SKUSA SuperNationals XVII: KZ2 SuperPro Set to Battle for 10K

With the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in New Orleans, Louisana complete, the focus of the karting world now switches to the other side of the United States as Las Vegas, Nevada hosts the 2013 SKUSA SuperNationals. The annual event in it’s seventeenth year continues to build it’s presence as North America’s largest and most important event of the year and once again this year a full tap of national and international drivers and teams will be competing at the RIO All Suites Hotel and Casino in Sin City. Many drivers have taken the opportunity to compete in both the Rotax Grand Finals and SKUSA SuperNationals, with it being rare to be able to compete in both blockbuster events in the same year.

Eleven classes are set on the schedule with nearly 600 entries across the board. To maximize track time the event will continue to use it’s AM and PM schedule to separate the action into two groups.

Today we look at the KZ2 SuperPro class, the headline act in Las Vegas this week at the SuperNationals.

France’s Anthony Abbasse is back in Las Vegas, seeking another SuperPro title
(Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

KZ2 SuperPro

Every year the KZ2 SuperPro class draws more attention than any other class at the SuperNats. Always a fan favourite, KZ2 is the only opportunity where Professional International karting stars hit the track in North America, all seeking SuperNationals glory.

While this year a conflict with the CIK World Karting Championships in Bahrain have kept some of the familiar faces away from Las Vegas, there is still a stout group of drivers filling the grid.

Four former SuperPro winners are entered this year with France’s Anthony Abbasse leading the charge. The Sodi-Kart driver has always been fast in Las Vegas and this year will pull double duty racing the Rotax DD2 as well. American Gary Carlton is back seeking another SuperNationals title, this year aboard a Tibi Kart on a privateer effort. 2010 winne Bas Lammers of the Netherlands returns to Vegas aboard his familiar Intrepid Kart, while Belgian Jonathon Thonon makes his second start after switching to Praga earlier this summer.

While those four defending champions will be tough to beat this week, there are also many others here seeking their first taste of the SKUSA $10K. Italian Paulo de Conto (Birel), American Fritz Leesman (CRG), Belgian Xen De Ruwe (CRG), and Aussies Kyle Ensbey (Birel) and Ricky Capo (Praga) will be fast for sure.

Canadian Nico Fattore traveled to Italy to prepare for the SuperNationals as he hopes to better his result from last year.
(Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

There is also NASCAR driver Nelson Piquet Jr. here this weekend competing on a TonyKart with DFR.

From Canada we have a handful of drivers all looking for success but also hoping to gain experience with the opportunity to race against such an incredible field. BC’s Philip Orcic is back in a kart this weekend sporting the CRG brand. From the GP Canada stable, Nico Fattore and Zach Meyer lead the team that also includes Arron Attard and Nelson Learn. Fattore travelled to Italy to prepare for the SuperNationals while Meyer has been here before.

Qualifying begins on Friday in Las Vegas for all classes.

Be sure to tune in to our CKN Live Page to keep informed on the SKUSA SuperNationals: https://www.canadiankartingnews.com/live

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