Karting Challenge Round 1
Back on scene, Team Nitro Kart picked up the 2020 season right where they left off. The team took on the season opener of the Karting Challenge series hosted by GoPro Motorplex head on, grabbing 4 wins, 3 seconds, 8 thirds, and multiple top-5 finishes. Nitro Kart dominated the Briggs LO206 divisions scoring wins in 3 out of 4 classes. The winning Briggs Senior class karts were Nitro’s newest addition to the chassis family, “The Lefty”.
“The Lefty” is a Nitro Kart special chassis that features the motor on the left side of the kart. The kart’s performance is increased with a lower CG as the engine no longer has to be tilted forward to clear the right rear tire. You can find that the safety increases, as the driver is no longer sitting inches from the chain and sprocket. An additional feature of this chassis is the maintenance and tuning ability, due to the engine being on the left side the ability to make changes to the sprocket and clutch are at a much easier access point.
After Tucker dominated in his Briggs Heavy final, the team knew the kart was dialed in for Rogero to take on next.
“The lefty was perfect all day with only slight air pressure adjustments, to win both classes of Sr light and heavy is a testament to the Nitro Briggs product we are putting out.” -Nick Tucker
The lead went on, the gear changed, and the kart was on the grid ready to roll for Rogero. She jumped in the new Nitro Lefty never having raced a 4-cycle kart ever before. A crazy first lap took Rogero from the lead, to 7th all within a matter of one corner. She was able rebound and lead 7 of the 15 laps. Crossing the finish line her margin of victory was a stretched 0.7 of a second to the second-place finisher. “Coming from a 2-cycle background, it was quite an adjustment to jump in a 4-cycle for the first time and have the expectation to win, especially after Nick won an hour before I went green in the same kart I would be driving. After warm up I knew it wasn’t going to take much from me to win with the piece Nitro gave me. We did exactly what we came to do... win.” -Ashley Rogero
Christopher McKeithan was the third Nitro team member to score a win in the Briggs division. The battle was close between teammates, Spencer Conrad and McKeithan throughout the entire race. Last season showed a true battle royal between these two for the entire season. Swapping positions constantly, it is always a toss-up who is going win when they cross the finish line. A last lap battle led McKeithan to score the victory over Conrad by a mere 0.049 of a second. Great battles arose throughout the entire class as we saw Jared Clarke manage a top-5 finish, Jason Noe, J.J. O’Neil, and Joshua Kline all grab top-10 finishes on their Nitro karts.
IAME Swift put on a great show as we again saw a great battle between Nitro drivers, Spencer Conrad, Christopher McKeithan, and Ayden Patty. The three young drivers made it a race to watch as they diced it up all race long. Conrad found the lead from lap 10 and was able to hang on until the drop of the checkered. McKeithan and Patty were battling it out all the way to the stripe, as McKeithan nudged out Patty by 0.15 of a second at the line for second place.
Notable mentions to Sawyer Conrad for his 3rd place finish in Briggs Junior, Adam Brickley and Liam Kelly for their top-5 finishes in IAME X30 Junior, Jason Noe for his 3rd place finish in Micro Swift, J.J O'Neil and Davin Roberts for their top-5 finishes in Micro, Hayden Jones for his 2nd place in IAME X30 Senior and 3rd place in KA100 Senior, Emory Lyda for his top 5 finish in KA100 Senior, Collin Hayes for his 3rd place finish in KA100 Junior, and Makena Rice for her top 10 finish in KA100 Junior.
Team Nitro will now get to enjoy a two-week rest period before heading out to NOLA for the kickoff of the SKUSA Pro Tour series. For more information about joining team Nitro, tent support, or transportation services, please contact Nick Tucker @ 704.818.7868 or via email kartworxracing@gmail.com.
