Alt-Mario Kart 2005: The Nitro Era

[Rob Dylan]

Welcome back one and all to the most wonderfulest series on the planet!


News
2004 was, as is rarely the case, a largely drama-free season in spite of the seismic line-up changes that occurred over the summer break. The silly season news for the next two years occurred largely in advance, meaning that the outgoing world champion Waluigi has planted himself at a very determined and overstretched SSL until the end of 2006. With teams going back to two karts, and SSL reportedly having hired up to eight or nine different drivers, it will be quite the bloodbath to see who gets the second seat at the team. Rumours have even abounded that Daisy and Luigi intend to either independently or co-operatively set up a junior team for their children and other prospective entrants for the main SSL team.

Toad took a brilliant championship after a late-season surge, even beating the upset candidate in Bowser Jr. However, Bowser Jr. has been training hard over the winter, and has a whole decade age advantage over the two-time champion. BMW has not declared any seats yet, although it seems inevitable that their top two drivers from 2004 will retain those seats.

That leaves others like Mario and DK out on the lurch. The former has announced intentions to re-form Scuderia Mario under the new name Project Mario, while DK's career is in turmoil as he attempts to prove himself as a leading driver. Perhaps a chance might come at DPRK? At teams such as Funky and Peach's, there comes difficulty when four chosen drivers must become two. Of the equally tested Conker and Banjo, which if either will keep their place? And what of the much-vaunted Para Troopa? Will he be keen to stay in place or will he want to move?

Koopra Sport remains as quiet as ever, although further rumours suggest that Morton Koopa Jr. is not happy with the slowdown in pace for the team, and their inability to produce "a winner" as he calls it. Other drivers such as Dribble & Spitz will be very hot commodities in the search for drivers this year.

At Mitsuyoshi, second place was a solid result but not good enough. Redsaurus has been pulling his hair out over the loss in pace found both by Dixie Kong and by Yoshi - even if both drivers were able to take victories last season. Mitsuyoshi seems the most obvious place for an enterprising driver to end up and reap the spoils of 2005.

KBM is now in a situation whereby their team owner is now head of the MKDA after a very contentious election. While things have calmed down, the long-term effects of this new governance have yet to be felt in the paddock. New rule changes are likely to come into force soon...

And what of the new teams? Mario and Birdo are all but certain to be entering their own vanity projects, while SSL's potential junior team will be fighting against Iggy Koopa and Toadsworth for a place on the grid. The MIA has announced its intentions to have a 20 kart grid at the maximum for now. Let's see who's in and who's out.


New Rules

• The MIA has mandated that teams go back to two karts and two drivers, now that the after-effects of DKR's collapse have worn off.

• There is a current cap of 20 karts on the grid for 2005, so 10 teams will be allowed to participate (if they pass the vetting).

• Yoshihama will be brought back to Mario Kart to instill a tyre war.

The Grid

Red Bowser Racing

Team Principal: Donkey Kong Jr. (Hermann95)

#1 Toad Toadstool
#2 Bowser Jr.

Mitsuyoshi Buntai

Team Principal: Redsaurus R. Bitakoopas (Javi/Frentzen)

#3 Dixie Kong
#4 Wario Jumpman

Scuderia Sarasaland Squadron Luigier Team

Team Principals: Luigi Mario and Daisy von Sarasaland (TCBY and Pinkd)

#5 Waluigi
#6 Luigi Mario

Donkey-Peach Racing Kongection

Team Principal: Peach Toadstool (NessaFox)
Technical Director (day-to-day): Funky Kong (Ducktanian)

#7 Peach Toadstool
#8 Banjo-Kazooie

Koopra Sport

Team Principal: Koopa Troopa (DigitDan)

#9
#10

King Boo Motorsports

Team Principal: King Boo (NickyDustyOwl)

#11 Para Karry
#12 Petey Piranha

Project Mario

Team Principal: Mario Mario (Frogfoot9013)

#14 Mario Mario
#15 Para Troopa

Birdette Racing

Team Principal: Birdetta Birdo (Novitopoli)

#16 Birdetta Birdo
#17 Nicolas Hammerton

Koopra Kids

Team Principal: Iggy Koopa (Pinguini)

#18 Iggy Koopa
#19 Conker T. Squirrel

ToadGate

Team Principal: Toadsworth (Aislabie)

#20 Dribble & Spitz
#21 Toadsworth





The Calendar

Mushroom Cup
1. Figure-Eight Circuit [Mushroom Kingdom]
2. Yoshi Falls [Yoshi's Island]
3. Cheep Cheep Beach [Koopa Kingdom]
4. Luigi's Mansion [Mushroom Kingdom]

Flower Cup
5. Desert Hills [Yoshi's Island]
6. Delfino Square [Isle Delfino]
7. Waluigi Pinball [Mushroom Kingdom]
8. Shroom Ridge [Mushroom Kingdom]

Star Cup
9. DK Pass [Donkey Kong Country]
10. Tick-Tock Clock [Mushroom Kingdom]
11. Mario Circuit [Mushroom Kingdom]
12. Airship Fortress [Koopa Kingdom]

Special Cup
13. Wario Stadium [Wario Land]
14. Peach Gardens [Mushroom Kingdom]
15. Bowser's Castle [Koopa Kingdom]
16. Rainbow Road [Space]


Phase 1 (1992-1995) records
Phase 2 (1996-2002) records

Phase 3 (current) records

[Rob Dylan]

New Team Arrivals

To make up for the loss in seats following the collapse of Diddy Kong Racing after 2002, and the move away from double-seated karts after 2004, the MIA have allowed a whopping four new teams to enter the championship for 2005. They are as follows:

- Project Mario, the successor team to the legendary Scuderia Mario (1992-1996). It is being run by Mario Mario, who is also employing long-time colleague Whomp King as the team's reserve driver. The Italian Mario will be in the lead kart while Para Troopa has suspiciously accepted an auspicious deal for the second seat.

- Birdette Racing, run by Birdetta Birdo after she failed to get herself or protege Nicolas Hammerton a race seat in 2004. They have been building up a new kart for a long time with this intention to run, or at least so Birdetto says. The two aforementioned drivers will be in the seats when the season begins, but it is understood that other Yoshi's Island drivers may get a leg up as the years go by.

- Koopra Kids, the funniest team so far, is being run by 23-year-old Iggy Koopa. The fourth Koopa Kid has a lot of weight on his shoulders bearing the brunt of this new team, but thankfully he has help as the team will be effectively run as a Koopra Sport junior platform, at least in its first few seasons. Some favours may be exchanged but it is understood to be an amicable partnership.

- ToadGate, the final team to make it, is being headed by the 61-year-old Toadsworth, who famously failed to win the MKDA election last year by one whole vote. While last minute in his approach, Toad has us with the understanding that he has the full resources to operate a racing team out of his kart.

[Rob Dylan]

Non-Championship Races to return

In an attempt to encourage the new teams to participate as much as possible, non-championship races are coming to Mario Kart on a permanent basis, between Cups. Teams will have the option of either improving their kart or participating for potential cash funds. It will also encourage teams to send in new drivers for these events to test out new talent.

[novitopoli]

Hammeronda to return to Mario Kart, powering Birdette Racing

Just hours after Birdette Racing has been officially confirmed as a new entrant in Mario Kart from the 2005 season, Hammeronda has announced their return to the sport as an engine supplier, powering Birdette Racing as its works team. Hammeronda had previously enjoyed remarkable success in the early days of the series, powering the now-defunct Hammer Brothers Racing Team to a total of 6 wins and 28 podiums between 1994 and 1998.

It is understood that contacts between Hammeronda management and owner-driver Birdette Birdo on the marque's return as an engine supplier had been established as early as late 2003; Birdo herself had been at the wheel for five of the six wins achieved by Hammeronda-powered karts. Birdette Racing chief engineer Rob Robirdo has been quoted as saying: "We have a great deal of confidence on the partnership with our friends at Hammeronda; the engine is already on the drivebench and the data is very promising", while the team's deputy team principal, former Diddy Kong Racing podium finisher and one-time Mario Kart starter Jimmie Mouser, has been more cautious on the team's perspective: "We are a new team and will have to first and foremost measure ourselves against other new outfits. But we come well prepared and will do our best to shine!"

[GT_Forti1]

Dribble & Spitz are awaiting offers for the 2005 season. The duo are also willing to step aside for non-championship races.

[Hermann95]

Shocking! BMW set for full rebrand ahead of the 2005 season

Bowser Motor und Sport are the first to exclusively report, that the Bowser Motor Works Racing Team will not be the same come the start of the 2005 season. Bowser himself confirmed, that he needs to step back from the day-to-day business of running a team as his medical condition regarding his heart is getting worse and worse. "Another collision between our karts, or another court case, could easily be the end of me", Bowser admits.

To prevent any speculation regarding a potential successor as team principal, Bowser secretly worked on a solution for the last couple of months in order to prepare everything for a smooth takeover. A familiar face to the sport will be the new head of the team, Dr. Donkard Kong Jr..

Donkey Kong Jr. is famously known, for his horrific accident at Donut Plains in 1994 which saw him in a coma for nearly 2 years afterwards as well as loosing one eye. Since then, it has been quiet around him, but he couldn't possibly have been more active. After finishing lawschool, and officially becoming known as Dr. Donkard Kong Jr, he ventured into the business world, acquiring hotels among other things. In the past few years, he has been a Board Member and advisor for the Red Bowser Energy Drink company, who are set for a major sponsorship deal, including a change of the team name, with the BMW outfit.

While the exact name is not yet finalized, we at BMuS are hearing from our sources that it will be Red Bowser Racing.

[Aislabie]

Toadsworth confirms technical partnership with major team

Managing director of the ToadGate Racing Team, Chairman of ToadGate Industries, former candidate for MKDA Chairman and President of the Mario Golf Association Toadsworth has today announced an exciting technical partnership that will no doubt launch his ambitious and innovative racing team to the front of the grid.

The technical partnership will see the Project Mario team supply ToadGate with two former show karts and a steady supply of Marioserati engines. In return for this fantastic deal, Toadsworth has agreed to terms which include running Project Mario's 41-year-old junior driver Krunch Kremling in the #21 kart, and ensuring that all ToadGate drivers are paid up members of the MMDA (Mario Mario Drivers Association).

Toadsworth announced the new development in a press conference that was supposed also to include Mario Mario, but the enigmatic Italian was reportedly out of town on other business.

[GT_Forti1]

Dribble & Spitz to drive for ToadGate in 2005

Mario Kart race winners Dribble & Spitz have been confirmed to drive the No. 20 ToadGate kart. The duo will race alongside Mario’s apprentice Krunch Kremling. Given their reputation, we at the Daily Diamond confidently believe that D&S will be treated as the No. 1 driver, but that’s all up to Toadsworth. In an interview, Dribble stated, “Building up an all-new team is an exciting prospect. I’ll gladly bear the responsibility of taking ToadGate to their first victory!”

[Rob Dylan]

CIVIL WAR AT MITSUYOSHI

In an off-season shake-up, it is understood that long-time Mitsuyoshi team principal has been shown the door by his former legal client and also formerly dead friend Yoshisaur T. Munchakoopas. After a few seasons now of Yoshi being reanimated, Mitsuyoshi top brass has decided to remove Redsaurus from the post of team manager and reinstate the racing legend to his old spot.

What now for Redsaurus? Latest we have heard is that he is signing for DPRK. More to follow.

[Rob Dylan]

CIVIL WAR AT MITSUYOSHI

In an off-season shake-up, it is understood that long-time Mitsuyoshi team principal has been shown the door by his former legal client and also formerly dead friend Yoshisaur T. Munchakoopas. After a few seasons now of Yoshi being reanimated, Mitsuyoshi top brass has decided to remove Redsaurus from the post of team manager and reinstate the racing legend to his old spot.

What now for Redsaurus? Latest we have heard is that he is signing for DPRK. More to follow.

Since that news was leaked, Redsaurus has quietly left the Mitsuyoshi team with immediate effect. It is rumoured that the snubbed former team principal is now looking to start up his own Mario Kart team in rivalry to Yoshisaur.

Other Signings
Perhaps the loudest of all the signings so far has been Wario Jumpman, the five-time world champion from 1994-1998. Initially approached by DPRK, he loudly proclaimed to the press that he was retired for good, but a Cup-by-Cup contract with Mitsuyoshi was then too hard to turn down. The five-time world champion returns yet again to race alongside Dixie Kong, who has been retained for another season. Dixie Kong, and of course, Redsaurus, are out of the other two seats, while Yoshi moves back into team management.

Elsewhere, DPRK signs Banjo-Kazooie alongside Peach after deals with Wario fell through. It is understood that Donkey Kong is still on their radar, but the monkey has so far failed to find a seat. KBM, who were in competition for Kazooie's services, have instead hired two debutants Petey Piranha and Para Karry. Karry's only driving experience has been in Diddy Kong Racing many years ago.

Dribble & Spitz, currently referred to as the biggest upcoming young talent of their generation, have left Koopra Sport for the new ToadGate team, where they have been promised #1 status at the start-up team. Toadsworth, unable to secure a second driver, has decided that as negotations ongo, he will take the second seat for the opening round.

RBR, formerly BMW, have signed up Toad on another two-year contract to the end of 2006, while Bowser Jr. has retained his place at the team following a near championship victory.

Birdette Racing have unsurprisingly signed team principal Birdetta Birdo and her client Nicolas Hammerton.

[Rob Dylan]

The Tyre Wars Begin

In an effort to spice up the show, the MKDA have agreed with the MIA to make Mario Kart more exciting by instilling a tyre war, inviting Yoshihama back as a tyre supplier alongside the previously monopolising Bridgestone team. Each supplier has to be supplying two more teams alongside their factory partners (RBR and Mitsuyoshi). It is understood that DPRK and Birdette Racing have been chosen as premium users by Yoshihama, while Project Mario and King Boo Motorsports received premium status from Booridgestone. The remaining four teams are at free reign to pick which tyres they would like on their karts.

[Rob Dylan]

Over the weekend, we had more driver signings, such as when Koopra Kids hired young Koopa talents such as team owner Iggy Koopa, and 37-year-old Conker T. Squirrel. We also had the first pre-season test held at the classic Mario Raceway, a track not used since the 2002 team. Four teams were absent: Project Mario and ToadGate due to focussing on their new karts, Koopra Sport due to delays in decision-making and management from Koopa Troopa, and then Koopra Kids who were too late in signing up for the event.

Mitsuyoshi dominated initial proceedings, with RBR and Waluigi behind. The only noticeably slow team was Birdette Racing, who in their first ever session were a lot slower than KBM in apparent fifth. It was almost a dream come true for returning five-time champion Wario Jumpman, who was a few hundredths of a second from topping the session on his first drive.

[GT_Forti1]

New engine supplier to join MK?

News has just broke that Diamond City-based auto conglomerate Diamond Motors has been taken over by Dribble & Spitz, renamed to DS Automobiles.

With eyebrows raising over ToadGate’s Marioserati engine supply after key figure in the deal Krunch Kremling could not compete, Dribble & Spitz proposed a solution.

Their colleague Dr Crygor, of Diamond Taxi fame, would build a W12 engine badged under the DS brand Spitroen.

This has fueled rumors that they are starting their own team soon, and the duo’s colleague Dr Crygor has been cited as a key figure in this operation, building their own kart as well as their in-house engine. Dribble & Spitz’s team has been speculated to serve as a promotion for the new DS brand Spitroen, with the intent of using motorsport expertise to improve sales.

As for the duo themselves, they will remain at ToadGate for the time being.

[Rob Dylan]

A few weekends later we organised the second pre-season test, which this time featured seven of the ten teams. Koopra Kids joined in and were immediately fast, especially in the hands of seasoned racing veteran Conker. Project Mario and ToadGate decide again to waive participation in the event and instead work on their new chassis to be race-worthy by season start. Koopra Sport has not been heard of in some time, and their participation in the season is now in doubt. The announcement that they would run Booridgestones did little to quell these doubts.

The stars of the second test, taking place at Yoshi Falls, were DPRK, who led a 1-3 with Peach at the top of the day's running. Defending champion Toad split the two, with Koopra Kids close behind. Birdette Racing are still a bit further behind the pack, but there's no guarantee of their place overall until the last two teams start participating. See you at Figure Eight!

[Rob Dylan]

Koopra Sport has good and bad news! After a last-minute entry to the championship, the team are now facing the problem that Morton Koopa has pulled out of the team in protest to the way he was treated in contract duties. The Koopaling brother evidently believes he could do better elsewhere, and it has put his now former team in a bit of a bind.

[Rob Dylan]

With Pipsy Astromouse now occupying the #10, this means that all seats are now taken for the first round of 2005. All teams are ready, and Figure Eight is just around the corner