SPORT KART GRAND NATIONALS PREVEIW PART 3 of 3: OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP

[June 20, 2012] 2012 Sport Kart Grand Nationals Preview Part 3 of 3: Overall Championship

Heading into practice day #1 for the inaugural Sport Kart Grand Nationals, the entry list sits at 66 drivers from 21 different tracks, hailing from 4 different countries, and 11 different states. There are several big names from the sport entered in this year’s event, but there are many more making their first attempt at a big national event. With everything in karting from indoor to outdoor, gas or electric, to drivers who put time in full-fledged racing cars, this year’s field is filled to the brim with talent. The following preview looks at the entry list, and given the stats in front of this writer, ranks the potential at the overall win at this year’s event.



The Contenders…


Jon Kimbrell – CalSpeed Karting | San Clemente, California

Heading into this weekend, ‘Kimby’ will have the target painted squarely on his back. As the reigning 3-time National indoor karting champ, and the defending 2-time Super Series champ, there is no driver in the country who’s been as successful as he has in recent memory. Returning from the Sodi World Series finals without the finish he wanted, he looked to have a renewed spark, and a return to form in the latest round. If he is indeed running at 100%, then he is going to be a very tough driver to best.

Fred Ogrim – Victory Lane Karting | Charlotte, North Carolina

Momentum is a beautiful thing, and something that the Californian native has in spades. Ogrim is having a career year, winning just about everything he enters, including taking the championship at his home track and scoring the free entry for the Grands. This momentum stems from his second place finish at last years USIKC, and the last time anyone in Sport Karting had this kind of run, they ended it as national champ…

Miles Calvin – CalSpeed Karting | Fullerton, California

The current point leader in the CalSpeed Super Series, the older of the two Calvins hasn’t had the smoothest seasons, despite sitting atop the points ladder. On more than one occasion, Miles has turned what could have been a tipping point in his season into a strong result, and many times in grand style. One of the few drivers that displays the ‘wow’ factor on a regular basis at CalSpeed, expect him to be one of the biggest challengers for the title, if not the leader heading into the final day.

Logan Calvin – CalSpeed Karting | Fullerton, California

Consistency wins championships, and despite not having won a single main this season, Logan held the point lead up until this past round. Showing pace and patience in equal parts throughout 2012 puts him towards the top of the list of contenders, and his 6th place finish at the USIKC last fall proves he can’t be counted out this time either.

Adam Kellerman – Sykart Indoor (TIG) | Tigard, Oregon

Known as one of the best talents in our sport, Adam Kellerman is also coming off a strong run at the USIKC this past Fall, where he bounced back from an early upset to win the Super Final and grab 4th overall. Consistently one of the fastest drivers in both qualifying and in the race, ‘Kelly’ has lead the points at the USIKC more than once and will be a definite threat this weekend as well.

Patrick Britain – CalSpeed Karting | Orange, California

Tied for the most A-Main wins here in the CalSpeed Super Series, Patrick Britain has always been a fast driver at his home track, but has had a rough time of things when traveling. Now that the big event is coming to him, we may see a breakout run at the national level for the Sport Karting veteran, which would come as no surprise for those that have seen his pack-racing prowess.

Taylor Hays – CalSpeed Karting | Whittier, California

The Team Principal for T4 Autosport, Hays is one of the regular front-runners in the Super Series, but has also shown his strategic talents in endurance races. Entering this weekend, Hays carry’s a lot of momentum after an incredible run from 18th to 3rd last round, and was ultra quick in their 2nd place finish at the Petit Machismo.

Aaron Downs – CalSpeed Karting | Norco, California

When it comes to these big national races, ‘Downsy’ always seems to find a little something extra. Here at his home track this should be enhanced, with downs already grabbing two wins this year. When he is on point, he is one of the fastest drivers at CalSpeed,and could be a real contender in the end.

Mike Kai – CalSpeed Karting | Newport Beach, California

Mike Kai’s aggressive style gets him to the front on a regular basis, but it also has bit him a few times. One of the fastest drivers at CalSpeed, Kai has no shortage of race craft as well, and has been know to put on some pretty spectacular moves. If he stays out of trouble, he will be a very real threat to the top step.

Chaz Baca, Jr – Octane Raceway | Mesa, Arizona

Chaz enters the Grands as the de facto #1 from Octane Raceway, home of the USIKC, and a long history of talent. Fresh off his seventh championship at the Phoenix based track, Baca will look to carry that momentum into this weekend. Known for hs aggressive style, Baca will have no problem getting to the front where the fighting will be the thickest

Jerott King – Umigo Raceway | Walnut Creek, California

When you talk about great drivers from the Nor Cal region, the first name you think of is that of Jerott King. In the passed couple of years, King has stamped his presence in the sport, finishing third in the past two USIKC’s, and was the highest ranking American at last years World Championship. While not a regular on the outdoor circuits, King will still find pace early, and will certainly find the front before too long.

Sean Brierly – BRKC | Kent, United Kingdom

Making the long trek from across the pond, Brierly will be one of the main away drivers to keep an eye on, have score his ticket here through his second place result in the Britich Rental Kart Championship. Finding victory on the Teeside outdoor track in May, he should be right at home on CalSpeed’s .7 mile circuit.

Michael Wu – Allsports GP | Herndon, Virginia

Scoring his free entry via his 2011 Championship in the Volta GP series, Wu will be another of the away drivers to keep an eye on. With plenty of seat time in outdoor karts via Volta’s stops at Summit Point Karting, Wu will look to find pace early, and take the fight to the locals, possibly carrying the baton for the rest of the east coast contingent.

Sam Zian – Dubai Autodrome | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

While a relative new name in the States for Sport Karting, Sam makes his living as a FIA Instructor at the Yas Marina circuit in Dubai. Originally from Los Angeles, this homecoming may turn into an overall win for the karting and touring car ace. A two time UAE SWS champ, Zian has plenty of experience in this type of racing, and will be a certain threat for the overall title.

Michael Shawhan – LeMans Karting | Los Gatos, California

Fresh off a win in the Petit Machismo this year, Shawhan was a late entry after plans changed from racing his BMW E30, to making the trek to So-Cal. With the laps he turned in that May event, Shawhan will be a quick runner out of the box, and will be able to fight for solid points early on.



The Spoilers…



Robby Stanovich – CalSpeed Karting | Redondo Beach, California

As one of the top drivers at K1 Speed, Robby made the move to the Super Series halfway through last year, and immediately made a splash. Now a KartSport SP driver, he sits 8th in the points and is coming of his best round to date, where he fought inside the top 5 before finishing a season 6th. He enters this weekend with something to prove, and will be an exciting driver to watch.

Kirk Feldkamp – CalSpeed Karting | Costa Mesa, California

Kirk has made consistent improvements with every race he’s entered, culminating in an IronMan Series victory in round #3. Showing his ability to not only run with the front runners, but having a strong strategic mind, will pay dividends this weekend, and could see him pretty high up the order.

Matt Widner – CalSpeed Karting | Torrance, California

While just outside the top ten in Super Series points, Matt’s sheer speed is undeniable. Entering the series last year, he made a big impression when he ran toe-to-toe with reigning champ Jon Kimbrell right out of the box.

Tyler Bryant – CalSpeed Karting | Gardena, California

The 2011 Super Series Rookie of the Year, Bryant is currently inside the top ten in points, and has become a staple at the sharp end of the field. While accused of being too nice on track, Bryant has turned it up as of late, and will be challenging for string points in every round this weekend.

Darren Mercer – SB Raceway | Oak Hills, California

Of all the ‘Spoiler’ drivers on this list, Mercer may have the strongest shot at the top step, given his pair of A-Main wins this season. While only in his first full season, Mercer is constantly raising eyebrows, and will look to do the same at the Grands. He has proven to have the pace when up front, the question will be can he get there.

Tony Rolfson – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

A past USIKC champ, and multi-time champ in both leagues, and monthly series at Octane Raceway, Rolfson looks return to his winning ways at national events this weekend. With no shortage of experience indoors, the only question is how fast he’ll come up to speed outdoors, to whether he fights for race wins or top 5’s this weekend.

Kyler Repella – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

Kyler raced his way into the USIKC SuperFinal and norrwly beat Baca in the Junior category last year, and is fresh off a second place in the Spring championship at Octane Raceway. While young, the kid has undeniable speed, and with his outdoor experience should adapt well to the Calspeed course.

Anthony Severson – Hill Country Kart Club | New Braunfels, Texas

This week, Severson has already scored a triumph: father to his newborn daughter Tuesday evening back home in Texas. Promptly hitting up his flight however, he should still be here in time for Practice on Wednesday. Tony has also just won the championship at his local outdoor track as well, and will look to carry that momentum into this weekend.

Ennis Bragg – Grand Prix New York | Long Island City, New York

Ennis made a splash in his first big national event at the USIKC last Fall, making the super final, and regularly challenging inside the top 5. Making the transition outdoors this week, look for him to pick up where he left off, and once again score solid points through the championship.



This is just a small look at some of the talent entered into this weekend’s affair, and certainly doesn’t hit up on all the great drivers on the list. As the saying goes, ‘on any given Sunday’, this weekend could be the breakout event for any one of the 65+drivers entered, and it is anyone’s guess who will come home with the top spot. Stay tuned to sportkartusa.com for regular updates, interviews with drivers, pictures, live timing and more, as the inaugural Sport Kart Grand Natiols gets under way with timed practice today (Wednesday) and Thursday, followed by 3 days of racing Friday-Sunday.


2012 Sport Kart Grand Nationals | June 22-24 | Official Entry List

Aaron Downs – CalSpeed Karting | Norco, California

Adam Kellerman – Sykart Indoor (TIG) | Tigard, Oregon

Alex Herndon – GoKart Racer | San Jose, California

Alex Majerus – Xtreme Indoor Karting | Coral Springs, Florida

Andrew Brown – CalSpeed Karting | Whittier, California

Anthony Severson – Hill Country Kart Club | New Braunfels, Texas

Ary Jogasurya – Allsports GP | Fairfax, Virginia

Brian Guevara – CalSpeed Karting | Pasadena, California

Brian Warden – CalSpeed Karting | San Diego, California

Bryan Armbrust – N/A | Las Vegas, Nevada

Chaz Baca, Jr – Octane Raceway | Mesa, Arizona

Chris Carter [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Culver City, California

Chris Huerta – CalSpeed Karting | Santa Fe Springs, California

Darren Mercer – SB Raceway | Oak Hills, California

Dave Messimer [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Lake Forest, California

David Kelmenson [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Pacific Palisades, California

Derek Esquibel – CalSpeed Karting | San Pedro, California

Derrick Islas – CalSpeed Karting | Cerritos, California

Dennis Kimbrell [M] – CalSpeed Karting | San Clemente, California

Diego Morales [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Brea, California

Ennis Bragg – Grand Prix New York | Long Island City, New York

Fred Ogrim – Victory Lane Karting | Charlotte, North Carolina

Greg Reinhardt [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Rancho Palos Verdes

Gregg Hall [M] – Need 2 Speed Indoor | Redding, California

Henry Morse – K1 Speed | Redondo Beach, California

Jay Schreiber [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Yorba Linda, California

Jeff Carson – CalSpeed Karting | Sunland, California

Jeff Hall [M] – Need 2 Speed Indoor | Redding, California

Jerott King – Umigo Raceway | Walnut Creek, California

John Shim – Allsports GP | Springfield, Virginia

Jon Kimbrell – CalSpeed Karting | San Clemente, California

Jordan Wallace – Volta GP | Annapolis, Maryland

Jose da Silva [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Sao Paulo, Brazil

Keith Sears [M] – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

Kirk Feldkamp – CalSpeed Karting | Costa Mesa, California

Kyler Repella – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

Logan Calvin – CalSpeed Karting | Fullerton, California

Luis Arrieta – CalSpeed Karting | Chino Hills, California

Marcelo Bravo [M] – Allsports GP | Gainesville, Virginia

Mark Robinson – Sykart Indoor (TUK)/Pacific Grand Prix | Puyallup, Washington

Martin Hanhardt [M] – Daytona Kartbahn | Essen, Germany

Matt Widner – CalSpeed Karting | Torrance, California

Michael Shawhan – LeMans Karting | Los Gatos, California

Michael Wu – Allsports GP | Herndon, Virginia

Mike Kai – CalSpeed Karting | Newport Beach, California

Mike Kinney [M] – Pacific Grand Prix | Olympia, Washington

Mike Lewis – CalSpeed Karting | Redondo Beach, California

Miles Calvin – CalSpeed Karting | Fullerton, California

Oliver Rojas – Allsports GP | Alexandria, Virginia

Patrick Britain – CalSpeed Karting | Orange, California

Patryk Tararuj – All Sports GP | Baltimore, Maryland

Paul Ciralli – CalSpeed Karting | Tustin, California

Rene Hourian – CalSpeed Karting | La Crescenta, California

Richard Talbert – All Sports GP | Randallstown, Maryland

Richard Wood [M] – Willow Springs Raceway | Lancaster, California

Robby Stanovich – CalSpeed Karting | Redondo Beach, California

Rodney Bryant [M] – SB Raceway | Highland, California

Sam Zian – Dubai Autodrome | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sean Brierly – BRKC | Kent, United Kingdom

Sergio Bravo [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Hermosa Beach, California

Steve Branson – CalSpeed Karting | Los Angeles, California

Steve Jasinski [M] – CalSpeed Karting | Torrance, California

Steve Lattanzi [M] – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

Taylor Hays – CalSpeed Karting | Whittier, California

Tony Rolfson – Octane Raceway | Phoenix, Arizona

Tyler Bryant – CalSpeed Karting | Gardena, California