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| November 12, 2012 News |
| MG Tires SKUSA SuperNationals XVI - Preview Program - TaG Senior |
eKartingNews.com, the official online media partner of Superkarts! USA, is proud to present the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI Preview Program. Over the coming days leading up to the November 14-18 event, EKN will preview each of the nine categories that will compete for a share of the prize package worth roughly $100,000, and the completion of the 2012 SKUSA Pro Tour.
For complete coverage of the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI presented by MG Tires, visit the Official EKN Event Page
Each and every year at the SKUSA SuperNationals, the TaG Senior category provides some of the best racing fans get a chance to see. The talent level is incredibly deep, and when mixed in with the challenge of a tough temporary circuit, it brings out the best in these drivers. The fences are lined each and every session, and the anticipation of the SuperSunday main event is palpable. It’s a situation where simply making the main is an accomplishment.
This year will be a little different as the field is young and hungry. Only seven drivers have made three or more starts in Las Vegas and the average age of the field in 20 years old. It’s expected that the veterans will emerge, but as witnessed this year on the Pro Tour and in previous SuperNats, anything can happen.
The SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Senior championship will be decided in Las Vegas, with Canadian Remo Ruscitti (Italian Motors - Italkart) one of two drivers in contention for top honors. The championship in TaG Senior is worth almost $6000, as a $3000 check is awarded to the title winner, as is the No, 1 plate, and inclusion in the SKUSA Circle of Champions for 2013, which is worth close to $3000 as SKUSA sponsored all their Pro Tour champions with entry fees, race tires, fuel and oil for next year’s Pro Tour.
Italian Motors’ Ruscitti has been developing himself into one of the top drivers in North America. The 2012 season has been his breakout year, as the 18 year-old is also competing in his debut SKUSA Pro Tour season. The Canadian ran second to fellow title contender Phil DeLaO at the SpringNationals and raced his way to victory in the SummerNationals to remain in the title chase. The plus for Ruscitti heading into the Vegas is his SuperNationals experience, running as part of the winning team in 2010 and racing against the world’s best in KZ2 last year. A podium finish is a must should he have a chance to steal the title away from DeLaO.
Pro Tour Results:
SKUSA SpringNationals #1 - 2nd
SKUSA SpringNationals #2 - 2nd
SKUSA SummerNationals #1 - 1st
SKUSA SummerNationals #2 - 5th
Previous SuperNationals Finish: KZ2 (2011), 6th (2010), DNF (2009)
With Canadian Phillip Orcic, the defending race champion, having moved on to the KZ2 category, as group of 11 racers will be looking to keep the SuperNats TaG Senior winner's trophy 'North of the Border'. In addition to Ruscitti, Michael Valiante (Italian Motors - Italkart) is a driver everyone will be watching.
The only driver to win three straight SuperNationals in a single class - at the first three SuperNationals events in 1997, 1998 and 1999 - Valiante was the top Formula C pilot in those years, and has developed into a solid professional race car driver. With strong results in American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Grand-Am program, he returns to his roots once again after a year off. A fourth, a seventh, and a third in his last three starts in TaG Senior show his consistent performance level and another podium run could be on the horizon.
The duo, however, are not the only one's worth keeping an eye on. Luke Chudleigh (Prime Kartsport - Maranello) and Alejandro Liverant (IPK North America - Praga) are both among the top-20 in the eKartingNews.ca Rotax Senior Driver Rankings, while Scott Hargrove (Italian Motors - Italkart) and Adam Isman (Italian Motors - Italkart) make the journey to Nevada having enjoyed success in the car racing ranks this past year. Add in Marcus Brodie (Team Vemme/Checkered Flag Racing - Vemme), Cory Cacciavillani (CF Racing - Kosmic), Chad Campbell (GP Canada/Innisfil Indy Kartways - GP), Jamie McAllister (Italian Motors - Italkart), and Devon Sandeen (Team Vemme/Checkered Flag Racing - Vemme) to the Canadian contingent, and the red maple leaf flag could be flying high come the conclusion of the TaG senior final.
EKN Selections
 | Canadian Remo Ruscitti is one of two drivers who can leave the SuperNats with the TaG Senior title
(Photo: Todd McCall - otp.ca) |
Rob Howden
In looking over the stacked field of TaG Senior competitors, I can’t help but realize that it’s almost impossible to pick the top-five. Yes, we can go by this year’s results on the Pro Tour and in the other major series, and we can look at past SuperNationals performances. But, really, this line-up is ridiculously stacked. It’s incredible. David and I could pick a top-five and we could still see a totally different quintet of drivers end up there, it’s just that close. Having enjoyed so many different racing series this year, and having following so many different drivers, I’m going to put my No. 1 pick on Danny Formal. This emerging star has become a powerhouse on-track, and in this plastic-lined ‘cage match’, he will not be pushed around. His outright speed is undeniable and he’s shown the ability to win on the national stage. Formal finished second last year, so experience on the Rio parking lot is not an issue. I believe that Formal will grab the reigns early and will be able to hold back the lions. I have Joel Miller taking second over Remo Ruscitti, as Miller’s extensive SuperNationals experience, coupled with his pace at the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, may give him the edge. Italian Motors has always been strong in Las Vegas, and they have a solid team that will provide great data sharing all week. I have Ruscitti in third, but that could easily be Valiante or Nicastro. Sera can never be over-looked, and I just love watching Matt Johnson race. There’s a fire inside him like no other. Johnson runs the same for first as he does for 15th. If the BRK crew can get him dialed in early, he could find himself anywhere in the top-five.
1. Danny Formal
2. Joel Miller
3. Remo Ruscitti
4. David Sera
5. Matt Johnson
David Cole
Like a game of craps, selecting the podium finishers in the TaG Senior category is at the mercy of the dice. With so many of the top drivers from across the continent, and a mix of international stars, there is no telling who we will see crowned as the 2012 SuperNats winner. I’m going with experience, and Joel Miller has it. An engine issue took him out of the hunt last year, and if he qualifies inside the top-five, he’s got it. The Italkarts have always shown well in Vegas, and I see three in the top-five this year. Ruscitti will beat DeLaO on track, but the title will go to the Top Kart driver. Aussie David Sera will be in the hunt once again, and will reach his second straight podium.
1. Joel Miller
2. Remo Ruscitti
3. Andre Nicastro
4. David Sera
5. Michael Valiante
TaG Senior Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | City | State | Country| 61 | James Allen | Kartsport North America | Arrow | Leopard | Mooresville | NC | AUS | | 8j | Tommy Andersen | Kart Star Motorsports | Kosmic | Leopard | Spring Grove | IL | USA | | 30y | Kolby Araki | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Leopard | Clovis | CA | USA | | 206 | Logan Bearden | Mike Doty Racing | Haase | Leopard | Austin | TX | USA | | 22 | Marcus Brodie | Team Vemme / Checkered Flag Racing | Vemme | Leopard | Kelowna | BC | CAN | | 70 | Cory Cacciavillani | CF Racing | Kosmic | Leopard | Leamington | ON | CAN | | 55 | Diego Camodeca | Bordogna Racing Team | TBR | Leopard | Tigre | BA | ARG | | 74 | Chad Campbell | GP Canada / Innisfil Indy Kartways | GP | Rotax | Belwood | ON | CAN | | 313 | Allan Cesarman | | FA Kart | Leopard | Acapulco | Guerrero | MEX | | 145s | Hunter Ceto | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Leopard | Suwanee | GA | USA | | 503 | Gabriel Chaves | Keane Racing | Tony Kart | Leopard | Deerfield Beach | FL | COL | | 00t | Mason Chelootz | Top Kart USA / Grand Products | Top Kart | Leopard | Spring | TX | USA | | 39 | Luke Chudleigh | Prime Kartsport | Maranello | Leopard | Campbellville | ON | CAN | | 60c | Jake Craig | G-Phactory | Kosmic | Leopard | Mission Viejo | CA | USA | | 16e | Mason Daughters | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | Polo | MO | USA | | 77x | Phil DeLaO | Top Kart USA / Grand Products | Top Kart | Leopard | Peoria | AZ | USA | | 15y | Austin Dement | Pitts Performance / Nevada Kartsports | DR | Leopard | Reno | NV | USA | | 2 | Dakota Dickerson | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | San Diego | CA | USA | | 42 | Derek Dignan | | Arrow | Leopard | Rochester Hills | MI | USA | | 78y | Austin Elliott | Top Kart USA / Grand Products | Top Kart | Leopard | Shingle Springs | CA | USA | | 99d | Scott Falcone | KartSport North America | Arrow | Motori 7 | Lone Tree | CO | USA | | 126c | Alejo Fernandez | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Vortex ROK TT | San Bernardino | CA | USA | | 157 | Diego Ferreira | IPK North America | OK1 | Leopard | Uxbridge | ON | VEN | | 128a | Luiz Cordeiro Filho | PSL Karting | CRG | Rotax | Brasilia | DF | BRA | | 137 | Danny Formal | Advanced Karting | Tony Kart | Leopard | Riviera Beach | FL | USA | | 04 | Olin Galli | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Leopard | Fontana | CA | BRA | | 104 | Jorge Goncalvez | IPK North America | OK1 | Leopard | Uxbridge | ON | VEN | | 243 | Alessio Guazzaroni | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Leopard | Bensalem | PA | ITA | | 138r | Scott Hargrove | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Surrey | BC | CAN | | 17j | Zach Hawley | Merlin USA / Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Leopard | Fond Du Lac | WI | USA | | 24m | Kevin Hernandez | ART Grand Prix America | ART GP | Leopard | Temixco | Morelos | MEX | | 76o | Anthony Honeywell | Honeywell Competition | Tony Kart | Leopard | Tulsa | OK | USA | | 03 | Michael Ilavia | PSL Karting | CRG | Vortex ROK TT | Houston | TX | USA | | 32r | Adam Isman | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Vancouver | BC | CAN | | 35j | Joel Jens | Joel Jens Racing / Verde Speed | Tony Kart | Leopard | Manitowoc | WI | USA | | 3 | Matt Johnson | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Vortex ROK TT | Las Vegas | NV | USA | | 81y | AJ Juergens | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Leopard | Galt | CA | USA | | 90c | Matt Kimball | | Top Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Mission Viejo | CA | USA | | 38j | Scott Kopp | Innovative Performance | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Big Bend | WI | USA | | 68j | TJ Koyen | Merlin USA / Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Leopard | Sun Prairie | WI | USA | | 12 | Charles Leclerc | ART Grand Prix America | ART GP | Leopard | Cremona | CR | ITA | | 95b | Bryan Lemon | Formula Tech Service | Kosmic | Leopard | Glendale | AZ | USA | | 55x | Devin Lindsey | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Highland | CA | USA | | 340 | Alejandro Liverant | IPK North America | Praga | Rotax | Maple | ON | CAN | | 10 | Sergio Lopez | Scuderia Bassano Corse / Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Cassola | VI | VEN | | 63x | Travis Lowe | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Leopard | Pasadena | CA | USA | | 131f | Juan Diego Maldonado | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Leopard | Miami Beach | FL | COL | | 25o | Nick Martin | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Overland Park | KS | USA | | 25m | David Martinez | ART Grand Prix America | ART GP | Leopard | Loanalco | Mexico | MEX | | 97r | Jamie McAllister | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Vancouver | BC | CAN | | 57 | Bill McLaughlin | Motorama Kart Parts (MKP) / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Leopard | Moorseville | IN | USA | | 18 | Evan Mehan | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Leopard | Carmel | IN | USA | | 00x | Enzo Mestre | Ryan Perry Motorsports | Formula K | Leopard | San Gabriel | CA | USA | | 14x | Joel Miller | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | Hesperia | CA | USA | | 111x | Johnathan Miller | Nash's Karts | Tony Kart | Leopard | Beaumont | CA | USA | | 113x | Bailey Murphy | AZ Kart Werx | CRG | Leopard | Phoenix | AZ | USA | | 122 | Stepanova Nekeel | | FA Kart | Leopard | Seattle | WA | USA | | 9 | Andre Nicastro | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Sumas | WA | BRA | | 20a | Arthur Oliveira | DeJorge Racing | Maranello | Leopard | Barueri | SP | BRA | | 46 | Dennis Olsen | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Leopard | Seriate | BG | NOR | | 72y | Tazio Ottis | Infinity Kart Services | CRG | Leopard | Berkeley | CA | USA | | 23d | Will Owen | Kartsport North America | Arrow | Leopard | Castle Rock | CO | USA | | 355c | Louie Pagano | Dave's Performance Karting | Birel | Leopard | Camarillo | CA | USA | | 115 | Bruni Palli | IPK North America | OK1 | Leopard | Uxbridge | ON | VEN | | 05 | Gian Franco Pescetto | Grand Paroducts / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Leopard | Bensalem | PA | PAN | | 255y | Jess Peterson | Leading Edge Motorsports | Praga | Leopard | Sparks | NV | USA | | 147y | JR Raczlo | Energy Corse America | Energy | Vortex ROK TT | Rocklin | CA | USA | | 101 | Roger Ralston Jr. | Praga USA / Team MDD | Praga | Rotax | Boca Raton | FL | USA | | 08j | Colton Ramsey | Merlin USA / Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Leopard | Springfield | IL | USA | | 127 | Jesus Rios | | Birel | Rotax | Miami Beach | FL | USA | | 141s | Nick Rivellini | Team WRS | CRG | Leopard | Great Falls | VA | USA | | 150n | Daniel Roeper | Oemetrix / Advanced Arch Grilles | CRG | Leopard | New Hyde Park | NY | USA | | 13 | Vasily Romanov | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Leopard | Seriate | BG | RUS | | 96r | Remo Ruscitti | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Burnaby | BC | CAN | | 5 | Devon Sandeen | Team Vemme / Checkered Flag Racing | Vemme | Leopard | Surrey | BC | CAN | | 262y | Shelby Sander | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Leopard | Cameron Park | CA | USA | | 96 | David Sera | Kartsport North America | Arrow | Leopard | Mooresville | NC | AUS | | 16j | Jamie Sieracki | Merlin USA / Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Leopard | Oconomowoc | WI | USA | | 66d | Brandon Southwick | Unser Racing / G-Phactory | SodiKart | Leopard | Westminster | CO | USA | | 108y | Kiel Spaulding | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | Elk Grove | CA | USA | | 13j | Aaron Telitz | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Birchwood | WI | USA | | 120 | Marco Tulio | Tony Kart USA / Orlando Kart Center | Kosmic | Vortex ROK TT | Orlando | FL | BRA | | 95r | Michael Valiante | Italian Motors | Italkart | Leopard | Vancouver | BC | CAN | | 799y | Josh Veloz | Cambrian Go Karts | Birel | Motori 7 | Campbell | CA | USA | | 44 | Bruno Vermeeren | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Zaventem | VB | BEL | | 7 | Rodrigo Campos Vieira | Advanced Karting | Tony Kart | Leopard | Petropolis | RJ | BRA | | 43x | John Wallace III | Energy Corse SRL / Buddy Rice Karting | Energy | Vortex ROK TT | Duarte | CA | USA | | 16s | Chris Wehrheim | Grand Products / Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Leopard | Atlanta | GA | USA | | 15x | Andrew Wiener | ART Grand Prix America | ART GP | Leopard | Spring Valley | CA | USA | | 555y | Brody Zink | Rolison Performance Group | Kosmic | Leopard | Minden | NV | USA | |
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