Overall and World Formula Senior winner KPX Racing Team (Photo: Track Warrior Photos – Bev. Ban)

The 2015 Syd White Memorial Enduro Presented by Briggs and Stratton was held on February 14-15 at the Marina Airport Karting Circuit. The theme of the fourth edition of the race was new challenges for all. A new qualifying procedure on Saturday, new minimum pit stop requirements, new tire manufacturer, which would see more tire management come into play, the addition of the Briggs Local Option 206 engine classes, and record temperatures saw a different and more challenging race from past editions of the race.

Teams would have open practice on Saturday before qualifying. In past years a traditional fast lap qualifying was held, but this year teams would have to come into the pits and make a tire change, similar to the NASCAR Sprint Cup All Star Race Qualifying. Who would start up front was up to the makeshift crews that the teams assembled. When all was said and done, the World Formula Senior team of Agan Motorsports led the field with a time of 2:02.647, some 7.7 seconds ahead of second place, which was the Agan Motorsport’s Masters team. Third place was the first LO206 team, AK Motorsports.

World Formula Masters winner Rossi Racing (Photo: Track Warrior Photos – Bev. Ban)

The four-hour race began at approximately 10:15 AM under sunny skies and a slight breeze. Drivers were well behaved and settled in for the long race. Agan Motorsport’s led the race overall for the first third of the race before being hit with mechanical issues. This gave the KPX Racing Team the opportunity to take control of the race. Meanwhile in World Formula Masters, the Agan Motorsport’s Masters team was running strong with Rossi Racing on the move. In the LO206 Sr. category, the AK Motorsports team of Nik Romano, Jonathan Brown, and Tyler Agan were the kart to beat, running as high as second overall at one time. The new LO206 Jr. class saw a race long battle between Nevada Kartsport from Reno and Team Swiss Jr. from Portland.

Drivers faced difficulties saving the tires because of the aggressive surface at Marina, the 75-degree temperatures, and the nature of the Bridgestone YLC tires. Those who could make their tires last were found at the front toward the end of the race. The KPX Racing Team of Taylor Young, Philip Pegler, and Jack Freese made their tires last, set quick lap times, and most importantly stayed out of trouble to take their first overall win and World Formula Senior class win, making them the fourth different winner in the four years of the race. The World Formula Masters class came down to the wire and when all was said and done the Rossi Racing drivers Chris Rossi, Jeff Smith, and Bob Hurst took the win by just over a lap.

AK Motorsports – LO206 Senior class winner (Photo: Track Warrior Photos – Bev. Ban)

In the largest category of the race, LO206 Sr., AK Motorsports out of the Agan Motorsport’s camp took a dominating win. Local driver Tyler Agan started the race for the team and turned it over to first time kart racer Nik Romano, who then turned the wheel over to Oregon driver Jonathan Brown. Last but not least was the conclusion of the LO206 Jr. battle between Team Swiss Jr. and Nevada Kartsport. In the end Team Swiss Jr. of Jacob Gulick, Mason Buck, Spencer Kunz, and Tyler Besuyen took the victory by just over 2 laps.

The 2015 race saw very little incidents with drivers exercising patience and respect, something that seems to be missing at higher-level karting races in this era. Also of note, 11 Local Option 206 motors ran this race and saw zero mechanical failures. That works out to 2,685 trouble free laps for the LO206 engines. The credit is due to team’s properly utilizing their equipment and ultimately due to Briggs and Stratton for building the next to bulletproof engines.

Team Swiss Jr1 – Briggs LO206 Junior class winner (Photo: Track Warrior Photos – Bev. Ban)

Look for the 2016 Syd White Memorial Enduro to be even bigger and even more fun and exciting. Stay tuned to www.montereybaykarters.com for full results information.

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