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| August 02, 2008 News |
| IKF 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals - Day 3 Report |
| Article by: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine |
 | Joey Licata Jr. earned his third Duffy of the event on day three
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Three down and one day to go for Joey Licata Jr. and Taylor Miinch at the 2008 Wayne Brown Memorial IKF 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals at the Santa Maria Kart Track in Santa Maria, California. With only four Duffy’s up for grabs today it was no surprise that the standout senior and junior drivers continue to bring in the bronze. Licata and Miinch both added another win to their already impressive trophy count today as Ty Matta brought home his first Grand National title. Zane Smith was the other winner on the day in a controversial finish to the Rookie Sportsman class.
Day 3 started out with the biggest controversy of the event so far in Rookie Sportsman. Zane Smith started things off with the pole position and backed it up with a prefinal victory. After a few attempted starts for the final, Brenden Baker and Smith sped off into the lead. Baker led the way as Smith stayed glued to his bumper. Together they moved away from Riley Reyes, Jonny Norris, Kyle Kaiser and the rest of the pack. Smith took over the Rookie Sportsman train and Baker fell in line. The flagman, “ten-time around Talmo” signaled one lap to go and Baker made his move. Smith couldn’t counter and crossed the line a few feet behind Baker. Race officials reversed the finishing order for blocking, handing Smith the win - a bold call to say the least and the first one of the week to involve the Duffy directly. Kaiser got around Reyes to finish in third and birthday boy Carter Williams finished in fifth.
Dylan Albiani was the Super Sportsman Heavy pole sitter but Joey Licata moved up to the top position in the prefinal. Licata gained the advantage at the start followed by Derelique Zimmermann, Albiani, Neil McCoy and Chris Gomez. Licata’s advantage grew lap by lap and chase group one had no chance of catching him. The more the battle for second heated up the further away Licata got. Licata managed a two-second margin of victory for his third win of the week. Albiani came away with a well earned second place finish while Derelique landed third. McCoy came home in fourth and Gomez finished things off in fifth.
 | Duffy number two for Taylor Miinch on the event with victory in HPV 2
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Taylor Miinch scored his second Screaming Eagle of the week in HPV 2 qualifying but it was Louie Pagano who bested the class in the prefinal and started the main from the pole. Pagano led early before giving way to Miinch. Kolby Araki, Camden Geise, Mason Marotta and Jacob will all joined the pursuit of Miinch. By halfway it looked like Miinch and Pagano might pull away, but Geise was able to reel them back in. Contact between Geise and Pagano left Geise in second and Pagano back out of the top five. This gave Miinch a 20-kart length lead. That was all she wrote for Miinch who coasted home for his second win in two days. Araki, Marotta, and a recovering Pagano hunted down Geise, but he was able to hold them off to the finish line.
Ty Matta killed the field of six drivers in Master Formula Y/C qualifying by half a second. His speed continued into the prefinal and well into the final. After a few attempted starts they finally got the green flag. Matta jumped out to a small advantage as Mat Kattanek fell back a few positions behind Jerry Henderson. Henderson was helped into the barriers before halfway, but in front of him Matta and Kattanek drove on. Matta set in to a conservation pace knowing he was well clear of anyone else o track. Matta scored his first Duffy in spectacular fashion, and Kattanek brought it home six-seconds behind in second. Larry Fisher and Craig Zimmermann finished the race in third and fourth. Henderson still made his way to the podium in fifth and was the only one to truly appreciate the trophy girl.
One more day to go with four more classes and the Lake Speed Award presentation tomorrow should be pretty interesting. For photos, results or to catch up on things you've missed, visit the Official Event Page. To discuss the event or watch for updates from those there in the paddock, visit the Official Discussion Thread. |
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