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| April 22, 2005 News |
| EKN Trackside - Stars of Karting Moran - Friday Report |
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 | | Norman runner up Helmut Sanden is fast at Moran (Photo: Todd McCall – OTP.ca) |
Heading into the Moran round of the Snap-on Stars of Karting Presented by the IRL Western Division, series organizers were hoping that their third time at the track would be the charm. In their previous two visits to the Beaumont, CA facility, rain had marred the proceedings. Stars officials would not be that lucky however, as rain has been forecasted for assorted times throughout the weekend and, in fact, began falling today as the schedule wore down. The rain began to hit the track late in the day during the final two timed practice sessions and continued to the completion of the day.
The first timed ICA session was run in dry conditions with a number of drivers making an appearance at the top of the timing sheets. Putting in a strong showing was Joey Collins, who is making his return to national competition with the CompCor Tony Kart squad. Followers of the old WKA Constructor’s Championship will remember Collins as a top Formula A competitor, where he ran a Margay/Italsistem package. Collins wasted no time in getting up to speed and ended the first timed session third with a time of 1:03.613 seconds. Leading the way at the end of the run was Norman runner-up - and newly announced SKI #1 ranked ICA driver - Helmut Sanden (Mach 1) with a 1:03.585-second fast lap. Second fast was Grant Hebner (CRG), who finished in the top five at the season opener and is a contender for the win this weekend. Rounding out the rest of the fast five were Collins, Matt Johnson (KRT) and Tyler Dueck (Italkart).
 | Number one plate holder Alex Speed again found himself near the top of the charts
(Photo: Todd McCall – OTP.ca) |
Rain hit the track in spurts through the penultimate Cadet and 80cc Junior sessions, continuing through the remainder of the day. The ICC session was basically a wash-out with rain falling throughout the sessions for both groups. Only Darren Elliott took the time to make a few laps to learn the slick spots on the track, going to school in an effort to log some wet weather experience.
The final run through the class rotation saw just four drivers sample the wet track in ICA and only a handful in Cadet and 80 Junior. The ICC drivers saw several of the group’s top names on the track. In the “A” Group, Elliott laid down a fast lap as the checkers flew to move to the top of the charts with a 1:23.052. Jason Bowles had spent a majority of the session on top, steadily dropping his fast time in the CompCor Tony Kart. The Californian ended the day third behind Elliott and Alex Speed (Birel).
Only four drivers were on the track in the second ICC group and setting the pace was Gary Carlton from the factory Trackmagic squad. Carlton is clearly the man in the wet, as he was the polesitter last year when the proceedings were based on the wet qualifying session. When the times were combined, Carlton was on top on this day, followed closely by Elliott and Speed.
With a wet track and corner workers looking forward to the final checkered flag, the day came to an end with the teams wondering where to go with their Saturday set-ups. While showers are predicted, today was supposed to be sunny, so everything is up in the air.
Super Kart Illustrated
All Access Pit Notes:
The primary storyline here in Moran once again is the weather. Light rain fell sporadically throughout the two timed sessions that ended the day, wreaking havoc with the times and the on-track action. Not many drivers dared to take to the wet surface
Italian Motors’ driver David Jurca is confirmed for double-duty this weekend, running in both the ICC and ICA categories. Since the departure of ICA National Champion Jordy Vorrath from the team earlier this month, Jurca has found himself as the outright team leader, a position he used to share with the Canadian.
Race of the Americas runner-up Jason Bowles will be utilizing the services of noted mechanic Shayne Shipley under the CompCor tent this weekend. Bowles loves this racetrack and has tested here a handful of times since his win at last year’s SuperNationals. Shipley knows this track as well, having won here himself in recent ProKart Challenge action. Shipley has recently launched his own kart prep and program development operation – SpeedTech.
 | Race Director Kevin Williams did his best to stay dry during the final sessions
(Photo: SKI) |
ICA driver Alexis Fenton is expected to get back in action following her nasty wreck on the opening lap of the class final in Norman. Fenton was involved in a melee that left her with damaged ligaments in her right knee. She will again run a CRG chassis with Maxter power.
Newly-announced RBI General Manager A.J. Whisler is not with his national team this weekend as he is instead fulfilling commitments made prior to his appointment to the RBI post. Whisler is attending the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup East race at BeaveRun, wrenching for 80cc Junior driver Kyle Wehking. In addition to managing the emerging program, Whisler will also see time behind the wheel this year, running in both the ICC category and the TaG program to promote RBI’s Biland distributorship.
The FirstKart.com team is making its West Coast series debut at Moran Raceway. The Eastern Canada-based operation has split its squad this weekend with groups both here in Moran and at the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup race in BeaveRun. Stars ICC rookies Daniel Morad and Rene Silva will be looking to continue their development in Moran while team manager Mike Maurini is overseeing his charges Zach Schiff, David Ostella and David Carmendy in western PA.
Equipment adjustments have already begun. Veteran shifter star Darren Elliott has a new powerplant bolted to the right side of this CRG Road Rebel after beginning the ’05 campaign on the Maxter. Elliott is now running a Darcy DeCoste-built TM 125cc, making his one allowable equipment change in the engine department. SSC/Williams teammate Matt Jaskol used DDR TM power in his charge to fifth at the season-opening race in Norman. ICC pilot Ryan Yop has also made an engine change, moving to Vortex from Pavesi.
Today’s activities wrapped up with an incredible pasta dinner, courtesy of Doug Henline and Douglas Wheels. A special heated tent with pasta and sausage, salad, bread and dessert welcomed in a packed house of appreciative attendees. As always, Henline put on a class spread.
If you would like to discuss this event, please visit the Official Thread in the EKN Forums. |
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