KA 100 Senior Class Joins 2018 Mfg Cup Class Structure

CONCORD, NC - World Karting Officials are proud to announce the addition of the IAME KA100 Senior Class as part of the national class structure for 2018 for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series.

The series, which will kick off its 2018 season Dec 28-30 at Daytona International Speedway, will again feature 8 national classes, including;

Micro Swift

Mini Swift

IAME Junior

IAME Senior

Yamaha Sportsman

Yamaha Junior

Yamaha Senior

KA100 Senior

While the KA100 Senior will begin its national points season at Daytona, many drivers can get a head start in just a couple weeks at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina for the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals, as the class will be featured as a Local Option Class the weekend of Oct 13 and 14. Competitors in that class will have the opportunity to practice all day Friday with the 8 national classes on hand, as well as race on Saturday, with awards being presented to the top 3 finishers in the Saturday event.

As an added bonus for the new class, the GoPro Entry Fee includes 1 free set of Bridgestone YLC Tires for the weekend, as well as a WKA Membership, which will also carry them through the Daytona event in December, enabling them to kick off a new season with the class. Expiration on the membership will be January 1, 2018, affording competitors the ability to not have to renew their membership until the March 23 Mfg Cup event at GoPro Motorplex, which would serve as stop #2 for the 6-race series in 2018.

Following the March GoPro event, the balance of the schedule includes:

May 18-20: Pittsburgh International Race Complex

July 13-15: New Jersey Motorsports Park

September 14-16: New Castle Motorsports Park

October 26-28: GoPro Motorplex

With the addition of a 6th national event in 2018, all national competitors can also count their best 9 of 12 finishes for the season, beginning at Daytona.

The IAME KA100 Senior Class officially replaces the LO206 Senior class for 2018.

For competitors in the KA100 Senior Class, as well as the other 8 current national classes, pre-entry deadline for the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals is October 6th. Be sure and take advantage of the pre-entry pricing.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

To view the Paper Entry Blank, CLICK HERE.

GoPro Pre Entry Deadline Oct 6

CONCORD, NC - With the finale for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series quickly approaching, so is the pre entry deadline for competitors wishing to compete in the TopKart USA Grand Nationals Oct 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Those wishing to take advantage of pre entry pricing have until Friday October 6th.

The Grand National event will also determine the 2017 national champions in the following classes.

RLV Tuned Exhaust Products LO206 Senior

CRPRACING.com Mini Swift

Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman

Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior

FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior

IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman

Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior

KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior

Joining the national classes on that weekend as a Local Option class will be the KA 100 Senior class, which will participate in the Friday practice, as well as the Saturday race festivities.

As mentioned recently, the Pro IAME Junior and Senior classes will be utilizing the Bridgestone YNB tire for this event, due to a shortage of YLM tires. Competitors who pre enter for the event prior to October 6, will receive 3 free sets of Bridgestone YNB's, 1 for practice, and a set for each race day. Additionally, any competitor who still has sets of YLM tires in the wrappers, may trade them in for a free set of YNB's through your Bridgestone dealer. For more info on the trade, you may contact the following dealers:

Grand Products: (215) 244-1940

Margay Racing Products: (314) 562-7429

The weekends activities at GoPro will kick off with a full day of practice, followed by a barbecue dinner in the afternoon. Special thanks to the following companies who contributed to the dinner:

Fast Kart Supply: Jim Maier

Chuck G Fabrication: Chuck Gafrarar

Charlotte Mechanical: Dan Dyszelski

Nitro Karting: Nick Tucker

Twin Automotive: Paul Massimino

Top Kart USA: Bill McLaughlin

Rev Branding: Kevin Williams

Franklin Kart: George Sieracki

CNC Performance: Chris Nachtman

Following the barbecue, WKA will be conducting its annual membership meeting, at a location on the property to be announced during the day Friday. 

Those wishing to still reserve parking can contact Buddy Long at (704) 455-1606, ext 112, or at buddy@worldkarting.com.

To view the weekend schedule for the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals, CLICK HERE.

Pro IAME Junior and Senior Drivers to Run new Bridgestone YNB Compound for GoPro Finale

CONCORD, NC - Bridgestone Officials have notified World Karting Association, that due to a lack of ample supply of Bar Coded YLM Tires, and in an effort to ensure that competitors in the Pro IAME Junior and Senior classes are well covered for the season ending Grand National event October 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, the new Bridgestone YNB Compound would be the tire that will be utilized.

All competitors in these 2 classes who have pre-entered by the October 6 deadline, will be issued  1 free set of practice tires, as well as 2 sets of race tires for the weekend. Tire pick-up will begin at noon on Thursday Oct.12th.  Additionally, any drivers in these 2 classes who still have the Bridgestone YLM Tires in the wrapper, can do a one for one exchange for the new YNB compound tire at the event.  Bridgestone asks that competitors contact, Margay Racing Products at (314) 771-4242 or Grand Products at (215) 244-1940 with the quantity of each size so they can have the proper amount at the event for exchange.  

As of September 13, dealers have taken possession of the YNB tire, giving customers time to purchase additional tires for practice, and testing on the new YNB compound.  This is a copy of the Bridgestone announcement:   

As Bridgestone enters its 40th year of supplying premium kart racing tires to the US Karting market, Bridgestone Kartsport would like to confirm its product line for the 2018 season and beyond. Consisting of two new compounds (YNB, YNP) along with two existing compounds (YLC, YDS), Bridgestone continues its practice of offering a complete range of tires for all sprint kart racing applications.

Homologated with CIK-FIA as the ‘prime’ compound, the Bridgestone YNB has already proven to be an outstanding tire in the KZ & KZ2 categories in WSK, the CIK World Championship and CIK European championship and will replace the YLM compound typically used in premier-level racing in the US.

Bridgestone has long been the tire of choice when it comes to wet weather racing and that dominance is set to continue with the new YNP rain tire which features a new compound and more aggressive tread pattern and replaces the YLP compound.

The YLC and YDS compounds have proven to be ideal tires for club, regional and national level racing for several years and both compounds will remain unchanged for 2018.

Continuing a relationship that exceeds 25 years, Bridgestone will be the exclusive tire supplier for the World Karting Associations 2018 six-race Manufacturers Cup series.

2018 Bridgestone Kart Tire Product Summary: 

YDS Compound: Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 68 Barcoded: no

Available: now Applications: Club racing with an emphasis on durability

YLC Compound: Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 48 Barcoded: yes

Available: now Applications: Club, regional & national level racing, ideal for Briggs LO206 and Yamaha categories 

YNB Compound: (NEW) Replaces: YLM Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 36 Barcoded: yes

Available: September 1st Applications: Premier & National level racing 

YNP Compound: (NEW) Replaces: YLP Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5 Durometer: 35 Barcoded: yes

Available: late September Applications: 2 & 4 cycle rain racing 

Please note: durometer readings are taken at a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius +/- 2C (73.4F +/- 3.5F) with a humidity of 50% +/-5%.

This decision was made as a result of the ongoing professional relationship between Bridgestone and WKA, with officials feeling this is the absolute best way to maintain as level a playing field as possible in the midst of an unexpected situation.

WKA ANNOUNCES THE 2018 MANUFACTURER'S CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

CONCORD, NC - WKA is excited to announce the 2018 Manufacturer's Cup Series Schedule: 

Daytona International Speedway- Dec. 27-30th 2017

GoPro Motorplex- March 23-25th

Pittsburgh International Race Complex- May 18-20th

New Jersey Motorsports Park- July 13-15th

New Castle Motorsports Park- September 14-16th

GoPro Motorplex- October 26-28th

Please stayed tuned for more detailed information to come!

3 Horse Race in Manufacturer's Cup Chassis Standings

CONCORD, NC - With just 1 event left on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series for 2017, the battle for the coveted Manufacturers Championship Trophy is as tight as it has been in quite some time.

As the series prepares for the Grand National finale October 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, Top Kart holds a slim 2 win edge over Tony Kart, which was winless at Wolf Paving Raceway in Wisconsin, but now sees Benik Chassis a little closer in the rear view mirror, following Benik's 3 win performance in Wisconsin in the AMK Race Products Nationals.

Led by Alexander Kardashian in the Franklinkart.com Senior and KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior Classes, Top Kart now sits atop the standings with 11 wins on the season, while Tony Kart sits idle for a race at 9, but still very much in the hunt.

Beniks success was atrributed primarily to Logan Adams wins in the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman and Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman classes, while Mateo Rubio-Luengo scored a win for Benik in the CRPRACING.com Mini Swift Class. 

Vemme, a relative new chassis to the Mfg Cup Series, also came out of the gate strong, scoring 3 wins, led by Braden Eves 2 wins in Yamaha Senior and Pro IAME Senior, while Colin Neal scored another Vemme win in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class. Here's a look at the other class and chassis winners over the weekend.

Saturday Classes:

Yamaha Sportsman: Connor Zilisch: Energy Chassis

Yamaha  Junior: Taylor Maas: Merlin Chasis

LO 206: Eric Fagan: TracKart

Sunday Classes:

Yamaha Junior: Jack Dorsey: FA

LO 206: David Kalb Jr: Comet Eagle

Mini Swift: Caleb Gafrarar: Parolin

Pro Swift Sportsman: Connor Zilisch: Energy

Pro IAME Junior: Merlin

With those results, as the series heads to GoPro in October, 3 chassis have a legitimate shot at the title. Here's a look at the current top 5 in the chassis standings;

Top Kart: 11

Tony Kart: 9

Benik: 8

FA: 5

Comet Eagle: 5

For a look at the complete breakdown of the 2017 Mfg Cup Chassis Standings, CLICK HERE.

Kid Karts Make Popular Return to Manufacturer's Cup Series at Dousman

CONCORD, NC - While 8 national classes on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series were vying for either a potential trip to Italy, or the chance for free tires and entry to the season finale in October for the Grand Nationals at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, no one class had as much intensity, drive, and anxiety as the Kid Kart class as several future stars of karting found their opportunity to return to the national stage this past weekend during the AMK Race Products Nationals at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin.

Featuring 2 different engine packages, the LO206 and Comer youngsters took to the Wolf Paving Raceway course both days, with Ava Hanssen and Blake Pietenpol coming away with a sweep of the respective classes. Hanssen swept both days of competition in the Comer class, as well as taking the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award both days, besting Chase Gohr and Jacob Schaible both days.

For Pietenpol, he also swept the wins both days in the LO206 category, topping Ethan Tovo and Jack Tovo. While Pietenpol garnered the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award on Saturday, Ethan Tovo was able to snare the top award for Fast Time on Sunday.

World Karting and Badger Kart Club Officials would like to extend a very special Thank You to the parents and young future stars for coming out to Wolf Paving Raceway, helping to add more excitement, and a ton of smiles to the many in attendance over the weekend.

2017 WKA Manufacturers Cup Series Dousman Weekend Report

***Original stories written by David Cole of ekartingnews.com

Saturday's Breakdown

The threat of rain haunted the Wolf Paving Raceway all day long as the first round of competition completed Saturday in Dousman, Wisconsin. The seventh round of the Bridgestone WKA Manufacturers Cup Series at the AMK Race Products Nationals completed qualifying, two rounds of heat races and a main event for all eight categories before the clouds really opened up with rain as the podiums completed. The Badger Kart Club circuit, including the new addition, providing some exciting racing all day, highlighted by two victories for Top Kart driver Alexander Kardashian.

His first victory came in the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior division. Kardashian (AMK / Top Kart) swept the event, leading from qualifying through the two heat races en route to the main event victory. A solid field of 18 kept things close throughout the day, including Top Kart teammates Dakota Pesek and Brandon Lemke. Kardashian and Pesek got away at the start of the main, and the two pulled out to a solid lead as the rest of the field fought for P3. Kardashian led all 16 laps, inching away from Pesek for a 1-second advantage. BKC veteran Tommy Andersen (Merlin) was in the third spot until late when Lemke took back the position, securing the podium finish. Andersen fought off Braden Eves (Zero Error / Vemme) for the fourth spot.

The second, in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class, was one he fought for. Braden Eves (Zero Error / Vemme) was the driver to beat, earning fast time in qualifying and winning both heats to secure the pole position. Kardashian was back in P5 on the grid after missing heat two with a mechanical issue. Eves was joined at the front by Brandon Lemke (Top Kart) as the two went back and fourth early. Kardashian put himself into third and began reeling in the top two with 12 less laps on his tires, posting fast laps of the race. Once by Eves, he set his sights on Lemke. On lap 16, Kardashian worked around Lemke for the lead and drove to his first victory on the year in the class. Lemke settled for second with Eves crossing in third. In tech, Eves was removed from the results for an exhaust infraction, thus promoting Lane Vacala (CompKart) to the third step of the podium. Dylan North (CompKart) and Josh Hotz (Merlin) completed the top-five.

Colin Neal put in a stellar performance in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior division, securing his first class victory. Neal took over as the lead contender in the heat races after Connor Ferris (Top Kart) qualified on top. The MDD / Vemme driver won both heat races, and started the main event from the pole position. Merlin drivers Kyle Thome and Austin Schaff fought for the second position early, allowing Neal to pull out to a comfortable lead in the opening laps. Schaff put himself into the second position by lap five, however, was not able to close in on Neal in the 16-lap event. Neal scored the victory by three tenths over Schaff with Thome rounding out the podium. Bryce Aron (Kosmic) was a close fourth with Kaden Wharff (Top Kart) placing fifth.

Also scoring a first career victory was Taylor Maas in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior division. Maas was in contention from the beginning, pushing forward from her sixth spot in qualifying. She finished second to Jack Dorsey (FA Kart) in the opening heat, flexing her muscle in Heat #2 with the win. Starting outside Dorsey on the front row for the main event, she was shuffled back to third behind Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) and top qualifier Emory Lyda (Merlin). Maas moved to second quickly and worked past Ferris on lap five. From there, the Merlin driver led the way with Ferris on her bumper. Unable to make any maneuver, Ferris set up for a drag race to the line. Maas was able to win the race, securing her first WKA victory with Ferris off by 46 thousandths of a second. Elliot Budzinski (Tony Kart) climbed from eighth to the third step on the podium ahead of James Lynch (Tony Kart) and Colin Neal (Vemme).

The IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman was a toss up all day. Connor Zilisch (Energy) secured fast time in qualifying while Thomas Schrage (PCR) and Santiago Trisini (Benik) secured the heat wins. Those three filled the first three spots on the main event grid, but sitting fifth was Logan Adams (Benik). Along with Annie Rhule (Energy), the top-five got away with Trisini at the point. Adams worked his way forward, taking over the lead on lap eight with Zilisch following him through. Zilisch took the lead from Adams with three laps remaining. Adams waited till the final circuit, making his move early one. Zilisch tried to fight back, but went off track at turn nine, ending his chance at the victory. That gave Adams the space he needed to reach the checkered flag first for his first WKA victory. Trisini made it a Benik 1-2 with Rhule completing the podium. Schrage finished fourth with Zilisch back in fifth.

The first class on the lineup was the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class. The nine drivers that made up the field were all able to claim the victory, with a majority of the day spent with the group running nose to tail. In the main event, pole sitter Connor Zilisch (Energy) – who won two heat races – broke away with Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) on his tail. It was decided on the final circuit with the two fighting for the lead entering turn five. Slight contact slowed Mateo’s pace, allowing Zilisch to get away and reach the checkered flag first for his second victory of the season. Rubio-Luengo settled for second with Garrett Adams (Benik) joining him on the podium. Logan Adams (Benik) drove to fourth over top qualifier Annie Rhule (Energy).

Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) came back later in the day to secure victory in the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift division. Mateo swept the action on the day, hounded by Logan Julien (Tony Kart) and Caleb Gafrarar (Parolin). Both Julien and Gafrarar wanted to be in the second spot, with Julien eventually winning the spot. The local driver tried Mateo on the final circuit, drag racing to the line and missing out by 41 thousandths as Rubio-Luengo scored his third victory of the season. Gafrarar settled for third with Danny Dyszelski (Benik) charging to a close fourth. Cameron Myers gave ‘Made in the USA’ Margay a fifth place result.

The Briggs 206 Senior class featured two drivers. Eric Fagan (Track Kart) swept the action on the day, with the category running at the same time as the Yamaha Senior division. Fagan was able to hold off a charge from David Kalb Jr. (Eagle) in the main event to earn his third victory of the sea

Sunday's Breakdown

The final day of the Bridgestone WKA Manufacturers Cup Series AMK Race Products Nationals welcomed rain showers to begin the action. Round Eight of the 2017 championship season, and final step in the Mid-Season Shootout, was contested at the Wolf Paving Raceway – home of the Badger Kart Club. Rain welcomed the racers in the morning, making it a wet warm-up and qualifying session. The rain stopped falling through the middle part of qualifying, with the first two Prefinals contested on wet tires. With the track dry for the rest of the day, WKA champion Braden Eves (Zero Error / Vemme) matched the two-win performance by fellow WKA title winner Alexander Kardashian (AMK / Top Kart), scoring both Senior triumphs on Sunday.

Eves began with drive forward in the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior division. A flat tire in the Prefinal cost him a chance to battle for the race win. Saturday winner Kardashian went on to score the race win while Eves was scheduled to go from sixth on the grid due to the unique point structure of the Sunday events in WKA. Eves got a great start and was into second by the completion of the opening lap, slipping back to third behind Dakota Pesek (Top Kart) and Kardashian. Eves took back second helping Kardashian to move into the lead. Then on lap 15, Eves assumed the top spot and held on to the checkered flag for his second victory of the season. Kardashian settled for second with Pesek in third, securing the Mid-Season Shootout title. Michael McAndrews (Fullerton) came from 13th to fourth, working past Michael Geringer (Merlin) late in the race.

Eves started on the pole position for the main event in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior division. Brandon Lemke (Top Kart) and Kardashian shuffled Eves back to third. The two fought for the second position, however, kept Lemke within site. Eves was able to secure the second spot from the Prefinal winner, putting his focus on Lemke. Coming to the white flag lap, Eves grabbed the lead and held on to the checkered flag for his second victory on the day, and second on the year in the category. Lemke crossed second with Kardashian third. Josh Hotz (Franklin / Merlin) and Dylan North (CompKart) completed the top-five.

Austin Schaff (Franklin / Merlin) was able to fight back from electrical issues to go from zero to hero in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior category. Schaff started the Prefinal last, working up to third to earn a P8 starting spot in the main event. It took him seven laps to climb to the top, and once there, never relinquished the top spot. The win was Schaff’s first on the season. Top qualifier Kaden Wharff (Top Kart) appeared to have the pace to challenge, coming up a few laps short after securing the second spot. Bryce Aron (Kosmic) drove to his first podium finish in third, working past Prefinal winner Kyle Thome (Franklin / Merlin) with championship leader Pauly Massimino (Top Kart) in fifth. Massimino took home the big prize on the day, earning the ticket to Italy for the Mid-Season Shootout winner.

Throughout the season, we have seen the most dramatic racing in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior division. This was the category when they began the Prefinal, a handful tried dry Bridgestone tires, including Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) and Colin Neal (Vemme) on the front row. They washed out at the first turn, with the rain tire karts showing the way. Elliott Budzinski (Tony Kart), as he showed in Pittsburgh, mastered the wet, drying track to the race win, earning the pole position for the main event. He was joined at the front by a large pack of karts. He and Neal, who started fourth due to the unique point system, battled for the lead early on. They settled down for the middle portion of the race, but with four laps remaining the fireworks began. Contact between Neal and Budzinski sent them off course, with Elliott receiving the worse damage and unable to continue. Neal rejoined, out the top-five. This handed the lead to WKA Winter Cup champion Jack Dorsey (FA Kart), going on to earn his first Manufacturers Cup victory. The fighting continued for second, with Ferris coming up from seventh to earn the spot – along with the Mid-Season Shootout title – ahead of Brian Rettig (FA Kart), who also put in an impressive performance coming from 14th on the grid. Arie Venberg (Merlin) and Emory Lyda (Merlin) rounded out the top-five.

The IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman saw Connor Zilisch (Energy) earning his second victory of the season to tighten up the championship heading to the series finale. Zilisch started second but fell behind Logan Adams (Benik), who started fourth with polesitter Annie Rhule (Energy) slipping back. Zilisch took over the lead on lap five, as the top-five spaced out. A two-minute light rain put the pressure on the drivers not to slip off the course, and also kept the spread out in the remaining laps as Zilisch crossed the line first. With the win came the Mid-Season Shootout title, and a trip to Italy. Adams ran second with Santiago Trisini (Benik) up to third ahead of Schrage and Rhule.

Logan Adams locked up his second victory on the weekend, winning Sunday in Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman. Brother Garrett Adams (Benik) started on the pole position for the main event after winning the Prefinal. Logan, starting third, took over the lead on lap three, losing it for a lap to Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik), before retuning to the point. He remained in the lead with Mateo waiting for the next opportunity. Rubio-Luengo closed up on the final circuit, coming up 21 thousandths short at the line with Adams earning the checkered flag. The consolation prize for MRL – winning the Mid-Season Shootout. Annie Rhule (Energy) came from eight to finish a close third ahead of Sam Hinds (FA Kart) and Garrett Adams.

The same top three filled out the front of the field in the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift lead pack. Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) set fast time in the wet and won the Prefinal in the dry. Logan Julien (Tony Kart) and Caleb Gafrarar (Parolin) joined him again, as they battled for the main event victory. Julien became the lead challenger, attempting a few times to work past Mateo. On lap 15, the two went side by side into turn one, making contact and pushing into the barrier. Both were able to walk away, however, unable to continue. This put Gafrarar in the lead with Danny Dyszelski (Benik) now as the lead challenger. Danny looked, but did not complete a pass as Gafrarar earned his third victory of the season to help put him back in the title chase. Dyszelski was a close runner-up as Sofia d’Arrigo (Nitro Kart) finished third, each earning their first podium finish of the season. Championship leader Ben Maier (Nitro Kart) was fourth, securing the Mid-Season Shootout and the Italy ticket, while Cameron Myers put the ‘Made in USA’ Margay in the top-five.

David Kalb came out the winner in the Briggs 206 Senior category. Eric Fagan was top qualifier and Prefinal winner. The two were nose to tail when they were lapped by the Yamaha drivers late in the Final. Contact with one of them ripped off the valve stem on the left front of Fagan’s Track Kart, allowing Kalb to take the victory in his Eagle kart. The WKA Manufacturers Cup Series will wrap up the 2017 season at the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina with the Grand National event on October 13-15.

2017 WKA Manufacturers Cup Series – Dousman Preview

Original story written by David Cole of eKartingNews.com

The fourth stop of the World Karting Association Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series takes racers to the historic town of Dousman, Wisconsin. The newly renamed Wolf Paving Raceway has been part of karting history for decades, home to the longstanding Badger Kart Club. A number of current and former karting stars got their beginnings at the facility just outside the Milwaukee area. The AMK Race Products Nationals will host Round Seven and Eight of the year-end championship chase, along with the final two races toward the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout.

A best five of six mini-series was established prior to the Pittsburgh event back in May, with Bridgestone providing a hefty prize package. The winners in Pro IAME Senior, Pro IAME Junior, Pro Swift Sportsman and Mini Swift earn an all-expense paid trip (minus travel) to the ROK Cup International Final in South Garda, Italy this October. The winners in Yamaha Senior, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Sportsman and Briggs 206 Senior earn an entry fee, race tires and driver pit pass to the WKA Grand Nationals set for October 13-15 in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Braden Eves is in the driver’s seat for one of the tickets to Italy with his lead in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior division. Four podium finishes – including one win and three runner-up results over the first four rounds of the Shootout gives the Zero Error / Vemme driver the advantage heading to Dousman. Former WKA champions Brandon Lemke (Top Kart) and Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart) are the lead challengers, needing to make up 75 and 115 points each to have a shot at the Shootout title. The three are in the overall title chase, with Eves leading by over 200 points.

Three drivers sit within 65 points in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior Shootout standings heading to Dousman. Last year’s series champion Pauly Massimino (Top Kart) has two podium finishes, including a victory in Pittsburgh has him at the top of the overall and Shootout standings. The advantage is just 35 markers with fellow Pittsburgh winner Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) sitting second. Three podium finishes has Tahlon Yockel (Tony Kart) in the hunt, with the trio to decide who will travel to Italy.

The IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman Shootout is down to just two drivers. Connor Zilisch (Energy) holds a 70-point advantage over double New Castle winner Santiago Trisini (Benik). Trisini is the overall championship leader, five points ahead of Zilisch heading into Dousman. Ashton Chilton (Nitro Kart) remains in the overall chase along with Logan Adams (Benik) and Annie Rhule (Energy) needing a solid weekend to jump back in.

Ben Maier has a sizable lead in the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift Shootout standings. The Nitro Kart driver won the two main events in New Castle to put him on top of the chase for the ticket to Italy. Behind him is championship leader Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik). Maier leads by 110 points in the Shootout while Mateo leads by 45 points in the overall standings. Pittsburgh winner Caleb Gafrarar (Parolin) remains in the overall title chase, looking up to make ground where is father once won in 2013.

Three straight wins has Dakota Pesek (Top Kart) in the lead for the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior Shootout. His win streak gives him a 105-point advantage ahead of overall championship leader Braden Eves (Vemme). Eves holds a 25-point lead over Pesek with Daytona winner Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart) within 100 points in the overall title chase. The weekend in Dousman will see a number of local drivers competing – including Jason Foley (Merlin), Michael Geringer (Merlin) and Mike McAndrews (Fullerton).

The Comet Kart Sales Yamaha Junior category has been one of the most exciting classes all season. Three different winners in the four Shootout races make it a tight battle for the Grand Nationals entry. One driver not to reach the top step of the podium this year is Caiden Young (Tony Kart). Three podium finishes in the four Shootout rounds have him as the driver to beat heading into Dousman. Young holds a 55-point advantage over three-time race winner Colin Neal (Vemme). Overall championship leader Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) trails Young by 60 points in the Shootout standings with three podium finishes of his own. Ferris holds a 10-point advantage over Neal in the overall championship chase while Elliott Budzinski (Tony Kart) – a two time winner on the year – sits third and within 50 points of Ferris. Young still has a shot at the overall championship as well, needing to continue his podium run.

The Shootout title and year-end championship remain up for grabs in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman division. Six drivers come into Dousman within 75 points for the Shootout crown with Sam Hinds (FA Kart) leading the way. Hinds won in New Castle, coming out as the overall weekend winner. That gave him a 15-point advantage ahead of overall championship leader Garrett Adams (FA Kart) heading into the weekend. Pittsburgh winners Connor Zilisch (Energy) and Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) are within 35 points of Hinds while Logan Adams (FA Kart) and Annie Rhule (Energy) sit tied in fifth. Adams holds a 65-point lead over Mateo in the year-end title chase with Hinds and Logan Adams within 150 points.

Eric Fagan (TrackKart) and David Kalb Jr. (Eagle) each have two wins per weekend in the Briggs 206 category. Fagan dominated Pittsburgh with Kalb proving to be the quickest in New Castle. Fagan holds a 20-point lead in the Shootout standings over Kalb, while Zach Linsell (MGM) remains the leader in the championship chase.

Be sure to catch all the action from the weekend at the EKN Live page – www.ekartingnews.com/live and on the WKA Facebook page!

ATTENTION BADGER KART CLUB MEMBERS

CONCORD, NC - The $100 at track registration fee will be waived if you present your current Badger Kart Club membership at time of registration. Membership cards MUST be current and presented at time of registration.

Don't forget your membership card!

Manufacturer's Cup Pre-Entry Deadline Extended to Monday Aug 20

CONCORD, NC - With so many summer events being recently run, and competitors spending more time on the road, and at tracks, World Karting Officials, in an effort to allow everyone to catch their breath, get home and recharge their batteries, have extended the pre-entry deadline for the upcoming AMK Race Products Nationals at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin to Monday August 20.

The event, slated for August 25-27 will mark the fourth national event of the season for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, and the third and final round for the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout.

To view the online entry blank, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

Pre Entry Deadline for Wisconsin Mfg Cup Aug 16

CONCORD, NC - The pre-entry deadline for the upcoming AMK Race Products Nationals for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin is fast approaching. Competitors have until Wednesday Aug 16 to take advantage of the pre entry pricing before at track pricing kicks in.

The event in Wisconsin, scheduled for August 25-27, is the 4th stop for the series, and the third and final stop for the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout, which will award invites to the ROK Cup International Final for some, and free entry, product, and much more for others for the season ending Grand National event October 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Classes being offered in Wisconsin include:

RLV Tuned Exhaust Products LO206 Senior

Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman

Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior

Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior

CRPRACING.com Mini Swift

IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman

Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior

KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior

WKA is proud to add RLV Tuned Exhaust Products as the official sponsor of the CIK LO206 Senior class for the remaining 2 events this season. Already the title sponsor for the Gold Cup Series, Art and Rod Verliengre, through their RLV brand, have pretty much been a part of every national racing series that WKA has had during its 45 year history in karting. 

Mid Season Shootout winners in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Senior, will receive an all expense paid trip, less travel, to the ROK Cup International Final in South Garda Italy in October, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires.

Shootout Class Champs in Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior and Senior, as well as LO206 Senior, will receive free entry, drivers pit pass, and race tires to the season ending Top Kart USA Grand Nationals Oct 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Entry info for the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals will be coming out shortly.

In the meantime, competitors preparing for the AMK Race Products Nationals may contact George Sieracki at 262.827.1100 for their parking needs, or email George at geo@dreamworkskarting.com.

To view the online entry blank, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

Manufacturer's Cup Chassis Standings all Knotted Up

CONCORD, NC - Following the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals recently at New Castle Motorsports Park, the battle for chassis supremacy on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series is at a virtual deadlock. Coming into the event, Top Kart held just a 1 win edge over rival Tony Kart. However, major parity on the series, in which 9 different chassis's scored wins at New Castle, has made dominance hard to come by these days.

Leading the charge at New Castle were both Tony Kart and Benik, both scoring 3 wins apiece. Top Kart, Nitro, and Praga checked in for 2 wins over the weekend, with FA, Comet Eagle, Margay, and Track Kart scoring 1 win each as well.

The first Tony Kart win came in the form of Colin Neal's win in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior class. Tyler Maxson scored a win later that day as well for Tony Kart, taking the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior Top honors. Maxson roared back Sunday to again take the Pro IAME Junior victory.

Santiago Trisini lead the charge for Benik, sweeping the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman class both days, while Chloe Chambers scored a popular win on Sunday in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class. Those wins propelled Benik into third in the standings, just 4 behind Top Kart and Tony Kart, and also leaping them over FA Chassis, which checked in for a win with Sam Hinds win in the Yamaha Sportsman Class on Saturday.

Praga made some headway, riding the shoulders of Brandon Jarsocrak and his 2 wins in the very impressive KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class. 

The Nitro camp was led by young Ben Maier and his 2 very impressive wins in the CRPRACING.com Mini Swift Class.

Other winners included:

David Kalb Jr: LO206 Senior: Comet Eagle Chassis

Spike Kohlbecker: Yamaha Junior: Margay Chassis

Evan McCorquodale: LO206 Senior: Track Kart Chassis

Here's a look at the most updated standings:

Top Kart: 9

Tony Kart: 9

Benik: 5

FA: 4

Comet Eagle: 4

Kosmic: 3

Praga: 3

Nitro: 2

Parolin: 2

Energy: 2

Keener: 2

Comp Kart: 1

TB Kart: 1

Margay: 1

Pre Entry Deadline for AMK Nationals at Wolf Paving Raceway August 16

CONCORD, NC - Competitors are preparing for the second to last stop for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series at the Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin from August 25-27 (See bottom for online registration and entry blank).

With the Pre Entry deadline set for August 16th, drivers are awaiting their chance to battle it out one last time before the Grand Nationals at the GoPro Motorplex in October for the 2017 national championship. The 3 race shootout will conclude in August at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin, with the top point earners in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior, and Pro IAME Senior receiving an all expense paid trip, less travel, to the ROK Cup International Final in South Garda, Italy in October, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires.

Top Point earners in Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Senior, and CIK LO206 Senior will receive a free entry, race tires, and a drivers pit pass to the season ending Grand National event Oct 13-15th at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Classes on hand for the Wolf Paving Raceway event include:

CIK LO206 Senior

Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman

Comet Kart Sales Yamaha Junior

Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior

CRPRACING.com Mini Swift

IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman

Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior

KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior

Activities for the AMK Nationals get underway Friday, August 25th with a full day of practice, followed by 2 full days of racing.

For those wishing to get a jump on the weekend, and practice early, the track will be open Wednesday through Thursday for practice from 10am-6pm. For pricing information, contact George Sieracki (262) 827.1100.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

MANUFACTURER'S CUP WEEKEND RECAP FROM NEW CASTLE MOTORSPORTS PARK

***ORIGINAL STORY WRITTEN BY DAVID COLE OF EKARTINGNEWS.COM***

SATURDAY'S RECAP

NEW CASTLE, IN - The opening round of racing for the 2017 WKA Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series Team Empower Nationals went into the books Saturday at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The fifth round of the 2017 championship chase marked the halfway point of the season, with a solid turnout of competitors in all eight categories, nearly reaching the 150 mark for the day. After cloud covered the New Castle, Indiana area for much of the morning, the skies cleared and the humidity rose, making for a challenging day for the competitors chasing the right setup.

Five drivers had the pace to compete for the win in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior division. Top qualifier Braden Eves (Zero Error / Kosmic) and double heat race winner Brandon Lemke (Top Kart) were joined by Daytona winner Brandon Jarsocrak (KSNA / Praga), Garrett Johnston (Top Kart) and Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart). In the end, it came down to the 3 B’s. They shuffled for the lead throughout the main event. Coming to the white flag, Eves made a great move at the I-70 corner to go from third to first. That shuffled them up taking the white, and Jarsocrak emerged from the first turn with the lead. He held the advantage throughout the last mile, crossing the line first for the victory. Eves came in a close second over Lemke with Kardashian placing ahead of Johnston.

Eves came into the weekend leading in both championships, including the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior division. Eves (Zero Error / FA Kart) found himself battling with Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart) in qualifying and the heat races. Kardashian set fast time in qualifying and won Heat #2 with Eves taking the opening heat. Dakota Pesek (Top Kart) and Jake Venberg (Merlin) joined them at the front in the main event. The two Top Kart drivers locked up and were able to get away, deciding the race on the final circuit. Kardashian led going into the final corner, driving the defensive line. Pesek pulled a ‘Cole Trickle’, running the outside line and making it hold through the corner. Kardashian had to pinch the exit, slowing his pace. This allowed Pesek to carry the momentum into the lead and to the victory by 32 thousandths of a second. Kardashian settled for second with Eves beating Venberg for the third podium step. Marina Walters (Top Kart) completed the top-five.

Last year at the season finale, Tyler Gonzalez walked away with two wins on the weekend in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior. Today, it was a dominating performance by Junior rookie Tyler Maxson (SCR / Tony Kart). After qualifying second, Maxson went on to win both heat races before dominating the main event with a 5.6-second advantage. Top qualifier Connor Ferris (Top Kart) won the battle for runner-up ahead of Tahlon Yockel (Tony Kart) and Spike Kohlbecker (Margay). Point leader Pauly Massimino (Top Kart) drove to fifth.

Colin Neal (MDD / Tony Kart) and Elliott Budzinski (Kart Craft / Tony Kart) came into the weekend tied for the championship and in the win column with two victories a piece. They broke both ties with a showdown to close out the day. A red flag came out with five laps remaining in the main event, involving top qualifier Zack Pretorius (Comet / FA Kart), double heat race winner Spike Kohlbecker (Margay) and Tyler Ferris (Top Kart). The incident bunched up the field for a shootout to determine the day’s winner. Neal and Budzinski came out as the top two drivers, with Neal holding the advantage at the checkered flag for his third victory of the season. Budzinski came 41 thousandths short at the line with Matthew Mockabee (Comet / Tony Kart) joining them on the podium. Junior rookies Kaden Wharff (Top Kart) and Donald Whorton (FA Kart) completed the top-five.

The IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman came down to two drivers. Santiago Trisini (Benik) and Annie Rhule (Energy) were able to get away from the field early and maintain an advantage while the rest of the field battle for position. Trisini led for most of the race with Rhule waiting for an opportunity to work past. On the final lap, Rhule made her move but Trisini fought it off, going on to take the checkered flag for his first victory of the season. Rhule settled for runner-up with Connor Zilisch (Energy) winning the battle for third over Chloe Chambers (Benik) and Logan Adams (Benik).

Anyone in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman field had the chance to win. For Sam Hinds, it was his turn. Most of the field ran together until five drivers broke away. Hinds (FA Kart) led with the Adams brothers Garrett (Energy) and Logan (FA Kart) working together. Double heat race winner Connor Zilisch (Energy) tried to break up the trio at the front, but could not stay ahead of them. Coming down to the finish, Hinds led with Garrett on his bumper. The two drag-raced to the line with Hinds able to reach the line first by nine thousandths of a second. Logan completed the podium with Chloe Chambers (Benik) able to take fourth away from Zilisch.

The CRP Racing Mini Swift also welcomed a first time winner with Ben Maier taking the victory. Four drivers battled for the lead position throughout the main event, all taking a turn at the point. Christian Miles (Formula K) appeared to be the quickest driver coming off the Heat #2 win with top qualifier and Heat #1 winner Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) right there. Indy driver Elliot Cox (Energy) joined the fight with Maier emerging at the end of the race as the driver to beat. Coming to the checkered flag, Maier was able to edge out Mateo by eight thousandths of a second. Cox completed the podium in third with Miles ending up fourth. Danny Dyszelski (Benik) rounded out the top-five.

David Kalb Jr. went from zero to hero on the day in the Briggs 206 Senior division. Kalb (Eagle) was shuffled off the track in the opening heat race, placing 10th. Up front, three drivers each led a session with Zach Linsell (MGM) posting fast time in qualifying while Track Kart drivers Eric Fagan and Evan McCorquodale each took a heat race win. Kalb worked his way forward in Heat #2, placing third, helping to move him up on the main event grid. Kalb was the quickest kart on the circuit in the main event. Once joining the top three, Kalb worked his way to the point. Once there, he held the enough gap on the final circuit to cruise to the victory, his first on the year. Fagan drove to second with McCorquodale third. Linsell ended up fourth with Dustin DeMattia (Keener) placing fifth.

SUNDAY'S RECAP

The final day of action completed Sunday at the New Castle Motorsports Park for the WKA Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series Team Empower Nationals. The New Castle, Indiana facility provided great weather all weekend long with warmer conditions all day. The racing all weekend was great, with many of the races coming down to the wire. In the end, six of the eight classes saw drivers double up in the win column.

Brandon Jarsocrak notched his third victory of 2017 at the Manufacturers Cup, coming out of the 20-lap battle in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior as the top driver. Top qualifier and Prefinal winner Brandon Lemke (Top Kart) led the majority of the race with Braden Eves (Zero Error / Kosmic), Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart) and Jarsocrak. Kardashian led early with Lemke taking over. It looked as they would be able to lock up and get away, however the rest of the lead pack, including local guest Zach Holden (Comet / Tony Kart) would not let that happen by breaking them up. Holden retired at the halfway point with a broken chain, holding up South African driver Fabienne Lanz (VSR / Tony Kart), thus making it four at the front. Coming to the white flag, Lemke and Jarsocrak went back and forth for the lead. Jarsocrak took over the point at turn one, and Eves went on the attack for second on Lemke. This gave ‘Money’ enough space to reach the checkered flag first. Eves edged out Lemke for the second spot with Kardashian placing fourth. Lanz followed back in fifth.

Braden Eves (FA Kart) and Saturday winner Dakota Pesek (Top Kart) came away as the top two drivers in the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior. Eves set fast time in qualifying with Pesek coming away from the Prefinal battle with the win. The two were able to break away from the field in the 18-lap main event. The drag race to the line went to Pesek by 24 thousandths, earning his second win on the weekend and third straight counting the Sunday victory at Pittsburgh. Tyler Trent (Tony Kart) won the battle for the final step on the podium with Jake Venberg (Merlin) and Marina Walters (Top Kart) placing fourth and fifth.

It was a dramatic day in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior division. Round Four winner Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) set fast time in qualifying and came away with the Prefinal win after both Saturday winner Tyler Maxson (Tony Kart) and Connor Ferris (Top Kart) retired early while leading. Each started at the back of the 21-kart field in the 20-lap Final. Up front, Junior rookie Kaden Wharff led a Top Kart train of Ferris and Pauly Massimino while fellow rookie Caleb Bacon (Tony Kart) looked to move forward. Everyone however was watching the progress of Maxson, who continued to click off the fast laps of the race. By the halfway point, Maxson was stalking the top-five, and lap 18, took the lead from Wharff. Maxson went on to take the second victory of the weekend with Bacon able to edge out Wharff at the line for second. Tyler Ferris ended up fourth with Massimino in fifth.

Sunday was a notable day for the championship chase in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior class. Championship leaders Elliott Budzinski (Tony Kart) and three-time winner Colin Neal (Tony Kart) each had issues in the main event. Budzinski retired early after contact while Neal, who won the Prefinal, was leading the main event until a chain broke with four laps to go. This left three drivers to fight for the victory – top qualifier Spike Kohlbecker (Margay), Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) and Caiden Young (Tony Kart). Coming to the line, Kohlbecker was able to lead out of the I-70 corner. Ferris set up for a pass on the inside down the stretch, but switched back to the outside as Kohlbecker drifted to the left. This slowed Ferris progress enough in the slingshot attempt to give Kohlbecker the advantage at the checkered flag by 87 thousandths of a second. Young followed closely in third with Jack Dorsey (Tony Kart) beating Zack Pretorius (FA Kart) for fourth.

Santiago Trisini (Benik) was one of the six double winners on the weekend, scoring the Sunday victory in the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman division. Four drivers made up the lead pack with top qualifier and Prefinal winner Chloe Chambers (Benik) getting away at the start thanks to a rough opening corner that included a flip by point leader Ashton Chilton (Nitro Kart). He and everyone else walked away unhurt as the race continued. The trio ran her down by the halfway point with Trisini taking over the point. From there, he led the group for the remainder of the race and won the race to the checkered flag for the victory. Thomas Schrage (PCR) took second with Chambers in third. Connor Zilisch (Engery) was a close fourth with Elio Giovane (Benik) winning the battle for fifth.

The Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman division went down to the wire. Garrett Adams (FA Kart) and Saturday winner Sam Hinds (FA Kart) led the majority of the race with Chloe Chambers (Benik) and Annie Rhule (Energy) looking to make a move. It was not until the last push to the checkered flag that anything happened. Adams and Hinds went side-by-side with Chambers pulling the slingshot, going from third to first by the checkered flag to score her first WKA victory in her first event with the series and visiting the New Castle circuit for the first time. Adams was off by 46 thousandths with Hinds in third. Rhule was fourth with Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) in fifth.

It was four drivers in the hunt early for the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift category until it came down to two at the end. Saturday winner Ben Maier (Nitro Kart) and Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik) were the two left standing at the end, with Maier winning the race to the checkered flag by three hundredths of a second. Sebastian Ng (Nitro Kart) was able to make a run at the end of the race to steal third away from Christian Miles (Formula K) and Elliot Cox (Energy) who faded away at the end.

The victor in the Briggs 206 Senior class was decided off the track. On the track, it was a three wide finish with Evan McCorquodale (Track Kart) crossing the line first by four hundredths of a second over David Kalb Jr. (Eagle) and Eric Fagan (Track Kart). In tech, McCorquodale failed a muffler measurement, and had the win removed. This put Kalb on top of the podium for a second time this weekend. Zach Linsell (MGM) was moved to third ahead of Kyle Fogt (CompKart) and Dustin DeMattia (Keener Kart).

Manufacturers Cup Series – New Castle Preview

(Original story by David Cole of eKartingNews.com) - The 2017 Bridgestone World Karting Association Manufacturers Cup Series is set to return back to action after taking the month of June off. The third stop of the 2017 championship chase takes teams and competitors to the famed New Castle Motorsports Park for the Team Empower Nationals. The July 14-16 event will host Round Five and Six on the season to mark the halfway point for those vying for the eight championship titles in a best 8 of 10 format. Over 100 entries have pre-entered for the weekend with a number of additional drivers and teams scheduled to arrive in New Castle, Indiana to contest the 1-mile circuit owned by IndyCar driver Mark Dismore.

The weekend also marks the second event for the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout. Opening in Pittsburgh, the mini-series that includes the Dousman weekend will award tickets to the Rok Cup International Final in Lonato, Italy. Bridgestone will send the top point earner in the mini-series from Pro IAME Senior, Pro IAME Junior, Pro Swift Sportsman and Mini Swift to the October event. Those who finish the mini-series at the top of the standings in the Yamaha Senior, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Sportsman and Briggs 206 divisions will receive entry fee, race tires, and drivers pit pass to the WKA Grand Nationals at the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina on October 13-15.

With his victory in Round Four, Braden Eves (MDD / Kosmic) has taken over as the championship leader in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior standings. A 25-point advantage over Round One winner AJ Myers (TB Kart USA), as the two are the clear favorites reaching the halfway point. Four different drivers have been victorious on the year, including Daytona winner Brandon Jarsocrak (KSNA / Praga) returning for New Castle after missing Pittsburgh. Former WKA champion Brandon Lemke (Top Kart USA) got back on the winning ways with the triumph in Wampum, ready to move up into the championship chase.

Eves (MDD / FA Kart) moved into the lead of the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Senior standings as well following his Pittsburgh performance. Winning Round Three, Eves is the only non-Top Kart driver to win on the year thus far. Round One winner Alexander Kardashian (Top Kart) sits second in the standings with two-time winner Dakota Pesek (Top Kart) trailing by 90 points after four rounds of racing. Merlin driver Jake Venberg and Carter Pease (Top Kart) complete the top-five in the standings, with another solid field of Yamaha drivers expected in New Castle.

Four different drivers have won on the year in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior category. Round Three winner and defending champion Pauly Massimino (Top Kart) holds the lead in the standings with a 100-point advantage over Tahlon Yockel (Tony Kart). Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) is the only other 2017 winner scheduled to compete in New Castle, currently sitting fifth in the standings behind Colin Gasparini (Tony Kart) and Max Peichel (Tony Kart).

Colin Neal (Tony Kart) and Elliott Budzinski (Tony Kart) have exchanged wins through the first two events of the season in the Comet Kart Sales Yamaha Junior category. The two have posted the same amount of points over the first four rounds of racing, heading into New Castle to break up the tie. Tyler Ferris (Top Kart) is not too far behind with four straight top-three finishes to sit 15 points back of the duo. Caiden Young (Tony Kart) and Emory Lyda (Merlin) round out the top-five in the standings with nearly 20 drivers already pre-entered for the weekend.

Two wins and two additional podium finishes have kept Ashton Chilton at the top of the standings for the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman. The Nitro Kart driver holds a 180-point advantage over Round Three winner Connor Zilisch (Energy) heading into New Castle. Brent Crews (Nitro Kart) left Pittsburgh with two runner-up results to move him into third in the standings ahead of Santiago Trisini (Benik) and Logan Adams (Benik).

The Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class also holds four different winners on the season. The most recent winner, Mateo Rubio-Luengo (Benik), leads the championship chase. Mateo holds a 35-point advantage heading into New Castle over hometown boy and Round Two winner Garrett Adams (FA Kart). His brother, Logan Adams (FA Kart), is third in the standings over Sam Hinds (FA Kart) and Thomas Schrage (PCR).

It is two wins a piece for Caleb Gafrarar and Mateo Rubio-Luengo in the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift division. Gafrarar won Round One and Four, with Mateo (Benik) earning the other two rounds. Gafrarar (Parolin) holds the advantage in the standings by 55 markers heading into the New Castle weekend. Ben Maier (Nitro Kart), Elliot Cox (Energy) and Miles Murray (Nitro Kart) compete the top-five in the standings to this point.

Zach Linsell has been the most consistent driver over the first four rounds in the Briggs 206 Senior championship chase. Linsell (MGM) leads by 102 points over Pittsburgh double winner Eric Fagan (Keener Kart). Jeremy Warren (Track Kart) sits third over Dustin Demattia (Keener Kart).

Below are the top-five in the standings for the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout:

Pro IAME Senior

1. Braden Eves – 415
2. Brandon Lemke – 380
3. Alexander Kardashian – 370
4. AJ Myers – 335
5. Ryan Raffa – 280

Yamaha Senior

1. Dakota Pesek – 403
2. Braden Eves – 368
3. Alexander Kardashian – 338
4. Nick Landi – 323
5. Jake Venberg – 298

Pro IAME Junior

1. Pauly Massimino – 397
2. Tahlon Yockel – 392
3. Tyler Ferris – 382
4. Colin Gasparini – 337
5. Alex Yankowski – 282

Yamaha Junior

1. Caiden Young – 393
2. Colin Neal – 383
3. Elliot Budzinski – 363
4. Tyler Ferris – 353
5. Evan Stamer – 263

Pro Swift Sportsman

1. Ashton Chilton – 392
2. Brent Crews – 387
3. Connor Zilisch – 377
4. Logan Adams – 332
5. Annie Rhule – 287

Yamaha Sportsman

1. Connor Zilisch – 402
2. Mateo Rubio Luengo
3. Thomas Schrage
4. Annie Rhule
5. Logan Adams

Mini Swift

1. Caleb Gafrarar – 391
2. Ben Maier – 341
3. Elliot Cox – 331
4. Miles Murray – 291
5. Mateo Rubio-Luengo – 281

Briggs 206 Senior

1. Eric Fagan – 420
2. David Kalb Jr. – 350
3. Jeremy Warren – 315
4. Zach Linsell – 285
5. Evan McCorquadale – 280

MANUFACTURER'S CUP NEW CASTLE EVENT SCHEDULE

CONCORD, NC - We are all geared up for the races this weekend, how about you? Click the button below to view the schedule of events for the Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup at New Castle Motorsports Park this weekend, July 14th-16th, for the Team Empower Nationals.  See you all real soon!

New Castle Pre Entry Deadline Extended

CONCORD, NC - With the deadline for the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals falling just a day after the 4th of July, and many using Monday the 3rd as an extended holiday weekend, World Karting Officials have moved the Pre Entry Deadline for the July 14-16 national event at New Castle Motorsports Park to Friday July 7, thus giving everyone a chance to get back in the swing of things after the Tuesday holiday.

To register online for the event, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

Important Tech Update for Manufacturer's Cup Racers

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

(JULY 3, 2017)

CONCORD, NC - Beginning with the next Manufactures Cup event at New Castle Motorsports Park, we will be including the exhaust header in our engine sealing process for Mini Swift, all the Yamaha classes and Iame Junior.

For the Iame Junior and the Yamaha classes, the wire will pass thru one head nut and thru the support strap on the exhaust header or can pipe.

For the MiniSwift, the wire will past thru one head nut and one of the header nuts.

All other classes require the wire to pass thru two head nuts.

Please insure you have all your hardware drilled with a 3/32" hole in advance.

ATTENTION All two cycle karts competing in the Man-Cup & Road Race Series

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

(JUNE 29TH, 2017)

CONCORD, NC - All two cycle karts competing in the Man-Cup and the Road Race series will be required to utilize an auxiliary carb return spring. This rule does not apply to karts using a slide carb with an internal compression type return spring --- several acceptable types are shown below -- other types may be used if inspected and approved by the WKA tech officials.

This rule will be in effect immediately and all karts must be in compliance before entering the track at upcoming events.  See pictures below for details.

Pre Entry Deadline for TEAM EMPOWER Nationals July 5

CONCORD, NC - Competitors gearing up for the latest stop for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series at New Castle Motorsports Park have 1 week left before the pre entry window closes for the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals July 14-16.

With the Pre Entry deadline set for July 5th, drivers are anxiously awaiting a return to the track, which will mark stop #2 for the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout, a battle within the ultimate battle for the 2017 national championship. The 3 race shootout will conclude in August at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin, with the top point earners in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior, and Pro IAME Senior receiving an all expense paid trip, less travel, to the ROK Cup International Final in South Garda, Italy in October, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires.

Top Point earners in Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Senior, and CIK LO206 Senior will receive a free entry, race tires, and a drivers pit pass to the season ending Grand National event Oct 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Classes on hand for the New Castle event include:

CIK LO206 Senior

Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman

Comet Kart Sales Yamaha Junior

Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior

CRPRACING.com Mini Swift

IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman

Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior

KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior

Activities for the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals get underway Friday July 14 with a full day of practice, followed by 2 full days of racing.

For those wishing to get a jump on the weekend, and practice early, the track will be open Tuesday through Thursday for practice from 10am-7pm. For pricing information, contact Mike Adams at (765) 987-8090.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.