Archives December 2011

12-6-11 Race at PGP and Earn Free Stuff With PGP Rewards Program  Everybody likes free stuff, right? And what could be better than earning free stuff by doing something fun like racing at PGP? We’re pleased to announce the PGP Rewards Program, our latest way to show our customers how much we appreciate and value their patronage. Free for all customers, program points are earned for doing what you would probably do anyway: racing at PGP during rental sessions, practice and Lapping Days, and races. With the PGP Rewards Program you can get a free Hammer Nutrition sample pack (5 points), a free rental session (10 points) or free entry for either a race or Lapping Day (20 points). Want more free stuff? Sign up before Dec. 31, 2011 and we’ll give you 5 bonus points! That gets you halfway to a free rental session OR we’ll be pleased to give you a sample pack from our valued partners at Hammer Nutrition! How’s this for even more awesomeness? The Rewards Member accumulating the most points in 2012 will earn a free season pass for 2013! Sign up for the PGP Rewards Program in person at the track NOW and start earning those points!

12-5-11 Skusa Pro Tour title and supernational Victory For LEM Felkins secures TaG Senior championship while Brit Russell earns TaG Junior win with Leading Edge Power The 2011 season came to a close for the Leading Edge Motorsports operation with the running of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XV. The event held outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on November 16-20 was the final round of the SKUSA Pro Tour series championship. A number of drivers carried the LEM name and utilized the Leading Edge Power engines throughout the week. The highlight of the event came with the crowning of LEM driver Brett Felkins as the Pro Tour TaG Senior championship while British driver George Russell was propelled to victory in TaG Junior with the help of Leading Edge Power. Coming into Las Vegas, TaG Senior driver Brett Felkins was the top driver in the category. Four podium finishes put the Northern California driver on top of the Pro Tour standings. Competing against field of roughly 20 drivers, Felkins had to battle 80 to earn the gold for the 2011 season. Coming to grips with the circuit over the two practice days, Felkins put in a ninth place qualifying effort to start inside row three of all his heat races. The first qualifying race was disaster for Brett, getting shuffled outside the top-20 on the opening lap, leaving him in 16th after the checkered flag due to a broken water pump and engine over heating. Staying out of trouble in the second heat run, Felkins crossed the line in the runner-up position almost taking the win in the side-by-side finish. Looking to make it through the final heat race without any issues, Felkins moved back to the tenth spot in what was a heavy-contact 12-lap skirmish. His results put him 13th on the main event grid with his championship contenders well toward the back of the field. Getting through the opening corners with no issues, Felkins slowly worked his way forward until reaching the top-five on lap eight. Engaged in a battle throughout the 25-lap event, Felkins was able to hold on to the fifth place finish aboard his LEM powered Intrepid and secure the Pro Tour championship with his fifth straight podium. More drivers in Northern California and throughout the United States are making the move to Leading Edge Power, the engine prep program under the LEM banner. With Leading Edge Motorsports partnering with the new Intrepid North America, a number of their official drivers utilized Leading Edge Power engines. One of them came away with victory as British driver George Russell drove away to win in TaG Junior. Showing why he is a European KF3 champion, Russell overcame a qualifying error to start each of his three heat races outside the top-30, knifing his way to top-seven finishes in each to grid fifth for the main event. Once up front, Russell battled early before his rival retired with a mechanical issue. This left Russell and the Leading Edge Power Parilla Leopard alone out front to cruise to the win. “It’s great to see Brett reach this level in such a short time,” commented Greg Bell of Leading Edge Motorsports. “Working with him and his family over the last four seasons and watching him develop into one of the top drivers in the country today is amazing. The combination of Brett, Intrepid and Leading Edge Motorsports was an effective mix in 2011. While we did not earn the victory as we hoped, the championship title will suffice. I see many great more things from Brett behind the wheel in karts and beyond. The performance put in over the three days by Russell shows just how talented this kid is. We made an error Friday morning and it cost us in qualifying. After addressing the issue, Russell drove his heart out and put himself at the front for Sunday. We knew with him starting up front, there was no stopping his Intrepid with Leading Edge Power engine.” Matching Felkins’ result was TaG Master driver Randy Froom. Another NorCal driver under the Leading Edge Motorsports stable, Froom finished fifth in only his second start at the SuperNationals. A championship contender at the regional level this season, Froom was quick off the trailer as he qualified 10th out of 40 drivers. Staying away from trouble through the three heat races, Froom kept in the top-10 in all races to earn a fourth place starting spot for the main event. Running fifth through much of the 25-lap run, Froom lost the spot late in the race and crossed the line sixth. With the provisional winner removed from the results, Froom was elevated back to the podium in fifth. LEM driver Trevor McAlister was in position for a podium in Master all week long. Qualifying third, he managed the heat races well to set up a fifth starting spot. Unfortunately, a bent chassis hampered his pace in the feature as he placed 13th. Paul Hohlbein hovered around the top-20 area throughout the week and ended SuperSunday in the 24th position, repeating last year’s performance. The other Pro category driver under the LEM banner for the SuperNationals was Texan Nick Lucido. The Intrepid driver took on the S1 Pro Stock Moto category for his second year. After qualifying 13th, Lucido improved his finishing position in each of the three heat races to end up fifth in the points. Starting from P5 grid spot, Lucido was in position to battle for a podium until an opening lap incident took him out of contention. Never giving up, Lucido drove from outside the top-20 up to 13th by the checkered flag for his best finish in Vegas. The S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto contingent for the LEM squad was primed for success in Las Vegas, but lady luck did not allow the dice roll in their favor. Jared Woolf and Mariana Ramirez were unable to finish the main event despite there valiant efforts. Leading Edge Motorsports had a rookie TaG Junior roster heading into Vegas with upset on their mind. The cards did not fall right for Brennan Mankin and Jared Campbell. Qualifying did not pan out as expected as they were both classified outside the top-35 early. Campbell worked his way forward to start 27th in the main event, only to retire early. Mankin was involved in a number of incidents through the heat races, putting him deep in the LCQ field and despite a courageous fight, was unable to qualifying for the feature race. Rounding out the LEM driver roster were SuperNationals rookies Mike Graves and Geoff Shaw in TaG Senior. Graves was unable to qualify for the main event while Shaw went through the LCQ to finish a respectable 23rd in the feature. “The results by some of our drivers are not what we hoped going into Vegas,” continued Bell. “The fact of the matter is, no one quit and that’s something we can take moving forward. We had to adjust how we do things under the tent with such a large event and the amount of time trackside. It still does not diminish the effort all of the Leading Edge Motorsports drivers and crew put in over the week. LEM provided the logistics to welcome the Intrepid North America crew and drivers from Europe. It was a pleasure working with them and I see great things in the future for the brand. It was a great combination and was a thrill to work with drivers such as Bas Lammers and Beitske Visser. I’m confident there was an Intrepid battling for the win in all the categories.”

12-1-11 IKF Competitor Bobby Kelley Wins Scouting Combine "Kelley will see action in a pair of USF2000 events thanks to the Mazda Road to Indy program" IKF karter Bobby Kelley will take part in the USF2000 doubleheader in St. Petersburg After a pair of on track days, mock interviews, media appearances and business training, International Kart Federation standout Bobby Kelley has been selected as the inaugural winner of the Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine. For his deserving efforts, Kelley will have the opportunity to compete in the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda races at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March of 2012. "I am at a loss for words," Kelley said. "This is an amazing program to win, and I can't wait to get on the track and show what I can do. This is the first step to my formula car career so we will use this opportunity and try to move up the ladder. I was very surprised to win with all of the great talent here this week. I am very thankful to have won the first Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine." Over the pair of days, ten competitors were asked to complete mock qualifying runs, a mock race where they were to keep fast, consistent race laps as well as mock interviews in pit lane as soon as their sessions were complete. Trying to provide the best and most realistic experience possible, a panel of four judges including motorsports writer and commentator Jeremy Shaw, Director of Mazda Motorsports-Mazda North America Operations John Doonan, Firestone Indy Lights driver Anders Krohn and Director of Business Development for Firestone Indy Lights Tony George, Jr., put all the drivers through their paces where Kelley managed to rise to the top. Most noted for his experience and outstanding results on the western half of the United States, Bobby Kelley has been a front-runner at in the International Kart Federation program. As a multi-time race winner and series champion, Kelley will now take his skills to the open-wheel community as he looks to make his name known in St. Petersburg. Kelley, who has claimed four regional and two national titles in IKF competition added, "I believe that the IKF series is probably one of the best series going in North America. It is a series that I have used to hone my skills and it definitely helped me get to where I am today." "Everyone at the IKF is very happy for Bobby," expressed IKF President Bill Hilger. "Bobby is a bright young talent and this is the break he needed. Anyone that has seen him drive a kart knows that he has a lot of talent. He is a well-spoken young man who should perform very well. I hope he goes to St. Pete and is able to make his friends, families, sponsors, peers as well as everyone involved in the International Kart Federation proud." For more information on the International Kart Federation, please contact them at 909.923.4999 or visit them online at www.IKFKarting.com

12-1-11 Red Line Oil Karting Championship Awards totaling over $20,000 Given Away At Banquet The Red Line Oil Karting Championship held its year end awards banquet to hand out the hardware and end of year prizes to the top drivers in the series. Series promoter, Steve Cameron hosted an "Uncle Joes" sit-down dinner with over one hundred quests attending the event at the Homeward Bound facility in Novato. Guest speaker Neil Alberico, Team USA race driver and outstanding karter, just returned from racing in England and shared his experiences with the crowd. Master of ceremonies Chris Scribner ran the awards program, and raffled off forty prizes during the dinner portion of the program which included Red Line Oil, Uncle Joes, Molecule Suit Cleaner Kits, Sanzaru Games video games, GoPro gear and much more. Drivers of the Year Michael Michoff, Niki Luna & Cameron Evans with Rising Star Annie Breidinger After the class awards were handed out, the focus of the evening shifted to the last five awards, three Driver of the Year awards, the Molecule Pro-Mazda test, to World Speed FS2.0 test and the Pro Racing Simulator training award. Michael Michoff is the 2011 Junior Driver of the Year, Niki Luna the Senior Driver of the Year, Cameron Evans the Masters Driver of the Year and Annie Breidinger won the Rising Star Award. Mini Max award winners Toni Breidinger, Horatio Fitz-Simon, Annie Breidinger and Michael Michoff The evening ended with the major driver development awards given to a group of drivers who all had outstanding seasons. Jason Toft received a test in the Molecule Pro-Mazda, Niki Luna and Jim Inglebright will both test the World Speed FS2.0 and Michael Ostrowski won the Pro Racing Simulator training package. Michael Ostrowski, Jim Inglebright, Niki Luna, Jason Toft Class Champions / Prizes Rotax Mini Max Michael Michoff $400 cash & PS3 from Sanzaru Games  $50 Cambrian Rotax Mini Max Rookie of the Year Horatio Fitz-Simon $100 cash & PS3 player from Sanzaru Games Junior Rotax Maxx Marion GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian, Savage Helmet Paint design. Senior Rotax Niki Luna GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian, World Speed FS2.0 test Rotax Masters Light Andrea Delfanti Simraceway Pass, Rotax Membership, $50 Cambrian Rotax Masters Cameron Evans $250 Cambrian, Rotax DD2 Michael Ostrowski PRS Simulator, $50 Cambrian 80 Masters Roger Cornwall GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian IAME Cup Don Rocci $150 Italian Motors, Helmet from Wine Country, $50 Cambrian Tag Junior Austin Thomas GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian Tag Senior Larry Fraser GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian KPV2 Jayden Conwright GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian Stock Honda S2 Jason Toft GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian Molecule Pro Mazda Test Stock Honda S4 Jim Inglebright GoPro HD, $50 Cambrian, World Speed FS2.0 test Junior Driver of the Year Michael Michoff Senior Driver of the Year Niki Luna Masters Driver of the Year Cameron Evans Rising Star Award Annie Breidinger Simraceway track pass, 2012 Rotax membership *Champions also received Molecule Wash Kits courtesy of Molecule products and "#1" Red Line Oil champion number plates.

12-1-11 Sunny Skies, Tons of Kart & Supermoto Action on Tap at PGP This Weekend With the weather forecast calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-40s, there is no way you’re going to want to spend this weekend shuffling through a crowded mall! Come out to PGP instead, where you can get both your shopping fix AND your racing fix on four wheels OR two! Saturday We kick things off at 8 a.m. with the Whole Thing Free Swap Meet. Enjoy free hot dogs and Big E’s beer while you shop or just hang out with the best karters and SuperMoto riders in the region. We’ll have open practice all day on our super-fun track for the special price of $40, and rental karts will be Buy 2 Get 1 free. While all that is going on, at 9 a.m. we’ll have Rental Kart League Racing, the perfect event for newcomers and experienced karters alike. We run two classes, Expert and Novice, and weights will be equalized to insure fair performance for different-sized racers. During each RKLR event you’ll get four on-track sessions —practice, qualifying, Pre-Final and Final — and there are no maximum number of drivers. The fee for a single event is $85 for members. Sunday We’ve got a special treat planned for SuperMoto riders: due to the favorable weather forecast the Dec. 11 Stars of PGP Supermoto Series event has been moved up to this Sunday. That’s right, we’re adding SuperMoto to Round 3 of the Stars of PGP Kart Series to make Sunday a combined race event! To be the best you’ve got to race the best, and the best karters and riders in the Pacific Northwest compete at PGP! Gates open at 7 a.m. with racing starting at 9 a.m. All kart classes will be supported including all 4-stroke karts. Supermoto classes will include Asphalt Only, Knobby, and DRZ. Member cost is $75 for the first entry and $25 for second entry (member pricing). Discounted family pricing available. Membership is not required to participate in any PGP event. Both SuperMoto members and non-members can race a third class for free! All Stars of PGP events follow our successful format with practice, qualifying, a heat race and a main event. We’ll finish the day with trophy presentations (all PeeWees win one!) and plenty of bench racing in the paddock.