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California ProKart Challenge
| Return to Buttonwillow for Third Stop of California ProKart Challenge |
| Friday, 03 April 2015 11:56 |
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Large fields are scheduled for the third round of the California ProKart Challenge on April 10-11 (Photo: dromophotos.com) It has been a quick and memorable start to the 2015 season for the California ProKart Challenge. The Superkarts! USA flagship regional program got off to a super strong start in February at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, then welcomed 150+ drivers yet again at the Willow Springs International Raceway in March. Now into the month of April, the series is set for a return to the Buttonwillow, California facility, competing on the 7/10-mile course in the backwards configuration including the challenging ‘kink’ on the near 1000ft. straightaway. By the looks of the current pit map, it will be another record turnout as racers continue their chase for over $75,000 in cash, gift certificates and prizes to be awarded this season.Four notable names sit atop the Phil Giebler Racing TaG Senior championship standings after just two rounds of racing, separated by just 110 points. Senior rookie Christian Brooks put himself on top of the points chase after victory in Round Two. Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix 2015 scholarship driver Austin Elliott is second, with former champions Jake Craig and Matt Johnson sitting third and fourth. Only Brooks and Elliott have earned podium finishes, while Craig and Johnson are right there with top-five results. Rookie success is the highlight so far in the Vemme Kart/Extreme Karting S1 Pro Stock Moto division, as Jarred Campbell has ripped off two wins in his first two starts. The 2014 S2 SuperNationals winner leads Matias Podboj, with two-time series champion Billy Musgrave not too far back in third. With four races left on the season, nothing is set in stone as the defending title winner won’t go without a fight. Carter Williams has also won the opening two rounds in 2015, besting the Ryan Perry Motorsport S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto field in the first two events. The second-year S2 driver has found his groove and holds the championship lead over Jack Freese and Florida driver Don Whittington. Darren Elliott’s hope of sweeping the SwedeTech Racing Engines S4 Master Stock Moto season came to an end in Round Two, thanks to the return of former series and Pro Tour champ Jimmy McNeil. Elliott, however, has earned a solid advantage in the point standings, leading 2014 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner Rob Logan and Willy Musgrave. McNeil is fourth, needing only another win to put himself back in the chase for the title. The growth of the Professional Kart Support S3 Novice Stock Moto division continues at the California PKC. In total, 16 drivers have taken part in the first two rounds with more new drivers expected on the season. Currently, Aaron Schmitt is best as he leads the standings thanks to two podium results, including a win at Round One. Robert Heck Jr. and Royal McKee are the lead challengers. The new 2Wild Karting S4 Super Master Stock Moto class is sparking a championship fight that will go down to the wire. Ken Schilling is the current point leader after his win at Round Two, and is chased by Round One winner Phil Dunford and Darrell Tunnell. Kalvin Chen is the fourth name in the hat, and a couple of strong results in the coming events could make it a four-driver fight by the end of the year. Vatche Tatikian is now the driver to beat in the Mike Manning Karting TaG Master division following his sweep of Round Two. 2014 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner Kevin Manning holds the second spot with two runner-up results, while veteran PP Mastro is third, needing to improve his results in the future rounds to keep in the chase. Callum Smith has doubled up in the Sanner Racing S5 Junior Stock Moto division. A solid group of drivers have kept Smith honest through the two rounds, led by Jason Pettit and Noah Grey. The advantage in the Nash Motorsportz TaG Junior standings for Sting Ray Robb is only 15 points, with 2014 TaG Cadet champion Trey Brown giving chase. Robb has the opening round win while Brown was runner-up in both main events. Round Two winner Nicky Hays is right there, just 25 back of Robb and making this a three-driver battle thus far. The new IAME Mini Swift engine has been well received in the Cadet racing at the California PKC program, welcoming 45 drivers total in the Leading Edge Motorsports TaG Cadet and TaG Cadet Rookie categories. Anthony Willis and Oliver Calvo are the two victors in Cadet, with Willis holding a sizable lead in the standings thanks to consistency over the first two rounds while Calvo suffered a DNF in Round One. That puts him as the lead contender, with a host of other drivers looking to make their move up the order at Round Three. The Cadet Rookie drivers were established at the second round of racing at Willow Springs. George Diakoumopoulos won the event, but trails Dakota Tate in the standings when combining the results together from Round One. The gap is only nine points, with Cole Shade close behind in third. Online registration for Round Three of the California ProKart Challenge remains open until Tuesday, April 7 at midnight – with the discounted price of $310 for entry and stamped race tires. Pit move-in begins on Thursday, April 9 with a nearly full pit map. On Friday, gates open at 6:30am with the PKC registration desk opening at the track at 7:00am for check-in and walk-up entries. The official practice day begins on track at 9:00am, running until 5:00pm. There is overnight camping available for just $50 in which you can reserve thru the online store or pay at the track upon arrival. Complete race and venue information can be found at the California PKC Event Page. SKUSA is also encouraging new and returning members to make sure they have an active membership and license to race, along with their pre-approved race number. |
