Derek Wagner will pilot the GrimmSpeed Race Car for the 2008 and 2009 SCCA Seasons.
DEREK WAGNER JOINS FIRST KART
First Kart North America, First Kart USA along with the FirstKart.com race team are pleased to announce the signing of Chaska, Minnesota’s Derek Wagner. The Chaska High School student will get behind the wheel of First Kart at this weekend World Karting Association (WKA) Manufacturer’s Cup event at the New Castle Motorsports Park near Indianapolis, Indiana and compete in both the TaG and Intercontinental A (ICA) divisions.
Wagner, who is currently employed at the family business Wagner Race Products, will also compete in the Snap-on Stars of Karting Presented by Indycar Series finale and the SuperKarts! (SKUSA) SuperNationals both events being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 17-year-old will utilize the First Kart / SRA powered TM in ICA during the remaining Stars of Karting event before switching to the First kart / Parilla Leopard package for the SuperNats; the same combination that claimed last years first and second place positions at the countries most prestigious event.
Wagner will also compete in the 200 Mile TaG Enduro event being held at the New Castle facility in early October. The engineer hopeful will join forces with Idaho’s Brett Smrz as the duo will look to take the title at the event that draws some of the biggest names in open wheel racing.
Wagner holds an extensive racing resume and the honor role student hopes that he can bring some success to the FirstKart.com race team in the ICA division.
“The FirstKart.com Race Team is one of the best,” explained Derek from his Wagner Race Products office. “Week in and week out the team has great results and they have proven themselves with their 100cc package. I am confident that I will be able to bring even more success to them in ICA and TaG.”
“We are glad to have Derek join the team,” commented FirstKart.com Team Principal Tony Ventresca. “He is a talented young competitor and I am sure that he and Brett Smrz will make a great team at the New Castle endurance event.”
The FirstKart.com race team is currently solidifying arrive and drive positions for the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals in Las Vegas, NV as well as the ’08 edition of the Florida Winter Tour. Interested parties are asked to contact First kart North America or First Kart USA.
For more information on First Kart North America, product sales and exciting dealership opportunities including information on how to get into kart racing please contact First Kart President Tony Ventresca at 519-824-4343. For information on First Kart USA and the FirstKart.com race team please contact Mike Maurini at 317.858.3705 or visit them online at www.firstkart.com
Derek Wagner and Jeremy Nelson "Minnesotans ICA drivers
Derek Wagner races Kosmic # 7 for WRP in the EuroKart-Sim.com on line racing league.
Team News: J3 Competition - Derek Wagner
J3 Competition Inc. has finalized their driver roster with the additionJ3 Competition as he progresses to the senior ranks in the ICA category. Derek will compete in the Stars of Karting East and West divisions alongside fellow ICA team members; Victor Cabrera and Jeremy Nelson.
Derek will utilize the Kosmic T-11/07 MB chassis with Vortex power throughout his 2007 ICA campaign. Derek was recently able to spend a day at J3 Competition’s Race Department in order to familiarize himself with the new ICA material as well as the new 2007 team procedures. The day consisted of a full chassis and engine overview with the complements of J3’s standard seat and chassis fitting procedure.
Justin Stefani commented on the renewed relationship: “After spending the day with Derek, I can see a driver with determination, focus and the aim to compete at the highest level. We are confident that the materials at Derek’s disposal are exceptional and sufficient to compete at the top of the ICA category.”
For further information please contact J3 Competition Inc. at: 814-864-1846 or info@J3Competition.com. J3 Competition is the Sole U.S. distributor for Kosmic Racing Karts, JHC Carburetor, as well as the largest North American distributor for OTK Components and Vortex Engines
After winning the last two JICA Midwest Sprint Series events Derek Wagner will bring the momentum to the Snap on Stars of Karting 2nd East Division at the Lowe's track in N.C. this coming weekend, July 8th-9th.
New Castle, Indiana was Derek's first time competing in the Snap on Stars of Karting. After moving up several positions during the pre final race on Saturday Derek was up to 9th position in the 4th lap. While avoiding a crash in front of him, Derek had to watch the whole field drive by as he waits for an opining to rejoin the race. Now, after losing 20 spots Derek was able to move up to 24th in the pre final. Derek had a great first lap in the final, moving up to 15th position. He was able to move up two more spots during the race but an on track battle would drop him back 5 positions in lap 12. He would now only have 2 laps left to move up the field. Derek ending up with a 17th place finish for his first Stars of Karting event.
The next day, Derek improved his qualifying position to 15th. He finished 12th in the pre final. Derek had another awesome first lap passing 5 karts to move up to 8th position. He was able to gain one more position before the race ended and was catching the pack of 3 in front of him. Derek finished 7th and was the 4th fastest on the track during Sundays JICA Snap-On Stars of Karting event.
Following the Stars event at Charlotte, N.C. Derek will be heading back to South Bend, Indiana to compete in the WKA Manufactures Cup event, July 15th and 16th. The next weekend Derek will be earning his SCCA racing license to compete in the Spec Ford Racer for Donnybrooke Motorsports.
For more information regarding Derek Wagner or sponsorship please contact Derek at (952)368-6088. Derek@WagnerRaceProducts.com
