Indy 500 & Hot Wheels!

Have you seen what IZOD IndyCar Series sponsor "Hot Wheels" is going to do at the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 this May?  They're going to attempt a world record jump and the track they'll be attempting this jump on looks much like the old orange track that we all use to play with when we were kids.

Remember way back when you use to affix the trademark "Hot Wheels" track to the back of your bedroom door and race the cars the track to see how far they could jump.  You jump them over your little sister's goofy Barbie Dolls or her little tea sets or something.  We'll now imagine that exact same thing in real life, with a real driver, a real track, and a real jump!  It's called "Fearless at the 500" and "Hot Wheels" is going for a World Record... 

This is certainly something worth watching.  Check out the promo video they have about the event below.

You can read even more about this world record attempt from "Hot Wheels" at IndyCar.com via this link: Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500!

BP Joins 2011 Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup

This years 2011 Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup set for May 13 - 15 at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana will have a familiar face to many of those who race in "The Heartland Sprint Series".  Brit Phillips, the Director of Operations and the "BP" in BP Motorsports Group, will serve as the official Race Director for the 2011 Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup.  

 Brit Phillips has been around the sport of Karting for over two decades and it was he who started BP Motorsports Group over four years ago.  Brit currently serves as the Director of Operations for BP Motorsports Group, the promoter of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties".  When asked about this opportunity Brit had this to say, "Well, to tell you the truth it's really a tremendous honor to be asked to be part of this event.  I've known Jim Russell Jr. for many years now and he's tremendously well respected in the sport of Karting.  Having the opportunity to partner with him for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" has been very rewarding and now having the chance to work with him for the Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup is very exciting.  It's something I'm really looking forward to.

You can find more specific information about the 2011 Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup at the link below

2011 Jim Russell Memorial IAME Championship Cup

Kid Karters Meet Your New Sponsor!

Hey Kid Kart Racers...   I thought it might be kind of cool for you to meet your new sponsor.  You've seen him at the races before and he won the first Clone Class race of the season.  John Pennington is the owner of Bike Stop in Blue Springs and below is his photo and some information about Bike Stop in Blue Springs.  Remember one of you will win a brand new kids bike at the end of the season from Bike Stop.  You'll get your name entered in the drawing for every race and if you race all six races of "The Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karing Specialties" you'll get three (3) additional entries.

John and Bike Stop in Blue Springs also support local BMX racing and there was a great article in The Examiner last week written by Jeff Martin and you can read it here, just click on this link:   Bike Stop Story

If you haven't met John Pennington yet he's a great guy and all of us at BP Motorsports Group are thrilled to welcome Bike Stop in Blue Springs on board as the official sponsor of the Kid Kart Class for 2011.  We'll make sure we introduce all you Kid Kart Racers to him at our next race on May 21 - 22.  Good luck to everyone and get those karts ready!

Chris Hagan

Director of Sales & Marketing

BP Motorsports Group

www.bpmotorsportsgroup.com

Mazda Heartland Sprint Series gets in First Round

 

Mazda Heartland Sprint Series gets in First Round

            Despite a foreboding forecast early in the week, the weather was perfect for the first round of the Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties.  The first round took place April 9-10 at the series home, the Precision Driving Center, in Independence, Mo.

            There was a lot of excitement surrounding the opening of the 2011 season.  BP Motorsports Group, the promoter of the series, has been working hard during the off-season to make the things better for the racer.  New partners like Mazda, and the IZOD Indycar Series through the Mazda Road to Indy program have increased the stakes for each racer.

            As part of the Road to Indy program, the MHSSR TaG Sr. champion will head down to Florida to take part in the Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine.  Aside from that, TaG Sr. competitors are also fighting for a $4,000 purse that will be split up between the top three in the class at the end of the year.

            Jim Russell Jr. stuck first blood in the TaG Sr. class leading the way from flag-to-flag.  Broc Yocom drove hard, and came in second behind Russell.  Luke Waller rounded out the top three.  With everything at stake in the TaG Sr. class, it is no wonder that the class was one of the largest all weekend.  As the season progresses, the number of racers in this class is expected to grow.

            In the TaG 60 class, series veteran Jacob Winslow was able to bring home the win.  He beat second place finisher Caden Bolz to the line by a mere .232 of a second.  Michael Quigley captured the last step on the podium.  James Yates and Garret Daughters rounded out the field.  Every point will matter this year as these drivers look to get their part of the $500 purse to be divided among the top three point earners.

           

            TaG Jr. is another of the ultra-competitive classes in the series.  With a $500 prize to be divided among the top three, these drivers have incentive to drive fast and make each session count.  Wyatt Manness certainly made his day count, beating out Cole Hannah and Troy Walsh for the win.  Charlie Williams and Kyle Potts completed the top-5.

            The S2 class is the last money class with $750 up for grabs amongst the top 3 finishers.  Chris Thomasson took the victory with Dennis Brandon and Joe Carlson taking the last two podium positions.  Lee Szydlosk also took home some hardware as the sole G1 on track.

The Clone class saw another very close race, as John Pennington was the first to the stripe, with Brian Carter and Andrew Pennington close behind.  During the final, positions were being swapped at just about every corner.  Russell Karting has put an entire clone package, including an engine and new chassis, up for a season end raffle.  Each participant in the class will have the opportunity to have their name drawn to win the new package.

In the TaG Masters class Mike Knefel took the checkers by taking advantage of some bad luck on the part of his competition.  Angela Hannah broke a chain heading to take the white flag, after she had built up more than a one-lap lead over Knefel.

Faith Yates dominated the Kid Kart class leading all twelve laps, finishing 17 seconds ahead of second place Henry Williams.  Luke Howard, Dakota Earls, Zach Granberg and Tyler Hagan rounded out the field in that order.

There is still plenty of racing left in the season.  Those drivers who had difficulties in the first race still have plenty of time to make up the gap.  Come out and enjoy the great hospitality and excellent racing offered by the Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties.

Driver's View of The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series!

Ok so you've been thinking of racing in "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" and you're wondering what's it like?  Well, let me see if we can answer that question for you...  How about if we put you right in the Driver's Seat, so to speak. 

Get ready because we're gonna put you in the seat with Richy Yates as he chases Cole "Monster" Hannah around the track in the Tag Jr. class.  This video is from our June race last season but it's a great video representation of racing in "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series". Come join us for some of the best Kart Racing in the Heartland!

"The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties"

KID KARTS GET A NEW SPONSOR!!!!

Nope it's not "Hot Wheels" and it's not "Pokemon" its even better!!!

BIKE STOP in Blue Springs will sponsor the Kid Kart Class in 2011!!!  

BP Motorsports Group is proud to welcome Bike Stop on board this season!  The folks at Bike Stop were at the first race of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" and they witnessed the Kid Kart racers working hard out on the track.  Then after the race, when the helmets came off, they were all running around playing with each other and having a wonderful time!  They were fierce competitors on the track but they were all buddies off the track and that was really cool to see!


John from Bike Stop wants to reward that competitive spirit and true sportsmanship by sponsoring the Kid Kart class.  Bike Stop is putting a brand new Kids bike on the line as a reward for a great season of racing.  Every Kid Kart racers is eligible to win and if you race all six (6) races you'll have an additional three (3) entries put into the drawing at the end of the season.  

Everyone at Bike Stop in Blue Springs wishes all the Kid Kart racers and teams the best of luck this season and they said they're excited to sponsor the class.  One of the coolest things to watch was at the start of each race these young drivers and their parents all walked to each others karts and gave the kids and parents a high five and said good luck.  That kind of sportsmanship deserves recognition.  BP Motorspots Group is very proud to welcome Bike Stop in Blue Springs as the official sponsor of the Kid Kart Class for 2011.

You can find Bike Stop in Blue Springs online by clicking here:  Bike Stop 
Or give them a call at: 816-224-8588.  


Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group
www.bpmotorsportsgroup.com

Race #1 Mazda CX7

The first race of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties" is now in the books and what a fantastic event!  We had perfect weather for the races and it was geat to see drivers in from other states such as Oklahoma and Iowa. 

The Tag Senior race was certainly fun to watch as several drivers took to the track in an attempt to get the early jump on the Championship and thus their shot at a USF2000 ride in "The Mazda Road To Indy Scouting Combine".  It looks like Jim Russell Jr. is going to be hard to beat this season but several other drivers were putting some pressure on him. 

All of us at BP Motorsports Group are excited about the series and glad you've chosen to come race with us.  Thanks to John Pennington for the really nice post he put up on EKN for us late last night too.  

------------------------------

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:09 pm    Post subject: THANKS Mazda Heartland Sprint Series !!
After a hectic 65 hour work week there was no better way to unwind than the opening race for the Mazda Heartland Sprint Series put on by the BP Motorsports Group.
This is a great series being organized by super nice people. My family and I appreciate the opportunity to run with such a quality series.
Keep up the good work!!

-------------------------------

Thanks John!!  Congratulations on your win in the Clone Class by the way.  How about that, a 65 hour work week and he still comes out and gets a win on Sunday in the Clone Class...

The next race for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series presented by Russell Karting Specialties" is The Mazda 2 Race on May 21st and May 22nd.  There will be a new track layout and the winner of the Tag Senior race has the chance to pick up an additional $1,000.00 if they can win The Mazda Speed 3 race and the Mazda 6 race. 

Good luck to everyone and we'll see you at the track in May!

Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group
www.bpmotorsportsgroup.com

NOTE: GATES OPEN ON SUNDAY 4-10 AT 7:00AM

ATTENTION RACERS

GATES OPEN SUNDAY 4-10

 ---- >  7:00AM  <-----

THE WEATHER LOOKS PERFECT...
TIME TO RACE!

ZOOM, ZOOM!!!

The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series Starts This Weekend!!!!

Winter is over, Let's RACE!!!!!

The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series Presented by Russell Karting Specialties

BP Motorsports Group, the promoter of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series", is proud that Russell Karting Specialties will be presenting this years races. Russell Karting Specialties is tremendously well respected in the world of Karting and their wealth of knowledge and expertise is unmatched in the industry. Their addition to "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" is a tremendous benefit to the racer and all of us at BP Motorsports Group are excited to have the opportunity to work with Jim Russell Jr. and his entire staff.

Russell Karting Specialties is bringing an exceptional brand name with them as part of their increased level of sponsorship, Dunlop Racing Tires!

Russell Karting Specialties will offer a contingency program with Dunlop Tires and give all racers a chance to win one (1) FREE set of Dunlop Tires at each race this season. You must have the Dunlop sticker on your kart in the specified locations and you must be racing on Dunlop Tires to qualify for the drawing at the end of the days events.

Russell Karting Specialties will also be sponsoring the Clone Class this season and one Clone Class driver will win a brand new Clone chassis and a brand new Clone motor at the year end banquet. All Clone Class drivers are eligible to win and if you race all six races of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" you'll receive three (3) bonus entries into the drawing for the brand new Clone chassis and Clone motor.

BP Motorsports Group is looking forward to a fantastic season and the first green flag drops this coming weekend for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series Presented by Russell Karting Specialties". Good luck to all the drivers and we'll see you at the track this coming weekend.

Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group
www.bpmotorsportsgroup.com

New Sponsor Announcement Coming!!!!

BP Motorsports Group is working on putting the final touches on a new sponsorship package for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series".  It's a really big deal and we're all very excited to be working with these two big names in Karting!  We'll give you all the details tomorrow about this tremendously exciting new sponsorship program....  

Get those karts ready everyone because the first green flag drops this weekend, and tomorrow we'll introduce you to two very big names in Karting as they both jump on board to support "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" and you, the racer!

Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group

Perfect Day For Practice!

It's almost time to race, and today the pits were full of people who brought their karts out to get some seat time before the first "Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" race next weekend.

All of us with BP Motorsports Group wanted to say "Thank You" to all of you who responded and showed up to come practice today!  We're so glad it worked out and we were able to offer a practice session prior to the official start of the season so we wanted to take a quick moment to say, "Thank You"....

Today during practice we even had some drivers come in from Delmar, Iowa to check out the facility.  From what I was told there were very impressed and looking forward to the possibility of racing with us this season.  Thanks for making the drive you guys and you're more than welcome to come join us, we'd love to see you come back and race with us.

Get the karts ready everyone!  The first green flag drops next week!!!!!

Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group

Top Gun of Karting Begins, NOW!

IndyCar Sets Field for First Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine
The field of Regional Qualifier Series has been set and "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" is leading the pack!  Now, with five other series added, the question becomes....  

Who will be "Maverick & Goose"???   


Click link below for the full story..... 

MAZDA Scouting Combine Regional Qualifier Series 

Practice starts tomorrow.....  "No points for second place."  "The plaque for the alternates is in the ladies room."   Ok that's the end of the shameless "Top Gun" movie quotes.  Plus last years Tag Senior Winner was Kaylee!!!  Perhaps the plaque for the alternates will be in the "Men's Room" again this year....   

Good luck everyone!!!!!


Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group

The First Green Flag Drops Next Week!!!!

Hey Everyone....  Well believe it or not it's almost here!  Race Season is about to begin.  We're holding practice this weekend for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" and then next weekend, April 9th & 10th, the first green flag drops on the 2011 season.  Are you ready???  If not get out to the track tomorrow, April 2nd, and come join us for practice.

Here's what racing at the PDC looks like from the point of view of the driver.  Thanks to the folks from Jack 93 Racing for this great helmet cam video of the Shifter Race with "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series".   

>> Note <<  If you're viewing this from the web page you won't be able to see the video.  You'll actually have to go to the blog to see the video.  Follow this link:  The Race Blog

It's time to race everyone....  Get the karts warmed up and come join us for Practice at the PDC this Saturday April 2nd.   Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Chris Hagan
Director of Sales & Marketing
BP Motorsports Group
www.bpmotorsportsgroup.com