CKI Sponsors Ten Drivers from Round 1 of WSK North American Series

In yet another unprecedented move to support Karting at all levels, Championship Karting International this week honored ten drivers with free entry into the series of their choice, as a result of their participation in the WSK North American Series by CKI, Round 1 at New Castle. The first-of-its-kind program offered drivers participating with CKI for the first time, the opportunity to receive free entry in their regular series once they travel back home. The ten drivers that scored the most points of the first-time entrants received the sponsorship.

“This is an exciting program and yet another creative way CKI can contribute back to Karting, keeping drivers in the sport.” States Series Director, Kevin Williams. “One of CKI’s goals has always been to give back to Karters whether through promotion, competition, or support, and this program continues that theme. We are thrilled to support these drivers.”

“This program helps our race team build a stronger base of drivers at the first level of Karting, while introducing them to the CKI National level of races once they are ready.” Stated Checkered Motorsports PCR Team Chief, Csaba Bujdoso.

“In these tough economic times,” Dave Davies of SSC East added, “this program provides the opportunity for more drivers to participate not just on a National level but on a local and regional level as well.”

Drivers poured in from all across the United States to participate in this unique program, which was supported by Teams across the country. Here is how the ten recipients fared during the weekend.

Blaine Rocha Blaine Rocha topped the points of first-time entrants throughout Round 1 of the WSK North American Series by CKI through his participation in both the Comer Cadet and Mini Max Categories. Blaine, a part of the Kartel Motorsports squad from Northern California, drove his Wildkart to an Event Podium 2nd place in Comer Cadet, while scoring sixth in weekend results in Mini Max. Already the Reigning Champion in the Gatorz Challenge, the Oakdale, California resident, with only 3-years of racing under his belt, will apply his CKI-Sponsored entries for the balance of 2010 in the IKF Region 11 Program, where he participates in Sportsman and KPV Categories. Blaine thanks his sponsors David’s Racing Products, Magnum Racing Engines, Kartel Motorsports, and of course, Mom and Dad, and now CKI, for providing him the support for his successful Karting program.

Andrew Palmer Second on the weekend of first-time entrants, Andrew Palmer participated launched his CKI weekend aboard his Kosmic in the KF3 Category, and was fast from the start. The Chicago native, participating under the J3 Competition Tent, battled for top honors all weekend. Andrew’s second place finish in Sunday’s final behind team-mate and points leader, Alessandra Madrigal parlayed his efforts into a third place points position in KF3 for the Event. Although Andrew is still putting his program together for the 2010 season, CKI will contribute entries into the program of his choice. Knowing he already has free entries in his corner, Andrew will continue his success very soon.

Sting Ray Robb Boise, Idaho resident Sting Ray Robb, just graduating from Kid Karts brought his Wildkart home in third in the First-Time Entrant rankings. Another Kartel Motorsports team-member, Sting Ray was another driver to double-up on the weekend, participating in both Comer Cadet and Mini Max. Sting Ray honed his skills at the Snake River Karters Club for the past four-years, and now runs with the IKF Region 6 program, where he scored his first major win at Pat’s Acres in Oregon. He will now continue his program in the IKF Region 6 Series with thanks to CKI, and his sponsors, Kartel Motorsports, and Red Apple Marketplace.

Arrow Kart Tag Senior Driver, Colton Aldridge, a regular at New Castle Motorsports Park, regularly competes in the highly popular Great Lakes Pro Series, which supports shifter and TaG Karting. Coming off a second place in 2009 Great Lakes Points in TaG Senior, Colton took his program a level higher with his participation in the weekend’s CKI Event. Against some of the toughest drivers in the country, Colton responded with a respectable tie for seventh in CKI points with Conor Daly. Colton will continue his efforts in the Great Lakes Pro Series, with the support of CKI’s Sponsorship.

Cadet Driver Camden Donaldson, from Camby, Indiana, rounds the top-5 in the race for support of the first-time CKI Entrants. Aboard his Birel, prepared by the MKP Motorsports Squad, Camden has been in Karting 5-years and is the youngest Class Champion in the Indy Karting Series. Bringing his success to desire to win to the WSK North American Series by CKI, Camden entered the Comer Cadet Category, scoring a seventh for the Round 1 weekend at his home track. Camden will apply his CKI Support to the Indy Karting Series to further his involvement at the local level.

Another New Castle local, independent driver Karl Weber brought his Birel to do battle with the National ranks of Leopard Junior Drivers, bringing home a sixth in Championship Points for the weekend and sixth in First-Time Entrants rankings. Karl has honed his skills in the KRA Progam at New Castle as well as the WKA Manufacturers Cup. From his efforts of the weekend, Karl will apply his CKI Support Dollars to the KRA at New Castle Series.

A regular to the WKA Manufacturers Cup, Kyle Smith, aboard his Checkered Motorsports-prepared PCR joined the National Ranks in KF3 Competition for the first time at the WSK North American Series. Kyle scored a respectable seventh for the weekend in KF3 Competition, in a points tie with 2009 CKI National Points top-10 driver Evan Komar. Hailing from State College, PA, Kyle will put his CKI Support Dollars to good use in the WKA Manufacturers Cup, as he continues his participation in National Karting.

Franklin Motorsports Driver, Andrew Hobbs brought his Merlin Kart to New Castle to do battle with the Nation’s Best TaG Senior Pilots. Traveling from Bayside, WI, Andrew scored 30-points in TaG Senior to rank him 9th in Championship Points, which was good enough to place him in the top-ten of CKI first time entrants and CKI support for entry into the WKA Manufacturers Cup for the balance of 2010.

Also aboard a PCR for Checkered Motorsports, Cadet Driver John Paul Southern is no stranger to National Karting. The Driver from Westlake, OH, will be traveling to the WKA Manufacturers Cup in 2010, where he participates regularly. His participation in CKI’s WSK North American Series for the first time, and his place among the first time entrants. John Paul will apply his CKI Sponsorship to the WKA Manufacturers Cup for 2010.

Another National Karting Regular, TJ Koyen, in his second year as a Senior Driver, came to CKI Competition in TaG Senior this weekend. Aboard his Merlin for Franklin Motorsports, TJ came home tenth in Championship Points in the Category, and tenth among the first-time entrants to earn the CKI Sponsorship. A regular of the WKA Manufacturers Cup, hailing from Sun Prairie, WI, TJ will further his Karting Career by applying his CKI Sponsorship to the WKA Manufacturers Cup TaG Senior Program.

In all, CKI’s First-Time Entrant Program will distribute over $5,000 back into the Karting Communities on behalf of these ten Drivers, who now have entries paid by CKI for one class each for the balance of 2010, as a part of the total prize package CKI is offering this season worth over a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Cash and Prizes.

Round 2 of the WSK North American Series by CKI will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, May 14-16, 2010. For Entry and Information, visit http://www.ChampionshipKartRacing.com