Official Mazda RoboPong 200 Discussion Thread

David Cole · Last edited by David Cole on Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:16 am, edited 1 time in total

This weekend will be the fifth annual Mazda RoboPong 200 presented by Bridgestone at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The 200-lap team endurance race around the 1-mile circuit will take place over three days, with the main event scheduled for Sunday. Some of the drivers entered include a number of IndyCar Series pilots along with some of the best karters across the country.

eKartingNews.com will be providing 'Trackside Live' coverage throughout the weekend including forum updates, results, photos, daily reports and an event preview with the entry list Friday morning.

If you have any questions or comments about the event, post them here, or just enjoy the coverage.
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter

Greg Wright · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

See you there David, I'll be working for RaceFanRadio.com again this year.
_________________
Greg Wright
Rapid Racing Inc.
NKN Columnist & Host "Karting News Live"

I AM INDY!!

"When in doubt, gas it. It won't help but it ends the suspense."

Scott Heavin · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

I'd like to welcome all of the racers to New Castle! Looks like it's going to be a beautiful weekend.
Couple of new places to eat since the last RoboPong - Macaboo's Steak House, which is right beside the track, http://www.rewardsnetwork.com/details.htm?merchantId=91236
and Bella Vita www.bellavitanewcastle.com , which is downtown (5 miles north on SR3 to SR 38, right about half a mile). Owner of Bella Vita's is a huge car freak, so don't be surprised if you see his Veyron or Carrera GT parked out front.

And of course, if you want to run into Tomas Scheckter, I'm sure you can find him at White Castles..
http://www.pantherracing.com/multimedia/video.cfm?mid=28
_________________
Spec TaG Masters @ NCMP / #23

joseph hollinger · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

David Cole · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks Scott. If you have any other food suggestions, we're listening Very Happy

I'll be there three night and White Castle doesn't cut it.
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter

gregg boyce · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

Joseph,

That reminds me I "owe" Schekter and Weldon from '06. And you make a very, very good point!!

THX
gb
_________________
My imaginary friend says your crazy.

Kyle Ludwick · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject:

I am from Muncie, about 20 miles north of New Castle and will be there Saturday and Sunday. Good luck and clean racing too all drivers and it's gonna be a great race!
_________________
IRS powered by NOS
Tony//Kart Racing Team
Team Kart Mini
Swedetech Racing Engines

Patrick Cecilian · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 142

Go team NEWTYP!
_________________
vortex ROK-everything needed-MAKE OFFER

Dan Haynes · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

good luck to all the beaverun guys and gal. brian mchattie and ?; caleb lonieski and ryan miller; chris livengood and jen neal; sam beasley and brandon adkins; jim giacommelli and robbie pecorari; and also michele bumgarner, shinya michimi and their partners.
_________________
Blaise Haynes
#3 Arrow X1-CIK
TaG
Cook Racing Engines Parilla Leopard

David Cole · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Good afternoon everyone.

Practice is going strong with many teams thrashing away at getting the speed for tomorrow's qualifying session.

New team entered today will be defending champion Chris Larson teaming up with former ICC National Champion and Indy Lights driver Bobby Wilson. They will be on the First Kart with Wilson flying in to Indy later this evening.

Zach Beard and CJ Lintner will be running a Birel/Rotax package. Not too many Rotax engines have entered the RoboPong 200 but we'll be keeping on eye on them throughout the weekend.

Remember, if you have any questions. please post them and we'll get the answers to you.
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter

Jacob Carpenter · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAM MARGAY DRIVERS!!!
_________________
JC Racing Driver #8
Formula 500, Formula Ford
JC Racing
http://www.freewebs.com/jc_racing/
(810) 623-5046
Yellow Fin Performance Engines
http://www.pkpyellowfin.com/
(937) 743-4433
Margay Racing Products, Inc.
http://margay.com
(314) 771-4242

David Cole · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject:

Engine sticks were the story of the day as many seized engines throughout the day. The weather was perfect with the exception of high winds, many however were using practice engines while others are still struggling with what is causing the failures.

A few teams have yet to show though with four hours of practice scheduled tomorrow, there will be plenty of time to find the right setup. Entry total is up to 82 as of this afternoon, and the LCQ in question as the NCMP may just run all the teams. Once qualifying begins, they will decide on a Last Chance Qualifier or not.

A few teams were able to run in the 1:05s with a majority running low 1:06s throughout the day. Obviously with no official clock and no scaling, times varied throughout the paddock. Things will get official tomorrow morning with all teams required to run transponders during the practice session to separate them into groups for qualifying.
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter

Dan Schlosser · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

Look for Chris Livengood and Jen Neal (Williams) to hit the track tomorrow in a Birel R31 / Leopard package to help add to the count. Cool

David Cole · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:34 am Post subject:

Good morning everyone.

Practice is running as we speak until around 1pm. Currently right now this is your unofficial top-five:

1. #30 DL Racing - 1:05.636
2. #47 Sekey Racing
3. #26 Team Ketchup/Top Kart USA
4. #00 CKS/MRP
5. #1 Racer of Tomorrow
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter

David Cole · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:07 am Post subject:

BREAKING NEWS: Defending champion Tony Loniewski is in route to New Castle to join Travis Firing under the Margay tent. With the size difference between Firing and his originally scheduled teammate Eric Morrow, Loniewski was called up and made the drive from Michigan City this morning.
_________________
David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
Facebook
Twitter