Everyone: Below is an update about the Dunlop Tire Question from Brit.
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I talked to Jim Jr. today and he has confirmed that they are out of DDM's and Dunlop is no longer making them. The tire that has taken it's place is the Dunlop DEM. He has assured me that there is no difference in performance so we will add the DEM to the Dunlop list as an approved tire and TAG USA will be adding it shortly. More than likely the DDM will be removed from the list next year like the DCM was this year. So if you still have DDM's better use them up this year.
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Brit Phillips
Director of Operations
BP Motorsports Group
Some questions about tires have come up and Brit wanted to make certain that we clarified some of the questions. His post about the official tire rule is listed below: Note that if you race on the tires listed in Bold it makes you eligible to win a Free set of that brand of tires courtesy of our sponsors: Maxxis, Dunlop, and Bridgestone.
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In light of the problems we have had with drivers running the wrong tires at the Mazda Heartland Sprint Series and since so many of them are also KCKA drivers I wanted to take a minute and post this here in hopes of saving someone the grief of getting DQ'ed. Here are the legal tires which are also posted on our web site-
๏Maxxis HG3(Eligible to win Free set of Maxxis Tires)
๏MG FZ Yellow
๏Dunlop DDM(Eligible to win Free set of Dunlop Tires)
๏Mojo D2 (Rotax only)
๏Bridgestone YKB/YLB (Eligible to win Free set of Bridgestone Tires)
๏Bridgestone YKC/YLC (Yamaha only) (Eligible to win Free set of Bridgestone Tires)
You must run the compound listed next to the tire and all 4 tires must be the same brand and compound. Just because the brand on the side of the tire is right doesn't mean the compound is right. You must check the compound to make sure it matches what is on the list. I hope this helps clear this matter up. Thanks.
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Brit Phillips
Director of Operations
BP Motorsports Group
"It's the bottom of the 9th, the score is tied, it's time for the big one!" Ok it's not really the bottom of the 9th, that's the wrong sport, and the score is close but it's not really tied, but who could resist a good Top Gun quote!
It might not be "Top Gun" however, it is much like that iconic battle between "Iceman" and "Maverick" in our Tag between Luke Waller and Kaylee Granberg in the Tag Senior battle. Luke currently holds a 70 point lead over Kaylee Granberg and the Tag Senior Champion gets the chance to go to Palmetto, Florida in November for the first ever Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine. Unless something really bizarre happens it looks like it will be either Luke Waller or Kaylee Granberg who will make that trip to battle against the best of the best in a USF2000 Car. Put the game face on because the Champion will be also be evaluated by some of the best from the IZOD IndyCar Series. No pressure there huh!
"The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" was the very first regional karting partner selected for the Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine with the IZOD IndyCar Series and thanks to our title sponsor "MAZDA" our Tag Senior Champion will be headed to Florida with some serious prize money in hand. The IZOD IndyCar Series is also sending the winner of "The Mazda Summer Cash Dash" in the Tag Senior Class to the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship race in Las Vegas in October with $500.00 in cash and the chance to meet the winning driver in Victory Circle. That battle appears to be between Aaron Telitz and Jim Russell Jr., who is only 20 points behind. Who will get the trip to Vegas? The race in September will be the determining factor.
It's been a full season of excitement and the champions are about to get crowned at the end of next month. One of the closest point battles is in the Clone Class! John Pennington scored a win in August and will take his five point lead, over Ted Hite, into the final race of the season in September. It was a back and forth race between all three drivers in August! Andrew Pennington had an impressive race but a late spin in the final lap brought him home 3rd which is where he sits in the championship points battle as well.
The Kid Kart class has proven to be quite exciting this season with new an old faces alike. The dominant force is still last years champion, Luke Howard, but the other drivers are catching up quickly and challenging him at every turn. We've had three different winners in five races this season. Luke currently sits in the top spot but is feeling the pressure from Tyler Hagan, only 93 points behind. Zach Granberg has been on fire lately, almost literally, as he blew his motor in the Pre-final but thanks to some spare parts from Luke Howard, and Dad turning the wrenches, he was back out there again for the final. Jayden Parker and Henry Williams have been fast this season as well. Both drivers showed extreme sportsmanship when their wheels touched out on the track sending Henry air-born. As soon as the karts came to a rest the drivers ran over to check on each other. "Great Job fellas! That showed true sportsmanship and you should be proud of yourselves for looking out for your fellow drivers." Also welcome to Gaige Lafland who made his debut in race number 5 of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series". Looking forward to seeing you again next month Gaige! Remember one lucky driver will get a free Bike from Bike Stop in Blue Springs at the year end Awards Banquet. Good luck to all the drivers and a big thanks to Bike Stop!
When it comes to the S2 Shifter Class Chris Thomasson has it pretty much locked up as he scored yet another win in August but Dennis "The Weatherman" Brandon and Mike Parker were keeping the pressure on in August. They're making Chris work for the Championship.
The Tag Cadet class has been exciting this year or should we call it "The Winslow - Bolz Show". Jacob has been the dominant driver in the class this season racking up 4 out of 5 wins thus far but Caden Bolz has been no slouch as has scored the other victory and only sits 75 points out of the top spot. These two drivers are closely matched and their times are neck and neck. Look for Jacob and Caden to turn in yet another exciting performance in September.
Boom! Went the motor of the Tag Masters point leader Angie Hannah at practice on Saturday. Something which could have easily erased her point lead. However, in a yet another display of great sportsmanship, Chris Koster, her nearest competition, offered up his spare motor so Angie could race. After she and Dave turned some serious wrenches Angie was back out on the track on Sunday. Chris Koster, from Arkansas, took the win in Sunday's race but it was a great battle out on the track. Angie came home in the 2nd place position and now holds a 175 point lead going into the final race of the season. Carl Hayward rounded out the podium by coming home in 3rd place.
The Yamaha Super Can class saw Jamie Yount and David Gharst battle it out on the track with Jamie Yount coming away with her first victory of the season. Jamie now holds an 85 point lead as we enter in the final race of the season in September.
209 points separate your top 4 drivers in the Tag Jr. Class with Cole "Monster" Hannah sitting in the top spot with one race left to go. Cole currently holds a 95 point lead over Wyatt Maness. Wyatt, who had a very successful weekend, picked up the bonus points for the fastest qualifying time, the win in the pre-final and the top podium spot in the final race as well. Kyle Potts of St. Louis sits in 3rd place with Shelby Winslow only 79 points off a podium finish for the season. Charlie Williams rounds out the top 5 in the Tag Junior Class of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" presented by Russell Karting Specialties.
The Tag Senior Class has Luke Waller currently in the top spot, just 70 points ahead of Kaylee Granberg. Alex Nowysz sits in position number 3 with Jim Russell Jr. threatening to finish the season on the podium only 50 points behind. This weekends big winner was Aaron Telitz scoring the fastest time in qualifying, winning the pre-final and the final in round number 5 of "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series". Luke Waller took 2nd this weekend with Jim Russell Jr. taking 3rd and Kaylee Granberg finishing in the 4th position.
One race to go in "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" presented by Russell Karting Specialties. Who will win the championships? Who's going to Florida, Who's going to Vegas, who will win the Mazda Summer Cash Dash. It will all come down to the weekend of September 24 - 25 in Kansas City with BP Motorsports Group at the Precision Driving Center. Get your karts ready and we'll see you there....
The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series took to the track for Race #4 this weekend, the first in the three race "Mazda Summer Cash Dash". Drivers braved some scorching temps on Sunday as it was 101 Degrees in the shade according to the Thermometer in the back of the Hannah's race trailer. The heat Index was 115 Degrees, the temperature on the concrete was 124 Degrees and the temperature on the asphalt was an astonishing 139 Degrees. It was more than just hot this weekend it was brutal out there.
Drivers in Tech area after their races. Track temp was 139 degrees for Race #4
KMBC 9 News reporter, Marcus Moore, stopped by and did a live report for their 5:00pm Newscast as Team Parolin took to the track to show just what those karts could do.
It was a tremendous day of racing and a thanks to all of you who showed up to race in the extreme temperatures. By the time we were ready for "The Awards Ceremony" we noticed that many drivers had already opted to get out of the extreme conditions and the News Media had just arrived, so rather than hold an official awards ceremony with so many drivers missing we felt it would be a good idea to recognize those drivers at the start of of Race #5 in August. We'll also draw for the tire winners at the start of that race as well. With so few people left at the track at 4:00pm it wouldn't have been much of a ceremony so we'll be sure to recognize those drivers at the race in August.
It was a very exciting day of racing and things kicked off early with a battle between Chris Koster and Angie Hannah in the Tag Masters class with Chris Koster taking the win in Race #4.
The second race of the day saw the Tag 60 class take to the track and Jacob Winslow not only extended his points lead, by picking up the victory, but he got an early jump on the $250.00 "Mazda Summer Cash Dash" bonus as well. Caden Boltz and Will Burke rounded out the top three.
There were some new Kid Karters at the race this weekend as a field of five drivers battled with each other during the day. Last years champion, Luke Howard, is trying to extend his lead in the second half of the season as he picks up yet another win. Tyler Hagan came in second with Braydon Cromwell, Zach Granberg, and Jaden Parker rounding out the top five.
Chris Thomasson continues his dominance in the Shifter class picking up another win and extending his points lead over Mike Parker, Dennis Brandon, and Joe Carlson who finished in that order on the day.
The Tag Jr. class continues to be very competitive. This class also has a $250.00 cash bonus in "The Mazda Summer Cash Dash" and Cole "Monster" Hannah took the win with Kyle Potts right behind him in second place. Shelby Winslow, James Russell, and Morgan Charleston rounded out the top five.
The Clone Class continues to be a tight battle on the track and John Pennington picked up the win on Sunday with Ted Hight and Bryan Carter rounding out the top three spots.
The final race of the day was the Tag Senior Class and it was a tremendous battle on the track! The driver that wins the Championship will be headed to the first ever "Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine" and the driver that wins the "Mazda Summer Cash Dash" will he headed to the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship race in Las Vegas. There were ten karts on the track for qualifying so that meant a 50% payout was available and would be split by the top three drivers.
Tag Senior Karts line up for Tech Inspection after racing in 100+ degree temps.
Jim Russell Jr continued to show why he's an 8 time national champion as he picked up the win in Race #4. Aaron Teltz finished in 2nd place with Luke Waller finishing in 3rd place. Current points leader Alex Nowyse looked strong again in qualifying but got shuffled out at the start of the prefinal as he made a move for the lead. Alex was unable to get back on the track for the prefinal and suffered a mechanical during the final. This will certainly put the championship back up for grabs in the Tag Senior division.
The next race for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" presented by Russell Karting Specialties will be August 13th and 14th. It's race #5 in our six race Series and points battles are getting tight. Good luck to everyone and we'll see you in August....
