K1 Speed Santa Clara Junior League Results for March
The best in indoor kart racing for young racers can be found in the bay-area with K1 Speed located in Santa Clara, California. A large number of young drivers were on hand this past Tuesday to fill up the Junior league run group with just a small number of drivers making up the youth division. Qualifying would be quick with the single race format setting up drivers for their main events by their single best lap time and set the fields for each class. In the Junior division (drivers 4′-4’10″) Jovy Levin would take the pole position over the rest of the field, while Tommy McCarthy would take the pole position in the youth league (drivers 4’10″ and bigger).
With the fields set the youth drivers would be out on track first for their main event to start off the evenings racing. With Tommy on pole he would lead the field into turn one at the drop of the green flag on the Formula-1 style standing start Curtis Reitmeir would be on Tommy’s back bumper quickly and would pressure McCarthy for the duration of the race. Both drivers put on a great battle back and forth and a slight wiggle coming out of a corner forced Tommy to lose momentum and allowed Curtis to find his way around. Curtis would hold off Tommy and go on to take the win with Curtis having to settle for second place.
The Junior division would close out the night with a bit large field of drivers on hand. Top qualifier Jovy Levin would get a great jump on the start and take advantage of getting into clean air early, but a couple of mishaps allowed a few drivers to get around him and he was moved back a few positions. Current points leader for the class Famous II Rhodes would make a great run coming from a sixth place starting position and working his way through the field to the front to take the lead. Peyton Sias and Wesley Cole had a great battle back and forth in the second and third place positions for the entire race putting on a great show for the spectators on hand. With the checkered flag coming out drivers made a push for a better position but would close out the night with where they stood. Famous II Rhodes would go on to take the win for the night with Peyton Sias in second and Wesley Cole would round out the top three on the podium.
With a great closing to the second round of the of the Junior/Youth Challenge GP Race league young racers will be looking to the last two races in the series and to make a run on the overall championship points standings. come out to our next race April 3rd and come race in the best indoor kart racing series for young drivers in Nor-Cal with K1 Speed in Santa Clara!
Click here to view the full schedule for the Junior and Youth Challenge GP Race Series
K1 Speed Junior League Round II March 6th
Its that time again as the K1 Speed Junior League Race Series will be heading to round two next week March 6th at multiple K1 Speed locations. The very popular Junior/Youth league is geared towards the younger generation of indoor kart racers and preps them for the next step heading into the world of competitive kart racing. Entry fee is just $40.00 per driver per event and races are ran with the Mini GP style format with a single qualifying race that will place drivers in their starting positions according to their best single lap time. Drivers will be placed by height requirements in either the Junior or Adult karts. This is an all run event and open to all skill levels and experiences, some come out to your favorite K1 Speed location March 6th and see what the Junior/Youth race league is all about!
K1 Speed Santa Clara Challenge GP Results for February 19th
K1 Speed in Northern California is the place to race for indoor karting with the Santa Clara location hosting the second round of their Challenge GP Race Series this past Sunday to a packed house full of capable drivers all going after a podium finish and a shot at the over all points chase for the first half of the 2012 race series. Qualifying remained clean and straight for ward as drivers quickly found the fast line around the race surface. Local Ryan Cougill, would take the over all pole position with a single lap time of 21.661 and would set the pace for the fields to the nights main events as the other drivers fell in just behind Ryan’s lap times.
The C-Main would start off the night, With Luis Alvila leading the field into the first corner from pole, he was quickly passed by Jeremy Latrasse who would quickly put some distance between himself and the rest of the field. The two Jason’s – Jason Herrera and Jason Fong would put on a show for the crowd battling for second and third for the duration of the race, as both were after a podium finish. The checkered flag would come out and Jeremy had a comfortable lead from the rest of the field and would go on to take the win with Jason Herrera taking second and Jason Fong rounding out the top three on the podium.
Next group of drivers out was a mix of new and returning drivers. Resident drivers Elliot Lao and Rex Dwyer had a good back and forth battle for first and second place with Elliot eventually edging out Rex on each lap to maintain the lead from the start. Fifth and sixth place qualifiers Mark Johnson and Shawn Thompson both found there way up front after making a hard run through the field and putting on a great display of driving for those watching. With the checkered flag out on Elliot would go on to take the win having gone wire to wire to take the B-Main, with Rex Dwyer holding in second respectfully. Mark Johnson would round out the top three on the podium and Shawn Thompson hanging on in fourth.
A-Main drivers would close out the night with Ryan Cougill leading the field from pole heading into turn one and he would have a battle on his hands with Ethan Lau and Robert Nieves sticking to his back bumper giving chase and looking for a way around. Fourth place qualifier Rick Kane would stick his knose in the battle as well and make for a great race with the rest of the field quickly in tow. Everyone would stay in their qualifying positions till the last couple of laps when Ryan would unfortunately loose his lead to Robert Nieves who would maintain a quick enough pace to stay out in front. Rick Kane made his way into second with Ryan would stay in third. The checkered flag would come out and Robert would take the win with Rick Cane taking second and Ryan Cougill would round out the top three.
With the dust settled and round two in the books driver are looking to the next race in March which will be the half way point for the first half of the 2012 race season. The overall points chase is going to be battle with a number of the top drivers all capable of a podium finish making for a close race. Come out March 18th and check out the best in indoor kart racing int eh bay area with K1 Speed in Santa Clara!
K1 Pro West GP Series by Patricio Jourdain – Presented by Skip Barber Racing School
K1 Speed, the largest indoor karting company in the United States, is teaming up with Skip Barber and professional racecar driver Patricio Jourdain for a challenging, rewarding, and completely unique racing series. The K1 ProWest GP series will provide amateurs and novices alike an opportunity to reach the next rung on the ladder of their racing careers. Many of the top drivers in the world began their careers in karts before stepping onto advanced driving schools and feeder racing leagues, and the ProWest GP series will provide just such an opportunity for three lucky and worthy participants.
K1 Speed hosts Challenge GP racing leagues at each of its indoor karting centers, located nationwide from California to Florida. These leagues typically consist of six local races run over the course of half a year, with prizes awarded to top drivers at the conclusion of the series. These racing leagues have proven extremely popular; so popular that K1 Speed decided to take the next step. Unlike the Challenge GP series, which is local and exclusive to each track, the ProWest GP series will take place at seven of K1 Speed’s indoor karting centers spanning a greater part of the Western United States, from Northern California to Phoenix, Arizona. Quite simply, the ProWest GP series is far grander in scale than anything ever offered by K1 Speed or any other indoor karting company in the United States!
A racing series that is larger in scale requires more skilled and experienced competitors and a truly grand, “grand” prize.
To reward the winners of the ProWest GP series, K1 Speed has teamed up with Skip Barber, the most reputable and well-respected racing school in the United States. The Top 3 finishers – first, second, and third place – in the ProWest GP series will each receive a three-day Formula racing school at Skip Barber, valued at $4,400! This school is not simply an incredible opportunity to drive open-wheel racecars on the track and enhance one’s skills with professional tutelage – it could have the potential to be a stepping stone to a permanent career in racing. For aspiring racecar drivers, the opportunity speaks for itself. The winners will also receive Nomex racing gloves and boots from K1 Race Gear, a GoPro camera and sunglasses by Gatorz. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 finishers.
To ensure that the level of competition is befitting the quality and stature of the race series, K1 Speed is also teaming up with professional racecar driver Patricio Jourdain. At each of the eight events, Patricio Jourdain will be providing professional feedback so that the competitors can fine-tune their lines, braking points, and throttle inputs to maximize their lap times and defend their position while on track. Drivers will also be asked to pass certain basic criteria. As K1 Speed and Skip Barber are expecting the best of the best to participate – from veteran indoor karters to professional shifter kart racers – drivers are required to be 16 years of age or older, have previous racing experience, or have participated in the Challenge GP or a K1 Speed racing class. Races will be run with K1 Speed’s all-electric indoor karts.
K1 Pro West GP Series Event Details.
While the Challenge GP is run twice yearly and consists of six events, the K1 Speed ProWest GP by Patricio Jourdain will consist of eight events and be run alongside the Formula One season. The first event takes place in April, 2012 at K1 Speed Carlsbad in San Diego County, CA, and the season concludes at K1 Speed Irvine in Orange County, CA in November, 2012. At each event, a 105 percent rule will be in place, similar to that of the 107 percent rule in Formula One. If a driver fails to set a fast lap within 105 percent of the fastest lap during a race, he or she will be unable to continue at that event. However, only a participant’s top 6 events are counted, so if one (or even two) events are missed or a person performs poorly, there is still every chance of earning a season victory.
Each event will consist of four separate track sessions: a 14 lap practice session to aquaint oneself with the track, two 14 lap qualifying sessions, and a 16 lap final race with grid start based on qualifying results. As in Formula One, points will be awarded based on finishing position, and these points (excluding the worst two results) will be tallied up at the end of the season to determine the Top 3.
To register for this event, contact your local K1 Speed indoor karting center or you can secure your seat by registering on-line. Participants will receive exclusive K1 Speed ProWest GP-branded gloves, head sock, and t-shirt, as well as 16 race credits ($320 value) that can be used at any K1 Speed facility. At each of the eight race, lunch will be provided ($80 value). The events will take place at the following K1 Speed karting centers: Carlsbad, Anaheim, Torrance, Santa Clara, Irvine (twice), Ontario, and Phoenix. Racers are responsible for travel and accomodation expenses.
The K1 Speed ProWest GP Series by Patricio Jourdain is unlike any other indoor karting series in America. In association with GoPro Camera, Gatorz Sunglasses, K1 Race Gear, and Skip Barber Racing School, K1 Speed invites karters from across the country to compete to win a three-day Formula driving school and the title of ProWest GP champion!
Detailed information on the event can be downloaded here.
Series Fee Includes:
- Entry to each race event, including lunch!
- 16 Race Credits that may be used at any K1 facility.
- Annual Pro License.
- K1 Pro West GP branded gloves, head sock and t-shirt.
- Grand Prix Format: Practice, Qual 1, Qual 2, Final.
- 14 Lap Practice, 14 Lap Qual 1, 14 Lap Qual 2, 16 Lap Race.
- Prizes will be awarded to the Top 10 points leaders at the end of the series.
Grand Prize:
- A 3-day Formula Racing School at Skip Barber – a $4,400 retail value!
- K1 Race Gear Equipment
- Go Pro Camera
- Gatorz Sunglasses
K1 Speed Santa Clara Challenge GP Sunday February 19th
K1 Speed in Northern California has the best in indoor kart racing with the Challenge GP Race Series coming to the Santa Clara location for the second round of the first half of the 2012 race series. The all new facility hosts a number of talented drivers each week and the Challenge GP Race series gives you the best in kart racing competition all at one facility. The unique concrete surfaced facility is fast with some great technical sections to challenge drivers abilities. Double qualifying format combined with corresponding main event rounds will place drivers according to their best single lap time. Come out this Sunday at 6:30 PM for sign-ups with qualifying beginning at 7:00 PM. Entry fee is just $50 per person. See you there!
Eye On The Bay: K1 Speed
Bay Area road trips are easy to come up with in dry, sunny months, but what about in the rainy chill of winter? Brian and Thuy motor around the bay to uncover cozy locales revolving around food and indoor activities featuring K1 Speed Santa Clara.
Eye On The Bay will be airing Wednesday, February 8th on CBS channel 5 at 7:00pm. Tune in and check it out!
K1 Speed Santa Clara Challenge GP Results January 22nd
K1 Speed in Northern California hosted the first round of its Challenge GP race series this past Sunday with a number of the top indoor kart racers from the Santa Clara area for the debut event. The course design proved to be a fast paced layout with with Nelson Rosa taking the pole position with a 21.924 second single lap time setting the pace for the nights main events.
With the dust settled after some fast qualifying rounds the B-Main would be out on track first to close out the night. Shawn Thompson would start on pole with local karting champion Max Gaxiola and local dirt kart champion Geon MacKenzie sitting just behind him to put on a great show for the spectators. Thompson would take advantage of the clear track early on and maintain his position for the duration of the race. Max would retire early in the race, which let local K1 driver John Fong move into second and Bill Belfield into third. The checkered flag would come out and the drivers would finish with Shawn Thompson taking the win, John Fong would hang onto second and Bill Belfield maintained his position in third to round out the top three.
A-Main drivers would be out on track next with pole setter Nelson Rosa leading the field for the green flag rolling start. There would be a great battle between Nelson and Steve Hoshi, along with Matthew Smith getting into the mix to make things interesting. Nelson would end up putting some distance between himself and Steve but Hoshi would end up having to work to maintain his position in second place with Matthew Smith, Eric Brockway, and Robert Nieves charging hard for the front. Half way through the main Robert would make his move and find himself up into third place with Josh Dunn coming from the back of the field and into fourth. Matthew Smith would end up losing a few positions after getting sideways out of the corner only to hold onto fifth once he got the kart collected, allowing Eric Brockway to take over second. With the checkered flag out It would be Nelson Rosa taking the win with Eric Brockway holding onto second and Robert Nieves closing out the top three in third.
With a great kick off to the inaugural race for the 2012 series for the K1 Speed Santa Clara location it will only grow in popularity from here as drivers all make a run for the podium and a shot at the overall points championship. Come out to our next race on February 19th for round II and see what the Challenge GP race series is all about.
Click here for a full schedule at each participating location
K1 Speed Santa Clara Challenge GP Sunday January 22nd
The Bay Area is the place to race this Sunday with K1 Speed in Santa Clara! The all new facility will be hosting their first race for the Challenge GP Race series of the 2012 race season on the unique concrete surfaced layout, which will be ran IN REVERSE. Drivers will have an all new set of challenges to face with the new course layout, which will put everyone on an even playing field for the start of this series. The all new facility located just outside of San Jose and Silicone Valley will host this race series once a month to drivers looking to compete in the best in indoor kart racing competition.
Sign-ups will begin at 6:30 PM with qualifying starting at 7:00 PM. Double qualifying rounds will place drivers according to their best qualifying lap time for the corresponding main event rounds. Entry fee is just $50 per driver.
Official Ribbon Cutting for K1 Speed Santa Clara
Today marks a monumental stage for K1 Speed Santa Clara. It was the Official Ribbon Cutting as Mayor, Jamie Matthews and staff were present, as well as Steve Van Dorn the CEO & President of Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. They are very excited for the future of K1 Speed Santa Clara and feel it will be a good fit for the County.
Local Radio Station Wild 94.9 Broadcast Live from K1 Speed Santa Clara
K1 Speed in Santa Clara successfully held its Grand Opening over the weekend with local radio station Wild 94.9 broadcasting live from the new Northern California Bay Area location. K1 Speed’s newest state-of-the-art kart racing center in the San Jose, Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley and Palo Alto area, is the first location to offer the brand-new European designed 20hp electric karts, which can reach speeds of 45mph! Santa Clara also features one of the largest indoor racing facilities in the Nor-Cal area with 2 long straight-aways for drivers to reach top speed.
With the center now open, come out and take on the all new K1 Speed kart racing location 7 days a week with karts from both adult and junior sized drivers!
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