CONCORD, NC - The much anticipated beginning to the 2016 season, just a little over 2 months away, begins with the latest edition of Daytona KartWeek. For competitors of the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, who just recently wrapped up their season in late August at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, the beginning of the new season begins with the Daytona KartWeek Entry Blank, now available for viewing online. With a new season comes a few changes to the 2016 Class Structure. The 2016 version of the Manufacturers Cup Series will be comprised of 8 national classes including Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Kid Kart, Pro IAME Junior, and Pro IAME Senior. Some changes/additions for 2016 include the addition of a Mini Swift Class. Additionally, there will be a Pro Swift Sportsman Class, replacing the Pro TaG Sportsman Class from 2015. And the Yamaha Senior Pipe Class will now be featured as a Yamaha Senior Can Class in the new year.
For those wishing to view the specs on the current and new classes, there is a link below to click on the 2016 Class Structure.
The series also returns back to somewhat of a familiar format from the past, with competitors having two shots at winning a Final event in a race weekend, with the efforts of both race days in the weekend still aimed at finding 1 overall champion per class. Following a full day of practice, competitors will qualify, run 2 Heat Races and a Final each day of their event weekend.
The 3 Pro Classes will once again be running for purse payouts this year. For drivers running the Pro IAME Senior Class, drivers will still be running for $1,000 to win, with $500 going to second, and a set of Bridgestone Tires for third. The Pro Swift Sportsman and Pro IAME Junior classes will vye for a $500 payday, with $250 going to second and a set of Bridgestone Tires for third. It is important to note that the purse will be paid out to the overall top 3 for the weekends 2 races per class, not on a per class, per day basis. The overall results of the two days of Pro competition will dictate those results.
While 8 national classes will be the structure for 2016, Daytona is also the beginning of the inaugural 3 race Winter Cup, which will be comprised of the 8 national classes, as well as competitors from the LO 206 Junior and Senior classes from the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series. The Daytona event is the only Manufacturers Cup event of the year in which the Winter Cup will also be tied into. The remaining two Winter Cup dates will be in February in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as March at Go Pro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. Additional information regarding the Winter Cup will be available shortly.
The 2015 national champions and top 10 competitors in each class will also be honored at Daytona in the annual awards ceremony held at the Daytona Beach Resort and Spa, the same location as last year. This season, the Mfg Cup Awards presentation will be by itself, as the Road Race Series will honor their champions at another time. There is also a link below, affording competitors and families wishing to attend the awards presentation, the opportunity to download the banquet form.
Links pertaining to reservations at the Daytona Beach Resort and Spa are also available, as well as the 2016 Reserved Number Form for drivers wishing to get their numbers straight for the new year. Be sure and get the Hotel Reservation Code (WORLDKAR) to secure your discount, preparing you for the newest edition of Daytona Kartweek!!!!!