CKI Grand Prix of New Castle Official Discussion

David Cole

This weekend is the inaugural event for the new Championship Karting International (CKI) series - set for New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana. The official action begins Friday with a practice beginning Thursday.

eKartingNews.com will be on hand to provide the 'Trackside Live' coverage throughout the weekend. Along with daily reports, full results, and photos, we will have forum updates as the weekend progresses, including the Top-10 after each on-track session and pit notes with the latest breaking news. Our coverage will begin Friday with a look at just who will be competing in the six divisions set to tackle the 1-mile New Castle course.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here and we will get you the answers as quick as possible.
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David Cole
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eKartingNews.com
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Bob Baldwin jr · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 3579

David C:
Will you be doing further interviews with the principals?
Many questions to be asked at the first event
Up to this point limited knowledge and info so far.
Hopefully their will be good weather and good turnout
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting, "Holy **** what a ride!!!".

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

From what I've heard from a couple different people is that most of the classes are around 20 karts. Heard IAME Senior was around 30.

So it should be a good turn out.

Looking forward to the RFR/SpeedCastTV.com show on Saturday and Sunday

John Wehrheim · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:28 am Post subject:

This will be a great event especially with the great team of people running CKI and fantastic facility at New Castle. Wish I could be there, but with SpeedCastTV and RaceFanRadio I hope I won't miss too much.

Anthony Savalle · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

The live stream and internet radio are an amazing idea. I hope it lasts.

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Todd McCall · Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 36

We have just uploaded a small gallery of images from Thursday's action. Feel free to visit www.ontrackpromotions.com to check them out.

Todd McCall
On Track Promotions
www.ontrackpromotions.com

John W Gilbert · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

13-15 in KF 2 and KZ per Alex Speed

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Todd,

Great pics.

Debbie Pollock · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject: thanks!!

Hey Todd, Nice pics, great website, good luck to Taylor Miinch and Cory his tuner..wish I was in Indiana....
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Cory Pollock
www.corypollockracing.com

David Cole · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 6:27 am Post subject:

Here is the current entry list, we will be updating it as the day goes on and we get the final information: http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=12519
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David Cole
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Nick Rango · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 172

where can the live video be seen and when will it be shown?

Rob Howden · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

Rob Howden · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:30 am Post subject:

EKN Trackside: Friday Update

After putting in a full day of practice on Thursday, the teams were back at it again this morning with three more sessions for each of the six classes on the docket this weekend. The current driver list sees 97 entries, with IAME Sr. leading the way at 29 karts. IAME Jr. has 22 drivers, while the KF classes have 13 in KF2 and 11 in KF3. The KZ2 class continues to struggle in attracting competitors, as the class that once saw 40+ karts will field just nine this weekend. We'll certainly be discussing with the series any plans that CKI has to promote the class. Similarly, the Cadet field has just 13 competitors.

As we are now in lunch break, we've got a little time to discuss how things have proceeded thus far. There have been a few minor glitches in the CKI program, but considering the fact that it is just three weeks old, they are certainly owed a little leeway. CKI Operations Director Kevin Williams has been straight-up about any issues and is taking loads of notes, all with plans to fine-tune the program heading to New Jersey at the end of June. On the positive side, the series has impressed in its presentation of the track and its crew. Positive banner placements at the track entrance were followed by a row of CKI flags positioned along the access road to the parking lot. The bottom line is that when you drove in, an initial impression of professionalism was made. Certainly a nice touch.

The mood in the paddock is one of optimism, and most team owners are hoping for the best, no doubt looking at this first race as a barometer of things to come. CKI hosted a team meeting at their hospitality trailer last night, addressing the teams in person for the first time since announcing the program's intentions. Series owners Phil DeLaO and RJ Valentine were vocal in opening the communication lines to the teams, as they want feedback from their customers (both teams and competitors) to ensure that the product delivered equates to what is desired. All in all, it was a strong discussion that will likely lead to many more conversations about what will work in the future. We'll have more on this meeting in a later post.

The final round of practice is set to go at 1:45 and qualifying for the opening CKI event begins at 3:30 pm.
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David Cole · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 11:04 am Post subject:

Here are your UNOFFICIAL KF3 Final Practice Top-10:

1. Phil DeLaO - 1:06.227
2. Taylor Miinch
3. Shawn Sharkey
4. Sennan Fielding
5. Tristan DeGrand
6. Broc Yocom
7. Sam Beasley
8. Madeline Komar
9. Evan Komar
10. RC Enerson
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David Cole
News Desk Manager
eKartingNews.com
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