The New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) Championship Karting Series opened on Saturday, April 9th and hosted drivers and race teams from throughout the Tri-State Area. There was an air of excitement and anticipation at the start of the day as a diverse field of drivers including experienced club members and Class champions, along with as several new drivers, prepared for the first race of the 2011 racing season. The track went hot at 9:00 AM for practice after all karts went through scrutineering and passed the technical inspection. Scott Paape, NJMP Karting Director, and his staff of 18 employees and volunteers provided a well-organized, professionally run event with Driver safety as their highest priority. New to NJMP kart racing this year, race announcer Bob Hicks welcomed drivers, their crews and fans to the Millville, NJ track and provided exciting turn-by-turn commentary throughout the day. Season 2 of the Champion Karting Series racing at NJMP’s world class 1.03 mile Tempest track was officially underway.

The first Feature of the day was a combined class of Sr. Rotax and Master Rotax Drivers. By midday, the overcast sky began to clear and the field of drivers took the track. The Masters class has experienced tremendous growth from 2010 increasing from three drivers to nine in the first race. A couple of top TaG competitors Sal and Tony Sparacio switch over from their Leopard motors and Scott Downing traded in his Yamaha to come run with the Rotax guys. In qualifying Chris McGinley set the pace turning in the fastest lap, followed by Sal Sparacio and John Bonanno. Just as they had done in their Heat race, the Masters put on a fantastic show for their Feature race. Returning 2010 Masters Champion John Bonanno took over the lead on lap 4 when Chris and Sal had some contact at the end of the front straight resulting in a spin for Sal dropping him back in the pack. The two identical looking Haase drivers ran bumper to bumper for the 8 remaining laps with McGinley content to set up a last lap pass. Unfortunately for Chris, they came across the line side by side, with Bonanno just pulling out the win. Tony Sparacio took the remaining podium spot over his nephew Sal who worked his way back up to forth.

Carter Fartuch, in his second season of racing, placed 1st in Qualification and the Heat race, starting on the Pole for the Sr. Rotax Class. Fartuch jumped off to an early lead and dominated this Feature during the 12 laps, remaining unchallenged throughout the race as the checkered flag fell. Rounding out the podium for the Senior Rotax Class was Driver Max Lupfer in 2nd competing in his first club race at NJMP and Steven Possehl in 3rd.

In what would shape up as the most competitive classes of the day, the Junior division did not disappoint fans with wheel to wheel racing throughout the 12 lap Jr. Rotax Feature including at least 5 position changes between the number 2, 3 and 4th place drivers. Returning 2010 Junior Champion Jeremy Doll took the pole position after placing 1st in both Qualification and the Pre-Final. Drivers Billy Ogle, Jacob McAvoy, Darren Whitehead kept the field close to leader Doll during the first 2 laps but by lap 3, Jeremy Doll extended his lead for the remainder of the race as he did throughout the 2010 racing season. Newcomers to NJMP this season were drivers Bobby Windmiller and Kevin Barbesino who rounded out the top 6 spots. Jeremy Doll would finish with a commanding lead over 2nd place finisher Billy Ogle and Jacob McAvoy in 3rd. Spencer Rain, last year’s Mini Max champion and our youngest driver at age 11,raced along with the Junior Class and finished 1st with a best lap time of 1:15.782.

The Sr. Can/Honda Classes featured five drivers in two classes. These drivers diced it out to the finish, swapping positions and keeping it exciting. Patrick Healy took 1st in Sr. Can while Joe Sica clinched 1st in Sr. Honda when Ismael Irizarry failed to make the minimum weight.

Alex Manglass, the 2010 Shifter Class Champion started on the Pole and quickly distanced himself from the other Shifter drivers by the end of the 1st lap. Alex would continue to extend his lead each lap and run uncontested throughout the remainder of the Feature. James Dawson challenged Kart 21 for 2nd position several times during the race, particularly in Turn 1 and Turn 3, finally overtaking him in Lap 9. Alex Manglass finished in first place with about a 2 second lead over James Dawson in 2nd and Scott Tepper in 3rd place.

The 6th Feature of the day marked the return of the Junior Drivers to the Grid led by Jeremy Doll in Pole position. Doll quickly jumped into a comfortable lead, leaving Jacob McAvoy, Bill Ogle and Darren Whitehead to fight for the remaining podium spots. In lap 3, Jacob McAvoy overtook Ogle in Turn 2 and would remain in the 2nd position until lap 9, when Ogle would regain the 2nd position. As the Checkered flag fell, Jeremy Doll remained unchallenged in 1st place with Billy Ogle in 2nd, Jacob McAvoy in 3rd and Darren Whitehead following closely behind in 4th.

The 1st day of Kart racing at NJMP came to a close with the Jr. Expert Class racing on the .480 mile Avenger track. Rut Sandoval led this class throughout the day finishing first in Qualification and the Pre-Final, gaining the Pole position for the last Feature of the day. Rut Sandoval would retain his first place position throughout the race, finishing in front of Winston Pena in 2nd place.