Returning to the RIO All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, BirelART North America and their BirelART and Ricciardo Kart chassis dealers have one common goal this week: to win races. Set to take on the more than 500 entrants at arguably the biggest and most competitive karting event around, 31 BirelART North America drivers will have their eyes on obtaining SuperNats glory.
“Our dealer network has really banded together to focus on our common goal to win here in Las Vegas,” notes PSL Karting / BirelART North America’s Dominic Labrecque. “The SKUSA SuperNationals are the ultimate test in driver and equipment. The temporary track is tough and the competition is the fierce, but for the few who come out on top, winning is everything here. It is the ultimate victory and we are clearly focused on netting the best results possible.”
With 31 drivers spread among eight classes, BirelART North America will be well represented in the 2018 edition of the SuperNationals. Already crowned the SKUSA Pro Tour champion, his third in a row, PSL Karting’s Ryan Norberg will have his sights firmly set on the win in the headline X30 Senior division. Finishing eighth and fifth in his last two SuperNats runs, Norberg will hope to come away the victor in 2018. Prime Powerteam’s Ryan MacDermid has a Pro Tour victory under his belt this year and is fresh off his ROK the RIO win just two weeks ago from the same RIO venue. With the chance to double up his Vegas victories, this young Canadian will be hot on track.
In the X30 Junior division, Prime Powerteam’s Mackenzie Clark finished seventh in the Pro Tour points and will be one to watch in Sin City. PSL Karting’s Thomas Nepveu will look to add to his Mini Swift SuperNats win from two years ago, knowing all too well how sweet victory is in Las Vegas. Finishing ninth in this year’s Pro Tour standings, the young Canadian’s international experience will be put to the test as he vies for the top step of the junior blocks.
PSL Karting and BirelART Factory driver Marijin Kremers will look to put his BirelART chassis in first place in the elite KZ class. Placing sixth in his SuperNationals debut, Kremers is a top contender after enjoying a superb season to date in 2018.
In the Masters divisions, Phil Giebler Racing’s Jess Peterson will look to move up from his third place finish in the overall X30 Masters Pro Tour points to nab the SuperNats win for Ricciardo Kart. PGR Teammate Vatche Tatikian will also be one to watch in the class. Master Shifter pilots Jordon Musser of 3G Kart Racing / PSL Karting and Ryan Kinnear of Phil Giebler Racing finished 1-2 in Pro Tour points and hope to up the ante at the RIO.
BIRELART NORTH AMERICA DRIVER LINE-UP
MICRO SWIFT
| 13 | Logan Chambers | PKS Kart Supplies | Ricciardo |
MINI SWIFT
| 120 | Dane Idelson | PSL Karting /Idelson Racing | Ricciardo |
| 148 | Esteban Polit | Birel ART | |
| 199 | Aden Rudolph | PSL Karting / Speedsportz | Birel ART |
| 144 | Jesus Vasquez, Jr. | PKS Kart Supplies | Ricciardo |
X30 JUNIOR
| 791 | Cooper Becklin | PSL Karting / Go Kart Hero | Birel ART |
| 765 | Mackenzie Clark | Prime Power Team | Birel ART |
| 724 | Thomas Nepveu | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 725 | Maguet Sacha | PSL Karting / MGT | Birel ART |
X30 MASTER
| 574 | Juan Manuel Basco | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 570 | Keith Harless | SpeedSportz / PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 3 | Jess Peterson | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
| 554 | Robert Drenk | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
| 529 | Michael Patrizi | PSL Karting / Patrizicorse | Ricciardo |
| 581 | Vatche Tatikian | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
KA100
| 691 | Cooper Becklin | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 970 | Jared Bell | Speedsportz | Birel ART |
| 957 | Bryce Berry | Nevada Kartsport | Birel ART |
MASTER SHIFTER
| 2 | Ryan Kinnear | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
| 1 | Jordon Musser | 3G Kart Racing / PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 415 | Ben Schermerhorn | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| Alexis Costa | 3G Kart Racing / PSL Karting | Birel ART |
X30 SENIOR
| 305 | Valentino Fritsch | PSL Karting / KSW | Birel ART |
| 316 | Ryan MacDermid | Prime Power Team | Birel ART |
| 1 | Ryan Norberg | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 369 | Jake Drew | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
KZ
| 5 | Marijin Kremers | PSL Karting | Birel ART |
| 17 | Troy Loeskow | PSL Karting / Patrizicorse | Ricciardo |
| 10 | Xingran Tang | Prime Power Team | Birel ART |
| 14 | Filip Ioan Ugran | Prime Power Team | Birel ART |
| 69 | Robert Heck, Jr. | Phil Giebler Racing | Ricciardo |
“I would like to wish all of our drivers the best of luck while in Las Vegas,” continues Labrecque. “While our focus is on wins, we always need to think ahead while we continue to add to our network of dealers. With so many of us present at the RIO, it always makes for a great opportunity to begin new relationships. I am happy to discuss details with anyone interested. We are also looking towards 2019 and if any drivers are interested in being part of our team of official drivers, its good time to come meet myself and Ronni Sala from BirelART Italy.”
BirelART North America drivers will hit the track tomorrow for official practice with qualifying and heat races on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. After heat race and last chance qualifier results, Super Sunday is one of the biggest karting days of the year, as champions of SuperNationals 22 will be crowned.
For more information on the PSL Karting/ BirelART North America Race Team, and how to join them for your 2019 racing program, please contact Dominic@PSLKarting.com.
BirelART North America (PSL Karting) is the National Importer and Distributor of BirelART products and accessories, including Ricciardo Kart, Kubica Kart and Freeline accessories. Visit www.pslkarting.com to find a retailer near you. Follow our racing team and product updates via our social media @pslkartingofficial.
Photos: BirelART North America