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November 13, 2010 News
EKN Exclusive: SKUSA SuperNationals XIV Preview Series – TaG Senior
 



When the gates open the week of November 15 to the parking lot of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, the Superkarts! USA organization will be welcoming the largest contingent to compete at the famed SuperNationals. The SKUSA SuperNationals XIV is set to host a record-breaking 485 entries for 11 categories on a temporary circuit outside the famed Las Vegas facility. Drivers from all over North American and around the world will converge to ‘Sin City’ at a chance to claim a piece of SuperNats glory and place their name into the history books. eKartingNews.com has slated the remaining days leading up to the event for an in-depth look at the entry list and the major players in each of the categories. TaG Cadet, TaG Junior and S5 started off the preview program and were followed by TaG Master-G1 preview, S4 Master Stock Moto, S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto, and KF2. The first ‘Pro’ class - TaG Senior - is looked at today with KZ2 and the headline S1 division to follow leading up to the overall event preview.

For complete coverage, visit the EKN Event Page.


TaG Senior
 

Brazilian Andre Nicastro is back after crossing the line first last year, only to have the win taken away due to contact (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)
Brazilian Andre Nicastro is back after crossing the line first last year, only to have the win taken away due to contact
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

By-far the most competitive category since its inclusion in 2003 at the SKUSA SuperNationals is the TaG Senior. The fields have been loaded with talent year after year and drama has ensued on-track every session the karts hit the track. This year should be no different with another 84 drivers set to tackle the temporary circuit in Vegas. Last year’s winner – Taylor Miinch – elected not to compete this year, however, the remaining podium members along with former winners are set to lead the field to the checkered flag.

Last year’s finish came down to the final few corners with contact resulting in the officials having to make a ruling and helped place Miinch on top of the podium. Gustavo Menezes was leading the way before Brazilian Andre Nicastro made pushed him through the final corners. Nicastro was first to the stripe with Miinch in second. Officials placed Nicastro behind Menezes in the final order, giving Miinch the victory.

With Miinch out, Menezes and Nicastro are among the top contenders for this year’s win. Menezes (Tony Kart/Leopard), spent most of his racing season overseas, competing in the WSK World Series and CIK-FIA World Karting Championships with Tony Kart Racing Team. The Californian was the only driver in the Senior ranks to podium twice at last year’s event (KF2 and TaG Senior), looking to complete that feat once again with Tony Kart West operation. Nicastro (Italkart/Leopard) has been absent from competing state-side but the 29-year old veteran is lethal behind the wheel, always a threat for the victory when teamed with the Italian Motors squad.
 

Gustavo Menezes came just corners away from the victory last year (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)
Gustavo Menezes came just corners away from the victory last year
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

Among the scrap in last year’s battle was Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon. The British driver finished fourth one year ago and will make his third straight SuperNationals start, this time teamed up with KartSport North America aboard an Arrow/Leopard machine. Wheldon will be a favorite among the many spectators traveling to Vegas for the event.

Aside from the podium finishers from last year, three drivers from the ‘08 event podium will be attempting a return trip. The 2008 winner Emanuele Pagani (Tony Kart/Vortex ROK TT) will travel from Italy to Vegas to earn a second victory. After competing in the European karting ranks along with some open wheel experience, Pagani comes into the event off a 25th place finish at the CIK-FIA World Karting Championships. Second to him that year was the 2007 winner Joel Miller (Kosmic/Vortex ROK TT). The Californian is still progressing up the open-wheel ranks, making a couple starts in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. The 22-year old will be racing with the 2009 EKN Team of the Year - J3 Competition.

The only driver in this year’s field to finish inside the top-10 the last two years in three-time SuperNats winner Michael Valiante (Italkart/Leopard). The ICC winner from 1997-1999 finished seventh last year, and fourth the year before that - currently tied for second in the all-time SuperNats win list, looking to join Connor De Phillippi at four a piece. Valiante will be competing against his Michael Shank Racing Daytona Prototype teammate Oswaldo Negri Jr. The Brazilian is part of the Kart Mini America and will team with the RDD Motorsports operation for his first SuperNats start.

Also making their first start in TaG Senior are a number of Junior drivers making the jump up for Vegas. Shawn Sharkey (Merlin/Leopard) leads the way in the rookie category, having recorded a number of podiums throughout the year. WSK World Series competitor Phillip Orcic (Zanardi/Leopard) will also be making his first TaG Senior start after the Canadian competed in TaG Junior one year ago.
 

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon will make his third start at the SuperNats (Photo: EKN)
Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon will make his third start at the SuperNats
(Photo: EKN)

Phil Giebler (FA Kart/Vortex ROK TT) has all but locked up the championship in the SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Senior division. A victory in Vegas, something the Phil Giebler Racing owner/driver has yet to add to his high-quality CV, would help put the cherry on top of the cool $5,000 for the championship prize and the #1 SKUSA plate for 2011. The former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year won three straight main events on the Pro Tour and will look for his fourth of the year come SuperSunday.

While narrowing down the notable drivers is a difficult thing to do, here are just 10 more to watch during the five-days in Vegas that have a shot at the podium and victory. Coming from the loaded WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series are a number of young guns. Double champion Robert Bujdoso (PCR/Leopard) broke out this year in his first full season in the Senior category. The Checkered Motorsports driver scored the TaG and TaG Heavy titles.

Tommy Andersen (Merlin/Leopard) had an impressive 2010 season, picking up two WKA Grand National victories in July. He and Franklin Motorsports driver TJ Koyen (Merlin/Leopard) will look to carry Merlin Nation to victory in Vegas. Michael Politis (EKS/Leopard) is currently third in the EKN Driver Rankings thanks to some big finishes late in the season and could top the standings with another from the SuperNats. Former WKA standout Chris Wehrheim is back behind the wheel of a kart after wrench for Team Top Kart / Grand Products drivers on the season and competing in the VW Jetta TDI Cup. Wehrheim took home some cash last year, winning the EKN Tuner Challenge following day one practice.
 

Phil Giebler enters the SuperNats with control in the SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Senior championship (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)
Phil Giebler enters the SuperNats with control in the SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Senior championship
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

Leading the international challenge will be multi-time Australian champion David Sera. Making a storm in early 2009 in his first trips to the states and shooting up the EKN Driver Rankings, Sera struggled in his SuperNats debut last year. Back to redeem himself, watch for the KartSport North America/Arrow driver to find his way to the front. Currently on the rise in the EKN Driver Rankings is Bobby Kelley (Maddox/Motori 7). The ProKart Challenge North TaG Senior champion is missing that big finish to add to his point total, and a victory in Vegas is sure to put the Position One Motorsports star up the order.

A 2009 Rotax National Champion, Phillip Arscott (Tony Kart/Rotax) will be making his first SKUSA SuperNationals start. Part of Team USA at the Rotax Grand Finals the past two seasons but a busy college schedule has kept his karting adventures limited. The Oregon driver nearly earned a spot to the Grand Finals once again, coming from 21st to third in 17 laps, Arscott was taken out on the final lap to end his bid at a Team USA spot. Neil Alberico (Wild Kart/Leopard) has been solid in 2010, earning a TaG Senior national championship while also progressing in the open-wheel ranks. He and the Kartel Motorsports crew will be locked and loaded for Vegas. Making a return trip to the SuperNats is Puerto Rican driver Richard Benitez. Ninth in the 2008 edition, Benitez also earned a Rotax Senior championship during the winter months in Florida. Competing back home during the summer, the 18-year old is set to return state-side with Champion Racing aboard an Intrepid/Vortex ROK TT package.

TaG Senior Provisional Entry List - Updated 11.15.10
No.DriverTeamChassisEngineCityStateCountry
0Michael PolitisFranklin MotorsportsMerlinLeopardNew YorkNYUSA
02dDillon FelberKuntz RacingKosmicLeopardPowayCAUSA
3Luca ForgeoisKartSport North AmericaArrowLeopardNew YorkNYUSA
4Johnny BlairSeattle Karting SpecialtiesItalkartLeopardPuyallupWAUSA
5Guy HepnerAdams MotorsportsAvantiLeopardRiversideCAUSA
7Taylor HacquardItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardSurreyBCCanada
7aCory CacciavillaniJ3 CompetitionKosmicVortex ROK TTLeamingtonONCanada
8Kris WallLeading Edge MotorsportsIntrepidLeopardCedar ValeQueenslandAustralia
8jTommy AndersenFranklin MotorsportsMerlinLeopardSpring GroveILUSA
9Aaron TelitzCarCar MotorsportsParolinLeopardBirchwoodWIUSA
9eShane WaltersLeading Edge MotorsportsIntrepidLeopardSt. LouisMOUSA
11Gustavo MenezesTony Kart WestTony KartLeopardTrabuco CanyonCAUSA
11rPhillip OrcicKeijzer RacingZanardiLeopardRichmondBCCanada
12Chelsi WagnerMMS KartingItalkartLeopardSparksNVUSA
13Bill KannTeam AZ KartingBirelRotaxMesaAZUSA
14Joel MillerJ3 CompetitionKosmicVortex ROK TTHesperiaCAUSA
15Dan WheldonKartSport North AmericaArrowLeopardSt. PetersburgFLEngland
16Chris WehrheimTeam Top Kart / Grand ProductsTop KartLeopardNorcrossGAUSA
18Bruno FerreiraItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardSao PauloBrazil
18cMariah McGriffSouthern Arizona Kart ClubParolinLeopardVailAZUSA
18jDrake OstromFranklin MotorsportsMerlinLeopardMolineILUSA
19xShawn CriccaPhil Giebler RacingFA KartVortex ROK TTSimi ValleyCAUSA
20cSteven BarrosEmpire KartsTop KartLeopardRedlandsCAUSA
21Leonardo NienkotterJ3 CompetitionKosmicVortex ROK TTFlorianapolisBrazil
22David SeraKartSport North AmericaArrowLeopardAustralia
22rMarcus BrodieCheckered Flag RacingCRGVortex ROK TTKelownaBCCanada
23AJ WhislerPSL KartingCRGVortex ROK TTCatawba IslandOHUSA
24cBobby KelleyPosition One MotorsportsMaddoxMotori 7Baldwin ParkCAUSA
26xPhil GieblerPhil Giebler RacingFA KartVortex ROK TTHuntington BeachCAUSA
28cNick JohnstonPosition One MotorsportsMaddoxVortex ROK TTBaldwin ParkCAUSA
28yAmber FriedbergSyar MotorsportsEnergyRotaxSalidaCAUSA
30Jonathan TetreaultPSL KartingCRGLeopardSt. Basile le GrandQCCanada
32Adam IsmanItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardVancouverBCCanada
33James BaylissChampion RacingIntrepidRotaxCollege StationTXUSA
33cLloyd MackPhil Giebler RacingFA KartVortex ROK TTBeaumontCAUSA
38Scott HargroveItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardSurreyBCCanada
44Bruno VermeerenChampion RacingIntrepidRotaxZaventemBelgium
46Emanuele PaganiTony Kart AmericaTony KartVortex ROK TTSanremoItaly
47Kyle WrightKuntz RacingKosmicLeopardLa JollaCAUSA
48Richard BenitezChampion RacingIntrepidVortex ROK TTCarolinaPuerto Rico
49cScott SaundersMike Manning KartingCRGMotori 7BrisbaneAustralia
50Joao Sergio Martins CamaraTony Kart AmericaTony KartVortex ROK TTBrazil
55cChad BrassfieldChad Brassfield RacingBirelVortex ROK TTScottsdaleAZUSA
55xDevin LindseyDevin Lindsey RacingTony KartVortex ROK TTHighlandCAUSA
57zPhillip ArscottCMCTony KartRotaxPortlandORUSA
60Oswaldo NegriJC KartingKart MiniLeopardOpa LockaFLBrazil
63xTravis LoweJ3 CompetitionKosmicVortex ROK TTPasadenaCAUSA
64Hunter ShortParagon MotorsportsKosmicVortex ROK TTGainesvilleFLUSA
65Bryce CornetChampion RacingIntrepidLeopardNormanOKUSA
69qAlex VorrilasApex KartSportsTop KartLeopardNorth ReadingMAUSA
71cNiki LunaCameron Karting / BBRL RacingCRGLeopardNewport CoastCAUSA
72Daniel BurkettGBR Kart RacingArrowLeopardWinnipegMBCanada
73Ty MattaKarttech Driver SearchCRGLeopardRedlandsCAUSA
77Blake TeeterChampion RacingIntrepidLeopardWichitaKSUSA
84Jeff GundersonGPRotaxOremUTUSA
88Ryan KinnearChampion RacingIntrepidLeopardHoustonTXUSA
92Andre NicastroItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardVancouverBCBrazil
93Robert BujdosoCheckered MotorsportsPCRLeopardCanfieldOHUSA
94Shawn SharkeyFranklin MotorsportsMerlinLeopardMiddletownNJUSA
95Michael ValienteItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardVancouverBCCanada
95bBryan LemonInnovative KartingKosmicLeopardGlendaleAZUSA
96Remo RuscittiItalian MotorsItalkartLeopardBurnabyBCCanada
97jMark VielgutNational Kart SupplyCorsa KartLeopardHubertusWIUSA
98xJason LaVequeTeam AZ KartingBirelLeopardScottsdaleAZUSA
99Scott FalconeFull Throttle KartingArrowMotori 7LonetreeCOUSA
103Gerald CaseleyPSL KartingCRGVortex ROK TTFrederictonNBCanada
118Jorge AlcocerEmpire KartsTop KartLeopardQueretaruMexico
136yZach WoodsfordJMS RacingCRGRotaxLas VegasNVUSA
161yDavid HarwinFlat Out RacingTony KartMotori 7RenoNVUSA
171uJohnny LindquistKosmicRotaxCastle DaleUTUSA
182Chris GomezSyar MotorsportsEnergyMotori 7West SacramentoCAUSA
209yGregory LiefoogheCorwin MotorsportsCRGMotori 7San FranciscoCAUSA
253Andres MendezRDD MotorsportsKart MiniLeopardBogotaColumbia
255Ben SchermerhornDoghouse RacingBirelRotaxHighlands RanchCOUSA
255yJess PetersonLeading Edge MotorsportsIntrepidVortex ROK TTSparksNVUSA
317dSabre' CookPSL KartingCRGLeopardGrand JunctionCOUSA
406jTJ KoyenFranklin MotorsportsMerlinLeopardSun PrairieWIUSA
432David ZippieDoghouse RacingBirelLeopardAuroraCOUSA
441yTroy DiedeDiede RacingIntrepidVortex ROK TTLodiCAUSA
442yNeil AlbericoKartel MotorsportsWild KartLeopardMonte SerenoCAUSA
472nMark BoosTrue Racing DevelopmentTop KartLeopardNew HopePAUSA
502xAdrian StarrantinoPitts PerformanceCRGMotori 7Simi ValleyCAUSA
777Grant RaymondLeading Edge MotorsportsIntrepidRotaxTXUSA
787yBronson EggertCambrian Go-KartsBirelMotori 7PleasantonCAUSA
Pacific Mountain Central Eastern International Western Canada



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