eKartingNews.com Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone

EKN One on One w/ Dan Wheldon

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:26:00 +0000

National Guard SKUSA SuperNationals XII
Date: November 22, 2008
Location: Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV

Even with the busy schedule of the National Guard Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XII at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, eKartingNews.com was able to sit down with 2005 IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon. EKN’s sub-interviewer and former Super Kart Illustrated Editor Tim Blaney was able to sit down with the British-born driver to discuss his participation at his first SuperNationals, his karting past, what his current thoughts are on the sport as it is today, and his upcoming season returning to Panther Racing in the IndyCar Series.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 23

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:18:00 +0000

Stars of Karting National Finals
Date: October 10, 2008
Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV

After a long break between shows, the EKN duo is back behind the mic for the third edition of the Happy Hour in 2008. More shows are on the horizon with big events set for the final months of the season. This show, EKN Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden and News Desk Manager David Cole sit down during the Formula BMW Happy Hour at the Snap-on Stars of Karting Division Banquet at the 2008 National Finals event. Topics such as Rotax Grand Nationals, RoboPong 200, Stars Organization Structure, and others are discussed.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 22

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Stars of Karting - Eastern Division - Ocala
Date: April 4, 2008
Venue: Ocala Gran Prix - Ocala, FL
Guests: Fritz Leesmann (PSL Karting), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting), Scott Paape (USA International Raceway)

EKN Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden and News Desk Manager David Cole wrapped their first day at the opening round of the Stars of Karting series by sitting down with a trio of guests in the Ocala Grand Prix showroom. The duo takes a look at the new season that faces the Stars of Karting circuit, chatting with both ICC frontrunner Fritz Leesmann and Stars president Paul Zalud. Topics such as the potential national demise of the ICA category and the TaG engine controversy are by no means taboo in this discussion. The session is capped with a visit from Scott Paape, the man at USA International Raceway in Shawano, who detailed the track’s new $5000-to-win Iron Eagle 200 endurance event that is scheduled for June 20-22.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 21

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:33:00 +0000

Sodi Kart Expo International Show
Date: February 24, 2008
Venue: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center - Schaumburg, IL
Guests: Dave Robison (Go Kart Racer), Marc Miller (MRP Motorsport), Buddy Long (World Karting Association)

After a three month break, the Happy Hour with Howden presented by Bridgestone returned for the first show of the 2008 season. Working with RaceFanRadio.com, the 24-7 music and motorsports internet radio site hosted the first-ever live internet broadcast for the Happy Hour during Sunday’s show hours at the Sodi Kart Expo International Show at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.

The first guest was Dave Robison of Go Kart Racer indoor karting facility in San Francisco, CA to talk about the indoor racing industry. EKN’s sister site - IndoorKartingNews.com - is working with their facility to help promote what they are doing as well as other indoor racing tracks across North America. Up next was Marc Miller of MRP Motorsport as he gave us insight into the new avenues they are attacking, including the new Step 1 kart and MRP owner Garry Lobaugh’s seminar at the show. Lastly, World Karting Association’s Director of Operations Buddy Long discusses the current state of the organization.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 20

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:10:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals XI
Date: November 17, 2007
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tim Blaney, Jordy Vorrath (Champion Racing-Intrepid), Lorenzo Mandarino (Leading Edge Motorsports-Intrepid)

Same city, same fighting duo. The Happy Hour was back in Vegas roughly a month later for the biggest karting event of the year, the SKUSA SuperNationals. For the 11th edition, former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney joined HHH host Rob Howden for a five day event that included some of the best karters in North America and around the world. The two discuss the events leading up to SuperSunday and talk with SuperPro drivers Lorenzo Mandarino and Jordy Vorrath.

Trackside Live RaceWrap - SKUSA SuperNationals XI - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:08:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals XI
Date: November 16, 2007
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tim Blaney

Part 2 of the EKN Trackside Live RaceWrap at the SKUSA SuperNationals XI brings Rob Howden and Tim Blaney back to the mics to discuss Day 3 of the event.

Trackside Live RaceWrap - SKUSA SuperNationals XI - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:05:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals XI
Date: November 15, 2007
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tim Blaney

A new edition to the Happy Hour program is the Trackside Live RaceWrap. With so much going on at big events and the evolution of the internet, the RaceWrap was introduced to the EKN arsenal at the SKUSA SuperNationals XI. EKN's Rob Howden is joined by former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney to go over the day's action.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 19

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:15:00 +0000

Stars of Karting Desert MINI National Finals
Date: October 20, 2007
Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tim Blaney, Sean Buur (Go Racing Magazine)

It's been a few months since the Happy Hour took place, but the program made its return in an old school fashion this past weekend at the Stars of Karting Desert MINI National Finals. Joining HHH host Rob Howden was former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney along with Sean Buur - the famous photog/writer from Go Racing Magazine. The three discussed the action up to Saturday night and previewed Sunday's action to decide the five national championships.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 18

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2007 20:39:00 +0000

Stars of Karting East #2
Date: May 22, 2007
Venue: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, IN
Guests: Mark Dismore Sr. (NCMP), Robert Wickens (Champ Car Atlantic), Tim Musch & Kevin Williams (Stars of Karting)

After a couple months off, the EKN duo is back with another Happy Hour show. This time, it was all about the Hot Seat as EKN Publisher Rob Howden sat down with four different guests at the New Castle Motorsports Park for round two of the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Racing. First, karting legend and track owner Mark Dismore discusses new improvements to the facility and karting in general. Next, Champ Car Atlantic driver and former karting star Robert Wickens talks about the last few years, going from karts to where he is now. Then, new Stars Race Director Tim Musch and Race Steward Kevin Williams sit down to discus their first weekend under their new positions.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 17

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:12:00 +0000

EKN Excellence Awards Special
Date: February 25, 2007
Venue: Sodi Kart Expo International – Schaumburg, IL
Guests: Randy Kugler (WKA), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting), Tom Kutscher (SKUSA)

The EKN podcast show hit the road for the first time in 2007, visiting Chi-town for the 2007 Sodi Kart Expo International at the new Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL. The new show includes interviews with World Karting Association’s Randy Kugler, Stars of Karting’s Paul Zalud, and Tom Kutscher from Superkarts! USA. The man segment of the show included the announcement of the winners of the EKN Excellence Awards. Winners in the six categories were named, including the prestigious Driver of the Year and Team of the Year awards.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone - Show 16

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 04:32:00 +0000

HMG World Headquarters
Date: February 1, 2007
Venue: Howden Media Group - Cambridge, ON, Canada
Guests: No Guests

As the first month closes for the 2007 year, the EKN duo put in their first Happy Hour show of the season, with new presenting sponsor Bridgestone. Rob Howden and David Cole completed production on the final issue of Super Kart Illustrated and with the discs burning to go to the printers, the two sat down to record the first podcast of ’07. Beginning with the latest news over the EKN Newswire, the two discussed the State of the Sport, regarding the different levels of karting and the pros/cons of the state they are in. Following the debate, the two looked back at the eight years of SKI and the little insight into the future of EKN.

EKN One-on-One with Rob Howden - SKUSA’s Tom Kutscher and Jim Baltutis

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:20:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals X
Date: November 12, 2006
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tom Kutscher and Jim Baltutis

With the tenth annual Superkarts! USA SuperNationals now behind us, discussions centered on the future of the predominantly shifter kart organization became a hot topic on Sunday night in Las Vegas. This year’s SuperNats was a massive success on all counts, from the race day organization and marketing to the on-track action and huge purse. In the aftermath of the event, the future looks very bright for the re-birth efforts of the program. The statement ‘We’re Back!’ was heard uttered by many a SKUSA crew member or supporter.

EKN’s Rob Howden had a chance to sit down with SKUSA president Tom Kutscher and Marketing VP Jim Baltutis to touch on the history of their relationship, the success of the Pro Kart Challenge and the future plans for the organization. After purchasing the organization and its assets earlier this year, this duo led a solid team of experts in taking the reins of the SuperNationals, working diligently for over four months to put together the best event possible. While many programs were forced to be left in the planning stages due to time and manpower restraints, the overall delivery of the event returned the race to its former glory. Certainly an over-used phrase, even by the staff here at EKN, the elusive ‘buzz’ was certainly back in Las Vegas. The introduction of the SuperPro drivers to the grid on SuperSunday was electric and while the race did not turn into an epic battle, it was definitely action-packed.

Kutscher and Baltutis will use the momentum gained by this year’s SuperNationals to build on their program, one that will use their successful Pro Kart Challenge as the franchise model. The duo enjoyed the interview and detailed many facets of their plans for the future. All said, next year’s SuperNationals promises to be the best ever, but the rebirth of the SKUSA regional program is likely a more newsworthy development.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 15

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:09:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals X - Show 2
Date: November 11, 2006
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guests: Tom Kutscher and Jim Baltutis (Superkarts! USA)

With an exciting weekend going on at the SKUSA SuperNationals X presented by BC Ethic outside Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, the EKN crew sat down again Saturday night for another Happy Hour. The EKN crew was joined by old school SKI correspondents Tim Blaney and Jeff Deskins, sat down with SKUSA President Tom Kutscher and SKUSA Marketing guru Jim Baltutis. The group discuss the event up to Saturday night, looking ahead to SuperSunday and beyond that, as the duo and the SKUSA staff moves forward toward a new age.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 14

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:05:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals X - Show 1
Date: November 9, 2006
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV

Superkarts! USA opened a new era at the SKUSA SuperNationals X presented by BC Ethic, outside Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, and EKN was there to provide its Trackside Live coverage throughout the four day event. With a busy schedule and plenty of things to do in Sin City, the EKN crew was still able to sit down start the weekend off with a Happy Hour. The Thursday night show gave viewers a preview of what would come for the tenth edition of the SuperNats.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 13

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:14:00 +0000

Stars of Karting West #4
Date: August 18, 2006
Venue: Infineon Raceway Karting Center - Sonoma, CA
Guest: Memo Gidley (Cytomax), Jeff Swoboda (Stars of Karting), Andrew Alfanso (Trackmagic)

The Stars of Karting Western closed its 2006 schedule at the Infineon Raceway Karting Center in Sonoma, CA and the EKN crew was on hand to provide the full Trackside Coverage along with another addition of the Happy Hour. Set up after a full day of Friday practice in the Cytomax Lounge, Howden sat down with Cytomax driver Memo Gidley to talk about his career in karting and his advancement into the Grand Am Rolex Series as well as talking about the Secrets of Speed series that he publishes for new karters. Stars of Karting Marketing guru Jeff Swoboda sat down to discuss the upcoming Stars National Finals and the events schedule to included during the weekend. Lastly, Howden gets a one-on-one interview with the new owner of Trackmagic - Andrew Alfanso - to discuss the past and the future of the American kart racing chassis manufacturer.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 12

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 03:10:00 +0000

Stars of Karting East #4
Date: August 5, 2006
Venue: USA International Raceway - Shawano, WI
Guests: Brett Smrz (FirstKart.com), Mike Vincec (Cameron Motorsports), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting), Jamie Sieracki (Franklin Motorsports), Steve Welk (Linear Sport/GBR Racing)

A busy month is ahead for the EKN staff as the begin the month in Wisconsin for the Stars of Karting Eastern Division finale at USA International Raceway in Shawano during the Friday night party by the pool with music, beer, and free food. A busy guest list kept the show going with recent Formula BMW Licensing Course Scholarship winners Brett Smrz and Mike Vincec. We then discuss the recent announcement of Stars of Karting to be part of the PRI Show in Orlando in December with Stars President Paul Zalud. After a great Hot Seat with Zalud, the Round Table Discussion cracked the brain of Jamie Sieracki and Steve Welk about what karting is, a feeder series or a sport of its own.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 11

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 16:16:00 +0000

Stars of Karting East #3
Date: July 8, 2006
Venue: Wingate Inn - Concord, NC
Guests: Mike Wilson (Birel spa), Chris Lobaugh (MRP Motorsport), Mike Giessen (MRP Motorsport), Matt Jaskol (Team OVRP.com), Chris Wehrheim (Team OVRP.com)

Just a little over a month ago since the last Happy Hour addition in Primm, the HHH guys return for the eight show of the season at the Stars of Karting Eastern Division event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. The two talk about the latest news from the past month, including talking with multi-time World Champion Mike Wilson and Chris Lobaugh about Wilson’s move to work with Birel. Along with them was MRP-Birel AMERICA driver Mike Giessen to talk about his return to karting for a one-off event under the great legends such as Wilson, Haddock, and Lobaugh. For the new Round Table Discussion, Team OVRP.com’s Matt Jaskol and Chris Wehrheim sit down to discuss the question of “Can there be a national series with just Senior drivers,” using the announcement of the SKUSA SuperNationals to be running only drivers 14 years of age or older.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 10

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:50:00 +0000

Desert MINI Grand Prix
Date: June 3, 2006
Venue: Buffalo Bills Hotel & Casino - Primm, NV
Guests: Randy Neal (PCH Motorsports), Joe Ramos (SSC Racing), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting) and Don St. Ours (IKF Region 7)

After nearly two months away from the podcast mics, the EKN staff of Rob Howden and David Cole sat down after a hot day at the Stars of Karting Desert MINI Grand Prix for another edition of the Happy Hour program. The team set up shop under the PCH Motorsports tent and discussed the latest news and Saturday’s events for the third round of the Stars of Karting Western division. Howden sat down with Randy Neal and Joe Ramos to discuss the cooperation between the two companies for the Hot Seat portion of the podcast. Later in show, the Round Table Discussion with Paul Zalud and Don St. Ours had the topic of cooperation between the National, Regional, and Club divisions in the sport of karting.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 9

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 04:24:00 +0000

HMG World Headquarters
Date: April 19, 2006
Venue: Howden Media Group - Cambridge, Ontario
Guest: Tony Ventresca - First Kart North America

The Stars of Karting Western division kicks off this weekend in Tucson, but the EKN crew gets a jump start in this addition of the Happy Hour program. With News Desk Manager David Cole taking the weekend off, the Happy Hour duo sat down at the HMG World Headquarters to discuss the past few weeks in the world of karting and the upcoming Stars race in Tucson, AZ, as well as the ladder system in place in karting.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 8

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:55:00 +0000

Stars of Karting Race of the Americas
Date: March 18, 2006
Venue: La Quinta Inn - Norman, OK
Guests: Nick Tonkin and Kevin Williams

The 2006 national schedule finally got underway at the Stars of Karting MINI Cooper Race of the Americas at the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman, Okla. Unfortunately, bad weather plagued the entire weekend, forcing the Happy Hour show to be moved to the La Quinta Inn lobby as a make-shift home after a long Saturday at the track. The Happy Hour duo sat down with the Nick Tonkin - ICA pole-sitter for the Sunday final, along with Stars of Karting Race Director Kevin Williams to discuss the upcoming year.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 7

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 19:25:00 +0000

Sodi Kart Expo International
Date: February 26, 2006
Venue: Pheasant Run Resort – St. Charles, IL
Guests: Cliff Kujala, Johnny Mislijevic, David Fore, Tony Ventresca, Jim Smith, Roger Ruthart, Randy Kugler, Jamie Sieracki, Marc Miller, Adam and Johnny Johnson

For the first time since the beginning of the ‘Happy Hour’ program, the EKN duo of Rob Howden and David Cole bring you a second show in the same weekend. The show highlights just some of the attendees at the Sodi Kart Expo International. The hour long show sees eight guests taking their turn in the “Hot Seat,” talking about what’s new for 2006.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 6

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 19:21:00 +0000

SKI Excellence Awards Special
Date: February 25, 2006
Venue: Sodi Kart Expo International – St. Charles, IL
Guests: Paul Zalud, Darrell Sitarz

The EKN crew is back on the road again, this time hitting the “Windy City” for the 2006 Sodi Kart Expo International at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. Along with the regular segments, the show included the announcement of the winners of the SKI Excellence Awards. Winners in six categories were named, including the prestigious Driver of the Year and Team of the Year awards. Also included is quick interviews with Darrell Sitarz, organizer of the Kart Expo, and Paul Zalud on the Stars of Karting involvement with the Winter Cup in Italy.

EKN Happy Hour with Howden - Show 5

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 04:44:00 +0000

SKI Awards Nomination Special
Date: February 8, 2006
Venue: HMG Headquarters - Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Guest: None

The fifth installment of the new karting podcast craze, ‘Happy Hour with Howden’, was recorded last night at the Howden Media Group headquarters in Cambridge, Ontario after a week-long process to calculate the nominees for the 2005 SKI Awards. The eKartingnews.com and Super Kart Illustrated staff worked overtime to go through all the lists posted in the EKN Forums and the hundreds of e-mails submitted to the site's administrators to narrow the nominees in the six categories to just five each.

In the end, the karting community chose their most deserving five candidates for the following six categories: Driver of the Year, Team of the Year, Road Racer of the Year, Mechanic of the Year, Rising Star, and Young Driver of the Year. This show also included a few re-named or entirely new segments, including the EKN Newswire, the SKI Paddock Pass, the FirstKart.com Performers of the Week, the SKI New Issue Preview and the SKI Racing Calendar.

EKN One-on-One with Rob Howden – Colin Fleming

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:00:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals IX
Date: November 13, 2005
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guest: Colin Fleming

Our first One on One included the next American Formula One driver Scott Speed from the SKUSA SuperNationals. Another Red Bull driver who was in attendance and is looking to join Speed in the F1 category is Colin Fleming. Fleming comes from a strong karting family, as his father continues to run Fleming Motor Sports. Former Super Kart Illustrated Editor Tim Blaney subbed in the host seat for Howden to sit down with Fleming during the busy SuperSunday in Vegas to chat with him about his karting past, racing in Europe, and his future in motorsports.

EKN One on One with Rob Howden - Scott Speed

noreply@blogger.com (EKN_Cole) — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 14:56:00 +0000

SKUSA SuperNationals IX
Date: November 13, 2005
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
Guest: Scott Speed

At the SKUSA SuperNationals in November, the paddock greeted former event winner and 2001 Super Kart Illustrated Driver of the Year Scott Speed, the newest American Formula 1 pilot. Speed was in town to visit with his old friends and to watch a little top-level karting action as well. EKN Publisher Rob Howden had a chance to sit down with Speed during the busy SuperSunday in Vegas to chat with him about his karting past, his past year in GP2, and his upcoming future in Formula One.