While Halloween morning started out cold, it turned into a beautiful day for Superkart racing. Lots of familiar faces, and several new faces, raced in the USSK heat for a total of almost 30 entries! (For photos from throughout the weekend, click here.)

Friday qualifying saw USSK FE driver Johnny West post the fastest lap, followed by Jimmy Long and Andy Kiker. Mechanical issues sadly befell Mike Spear Jr. effectively ending his weekend a day early, and Donnie Souter who spent most of the night rebuilding.

Saturday’s race saw West’s undefeated season end when Mark Croslyn beat out his friend and fellow competitor for first in the FE class. West finished second behind Croslyn, and Bobby Butler of "Go Boy Go" Racing finished third.

In ICE, the Amazing Andy Kiker once again dazzled the crowd finishing first, with West Racing’s Scotty Fiesler coming in second. Michael McAlister rounded out the top three.

In the growing ICE/SS class David Lirette took top honors on Saturday, Jim Anthony came in second, and Jeff Metter, who suffered engine issues, finished a solid third and locked up his position for the season as class champion.

Unlike in years past, the USSK race actually had to restart the Saturday race after a red flag was thrown for Butch Verrado, who joined us for the first time at this event.  Reports back to the track on Sunday indicated that Butch was okay but suffering from a few broken bones (ankle & hip), and the USSK certainly hopes he recovers fully so he can race with us again in 2009.

The weekend at Atlanta marked the end of the 2008 season as well as the kickoff to the 2009 season. In recognition of their accomplishments during the 2008 season, the following awards are just some of the prizes that were presented Saturday night at a celebration held at the Houndstooth Grill & Tavern in Braselton:

2008 USSK ICE Season Champion Andy Kiker
2nd place Jayce Haghighi
3rd place Michael McAlister
Note: 3rd & 4th place (Firouz Haghighi) were separated by only 6 points!

2008 USSK FE Season Champion Johnny West
2nd Place Tris Gour
3rd Place Jimmy Brannon

2008 USSK ICE/SS Season Champion Jeff Metter

Additional honors were presented to the 2008 USSK Sportsman of the Year , Jimmy Brannon, and the recipient of the 2008 USSK "Hard Knocks Award", Mark Croslyn.

But it was right back to the track on Sunday where unfortunately, there were more red flags to be seen. During the start of the Sunday USSK race, an accident occurred between Tris Gour and Micheal McCallister. Sunday's race also ended under yet another red flag when drivers Jim Anthony and Paul Guadagnoli were involved in a tangle coming out of one of the turns.

Yet despite all the bumping and banging occurring on the track, there was very little shake up in the finishing positions as the FE class saw Johnny West once again back on top followed by Mark Croslyn (2nd) and Anthony Williams in 3rd.

In ICE, Andy Kiker took top honors with Team Texas’ Jayce Haghighi in finishing second and Jim Ingram rounding out the top three.

In the now permanent ICE/SS Class, David Lirette continued his solid season by finishing first, while Brad Cain and Jeff Metter rounded out the top three. And in it’s first official race of the 2009 season, the experimental Formula 125 race saw Dennis Bernier top Joey West.

The USSK now goes into the off-season until approximately March 2009. Please stay tuned for future schedule & sponsorship announcements. If you are not already on our mailing list, please subscribe by using our “Contact Us” form and indicating that you would like to be included in future announcements.