CONCORD, NC - While the 2017 version of the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series Schedule was released months ago, WKA Officials have finalized all the venues and dates heading into the new year. While the Manufacturers Cup Series has maintained its original 5 race schedule, the schedule for the WKA Winter Cup Series has been modified, based on scheduling challenges with competing series.

To provide customers that run multiple programs as much of a break between races as possible, the very successful 3 race winter program, now entering its second season, has adjusted its dates and venues, with stops in Daytona, Jacksonville, and Ocala.

Following a return to impressive numbers in 2016, the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, as always, will begin the season at the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway December 27-30 for the Margay Sprint Nationals. The event, as was the case last year, will also be counted as the first WKA Winter Cup program for the new season. The next Manufacturers Cup event will then take the competitors to the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania May 19-21. The series will then head to its traditional mid-summer stop July 14-16 at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana, with the August venue becoming another trip to the Midwest August 25-27 at the newly renovated Briggs & Stratton Raceway Park in Dousman, Wisconsin. The finale will bring the racers to Mooresville North Carolina. Champions will be determined at GoPro Motorplex at the season ending Grand National event October 13-15. Competitors will be able to count their best 8 of 10 finals for the Man-Cup series in 2017.

On the Winter Cup side, once the program departs Daytona in December, the series will head to 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida February 24-26, with the finale scheduled for March 31-April 2 at the Ocala Gran Prix facility making this an all Florida Winter Cup in 2017. There will be NO DROPS in the Winter Cup program, competitors will count 6 out of 6 finals.

The WKA Manufacturers and Winter Cup Classes offer the same structure as 2016 with a few changes:

Kid Kart will be running as an exhibition class at the Manufacturers and Winter Cup events for just the cost of a Pit Pass. They will have the opportunity to take laps during breaks and lunch at these events, with all drivers receiving a medal for participation. Kid Kart racers wishing to compete in the Kid Kart Class for a National Championship will have the opportunity to do so as the class is now part of the 2017 WKA Gold Cup Series. (details coming soon)

Lo206 Senior (CIK Body Work and Man-Cup Chassis Rules) has been added to the Manufactures Cup filling the void left by Kid Kart. This class with the its huge growth in the Midwest and the North Carolina area should make for a very good addition to the Manufacturers Cup class structure.

On a technical note, Yamaha Junior, starting in Daytona will have new size rear tires. The WKA Trustees voted back in mid-2016 to change to 7.10 for the 2017 Season. There are no other changes for the class.

A new addition to the Winter Cup Class Structure will be the local option ROK Senior Shifter Class. The package is strong in the state of Florida, so the WKA Trustees wanted to give this class an opportunity in the WKA series. This will give the local Florida racers the chance to bring their ROK Shifter equipment onto the Daytona Karting track for the first time and then compete in Jacksonville and Ocala, tracks that they are very accustomed with. The Class will follow the ROK Cup engine rules and use the ROK Cup Bridgestone (YLR) slick tires.

2017 CLASSES

Mini Swift

Pro Swift Sportsman

Yamaha Sportsman

Yamaha Junior

*Yamaha Senior (Daytona, Pitt, New Castle, Dousman & GoPro)

Lo206 Senior (Man Cup Chassis Rules)

IAME Junior

IAME Senior

**ROK Senior Shifter (Winter Cup only— (Daytona, Jacksonville & Ocala)

Listening to the racers suggestions the WKA Trustees voted to change its format to better accommodate an earlier finish on Race Day Two. However, because of the short amount of daylight during Daytona Kart Week and the pit closing curfew, Daytona will follow Race Day Two format that consists of Qualifying, Heat and Final both race days. WKA will extend the laps of the Heat and Final races. The lineup for the Final both days will consist of points from Qualifying and the Heat race each day to set the grid for the final. Day 1 and Day 2 are separate race days and don’t impact each other.

The balance of Winter & Manufacturers Cups will consist of Race Day 1 being the same as 2016 with Qualifying, Heat 1, Heat 2 & Final with Race Day 2 consisting of Qualifying, Heat and a Final (extended laps from day 1) with the lineup for the Final of Race Day 2 consisting of points from Qualifying and Heat. Again two separate race days that don’t impact each other. It should be noted WKA Practice schedule will not be changing.

Here’s a look at the 2017 National Schedule for both series:

BRIDGESTONE MANUFACTURER'S CUP SERIES

Dec 27-30: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida

May 19-21: Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania

July 14-16: New Castle Motorsports Park, New Castle, Indiana

Aug 25-27: Briggs & Stratton Raceway Park, Dousman, Wisconsin

Oct 13-15: GoPro Motorplex, Mooresville, North Carolina: Grand National

WKA WINTER CUP SERIES

Dec 27-30: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Florida

Feb 24-26: 103rd Street Sports Complex, Jacksonville, Florida

March 31-April2: Ocala Gran Prix, Ocala, Florida

AWARDS BANQUET

WKA will host its annual Manufacturers Cup Champions Awards Banquet for the 2016 Season on December 27th @ 7:00 pm hosted at the Daytona Beach Resort and Spa Hotel. Discounted room rates can be found by contacting the hotel directly 1-800-654-6216 or the link below. “WORLDKAR” has to be put in the group code when doing it online and must be mentioned if doing it via phone.