Official SKUSA SuperNats XIV Discussion Thread

David Cole · Last edited by David Cole on Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:45 am, edited 1 time in total

This is it...go time. SKUSA SuperNationals week is here and everyone is anxious for the track to open Wednesday outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. With all the Class Previews now complete (view them in the EKN Event Page), the time for the event to get underway is here. Teams are getting into Vegas and prepping up their spots in the paddock along with final touches to their race machines.

EKN is set to bring unprecedented coverage once again from the Oakley Tower alongside pit lane with myself, Rob Howden, and former SKI Editor Tim Blaney back into the trenches. If you haven't found it yet, check out the EKN LIVE page where you will find everything you need to sit back and enjoy this year's race if you are unable to attend. You can view the SKUSA Live Timing along with listen to the live race call once qualifying begins on Friday. A special thanks to those supporting the EKN LIVE broadcast.

While we encourage you to begin other threads to discuss topics regarding the event here in the Official Event Discussion section, this thread will be for official updates from trackside, including the popular top-10 results in case you missed a session along with photos from time to time.

Once again, thank you for tuning in and enjoy SuperNationals week.
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Rob Howden · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:05 pm Post subject:

EKN Trackside Live: Tuesday Morning Update

Welcome to the 14th annual SKUSA SuperNationals. The EKN Mobile Office has been here since Sunday and News Desk Manager David Cole is currently in the air en route to McCarran Airport. The paddock here at the Rio is buzzing, as most of the teams have been in position since Sunday, and final kart preparations are underway. It's been a challenge for SKUSA to get everyone into their pre-determined pit spots, but they've adapted well to squeeze everyone in.

The track is in place and is currently being walked by the 485+ drivers who will head into competition tomorrow morning. The layout is very similar to last year's, although some minor adjustments have been made to better equalize the layout for the assorted TaG motors.

Off-track, there has been a lot of talk about next year's SKUSA Pro Tour, as many teams have indicated that they will be participating in the three-race series that will once again culminate here in Las Vegas.

I'm off to pick up Cole at the airport and when we return, we'll get some trackside photos to post in their thread.
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Rob Howden · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:49 pm Post subject:

EKN Trackside Live: Wednesday Morning Update

The 14th annual SKUSA SuperNationals are now officially underway as the morning group of classes has hit the track. The following classes are in the morning grouping:

TaG Junior
G1
KF2
S2
KF2
S2
TaG Cadet
KZ2

Input from the drivers who have spoken with is very good, centering on the rhythm of the track and the grip level. SKUSA made some minor changes to last year's track design that has brought positive feedback, and grip is already coming up.

The atmosphere in the paddock is electric, as everyone is pumped and ready for this event. The pit area is overflowing and with the morning session coming to a close, the race is one.

We'll have more later today. If anyone has specific questions, post them here and we'll try to track down the answer. Come Friday, we'll be focused for the rest of the week on our live coverage.
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Chuck Skowron · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 1151

Has Honda/HPD set up a display yet for their new association with karting?

Any paddock talk buzzing about it?
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Chris Ortenburger · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

Chris Ouimet · Joined: 15 Nov 2010 Posts: 11

what are the changes that were made to the track compared to last year? has it made lap times faster or slower? how do the returning drivers from last year feel about the changes?

gary marshall · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:22 pm Post subject:

mylaps has most of the field but tag sr
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David Cole · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:31 pm Post subject:

EKN Trackside Live: Wednesday Evening Update

The first day is in the books for the SKUSA SuperNationals XIV with four rounds of practice offered to the 11 categories competing in this year’s event. Half the classes ran in the morning portion with the rest in the afternoon. With the sun down behind the Rio by 5pm, the lights came on for the final two rounds of the day. The SKUSA staff and the competitors kept things on time with no issues.

The track for this year’s event is similar to last year with a small tweak in the middle portion of the circuit, making quicker than its previous edition. Speaking with drivers it is coming with positive reviews. PSL Karting/Holeshot Drive Systems AJ Whisler likes the course changes, and anticipates more passing areas thanks to the changes. Aluminos driver coach and S1 driver Tom Dyer welcomed the track, as his drivers under the tent will be familiar with the course and can work quicker to improve their lap times.

The venders row is filling up with companies like Gridsport, Courtney Concepts, AiM Sports, On Track Promotions and many others selling the latest products and services to all the attendees. The paddock is buzzing – walking from tent to tent with everyone excited about the large fields and tough competition – all hoping they have what it takes to score the victory on SuperSunday.

Thursday will see another four sessions for all the competitors with the AMB scoring system up and running all day. Live timing will be available in the EKN LIVE page with possible live audio testing taking place at some point during the day. Be sure to post any questions you have regarding the event and we will get you the answer as soon as possible.
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Tony Leone · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject:

David Cole · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject:

Check out the video from yesterday's practice by Gary Carlton of SSC East/CRG on the EKN Facebook Page
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Brad Johnson · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject:

That is a pretty cool angle. GC makes it look so easy and smooth. I'd be interested to watch that same angle of my own driving. Throw in the reaching down to choke things and then downshifting etc. I'd be lost.

David Cole · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject:

Photos from Wednesday courtesy of On Track Promotions

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David Cole · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject:

Listen now to EKN LIVE testing on the EKN LIVE page: http://www.ekartingnews.com/live
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jeff grose · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:47 pm Post subject:

Audio sounds good here in Florida Very Happy

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David Cole · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject:

EKN Trackside: Thursday Evening Update

Practice is now complete with all 11 classes getting 8 sessions in two days. Tomorrow is when it counts as qualifying takes place along with the opening round of heat races. We will have a brief recap of the practice rounds today published later this evening.
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