Championship Karting Series' second race showed an increase in entries and drivers from multiple classes laid down new fast times on F1 New Jersey's Tempest configuration. The April 11th race got underway at 11 am with beautiful weather and excited competitors. The day began with one round of practice for each of the seven groups making the race line-up. Groups were comprised of Rotax and TAG Senior and Junior divisions, Shifters, World Formula, Rotax Masters, Senior Sportsman, Expert Junior and Senior, and Minimax and Kid Karts. The largest class of the day was Sr. TAG, followed by Senior Expert and Shifter. Heat races, for groups other than Shifter, were constructed of 8 lap sessions; finales were 10 laps.

Jeremy Doll, Jacob MacAvoy, and Darren Whitehead raced in both the Jr. TAG and Jr. Rotax classes. All three are earning punches towards their Rotax championship races. Jeremy Doll was victorious again this week finishing in the feature with a best time of 1:11.110. He still holds the fast time for Jr. Rotax based on race 1 (time of 1:10.292). Jacob finished in second place with a difference of 32.129. Darren followed closely behind with a best time of 1:15.535. In their TAG Junior class, results were the same and Jeremy Doll still holds a fast time of 1:10.240.

Senior TAG is becoming the most eventful and challenging class for F1's Championship Karting Series. There was a tight race for first place in the feature race for the seniors. John Bonanno, driving the #72 Zanardi, is beginning to give Jimmy Fatum some competition in their race for championship points for the second year in a row. John followed behind Jimmy with a difference of 10.797. Paul Porreca placed third, followed by Chris McGinley, James Dawson, David J. Vai, and, finally, Todd Bauerband. Steven Possehl suffered from a DNF in the beginning of the feature race. Fast time award is held by Jimmy Fatum from race 1 with a 1:10.735.

Half of the Shifter class competitors suffered from DNFs in their feature race. Kristian Werkley and Martin Cagliari fell victim to mechanical issues after their second lap. Alex Manglass was black flagged due to the lack of a neckguard and did not return to the race. Mike Rivera took first place in the Shifter feature followed by Scott Tepper with a difference of 4.212. Jeff Stepina came in third place with a best time of 1:09.765. Mike and Scott battled for fast time in this race. Rivera finished with a best time of 1:08.700 and Tepper had a best time of 1:08.705. However, the series fast time for the Shifter class still belongs to Alex Manglass from race 1 with a 1:07.973.

Senior Sportsman, Expert, and Briggs ran in together in group seven. Charles Richardson finished first in the Briggs Animal Senior class followed by Ismael Irizarry. The fast time for this class is 1:29.302 laid down by Ismael Irizarry in race 1. Briggs World Formula competitor Joe Sica created a new fast time of 1:19.547. Sica greatly improved his fast time from race 1 which was 1:24.370. He placed first followed by Todd Weaver with a best time of 1:21.164. Senior Expert first place finisher, Carlos Aguero, created a new best time of 1:27.771. Robert Danka placed second with a difference of 0.921. Kevin Smith from the Senior Expert Class and Scott Downing, Senior Sportsman, did not finish the feature race. Downing created a new fast time for Yamaha Senior Sportsman, 1:25.622. His race 1 best time was 1:26.509.

Junior Expert driver, Rut Sandoval, finished first with a new class fast time of 1:35.816. Angel Dial came in second place with a best time of 1:36.429. Spencer Rain also competed in this group in the Minimax class. He finished first with a best time of 1:28.336; however, the best Minimax time still belongs to Yves Baltas with a 1:19.372.

Senior Rotax and Masters both have new fast times. John Bonanno laid down a 1:11.705 for Rotax Masters and Max DiBella created a new fast time for Rotax Senior with a 1:12.244. Bonanno finished first in the Masters division followed by Chris McGinley with a best time of 1:14.569 and Paul Porreca placed third with a 1:13.720. DiBella placed first for Senior Rotax. James Dawson was second with a best time of 1:16.607. Although Todd Bauerband, who placed third, did not complete all the laps in the feature race, he came within two thousandths of a second to creating a new personal fast time with a 1:15.365.

Championship Karting Series Race Two created a number of new class fast times and allowed drivers new to F1NJ a true racing experience. Race three will take place on May 16th on the Avenger configuration. If you need gearing or advice on this configuration, new to the 2010 season, check out the forums on njkarting.org. A big thanks goes out to all 2010 sponsors for making our racing experience one to remember for competitors and viewers alike.

Although it's been a year in the making, the Championship Karting Awards Banquet for the 2009 season took place on April 3, 2010 at the Finish Line Pub at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The small ceremony allowed competitors who faithfully competed at F1NJ in 2009 to receive their well-deserved rewards. Dinner was served buffet style with a choice of grilled salmon or London broil to be accompanied with a salad, mashed potatoes, and succotash. The awards presentation followed dinner and began with a touching speech made by Scott Paape, Director of Karting, addressing his biggest supporters: his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Emma. When the tears dried, participation awards were given out for those competitors who faithfully competed at F1 New Jersey. Participation trophies were awarded to drivers based on classes.

TAG Masters participants included: Chuck Parker, Sal Sparacio, Tony Sparacio, James Hunnell, Richard Picut, Luke Johnston, Reto Baumann, and Marko Ott. The Champion of the TAG Masters class for 2009 was veteran F1NJ driver, John Bonanno. John started his racing career on the rental karts and upgraded in 2009 to a Zanardi and began racking up the championship points. Second place was awarded to Chris McGinley who has been a great supporter and volunteer for F1 New Jersey for the past two years. Both he and John have greatly contributed to the success of the 2010 membership programs as well as the Championship Karting website. Third place for TAG Masters went to Paul Porreca, a Millville local who faithfully competed at F1 New Jersey during the 2009 season. Fast time award was given to John Bonanno with a 1:10.564.

Senior TAG was one of the largest classes for the 2009 season and boasts a record number of 17 members for 2010. Participants in this class included: Nick Evancich and Tyler DiBella. Senior TAG 2009 champion was Jimmy Fatum. Jimmy and his family travel a great distance to race at F1NJ and have been truly loyal participants at many of the club races. Michael Teti won the second place TAG Senior award. Like John, Michael also began racing with the 9 horse power rental karts at F1 New Jersey in 2008 and has taken a number of titles both at F1NJ and Raceway Park. There was a tie for third place in this division. The awards were given to both Luke Johnston and Keith Horner. Fast time award was presented to Jimmy Fatum who ran a 1:10.105.

Junior TAG was a small class for 2009, but it contained some very talented and dedicated drivers. Jeremy Doll took the Championship award as well as fast time with a 1:10.535. Jeremy has been a constant presence at F1 New Jersey since its opening season of 2008 and has proudly represented the track at both national and regional events throughout the years. Jacob MacAvoy took the second place award and was also a veteran rental kart driver who advanced to TAG in 2009. He will soon be a featured driver on njkarting.org. Colin Thompson, who has been accepted as a driver for the Volkswagen TDI Cup, was awarded third place in the TAG Junior division. Participants in the Junior TAG class included: Michael Horton and Kelsee Tepper.

F1 New Jersey also ran an Expert class. This class allowed drivers who did not fit into the mold of any of the other classes a place to race. Many drivers who were racing with a Yamaha Pipe entered this class. There were no Championship awards given for this class; however, fast time went to Raul Escobar with a time of 1:16.430. Participants in this class included: Larry Bishov, Raul Escobar, James Dawson, Lou Talotta, and Steven Baine.
Briggs Animal Senior was the smallest class of the 2009 season. The Championship award was given to Todd Weaver. Todd has been a great supporter of F1 New Jersey since its opening. He is also a huge promoter of the Animal class and has brought a number of new competitors to the 2010 season thanks to his wonderful words for both the facility and his class.

Yamaha Senior Can was also a small class during 2009. The Championship was given to Steven Possehl and Max DiBella took second place. Fast time was awarded to Jimmy Fatum with a time of 1:17.331.

The Shifter class, which is the second largest class for 2010, was also considerably smaller during the 2009 season. Russ Puesi was a faithful participant during 2009. The results for the Shifter class truly show how attendance can make a difference. Our Championship winner was Mike Rivera who travels a large distance but just loves to race at F1 New Jersey. He has been a faithful driver and supporter of F1NJ since 2008. Alex Manglass, who took the second place trophy, was in a tight race for first. However, because he races on both the regional and national level so successfully, he could not make it to all of the club races, but when he did he brought the Shifter class to a new level. Alex also received the fast time award with a 1:06.328. Third place for this division went to Kristian Werkley. Kristian is hastily preparing his kart for the 2010 season.

F1 New Jersey would like to thank all of the drivers that competed during the 2009 season and hope that you will be back to join in 2010. Without you, we wouldn't be us. Sincere thanks also go out to all of those who did spare a little time to come to the awards ceremony. Your dedication and loyalty truly mean so much to the staff of F1NJ.

A big thank you also goes out to our sponsors for the 2010 season. MG Tires is the series sponsor for the 2010 season and rewards winners with discount coupons towards their tire purchases at selected dealers. Bertil Roos racing has sponsored both TAG Senior and Shifter class Champions. They will graciously award the winners of these classes with a $1500 gift certificate to their choice of a one or three day open-wheel racing school. Mike Doty Racing is also a proud sponsor of F1NJ's Championship Karting Series. SSC East has awarded the race winners of all of the Rotax classes with a discount certificate on their purchase of $150 or more. Service Master is the class sponsor for Briggs World Formula and Compressed Air Equipment sponsors TAG Senior Heavy.