall, I give it an 9 out of 10.
Captain America and the Avengers
A few years ago, Mr. Ken Walker gave Ocala Gran Prix’s Jorge Arellano the nickname of Captain America. The Florida track/kart shop owner is a big supporter of the Rotax program and Team USA. This year, with the large contingent, Jorge put together a solid travel program that many of the team members took advantage of, with group flight plans, hotel rooms, travel to and from the track, along with numerous team meals. The support began with an official test at his track, bringing in factory mechanics for each of the chassis brands competing at the Grand Finals, along with a chassis for each driver to test with. His large crew of OGP mechanics and driver coaches were at the test and came over to Portugal to work with the entire Team USA squad. Gary Carlton led the driver coaching and data analysis, as did Wesley Boswell. It was interesting to watch the drivers pouring over video and data together, talking about where each was strong and where they were lacking speed. While the results were not as expected, the effort was there for Team USA.
 | The karts for the 2012 Rotax Grand Finals
(Photo: maxchallenge-rotax.com) |
Luck of the Draw
Going into the Rotax Grand Finals, Sunday is reserved for the kart raffle as each driver draws for their chassis/engine combination for the event. All the equipment is used for the event is brand new, provided by the chassis manufacturer and Rotax. To me, it had a major impact on the mental-game for a number of the Team USA drivers. Most are used to having an engine, fine-tuning it after hours of work on the bench and on the track. The Grand Finals event structure gives each driver four practice sessions, roughly about an hour of total track time to learn the track, get comfortable with the chassis, and tune the engine. Another factor is the limited changes that can be made to the engine settings and the chassis. Jetting on the engine was limited, with DD2 experiencing a one jet spec for much of the event. Chassis ride height was another limitation, as they tried to ensure competitors did not grind down the brand frames that were used. Team USA looked to have drivers in place to battle after qualifying, but lady luck and a few mistakes dwindled the chances for team to place a driver on the podium. Team Canada on the other hand went to work like business as usual, and was strong throughout the week.
I Hope I Don’t Go Hungry
If anyone knows me, it’s that food is not exactly easy for me. I’m like the rules at the Rotax Grand Finals, very limited in options. Thankfully, Portimao is a tourist town that for some reason has a big Italian influence, which fit my eating profile. Near our hotel we spotted the first pizzeria, that featured some freshly made pizza and pasta. We were also tuned into another Italian spot that the Pagano family introduced us to - L’Angolo Pizzeria, which did not disappoint. The entire place seemed smaller than my home office, and their kitchen was no bigger than what you may find in an apartment building, and the taste of the pasta and pizza is amazing. There were a number of other restaurants in the Alvor area that we were not able to dine at, including ‘Johnny Hates Fish’ that features a burger-only menu (giving me an idea for a new restaurant to open here). In Portimao, Richard Boisclair of MAXSpeed Group brought us to a local Portuguese grill that fulfilled our need for real steak. The entire table was filled with meat, chicken, rice, frites, and salad. We certainly left without any room for desert. Thankfully, the track provided pasta and pizza as well, along with some cold sandwiches so we were not left hungry the entire time, though it was great to get back to the USA for a real burger.
For complete trackside coverage, visit the EKN Rotax Grand Finals Event Page |
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