Champion Racing/Intrepid USA set for Stars of Karting Opener

Champion Racing/Intrepid USA will begin its bid for national championships when the first round of the Snap-on Stars of Karting Presented by IndyCar Series kicks off this weekend at the Ocala Gran Prix in Central Florida. Intrepid claimed two titles in 2007 and the Norman, Oklahoma based squad is prepared for more, having won last year’s eKartingNews.com Team of the Year Award. A packed house of 14 drivers will be on hand flying the Intrepid colors in four separate divisions.

Leading the Champion Racing/Intrepid USA squad in the headline ICC class is Jordy Vorrath. The former ICA national champion has been a frontrunner for the past two seasons after taking a year off to go open wheel racing in ‘05. The 2006 season saw a late start for Vorrath, but he ended up wrapping the year with six wins in total. Last season, though fast every weekend, was a tough year with up-and-down finishes. Poised to rebound in ’08, Vorrath is primed to challenge for the title, having already earned victory in the ‘pre-season’ at the Florida Winter Tour.

Joining Vorrath in ICC will be a handful of drivers looking to charge to the front. Ryan Kinnear ran in the top-10 last year and will look to repeat. Shane and Chance Terrel will return looking to improve on rough seasons in ’07 while Devon Nichols, Evan Walters, Nicholas Johnson and Brandon Frank will all join them under the tent and on the track.

The revamped Stars TaG class, where Intrepid earned the championship with Checkered Flag Racing’s Devon Sandeen, will have rising star Joey Wimsett at the head of the class. The Oregon pilot came on strong at the end of the 2007 season, winning at the Stars Finale in Las Vegas. Wimsett will be joined by Stars rookies Nate Norenberg, Mukul Sud, Blake Teeter and Zane Heathcock.

Bryan Eady will carry the Intrepid flag in the new TaG ICC class with support from Intrepid distributor Leading Edge Motorsports. The Californian has been impressive over the past five months, including a runner-up finish at the SKUSA SuperNationals, a second overall placing in the SKUSA WinterNats, and strong runs at the Florida Winter Tour.

The lone Cadet driver for Champion Racing/Intrepid USA will be Kansas’ Broc Yocum. After a tough season in ’07, the young driver will look to contend for the championship in ’08.

Champion Racing, located in Norman, Oklahoma next to the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex, has a long history as one of the most respected shops and teams in the sport. The North American importer of the Intrepid kart line is also well know for their engine work performance.

Photo: OTP.ca

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