News and Events
OIKC: Smith Racing Development/Addicted Racing Claim Victory - June 28 2009
In their first outing together, Smith Racing Development's Mike Smith brought new sponsor Addicted Racing into victory lane at the Oregon Indoor Karting Challenge.
In its second year, the OIKC is an event that brings together the best indoor drivers in the state, and has them do battle for the honor of "Best Indoor Karter in Oregon". Hosted by Sykart Indoor Racing Center in Portland, Ore., the facility features a technical course, and all of it's heavy hitters, including 2008 OIKC Champion Tony Hana, National standout Adam Kellerman, track hotshoe Joey Tanner, and track champions Eric Oyague, Chris Jeppesen, Chris Naficy, and Scott Gaarde just to name a few.
For Smith, it was a near perfect showing, grabbing top time in open qualifying as the only driver in the 28s, leading his pre-final flag-to-flag on the way to victory and fast lap, qualifying second for the OIKC Finale grid.
In the Finale itself, Smith passed for the lead early on, and ran a smooth, consistent race, while employing great pit strategy to stay nearly unchallenged all the way to the win, and second fastest lap.
Addicted Racing's owner and founder Matt Smith was in attendance for the event, and alluded to future plans with the SRD driver.
"This was Addicted Racing's first major victory," stated Smith. "Mike ran a good, hard race, and we are proud to be his main sponsor for this event. Mike's drive, passion, and addiction for the sport represent what we are all about as a company, and we are looking forward to sponsoring him for the Seattle Indoor Karting Challenge coming up later this summer!"
In its second year, the OIKC is an event that brings together the best indoor drivers in the state, and has them do battle for the honor of "Best Indoor Karter in Oregon". Hosted by Sykart Indoor Racing Center in Portland, Ore., the facility features a technical course, and all of it's heavy hitters, including 2008 OIKC Champion Tony Hana, National standout Adam Kellerman, track hotshoe Joey Tanner, and track champions Eric Oyague, Chris Jeppesen, Chris Naficy, and Scott Gaarde just to name a few.
For Smith, it was a near perfect showing, grabbing top time in open qualifying as the only driver in the 28s, leading his pre-final flag-to-flag on the way to victory and fast lap, qualifying second for the OIKC Finale grid.
In the Finale itself, Smith passed for the lead early on, and ran a smooth, consistent race, while employing great pit strategy to stay nearly unchallenged all the way to the win, and second fastest lap.
Addicted Racing's owner and founder Matt Smith was in attendance for the event, and alluded to future plans with the SRD driver.
"This was Addicted Racing's first major victory," stated Smith. "Mike ran a good, hard race, and we are proud to be his main sponsor for this event. Mike's drive, passion, and addiction for the sport represent what we are all about as a company, and we are looking forward to sponsoring him for the Seattle Indoor Karting Challenge coming up later this summer!"
Industry News: Smith Racing Development Relocates - June 5 2009
After a year in the Portland, Ore., area, Smith Racing Development will be moving it's base of operations to the Olympia area of Wasington state. The move is spurred on by a job change by SRD's founder Mike Smith, now working at the new Apex Karting indoor racing center in Tumwater, Was. Smith brings his six years of Race Director experience to the indoor karting venue, and will be kicking things off with the Washington Indoor Karting Challenge (WIKC) in mid July.
SRD still has it's roots in the Portland area, with most of it's drivers coming from the Tigard-based Sykart Indoor Racing Center, but will now look to expand into the rest of the Northwest, and beyond.
"SRD has had a great first year," reflected it's founder Mike Smith, "Culminating in victories at both the Nationals last year, and the 12 hours of Dromo this year. And while we have had great success with our operations being based out of Portland, I am really looking forward to what is in store for us in Washington. I have already met some great talents at Apex, and am really looking forward to expanding the SRD name into the area. Besides, we are 'Racing Development', and that’s exactly what I hope to do here; continue to develop the sport of indoor kart racing, and new driving talents that have yet to be discovered."
Also on the agenda is the new Team SRD-Canada based out of Toronto, Ont., featuring Michael Williamson, Jordan Yakiwchuk, and Dave Carter.
"This is something I am really excited about," commented Smith. "I think is a great addition to the SRD Team. The amount of experience these guys bring to the table is immense, especially in the endurance genre, and I am lucky to be able to welcome them to SRD. It is still early days yet in this venture, but I hope to see Team SRD-Canada at one of the premier events soon."
Locally, Smith Racing Development will be represented in both the Oregon Indoor Karting Championship (OIKC) in June, as well as the WIKC in July, with the next National event most likely not being until the 2009 U.S. Indoor Karting Championships in early November.
SRD still has it's roots in the Portland area, with most of it's drivers coming from the Tigard-based Sykart Indoor Racing Center, but will now look to expand into the rest of the Northwest, and beyond.
"SRD has had a great first year," reflected it's founder Mike Smith, "Culminating in victories at both the Nationals last year, and the 12 hours of Dromo this year. And while we have had great success with our operations being based out of Portland, I am really looking forward to what is in store for us in Washington. I have already met some great talents at Apex, and am really looking forward to expanding the SRD name into the area. Besides, we are 'Racing Development', and that’s exactly what I hope to do here; continue to develop the sport of indoor kart racing, and new driving talents that have yet to be discovered."
Also on the agenda is the new Team SRD-Canada based out of Toronto, Ont., featuring Michael Williamson, Jordan Yakiwchuk, and Dave Carter.
"This is something I am really excited about," commented Smith. "I think is a great addition to the SRD Team. The amount of experience these guys bring to the table is immense, especially in the endurance genre, and I am lucky to be able to welcome them to SRD. It is still early days yet in this venture, but I hope to see Team SRD-Canada at one of the premier events soon."
Locally, Smith Racing Development will be represented in both the Oregon Indoor Karting Championship (OIKC) in June, as well as the WIKC in July, with the next National event most likely not being until the 2009 U.S. Indoor Karting Championships in early November.
24 Hours of Charlotte: Smith Racing Development Drivers in premier Endurance Race - May 30 2009
Smith Racing Development was represented well this past Memorial Day weekend, with four of it's drivers competing at the 24 Hours of Charlotte presented by NOS Energy Drink, hosted by Victory Lane Karting. SRD founder Mike Smith led the Team NAFTA contingent to a send place finish, while Adam Kellerman, Tony Hana, and Scott Gaarde helped team MC2 Energy Drink to a solid fourth place finish. Both teams saw time at the sharp end of the standings, with NAFTA leading after halfway, and MC2 in the top-three.
For NAFTA, Smith would put in a inspiring performance, totaling 12+ hours of seat time in the endurance event, at one time handing off the reigns with a five+ lap lead on second place. Half of this time was from a pair of three-hour "double-doubles", where a a pair of double stints (1.5 hours) were broken up by only a lap or two. Smith would kick off the 24-hour event with one of these, and finish it with one as well, running six of the first nine hours and six of the final eight.
Kellerman proved himself to be the leader of the MC2 squad, running a strong nine hours for the team, while Hana picked up seven hours of driving duty as well. Bouncing back from a tough start, Gaarde ran a total of three hours, and was on pace with the leaders by the end of the race.
Smith would like to thank Chris Evans, team leader for Team NAFTA, and all the rest of the NAFTA contingent for the opportunity to drive with such an excellent group of guys: Evans, Michael Williamson, Jordan Yakiwchuk, Bryan Zeiss, and Dave Carter. Also his sponsors, Pacific Technical Resources (www.pactechresources.com), Kart Race Art (www.kartraceart.com), Apex Karting (www.apexkarting.com), M Realty (www.mportlandrealestate.com), with special thanks to Diego Morales and Per Hammarlund.
SRD would also like to thank Tony Stevens, team leader for Team MC2 Energy Drink as well for signing on three of it's drivers to their team, who raced along side Jeff Saini, Patrick Britain, and Stevens.
And of course a big thanks to Fred Orgim, and everyone at Victory Lane Karting for once again putting on what is by far the biggest, and best endurance event in indoor karting.
Earlier in the week, Smith raced against the four-time NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon in his ‘Ultimate Speed’ Charity Event, benefiting the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital. Also in the field were NASCAR Nationwide drivers Brad Coleman, and Scott Lagasse, as well as IKN February Driver of the Month Diego Morales, along with eight other finalists to further raise the challenge. For the second time however, Smith was victorious, making a last lap pass on Lagasse for his second consecutive victory in the event.
For NAFTA, Smith would put in a inspiring performance, totaling 12+ hours of seat time in the endurance event, at one time handing off the reigns with a five+ lap lead on second place. Half of this time was from a pair of three-hour "double-doubles", where a a pair of double stints (1.5 hours) were broken up by only a lap or two. Smith would kick off the 24-hour event with one of these, and finish it with one as well, running six of the first nine hours and six of the final eight.
Kellerman proved himself to be the leader of the MC2 squad, running a strong nine hours for the team, while Hana picked up seven hours of driving duty as well. Bouncing back from a tough start, Gaarde ran a total of three hours, and was on pace with the leaders by the end of the race.
Smith would like to thank Chris Evans, team leader for Team NAFTA, and all the rest of the NAFTA contingent for the opportunity to drive with such an excellent group of guys: Evans, Michael Williamson, Jordan Yakiwchuk, Bryan Zeiss, and Dave Carter. Also his sponsors, Pacific Technical Resources (www.pactechresources.com), Kart Race Art (www.kartraceart.com), Apex Karting (www.apexkarting.com), M Realty (www.mportlandrealestate.com), with special thanks to Diego Morales and Per Hammarlund.
SRD would also like to thank Tony Stevens, team leader for Team MC2 Energy Drink as well for signing on three of it's drivers to their team, who raced along side Jeff Saini, Patrick Britain, and Stevens.
And of course a big thanks to Fred Orgim, and everyone at Victory Lane Karting for once again putting on what is by far the biggest, and best endurance event in indoor karting.
Earlier in the week, Smith raced against the four-time NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon in his ‘Ultimate Speed’ Charity Event, benefiting the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital. Also in the field were NASCAR Nationwide drivers Brad Coleman, and Scott Lagasse, as well as IKN February Driver of the Month Diego Morales, along with eight other finalists to further raise the challenge. For the second time however, Smith was victorious, making a last lap pass on Lagasse for his second consecutive victory in the event.
Updates are at IndoorKartingNews.com!
