SKUSA SuperNationals XVI - Sunday Report
Published on 19 November 2012 by Niels Hendrix
Only one day of the year is like today - SuperSunday at the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals presented by MG Tires. The atmosphere and excitement outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino was electric, as nine categories culminated a week's worth of work around the temporary circuit, all to etch their name in the karting history books and earn a piece of the nearly $100,000 prize purse, all while crowning the 2012 SKUSA Pro Tour champions.
Concluding the 16th running of the world-renowned SKUSA SuperNationals was the headline KZ2 class, with a $10,000 winner's prize up for grabs. Thanks an impressive run in qualifying and the three Heat races, Max Verstappen (CRG) was the polesitter for the 25-lap feature race, with Patrik Hajek (Praga) alongside on the front-row. When the lights went green, it was Hajek who got the hole shot, edging out front ahead of Verstappen, Marco Ardigo (Tony Kart), Jorrit Pex (CRG), and Bas Lammers (Praga). On the opening lap, any hopes for an American on the podium was cut short when contact between Gary Carlton (Energy) and Ron White (CRG) ended their races at turn six. Out front, Verstappen - whose father was a Formula One racer - did not panic, and promptly retook his place at the front of the field on lap two. Many expected that this may have been the decisive move of the race. Unfortunately for Verstappen it wasn't, as on lap four he suddenly slowed with a mechanical failure, ending his superb weekend run in Las Vegas. This promptly promoted Ardigo into the lead, having worked his way around Hajek.
As the two-time SuperNats winner set the pace out front, Hajek cane under increased pressure first from former winner Lammers, then additionally the defending SuperNats champ Anthony Abbasse (SodiKart). With a kart that was gaining speed as the race progressed, Abbasse worked his way into second and set about going after Ardigo. While he initially closed the gap, he never got within striking distance, allowing Ardigo to win the KZ2 feature race at the SuperNationals for a third time. Hajek completed the top-three, leading Lammers and Pex to round out the podium and the $20,000 purse awarded from Superkarts! USA. 2011 S1 winner Mirko Toresllini (Tony Kart) was sixth as Fritz Leesmann (CRG) led the USA in seventh. Armand Convers ( who had started 30th) was eighth while Andreas Fasberg (Tony Kart) and Chris Hays (Energy) capped off the top-10.
Another SuperNationals went into the books, probably as one of the most-organized and exciting events in its 16-year history. The numerous people behind the scenes kept the event flowing and completed on time, leaving plenty of time for the competitors and fans to enjoy the Vegas night life. With just 360 days remaining until next years event, plans are underway to make the 2013 edition even better.
Niels Hendrix
