World Super Kart Challenge Preview at Laguna Seca Raceway

Sept 19-22 2002

Held the same weekend as the SKUSA World Finals, this will definitely be an huge event with worldwide participation.  Over 65 entrants in both 250cc classes are coming and include entries from the US, Australia, Canada and England. 

Race formats will be qualifying on Friday, a 20 minute Heat race on Saturday, and a 30 minute main on Sunday.  The two classes will run at the same time, but be split into two grids with Formula E in front.  They use a rolling start rather then a standing start due to the massive power to weight ratio.

The World Super Kart Challenge is being coupled with the World Sports Car and Porsche Cup events, and will be taped by Speed Channel.  No dates on broadcast have been set, but we will post them if they become available.  We may have some on-board video in the coming weeks from this race.

These "Winged-Wonders" are somewhere between a Kart and Formula Atlantic - huge power to weight and speed, aerodynamics, with short wheelbase compared to a Formula Car.  They feature rack & pinion steering, 6" wheels, aerodynamic bodywork, rear wings, and some even have roll bars and harnesses.

Formula E Class

These are 250cc twin cylinder motors up to 100 HP to propel these under 500 lb machines to speeds of over 140mph at Laguna Seca.  Very popular in Europe, they are just beginning to penetrate the US scene over the last year.

Over 30 entries will be there including Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson, former top Motorcycle GP racers.  Other notable US racers include Paul Tartaglia, Robert Macmillian, Don Bootes, Cory Fancy, Johnny West, and Alan Rudolph.  Alan is hoping to pull double duty by racing in Norman Oklahoma to defend his Eastern Division title, and then fly out to Laguna Seca "just-in-time to make the Formula E grid.

Notable International entries include Riley Will of Canada, Martin Hines from England, and Brian Stockman from Australia.

Martin Hines is the favored choice among the Europeans, Riley Will among the Canadians, Brian Stockman among the Aussie's, but the choice among Americans is still wide open.

InterContinental E (ICE) Class

These are the 250cc single cylinder power plants along with a handful of 4 stroke motors up to 450cc in displacement.  Using the same basic chassis, they differ only in motor rules.

This class is more popular in the US and is less expensive to operate.  These motors produce between 60-80 HP and often require little modification beyond a well designed pipe.  They should be capable of speeds of well over 130mph at Laguna Seca.  This class has grown very quickly in the Mid-West, California, and Texas.

One of the more notable entries is Ted Tackett driving a Swift Chassis powered by a Cannondale 440cc 4 stroke motor.  Having a wider torque band then a 2-stroke, the Cannondale features a 5 speed gearbox, fuel injection, and an 11,000 RPM rev limit.  Other 4 strokes include 400cc motors from Suzuki and Yamaha.  250cc 2-stroke power will be provided by Rotax, Yamaha, and Honda.