Prior to SuperNationals last year a team truck rolled out of Goodwood Kartways freshly minted and ready to introduce Praga Kart to North America. Now one year on, the size of the team truck has doubled, Praga Kart is the reigning World Champion, and the same group is heading to Las Vegas this week to introduce OK1 to North America at SKUSA SuperNationals XVI, the premier karting event on the planet.
“We’re very pumped about it!” said Marco Di Leo, IPK North America Team Manager. “Last season we dominated TaG Junior and KF2, and this year we are looking for even more. World Champs Bas Lammers and George Russell return to action this year, and they are joined by Alessandro Manetti himself! We also have lots of young, hungry drivers under the awning looking to make a statement, including some ringers from Leading Edge Motorsports and Praga USA. The atmosphere around the team is very positive, we have an outstanding support system from the factory and our partners, and really believe we can start a winning run at SuperNats this year just as we did a year ago.”
It’s a feeling that resonates throughout the team, and one quite different than the feeling of uncertainty that had many asking questions of the outfit as the summer season came to a close. Many were questioning news coming from Europe, and wondering what was to come of the racing products they had in their hands.
“It was really hard to end the chapter with a brand we loved for years and enjoyed a lot of success with, but today really does feel like breathing fresh air,” Di Leo said. “Since the forced change at the IPK factory in Verona, the outlook of the company has never been so bright. Under the direction of Mr. Petr Ptacek the company is more than financially stable, parts are on the shelves, phones are answered, research and development is constant, and of course we are World Champions once again!”
“What we all hope people recognize and understand, is that OK1 and Praga karts are from the same Verona factory which has been winning around the world for years, and exists today as IPK. The karts are the same as they have been, the technology and quality is moving forward, and I’m quite sure the new stickers will handle the same, and maybe even look a little better!”
One thing for certain is that the decals on those Praga and OK1 karts will be fighting at the front this week. Lammers is the reigning World Champion and Manetti accomplished the same feat multiple times. Russell has been touted as the best Junior driver in the world, and the defending SuperNationals Champion arrives in Las Vegas as a two-time and reigning KF3 World Champion. It’s a dominant trio for sure, but IPK goes much further this week with twenty-two drivers arriving from eleven different countries and the number doubles to forty-four when LEM and Praga USA are factored in! Race action begins with Qualifying and Heat 1 on Friday, Heats two and three follow on Saturday, and Finals run on Super Sunday.
IPK North America Driver Roster – SKUSA SuperNationals XVI, Las Vegas
KZ2 – ICC
Bas Lammers – Praga
Patrik Hajek – Praga
Martin Doubek – Praga
Wilson Hurtado – Praga
S1 – Pro Stock Moto
Alessandro Manetti – Praga
S4 – Master Stock Moto
Petr Ptacek – Praga
Petr Ulbert – Praga
TaG Senior
Aleki Liverant – Praga
Diego Ferreira – OK1
Bruno Palli – OK1
Jorge Goncalvez – OK1
TaG Junior
Julien Andlauer – Praga
Pedro Fonseca – Praga
George Russell – OK1
Enaam Ahmed – OK1
TaG Cadet
Petr Ptacek – Praga
Marek Machulda – Praga
Jack Doohan – OK1
Lochie Hughes – OK1
Broc Feeney – OK1
Victor Prato – OK1
Giovanni Nieto – OK1
Following SuperNats, IPK North America will be offering great deals on one-race-old karts the factory drivers run, both from the OK1 and Praga lines. The team then returns to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals before beginning 2013 in January at the Florida Winter Tour. To become a member of the IPK North America team, or learn how IPK can assist you in meeting your racing goals, please contact marco@goodwoodkartways.com.
*Team Facts: IPK North America is based at Goodwood Kartways in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, where drivers can progress from turning rental kart laps to world championships. The IPK North America race team represents the facility at National and International Championships like the Florida Winter Tour, Pan-American Rotax Max Challenge, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship and Canadian National Championships.
It has also had drivers contest SKUSA SuperNationals, the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup, the Rotax European Championship, the Rotax International Open Championship and the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. IPK North America operates in conjunction with IPK in Verona, HRS Racing Engines, IMAF Racing Seats and Intremax.
