WKA: Pit Board 2009-10-13

WKA's Pit Board - 10.13.2009

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Hayden, McGough end Pavement season with 3 wins at Riverhead

10.13.2009 -- Junior drivers James Hayden and Brandon McGough led all Rage Karts Speedway Pavement Series racers with fine triple-win performances over the weekend at the inaugural Bonsignore Kart Shoppe Nationals at Riverhead Raceway on Long Island. Well over 200 entries made the event a positive one for WKA and Riverhead Raceway. Competitive racing and strong entry counts in most classes gave Speedway Pavement racers, officials and fans something to be pleased about heading into the offseason.

McGough capped a stout 2009 season with wins in three of the four Briggs Sportsman 1 divisions -- Sportsman 1 Heavy and Sportsman 1 Champ Lite and Heavy. James Hayden matched Brandon's terrific weekend with three wins of his own, coming in Jr Champ Lite and Heavy and Jr Champ Raptor Final 1.

Chase Dowling, Ryan Breithoff and Dean Grunet each drove to two wins. Dowling's triumphs came in Sportsman 2 Lite and Sportsman 2 Champ Lite. Breithoff entered six classes at Riverhead and came away with victories in Briggs Jr Lite and Jr Champ Raptor Final 2. Local racer Grunet drove to a pair of wins in the Briggs Raptor finals.

New York's Ryan Barbieri was the only driver to beat Brandon McGough in a feature at Riverhead. Ryan won Sportsman 1 Lite over Stephen Brewer Jr.

Trevor Trost and Dylan Duhaime didn't let Chase Dowling get any more than two first-place trophies to take home. Trost won Sportsman 2 Heavy while Duhaime finished ahead of Matt Pappa and Dowling to take his only win of the weekend in Sportsman 2 Champ Heavy.

Maryland racer Chris Hammett found victory lane once with a big win in Briggs Jr Heavy. Top WKA Pavement racers Tyler Robertson and AJ Roderick split the ultra-competitive Briggs Champ Lite and Heavy features.

Long Islander Justin Bonsignore won over a large 18-kart field in Briggs Raptor Champ Final 1. The field was by far the best of the season in the Raptor Champ division and also the largest national class of the weekend. Bonsignore also took home the winner's check in a special Saturday night Sr Champ Money Race, which was promoted by Riverhead. Over 35 karts started the under-the-lights affair.

There were three different winners in the three Sr Briggs divisions. New Englander Glen Meisenhelder took the win in Briggs Lite. North Carolina racer Tyler Gauthier traveled north and won Briggs Medium. The win capped an outstanding 2009 campaign for the Tar Heel, who won his first ever national just last month at the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex. New York's Chris Daley got the win over Cole Lenhart in Briggs Heavy.

Three local-option classes hit the track at Riverhead. Alexa Hipperling won Sportsman 1 Raptor Champ while Artie Tappen took first place in Sportsman 2 Raptor Champ. David Hardman won over a competitive seven-kart field in Sr Raptor Champ Over 35.

Six Kid Kart participants made laps over the weekend, comprising William Ebert, Edward Fatscher, Julia and Nichola Dicanio, Michael Hurley and Joseph Bertuccio.

As noted, the Bonsignore Kart Shoppe Nationals marked the end of the 2009 season for WKA's only pavement-oval tour. Only two national events remain on WKA's '09 schedule: the Road Race Season Finale Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at Road Atlanta and the SSC East / CRG Nationals for the George Kugler / Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series driven by Mazda Nov. 6-8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Of course, as soon as these events are complete racers will begin to make plans for KartWeek 2010 Dec. 28-30 at Daytona International Speedway.

Speedway Pavement point standings will be updated on WorldKarting.com by the end of the workweek. Divisional transfers will be included from divisional series that have provided final standings to WKA. As always, the divisional transfers included are listed at the heading of the points page.

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Michiana Raceway Park to hold 3rd Annual "Trackside Expo" Oct. 17
Great deals and family environment planned to introduce karting to region

10.13.2009 (NORTH LIBERTY, Ind.) -- Saturday, October 17 marks the return of the annual Michiana Raceway Park "Trackside Expo" from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The event, now celebrating its 3rd year, is an open invitation to anyone interested in getting involved in karting and those looking for great deals on used karts being liquidated by the MRP Speed School and "Arrive & Drive" fleet as well as select MRP Club members. In addition, there are many specials available, from free MRP Championship Series memberships to season pass or apparel discounts.

The expo also offers newcomers a great opportunity to come and "try before they buy" as track time is available to those looking to get into karting.

"This was a great event each and every year and we were able to expose many new people to karting in our area," said Garry Lobaugh, President of MRP Motorsport, the company that operates the track. "We hope to continue that trend and we welcome regular racers and the complete beginner to come out and enjoy the day."

Special incentives can be found on all Birel and Rotax products on hand. It will be a great time to buy before winter!

Michiana Raceway Park (MRP) features a safe and positive atmosphere with a friendly staff to service your needs while providing racers with a smooth and efficient race program that runs on schedule. There are also excellent viewing areas for family and friends to watch the event including the covered Pace Pavilion picnic area. Throw in good food and excellent amenities and MRP is the place to go racing in Michiana!

MRP also offers several programs for those that want to get involved in karting, including beginner karting schools, spectator racing, kid-kart youth programs and corporate entertainment programs. Visit www.michianaracewaypark.com for a schedule of events or click on the MRP Discussion Forums for calendar and school specials. For more information call 574-288-4922.

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Upcoming WKA Nationals

Dunlop Tire Road Racing Series driven by Mazda
October 30- Nov 1, 2009
Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/rr/rr-main.html

George Kugler / Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series driven by Mazda
SSC East/CRG Nationals
November 6-8, 2009
Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC - GN
www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/mc-main.html

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Upcoming WKA Divisionals

New Hampshire Karting Association (NHKA)
New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon
Saturday, Oct. 17 -- Sunday, Oct. 18
Contact: David Whitesell 603-434-9778; Keikarter@myfairpoint.net
Lee Camarra 617-448-0916; leec@nhka.net
www.nhka.net

New Jersey Sprint Series
Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
Friday, Oct. 23 -- Sunday, Oct. 25
Contact: John Ferris 908.876.9023
www.njsprintseries.com

-credit: wka