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| January 13, 2012 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Kyle Kalish - December 2011 |
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 | Kyle Kalish drove to three podium finishes at the WKA Daytona KartWeek event, scoring the victory in Komet Jr. Heavy
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
Karting has an unusual schedule for the United States as to the start of a new season. Most countries around the world begin their new season with the turn of the calendar. For the US, specifically for the World Karting Association, the start falls just before the New Year is celebrated with the running of the Daytona KartWeek at the Daytona International Speedway between Christmas and New Years. Our 2010 December Driver of the Month - Grant Quinlan - went on to claim a WKA Triple Crown award for 2011. This year’s December Driver of the Month - Kyle Kalish - could follow down that same path.
Kalish is entering his third season in the Junior ranks with top-10 championship finishes in WKA action for the Yamaha categories over the past two years. For 2012, he and father/mechanic Scott Kalish made the jump to contest all four Junior categories as they brought on a Komet Junior ride.
At Daytona, Komet Jr. Heavy was the first class to hit the track for racing action. Qualifying fourth, Kalish had to make quick work as the Prefinal was cancelled on the day due to less daylight available after a delay mid-day. Kalish was clean through the opening corners of the 14-lap feature that can always cause trouble in the Junior ranks. Once the front group shuffled out, Kalish was into the lead by lap five. From there, he drove to his first Komet victory out-running 2011 Lite champion Ashley Rogero and defending class champ Joel Jens.
Kalish completed the event with two more podium finishes. After qualifying on pole in the Yamaha Jr. Lite class, Kyle finish a hardly-contested fourth place in the feature race. The second day of action, Kalish qualified on pole in the Komet Jr. Lite class. Placing first in the Prefinal, he would be edged out for the victory by British champion driver James Kellett, his Merlin teammate for the week. Kyle was making a comeback run in Yamaha Jr. Heavy to close out the event. Qualifying 10th, he finished sixth in the prefinal and was inching forward in the feature until a tire came loose and snapped off, ending his run for four podiums.
Kalish plans on contending for the championships in the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series as well as the Midwest Sprint Series with selected Great Lakes Sprint Series events on his schedule. Kyle is also looking at competing in the new IAME X30 class in the WKA Gold Cup series and possible making his debut at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas. Off the track, he is working on his first year in high school, where he currently holds a 4.0 GPA and plans to play Lacrosse.
December 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - Kyle Kalish
 | Kyle Kalish - EKN Driver of the Month - December 2011
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Bio
Born: 10/20/1996
Hometown: Wauconda, IL
Parents: Scott and Beth Kalish
Siblings: Hannah (Sister)
Height/Weight: 5’10” / 130lbs
Education: 9th Grade - Mundelein High School
Job: Nothing yet
Racing Resume
Chassis: Merlin
Engine/Engine Builder: KPP and Yamaha / Woltjer Racing Engines
Sponsors: Franklin Motorsports, GO Designs, Woltjer Racing Engines, Caracoat
Series You Compete In: WKA Manufacturer's Cup, Mid West Sprint Series
Years Karting: 10
How did you get started in karting? My dad used to race and got me into it
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the 2008 Grand Nationals at my home track
What are your goals in racing? Take home as many wins as possible
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Calm and smooth
Funniest moment at the race track? Podiums at South Bend, two words, Fruit Loops
Likes
Favorite Track: Badger Kart Club
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula One
Favorite karting driver: Jamie Sieracki / Nyck De Vries
Favorite professional driver: Ayrton Senna
Favorite website: ekartingnews.com / kylekalish.com
Favorite movie: Senna / Miracle
Favorite actor/actress: Matt Damon
Favorite music/group: Anything except country
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Daytona Beach
Favorite food: Mac & Cheese
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? School, Lacrosse, mountain biking, PS3
What are your goals outside of karting? Go to college, get a job that I look forward to going to every day
What type of street car do you drive? N/A
What type of street car would you like to drive? Subaru Impreza WRX STI, any year
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who think they are always entitled
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Less Classes, Less Politics
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? All the friends I’ve made and all the time I’ve got to spend with my Dad
December Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Keith Freber: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Road Racing - 3 Wins (Yamaha Heavy, 2-Yamaha Sportsman)
- Garrett Johnston: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Man Cup - 1st WKA win (Yamaha Jr. Lite)
- Kyle Kuntze: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Man Cup - Yamaha SuperCan Heavy Winner (first Daytona win)
- Aaron Snyder: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Road Racing - 4 Wins (TaG)
- Calvin Stewart: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Man Cup - Parilla Leopard Winner (first WKA win), 3rd in TaG 1
- Brian Wilhelm: WKA Daytona KartWeek - Road Racing - 3 Wins (Unlimited, 2-F125) |
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