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| May 29, 2009 News |
| EKN Trackside: Championship Karting International Grand Prix of New Castle - Friday Report |
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The inaugural event for the Championship Karting International series has gotten underway with the first day of action in the books at the Grand Prix of New Castle at the popular New Castle Motorsports Park. A positive mode and attitude is felt throughout the paddock from both the newly assembled CIK staff and those competing. With the series coming together just weeks prior, the CKI program is looking to build momentum as the year goes on. On-track, six drivers were able to tame the 1-mile circuit well enough to earn the pole position for tomorrow’s three heat races.
KZ2
The headline KZ2 field should come down to a battle between former national champions - Gary Carlton and Alex Speed. Speed (Tony Kart) was top of the charts in qualifying with Carlton (CRG) looking for the extra speed. When they entered the first official timed session, it was Carlton that adjusted the right direction with the changing track to earn the pole position while Speed lost the speed he had in practice. Gregory Liefooghe (Intrepid) was third in the order with the CRG’s of Alex Manglass and Cole Mathewson rounding out the fast five.
KF2
The American contingent of the KF2 field spent all of Friday chasing Finnish driver Simo Puhakka. The PCR factory driver showed the way all day and continued in the qualifying session. Puhakka set the bar early and was almost dethrone by Arie Ouimet (CRG) in the closing stages. Ouimet’s best lap was just 0.056-seconds slower than Puhakka’s 1:05.137. Alex Speed (Tony Kart) was third in the order with the Top Kart’s of Michael Hogg and Chris Wehrheim completing the fast five.
IAME Senior
With a lot of local drivers entered in the IAME Senior division, it was not unlikely to see one of them at the top of the order. CJ Lintner (Arrow) showed the way in the final practice session but it was Canadian Michael Hogg (Top Kart) that posted the fastest lap of the 15-minute Qualifying session. Aside from Hogg earning his first pole position in the division, Mark Dismore Sr. was the big surprise of the session. The NCMP track owner says he does not get many laps around his own circuit, but when you design the course you know what it takes to get around it fast. Dismore - who has son Mark Jr. turning the wrenches on his Arrow machine - posted the second quickest lap of the session to nearly outgun the entire young field as the only Masters driver in the field and looking to bank in the $500 contingency award Sunday. Hogg’s Kartel Motorsports teammate Neil Alberico was third in the order even with mechanical issues that limited his time on-track with Eric Jones making a return to the seat in his BTK Motorsports/Arrow entry. Lintner came in fifth despite having a broken clutch during the session.
 | Gary Carlton is in the driver's seat toward the 3,500 for winning the KZ2 division after qualifying in P1
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
KF3
The first group to put in a qualifying session for the first ever CKI event was the KF3 group, led by 2008 eKartingNews.com Young Driver of the Year Phil DeLaO (CRG). The SSC East driver lead nearly the entire session and post a 1:06.196-lap to put his entry on the pole position for tomorrow’s heat races. Tristan DeGrand (Kosmic) and Shawn Sharkey (Merlin) battled for the second spot until Brit Sennan Fielding (CRG) slid into the spot in the late goings of the 15-minute session. DeGrand settle for third with Sharkey to start the heat races from P4. Taylor Miinch (Top Kart) completed the fast-five in the session.
IAME Junior
The Top Kart’s of Taylor Miinch and Tyler Thomas showed the way in the final practice session for IAME Junior and the blue continued to hold the top spot in qualifying. Thomas put in the best lap of the 15-minute session to earn the pole position for the three heat races on Saturday. Tristan DeGrand (Kosmic) was second in the order while Raquel Martinez (Top Kart) was the driver on the move in the late goings of the session. She moved gradually up to the third spot in the order, dropping Miinch back to fourth. Christian Vogel (Tony Kart) did not have the speed during the final practice session but made the right adjustments to put himself into the fast five.
Cadet
Santino Ferrucci (Top Kart) has put his name into the hat as one of the top Cadet drivers in the country and showed it during qualifying today by posting the top lap of their session - 1:17.713. Gresham Wagner (Birel) was close but did not just have enough and will settle for second. Josh Saurino (Top Kart) was quickest in the final practice but settled for third, ahead of Ashley Rogero (Kosmic) and the first of the British trio George Russell (Top Kart).
Wrap-up
With the first day of action complete, drivers and teams will now look to the first wheel to wheel action ever for the CKI series with three heats scheduled for Saturday’s schedule. The driver’s point total from the heat races will line-up the fields for Sunday’s Prefinal, leading into the main events. To follow the action throughout the weekend, visit the Official Event Page with links to results, photos, and the Official Discussion Thread. |
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