Subie Member Kicks Butt

Derek Wagner know as SimRacer on this site has just returned from the largest Kart race in the Americas. The event was the "SKUSA Supernationals" in Las Vegas, Nevada. http://www.superkartsusa.com/eleven/ Also check out http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=9158

The event drew almost 500 karters from 17 different countries, with names like Buddy Rice, Ron White, Jeremy Mayfield the field was also stacked with professional talent. The Europeans showed up in force bring 5 time world champion David Fore. Menetti, Piccini etc...

Raphael Matos-Birel
Ron White-G.P.
Lorenzo Mandarino-Intrepid
Buddy Rice-Tony Kart
Phil Giebler-sodi kart
Alan Sciuto-G.P.
Marco Ardigo-Tony Kart
David Fore-Marranello
Allesandro Manetti-Intrepid
Jonathan Thonon-CRG
Alessandro Piccini-Marranello
Gary Carlton-CRG
Bas Lammers-Top Kart
Gian Cavaciuti-G.P.
Mathias Gellepe-Energy Kart
Jeremy Iglesia-Intrepid
Alex Speed-Birel

The track was crazy with speed approaching 80 mph on the straights and 3gs of acceleration in the turns. The most difficult section was the S turns which the drivers take at almost 60 mph with bumpers touching the entire time. Many accidents took place in the S turns taking out as many as 100 competitors on the weekend.

Derek raced in the TAG Sr. (Touch and Go) class that had over 80 drivers competing for 40 starting spots in the final. The race format began with a qualifying session where Derek was 3rd in the first group to qualify unfortunately the second group has a large advantage due to improving track conditions. After all had run Derek was 18th on the time sheets.

Next came 3 heat races which determine the grid order for the final. After incredible racing on Derek's part he finished 9th, 9th and 24th in the last heat due to an error by a driver in front of Derek in the tight S Turns.

These great results saw Derek start in 18th on the grid for the final. the big thing here is that he made it in on time and did not have to run the last chance qualifier. With the grid set Derek began the race on the outside, not the preferred line. At the start the entire outside row of the grid got shuffled back putting Derek in 27th place (about), he soon hooked up with the fast guys in his group and began the race to the front. Moving quickly through the pack Derek was able to move into the 17th spot and was challenging for 3 more spots when that Kart in front of the freight train blew a right front tire. On the next trip into the S turn the Tony Kart hit the barrier starting him spinning out of his kart to land spread eagle across the track right in front of Derek. In a split second Derek made a decision to sacrifice himself and the kart rather than taking out the driver on the ground. The impact bent the First Kart chassis 3 inches up and back. Derek restarted after pulling the Kart out of the barriers and managed another 2 laps, on 3 wheels, before pulling off the track to allow the leaders to race.

In the end Derek finished 27th out of 40 car final. We managed to total out our 3rd chassis of the year (ouch). After the race Derek was approached by several teams looking for drivers for 08. However we have made a firm decision to stay the course for a full time sponsorship in some sort of open wheel category.

Derek is now ranked 27th in the Americas based on finishes for the year against some of the toughest drivers in the world.

For more information check out our website at www.wagnerraceproducts.com

For those with check books and extra cash :biggrin: feel free to drop Derek a line at [email protected] for sponsorship details.

 

awesome man.. great news.. pass on my congrats to him... good to see he isnt just about himself and who cares about others... shows a lot of maturity...

 

Thanks appreciate the kind words, BTW we will be home this weekend if you have time to stop by. We will be building SIMs for the Performance Racing Show coming up in December.

 

may try too... I am driving to Iowa to look at some school buses for our Youth Group... we need transportation badly...

 

So so sweet.

 

Very nice... I've been wondering why i haven't seen Derek bowling in a long while.

 

He's been talking about bowling lately, you can expect to see him soon. You know Bowling makes you a well rounded individual.

 

hell most the people I see there are round..... ed....

 

congrats guys! i'd love to come out to a race some day. if i can ever find time in my life to do anything other than work i'd like to get into karting.

 

Congrat's to both of you, I am sure Derek couldn't of done it without both your support and guidance. Its soo cool to have such an elite driver/team among us. I'd be interested in hearing the story from the drivers point of view. Kinda like the recap at the end of an F1 race where the pole sitters get world interviews. LOL But seriously I'd be very excited if you guys would give us some pointers on your driving style and experience in what's helped you through the years. As many of us including myself would appreciate and is always looking for new speed idea food for the soul.

I'd like to try one of your simulators someday. I often find it very difficult for me to translate a simulation to the real thing, since I cannot feel the car from under me. But I do try to use it when there is an opportunity. Perhaps you can help elaborate on how you incorporate your products and how its helped others.

Again HUGE congrat's. We are among the best.

 

Thanks we are not there yet.

Its a big world there are a bunch of folks racing lawn mowers that may be the next Jeff Gordon.

Derek will be working at BIR next year most weekends and during the week in the summer as one of the instructors. He started this last year, and worked 3 events. We drove on the new track a couple of weeks ago, it looks very nice you won't recognize the new infield. The moved the pits, scoring towers and start finish line.

The folks in Karting have been great, we are looking forward to expanding our circle to the car world. So far our experience has been great with the Subaru Club, great people and a good cause hehe.

We would be interested in learning more about what you are doing. Let me know if your going to be at Firestone any time soon. I will bring Derek, you are welcome to come out to Chaska to try out one of our SIMs PM me if interested.

 

Lets organize something out at Cokato to drive the rental karts they are a blast.

Its an easy drive and prices are good if you get a group deal.

 

You are most modest, I am interested in the opportunity and looking forward to meeting you and Derek, share some stories, ideas and build a friendship. I'll pm or call you when I'm available. -Cheech

 

Group or no group, I'd be interested in going just to check it out as I've never been there and do a Time Attack. If you post something up on the weekends I'd be happy to come. :laugh:

 

chong...maybe if we cant get a group, you and i should just head over there.

 

Gladly! :yumyum:

 

Count me in. Not sure if Stockholm is still open, but I have unused tickets from the multiple times I visited this season.