Race Preview: CSC 5&6, The TrackAmazingly, the 2008 Colorado Sprint Championship heads into its final double header this weekend as the compact, efficient schedule fits the entire season into just three months. Weather promises to be a major factor as well, with possible showers and temperatures only in the high 60s predicted for both days. The headline Billet Performance Karting 125 Shifter class has been owned by Critical Zone's Ben Schermerhorn (CRG/Maxter) so far, not only winning most of the races but becoming the only human to break the 50 second barrier at IMI. Billet Performance's Marc Elliot (Arrow/TM) has continued to find a little more speed from his new Arrow chassis each time out, and has seen success at Centennial before so a leadership change could be in the works. Class rookie Kody Adcock (CRG/Honda) has also shown great pace. Schermerhorn also leads the Reaction Karting TaG Senior, but in this case through speed and consistency, not domination. Any one of several drivers are likely winners here, as not only Schermerhorn (CRG/Leopard) but Shockwave's Greg Welch (Shockwave/Rotax) and Rocky Mountain Kartworks' Dale Kistler-Collins (GP/Motori) have demonstrated. Reaction Karting's Stars front runner Cody Tracy (First Kart/Leopard) wasn't at IMI, but could be back in the hunt at Centennial. And Centennial's home team Doghouse Racing's entry, David Zippie (Birel/Leopard) returned to form at IMI, and will of course be a favorite at his home track. Sterling Service 125 Spec Shifter has also had a fantastic mix of winners. Scotty Muffler's Jake Snider (CRG) leads the points race with his Grand Junction win and consistent podiums, but Shockwave's Jeff Welch (Shockwave), Kartworks' fast pairing of Jeff Field (GP) and Cory Milne (GP), and Sterling Service's own Jack Bradley (Birel) are all still capable of pulling off a big win. The IMI Motorsports Kid Kart Honda class has been almost an all female show as the girls have dominated the podium, led by Lauren Holleran's perfect win record, which she'll look to maintain at Centennial. Championships are open in most other classes, though several points leaders simply have to start to claim their series titles for '08. Drivers for the large teams will also be trying to help their camps' standing in the hearts of voters for the coveted CSC Team of the Year award. The series points leaders in the other classes are:
Race Report: Colorado Sprint Championships Rounds 3 and 4Friday, July 25, 2008 Schermerhorn Shines! Ben Schermerhorn continued his outstanding 2008 season in the Colorado Sprint Championships by dominating the 125 shifter class both days - and taking a TaG win on Saturday for extra credit. Along the way, he set a new track record for IMI - 49.963 - the only driver ever to break the 50 second barrier. The Billet Performance Karting 125 Shifter Class started off on Saturday with Critical Zone's Schermerhorn (CRG/Maxter) taking P1 with a 50.716, just a few hundredths in front of Billet's own Marc Elliott (Arrow/TM). The two stayed close together at the start of the heat race until Schermerhorn created a gap to claim pole for main. But it was Elliot with the faster launch later in the afternoon, and he lead the field through the first lap until Schermerhorn moved past coming down the hill after the hairpin. Elliot kept even closer this time, keeping Schermerhon's margin of victory to only a few seconds. Kody Adcock (CRG/Honda) With all of Saturday's rubber on the track, and some even hotter temperatures, Schermerhorn started Sunday by smashing the track record in qualifying. This time it was Adcock joining him on the front row. Elliott got an excellent start and slotted into 2nd in the heat, again finishing behind Schermerhorn and just in front of a determined Adcock. The main was much the same, as Schermerhorn and Elliott took over in front ahead of first Snider then Adcock. Adcock made a bid for 2nd just before the half, but another problem - his helmet restricting his breathing (in the 100+ degree heat) - caused him to pull off. Deshon and Billet team mate Mike Petrie (Arrow/TM) then fought over third, with Petrie taking it. In Reaction Karting's TaG Senior class the most notable change from rounds 2 and 3 was the unfortunate absence of most of the Utah-based sponsor's team. Still, the field was highly charged with talent, and Shockwave's Greg Welch (Shockwave/Rotax) opened the weekend by taking qualifying with a 52.812 - a shocking .44 over the rest of the field. But round 1 winner Ben Schermerhorn (CRG/Leopard) got the better start in the heat race, leading about half of it until Pat Rosse (Arrow/Rotax) took over the rest of the way, finishing with Schermerhorn, Welch, and David Zippie (Birel/Leopard) on his bumper. Welch got a much better start in the main, getting out in front early and creating a gap, but by lap 7 he was out. This left Schermerhorn and Zippie in front and they kept the stands well entertained swapping positions, before Schermerhorn settled in for the win. Joey Allen (RBI/Leopard) took a hard-earned 3rd. It was Pat Rosse's turn to impress the competition on Sunday with a pole-winning time of 52.520 - .2 over Welch, and .6 over Schermerhorn. He then proceeded to dominate the heat race, finishing in front of Zippie. But at the start of the main, Rosse's Rotax balked, and Zippie took over the lead until Welch's kart sorted its way to the front. Welch then proceeded to pull away with each lap. Behind, Zippie looked comfortable until Rosse and Schermerhorn bridged up to him creating a 3 way dogfight late in the race. Instigator Rosse lost out when his clutch gave up, and Zippie crossed the line 4 seconds behind Welch for 2nd, and Schermerhorn 3rd. Sterling Service's 125 Spec Shifter had yet another new leader in qualifying on Saturday - Rocky Mountain Kartworks' Cory Milne (GP) with a 51.406. But Scotty Muffler's Jake Snider (CRG) got the better start and took the main ahead of Milne and Shockwave's Jeff Welch (Shockwave). Snider was slow off the line in the main, but Milne wasn't and took over point until lap 7 when Welch moved in front - for good, taking his first CSC win of the year. Snider recovered to take 2nd, and Milne took 3rd just ahead of Doghouse Racing's Jack Bradley (Birel). Welch resumed leadership in Sunday qualifying, just in front of Kartworks' Jeff Field, who was driving AJ Noud's Grand Junction winning chassis. Welch traded the pole in for a heat race win in front of Milne and Snider, then proceeded to take off in the main. Field, who DNF'd in the heat, was making his way back through the pack methodically, and at the ¾ mark was in second and closing on Welch. Contact with a lapper lost Welch several kart lengths, and a lap later Field moved through to take the lead with 2 to go for his first CSC win, followed closely by Welch and Snider. Other Winners for the weekend:
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This time around it's The Track at Centennial's turn to host the series, a twisty and very technical Alan Wilson designed track which provides a much different challenge than the fast, open Grand Junction and IMI facilities.
