And fun they had! Weather conditions were beautiful for Friday's Qualifying which saw Superkart driver Andy Kiker set a new track record with a fast lap of 1:04.4 and Johnny West following very closely behind with a 1:05.3. Scott Fiesler had the third fastest time (1:07.7) with Tris Gour and Jim Brannon coming in within two one-hundredths of a second apart (1:10.1 and 1:10.3 respectively). Ken Anderson and Jim Anthony were unable to qualify due to mechanical issues.
Little did any of the USSK members expect the ride they were in for overnight and throughout the day Saturday. Wind gusts picked up to a reported 60+ MPH and heavy rains soaked the track as the remnants of Hurricane Hannah rolled through the area.
But on Sunday conditions once again allowed for excellent racing and what a race spectators got to see as the USSK Champions Andy Kiker and Johnny West battled back and forth for the win. Eventually it was Kiker crossing the finish line just ahead of West. Rounding out the field were Tris Gour, Ken Anderson, and Jim Anthony. Scott Fiesler and Jim Brannon did not finish due to tire issues.
The USSK wishes to thank Woodbridge Kart Club and New Jersey Motorsports Park for a fabulous event!
Our next race will be at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia on October 31, November 1, and November 2 where the USSK will wind down the 2008 season, start the 2009 season, and crown our class champions. For more information on the race at Road Atlanta, please see our schedule page. For more information about the member's only awards banquet, please click here.
USSK Member and Superkart driver Andy Kiker took his skills to an international stage the weekend of August 1st & 2nd when he was one of 60 karts to qualify for the 2008 CIK-FIA European Superkart Championships in Assen (Netherlands).
Despite having never raced on international soil, Andy had a consistently solid showing all weekend qualifying 18th on Saturday.
On Sunday, in front of a huge crowd of onlookers, Andy finished 16th in Race 1 with a fast lap of 1:41.60 and 20th in Race 2 with a fast lap of 1:41.062.
Congratualtions to Andy on his fantastic showing, and a special thanks to Ian Harrison of Viper Racing for the updates and pictures throughout the weekend.
Spear Jr. Wins At Road America
West (4-0) Secures FE Title
In his first race weekend of the 2008 season, Super Clean Superkart driver Mike Spear Jr. started his season on a winning note by topping the podium after Sunday's race at Road America. Also ending the weekend on a high note was veteran Superkart racer Johnny West of Chicago's West Racing who claimed his fourth straight win of the 2008 season and clinched the FE championship for the season.
The weekend had a wet and wild start with a major storm blowing through the area as drivers arrived and tried to get set-up to race the amazing track located in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Friday morning brought a little more rain, but conditions improved just in time for qualifying mid-afternoon.
During qualifying, it was Alan Rudolph of Phoenix, AZ who set fastest lap as well as a track record of 2:14.579 with Johnny West following behind him by three seconds behind at 2:17.803. Mike Spear Jr. came in at 2:21.095 while Andy Kiker & Jayce Haghighi qualified fourth and fifth with times of 2:22..141 and 2:22.684 respectively.
Saturday morning started again with a sprinkling of rain, but stayed fairly dry as the USSK gridded just after the lunch break. Again, Rudolph led the field beating even his own qualifying time on Friday with a 2:14.437. Also improving on their times were Johnny West (2:16.451) and Andy Kiker (2:16.948). Mike Spear Jr. (2:20.70 ) and P-1's Pat Yoshikane (2:22.040) rounded out the top 5 fastest times.
Unfortunately, Saturday's USSK race was not without a scare when Jim Brannon (aka Santa) rolled his #3 kart and brought out the red flag. Thankfully, there were no injuries – except to the kart.
Sunday's windy conditions blew in a fabulous feature race though as the USSK gridded around 1pm in front of a good sized crowd who got an amazing show of speed and skill as Johnny West and Alan Rudolph raced for position in the FE class. As the race came near it's conclusion, Rudolph ran out of gas and West was positioned to take the win. Despite the gamble in fuel strategy, Rudolph ended the weekend with 2nd place and again set a new track record of 2:14.219 but blistered his left rear & left front tires in the process. Reggie Brown Jr. of California finished a solid 3rd , and Mark Croslyn and Jim Brannon placed 4th and 5th.
In the ICE class, Mike Spear Jr. took full advantage of Andy Kiker's rare mechanical difficulties to claim his first win of 2008 season after missing several races due to an injury. Team Texas – Jayce & Firouz Haghighi finished 2nd and 3rd while fellow Texan Michael McAlister came in 4th. Finishing 5th was new USSK member Scott Fiesler of West Racing.
In the USSK's experimental ICE/SS class for the 2008 season, Ron Nigro, another new USSK member, beat out Jeff Metter (2nd) and Craig Rhodes of MSR Racing (3rd).
The USSK would like to sincerely thank all of the wonderful staff of Road America as well as the Badger Kart Club for all of their hard work and professionalism throughout the weekend.
If you want to see the USSK in action, our next race is at Thunderbolt in New Jersey the weekend of September 5-7. See our schedule page for more information. As always, if you would like information about joining or sponsoring the USSK, please visit our “Contact Us” page and a representative will be happy to assist you.
Kiker & West Leave Mid-Ohio 3-0
Superkart superstars Andy Kiker (ICE) and Johnny West (FE) left Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with their third win of the season. Also topping the podium was Jim Anthony who claimed his first win of the season in the ICE/SS Class.
The superkart races, run in conjunction with Dart Kart Club at the WKA Elite Karting Grand Nationals, were held the weekend of June 13-14, 2008 and brought yet another great turnout of more then 24 superkarts.
Friday's events saw both qualifying and pre-feature races. In qualifying, Kiker and West both made it clear they had brought their A game to the familiar track. Following closely behind Kiker in the ICE class was the father and son team of Firouz and Jayce Haghighi and Scott Fiesler in his first race as a member of the USSK.
Trying to catch West in the FE class were Michael Soh, Jim Brannon, and Cortney Simpson while Chuck Bunnell, Jeff Metter, and Jim Anthony fought for position in the the ICE/SS class.
Pre-Feature was also held Friday afternoon just ahead of a massive storm. Under cloudy conditions, Andy Kiker took the checkered flag again followed closely behind by the Haghighi's Firouz and Jayce. Kiker also walked away with the fastest lap time of the weekend with a 1:26.333 during this race.
West claimed the win in the FE class with Soh and Simpson rounding out the top three. The ICE/SS class finished exactly the same as they had during qualifying with Bunnell finishing first and Metter and Anthony finishing just behind him.
Saturday's race late in the afternoon was shortened due to rain delays and other conditions, but the 25 minute feature saw some great racing from all of the competitors.
This time it was Johnny West's turn to set fastest lap with a time of 1:26.802 in addition to taking the win. Finishing behind West in the FE class were the MSR teammates Michael Soh and Tris Gour.
In the ICE class, Andy Kiker took the win with a comanding lead over newcomer Scotty Fiesler who finished second in only his second race as a USSK member and Michael McAlister took third.
The ICE/SS Class saw Jim Anthony score his first win of the season with Jeff Metter and Chuck Bunnell finishing second and third respectively.
While many seemed to escape the wrath of the Friday the 13th superstition, several USSK members suffered engine issues at various points over the 2 day event. Mark Crosslyn suffered another heartbreaking weekend and left early Saturday morning due to axle issues. Jim Brannon battled back from ignition problems to finish 5th in the feature, but left sitting on the sidelines for the Saturday race were Cortney Simpson (water pump issue), Jayce Haghighi (on track accident), and Donnie Souter (axle gear issue).
The USSK wishes to thank everyone who came out to race, those who came out to watch, and of course the fabulous staff and volunteers involved with organizing and coordinating this event. Pictures from Mid-Ohio are now on our photos page, and driver points will be up within the next day or two.
Our next race will be at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin the weekend of July 11-13 and we hope to see everyone there!
Kiker, West Win At Eagles Canyon
Andy Kiker and Johnny West each got their second win of the 2008 season as the USSK raced at Eagles Canyon in conjunction with the SWRA the weekend of April 25-27, 2008.
Qualifying on Friday (April 25, 2008) had the field once again watching Andy Kiker set the fastest lap (1:47.9) and leading the ICE field. Firouz Haghighi and Michael Kranz finished behind Andy in second and third respectively.
Rounding out the top ten ICE karts in order: David Lirette, George Saldana, Arnold Bodenheimer, Brad Cain (no time - no info available), Jayce Haghighi (no time - sketchy reports of an off track problem), and Mike Spear Jr. who is still recuperating from surgery following a broken wrist but was trackside cheering on his fellow competitors.
In the FE field, a much tighter field was seen Friday. Jimmy Long was the fastest in the class (1:50.6) with Frank Widmoser and Jimmy "Santa" Brannon rounding out the top three. Completing the FE field in order were Cortney Simpson, Johnny West, Bobby Butler of Go Boy Go Racing, Mark Crosslyn, Tris Gour, and Donnie Sauter.
Racing resumed Saturday with the Pre-Feature where Kiker, Jayce Haghighi, and Firouz Haghighi led the ICE field. The FE field was led by Frank Winmoser, Johnny West, and Tris Gour.
USSK Kicks Off 2008 Season At Motorsports Ranch
USSK Group Picture taken at Motorsports Ranch March 27, 2008
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Variable weather conditions didn’t dampen spirits as The USSK kicked off their 2008 season the weekend of March 28th at the SWRA/MARRS/USSK sponsored race at Motorsports Ranch in Cresson, Texas.
Saturday’s race saw Andy Kiker lead the ICE field with fastest overall lap time of 2.07 followed closely by Jayce Haghighi, and Dan Davis. The FE class saw the return of Jimmy Long to the front of the pack, followed by Jim Brannon, and Johnny West.
On Sunday, Andy Kiker again took the win as well as fastest overall lap time with a 2.08. David Lirette finished in second place with Michael McAlister close behind in third. Frank Calhoun and Arnold Bodenheimer rounded out the top five ICE finishers. In the FE field, Johnny West battled back from mechanical problems on Saturday to take the win. Cortney Simpson and Jimmy Long crossed the lines in second and third respectively. Rounding out the top five FE finishers were Jim Brannon and Bobby Butler. Overall, almost 20 members of the growing USSK roster raced on the 3.1 mile track located just Southwest of the Dallas metropolitan area. And while many wished they could have had better weather, almost everyone came home with glowing comments and extreme appreciation for the efforts of their sponsors as well as the SWRA.
The USSK wishes to thank all of it’s sponsors for their support, with a special thanks going out to sponsors Freewheeling Honda and VP Fuels. Thanks to their continued support of The USSK, Andy Kiker and Jayce Haghighi scored 5 gallons of free fuel in a drawing at the track this weekend!
The USSK will be racing in Texas again on April 25, 26, and 27 when the group travels to Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas.
USSK Shirts & Hats Now On Sale!
Show your USSK pride! Debbie West, Johnny West's wife, has done a FANTASTIC job getting our intricate new logo worked up so that it can not only be embroidered on racing style polo shirts, but this amazing lady can also customize the kart color for teams who wish to make their shirts look more personalized. Team and/or driver names can also be embroidered opposite the USSK logo.
For more information, or to order your USSK shirt, please contact Debbie West.
The USSK Announces New Banner
The 2008 USSK Sponsors Banner
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The podium at this year's USSK races will take on a new look thanks to all of the gracious support of our series sponsors. Now, winning drivers will stand in front of this backdrop which proudly shows our partnership with those industry leaders who have donated not only their money, but also their efforts, to helping our sport grow in ways we could have only imagined a year ago!
Please take a moment at the races this year, or as your browse through our website, to check out those companies who continue to help us further the sport we love. Visit their websites and please consider thanking them for their continued support by giving these companies your business whenever possible.
Thanks to our sponsors generous support of the sport, this year USSK members will have more then one chance to win some really fantastic prizes.
2008 USSK Sponsors
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Pat Wilson Graphics (patwilsongraphics.com) is contributing the "Hard Knocks Award" and will be awarded to the driver with the lowest points average (points divided by number of races) at the end of the season.
The award itself is a new helmet complete with a custom paint job. The winner of this award will be able to work in conjunction with Pat to come up with a one-of-a-kind reminder of their 2008 USSK season.
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USSK member and proud sponsor Johnny West of West Racing is offering, again this year, a chance to win a time share vacation for one lucky winner. This one week time share (good for four people) is lodging at any one of a variety of locations around the world. The winner will be responsible for airfare and must abide by the timeshare rules, but this fantastic prize offers a unique opportunity for the lucky winner.
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USSK member and proud sponsor Jimmy Brannon of Freewheeling Honda will be offering one 5 gallon jug of VP fuel for each class at each race! The owner of Freewheeling Honda, in conjunction with VP Fuels, will give these prizes to winners determined by a pea pick at each race event.
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Firouz Haghighi has agreed to donate a front end alignment tool for the year end awards. |
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USSK member and proud sponsor Pat Yoshikane of P1 Prototypes, Inc. will be giving away two sets of fiberglass bodywork. |
Once again, the USSK sincerely thanks these sponsors for playing a part in the success of the upcoming 2008 season. Members are strongly encouraged to demonstrate their own personal appreciation by patronizing those who are helping encourage the growth of our sport.
