Las Vegas Weekly

November 18, 2009 · 8:47 AM

Top racers set for Superkarts USA SuperNationals at The Rio

By Robin Leach

The Superkarts USA SuperNationals.

Photo: SKUSA

In the world of motorsports, there are a few races that can be hailed as “The Race of the Year.” One such event is about to happen in of all places the sprawling parking lot at The Rio. It’s been converted into a full racetrack this week, with practice sessions starting today.

Race events are scheduled for the next four days, with three of the world’s top Formula 1 drivers headlining the Superkarts USA SuperNationals that wrap up the 13th running of the prestigious races on Sunday.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the king of Formula 1 racing, will compete against fellow F1 drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, plus England’s top international driver Gary Catt -- in all 42 of the biggest names in motorsports today will be at The Rio, plus dozens of other skilled hopefuls.

Here’s a YouTube video of Michael’s preparations:

During the five days of racing, a maximum of 40 competitors will drive in each of nine competing classes. We have one Las Vegas driver in the lineup: Matt Jaskol, who in 2000 became the first driver to win five consecutive heat races at the SuperNationals.

The gates and the pits are open as of this morning. Qualifying heats take place on Friday and Saturday, with six hours of Sunday races. Our Clark County Fire Department has told organizers and drivers of strict security measures that must be adhered to because of the propulsion fuels and gases used by the superkarts. They’ve set up a Fuel Farm as the only designated area for fueling the vehicles.

The Rio track is just under a mile long with two straight-aways measuring 714 feet and 562 feet, with the remainder of the track a stunning series of hairpin bends and short burst challenges. Film cameras from Speed TV will record the races, and our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue will be in the pits and on the track for our weekend Vegas DeLuxe coverage.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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