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| April 26, 2012 |
| Team News: Podiums for Team CRG-USA at SKUSA SpringNationals |
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The CRG brand is certainly regaining its prestige in the western half of the United States now under the guidance of the CRG-USA operation. Signing on as a distributor just under one-year ago, the Grand Junction, Colorado-based company has been busy re-establishing a solid dealer network and making sure CRG drivers have the proper and outstanding customer service. Within that plan is building a strong race team program. The new CRG-USA team took its next step in the building process, earning five podium finishes at the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour MG Tires SpringNationals at PKRA Formula K Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona.
17-year old driver Sabré Cook kicked off the season the best way possible, leading the CRG-USA squad on the weekend leaving the SpringNationals on top of the championship standings. The S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto driver recorded two runner-up finishes on the weekend to leave as the point leader. Entering her second year in the class, Cook eagerly anticipated her return to the shifterkart. It showed from the start of practice as she was among the quickest drivers. That transitioned into qualifying for Round #1 Saturday, with her 43.975-second lap time. Cruising to the heat one win, Cook fell to third in heat two after a bad start. Back on the attack in the feature, Cook drove to second place and became the first female podium finisher for the SKUSA Pro Tour. The following day, Cook continued her pace aboard her CRG Road Rebel in the top-four, driving to another runner-up finish and fast lap in the Round #2 main event.
 | Team CRG-USA earned five podium finishes at the SKUSA SpringNationals to open up the 2012 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
TaG Junior driver Brendan Baker matched her two-podium performance, placing third and second in the competitive category. The California driver made his Pro Tour debut in Phoenix, running in the top-six over the two days. Baker qualified second for Round #1 action and fought to retain is spot near the top. Starting second in for the main event, Baker fought for the victory, leading at one point but eventually settled into the third position to earn his first Pro Tour podium. Sunday’s action put Baker into the championship chase for the season. Never running outside the top-three, Baker piloted his CRG Blackstar to the second place position at the end of the main event for his second straight podium.
The fifth podium for CRG-USA on the weekend came via S5 Junior Stock Moto driver Ryan Rudolph. The SKUSA #3 plate driver overcame early issues on Saturday to stand on the third step of the podium. Rudolph started the day qualifying fifth but fell to the tail of the field after contact at the start of heat one. Driving up to eighth, he improved his position in heat two to end up fourth. Running with the leaders early on in the feature, Rudolph settled into the third position for his first podium of the season. The following day began very similar to Round #1 as Rudolph clocked in the fifth quickest time in qualifying. Unfortunately, Rudolph was unable to start the opening heat race with a mechanical issue during the warm-up lap. Coming from 14th on the grid in heat two, Rudolph drove his way up to seventh for an inside row four starting spot for the main event. Trying to make his way through the field early on, contact was made and Rudolph’s ride was damaged, forcing him to pull off on lap 11.
Three drivers under the CRG-USA tent at the SpringNationals recorded top-10 finishes. TaG Junior driver Mianna Wick continues to improve in just her second season in the sport. Qualifying inside the top-20, she continued to advance her position as the day continued. Wick drove to a 10th place finish on Saturday and placed 16th on Sunday. S4 Master Stock Moto driver Jet Davis advanced his way forward Saturday, gaining 14 positions after qualifying to end up eighth. Able to capitalize at key points and avoid trouble, Davis earned his first top-10 finish ever in his Pro Tour career. Sunday, Jet was unable to avoid a few incidents and retired early in the main event. TaG Cadet driver Riley Cook also found the top-10 on Saturday, as he fought his way into the ninth position. Cook came back the next day to finish 13th.
 | TaG Junior pilot Brendan Baker stood on the podium both days to put himself in the title chase for 2012
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Jake Craig represented the CRG-USA squad in TaG Senior. The 2011 TaG Junior champion battled hard in the 43-kart field. Qualifying in the top-10 on Saturday, Craig was involved in an opening lap wreck in heat two that put him down to 36th on the grid. With great composure and a fast CRG Blackstar, Craig ended up 15th after 20 laps. Sunday played out much the same without the great comeback story. Running again in the top-10 early in the day, Craig was caught up in another wreck in heat two. Looking for a drive toward the front in the Sunday feature, Jake’s race ended early with another incident. Rounding out the CRG-USA squad in Phoenix was TaG Cadet driver David Rafailov and S4 pilot Scott Allen. Rafailov, making his first TaG Cadet start, was battling with engine issues all weekend. His best result came Sunday when he placed 11th. Allen was also making his Pro Tour debut, gaining great experience on the national scene and working with the full CRG-USA tent to earn a best finish of 18th.
CRG-USA - an official K1 RaceGear team - will now prepare for the opening round of the SKUSA Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge at their home facility - the Grand Junction Motor Speedway on May 4-6. For any interested drivers looking to compete with CRG-USA for 2012, please contact Stacey Cook at info@CRG-USA.com or phone 855-TEAMCRG. The CRG-USA is currently in development and will be available at http://www.crg-usa.com
 | Ryan Rudolph scored third place in Round 1 for the S5 Junior division running under the CRG-USA banner
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
About CRG-USA:
Located at the Grand Junction Motors Speedway in Colorado, CRG-USA is the newest importer for the CRG chassis brand and Maxter-Sonik Sport engine program. Operated by Stacey Cook, the company will focus their distribution and marketing on the western and central portion of the United States. In addition, the operation is fielding a national race team program through the 2012 season at all the major karting events on the year. If you want to race with the best product in karting, jump on board with CRG-USA today. Visit http://www.crg-usa.com or phone 855-TEAMCRG (832-6274). |
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