CONCORD, NC - The Minutes of the most recent Face to Face Meeting with the WKA Board of Trustees and their Officers is now available on the WKA website. The Board met at the WKA Office in Concord, North Carolina March 7 and 8, following the final Winter Cup event at GoPro Motorplex . To view the meeting minutes, click Documents on the WKA Main Page, then click Latest Meeting Minutes, then click 2016 Trustee Minutes for March 7 and 8.
Praga North America Nationals set for April 1-3 in Mooresville, North Carolina The 2016 season is set to continue for the World Karting Association Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series with the running of the Praga North America Nationals. Racers from across the eastern half of the United States will converge on the popular GoPro Motorplex on April 1-3 in Mooresville, North Carolina. WKA is coming off a successful inaugural Winter Cup program that began with the Daytona KartWeek event, traveling to Jacksonville and ended with a trip to GoPro Motorplex at the start of March. Racers were able to keep busy during the cold months, and prepare even more for a championship run at the Manufacturers Cup Series program.
The KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior division saw two different winners with Elliot Finlayson and Brandon Jarsocrak taking top honors. Finlayson came out of Daytona as the championship leader, but due to school and schedule conflicts, is unable to compete in Mooresville. The Illinois driver still has a shot at competing for the title should he elect to contest the three remaining events and do well, thanks to his solid Daytona performance. His absence promotes WKA Winter Cup champion Brandon Lemke as the top driver in the standings, coming off a runner-up finish in Daytona with two fast lap honors in the two main events. Florida driver Jonathan Kotyk was Round One runner-up, looking for a better result this weekend. Jarsocrak enters the weekend fourth in the championship chase, just 20 points back of Lemke. Throwing in the mix is former national champion Jake Craig making his series debut, sure to be among those battling for the win on the weekend.
Alex Bertagnoli and Lance Fenderson split the wins in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior category in Daytona. Bertagnoli, with a 2-1 finish result, holds the championship lead heading to Mooresville. The gap is just 40 points over Round One winner and Winter Cup champion Fenderson, who calls the GoPro Motorplex home. Pauley Massimino, another driver to call Mooresville his home track, finished runner-up in Round Two behind Bertagnoli, trailing in the standings by 45 points. The field is expected to outgrow the Daytona count of 19, with 16 drivers already pre-registered.
Two runner-up results at Daytona for Jason Welage has him as the championship leader in the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman. Welage, the Winter Cup champion, leads by just 20 points over Daytona winners Ugo Ugochukwu and Connor Ferris. Both drivers recorded a first and fifth place effort back in December, however, Ugo will not be in attendance at Mooresville. Ferris earned two wins in the Winter Cup program, matching that recorded by Welage. Luca Mars landed on the podium in Round One, looking for more this weekend to move up the standings from his fourth position.
Dakota Pesek and Nick Landi were the two different winners in the Fullerton Karts USA Yamaha Senior division. Pesek won Round One with Landi bagging the victory in Round Two. A runner-up on day two for Pesek helped him leave Daytona as the championship leader, leading Landi by 35 points. Third sits Senior rookie Brandon Lemke, a former Triple Crown winner as a Junior driver. Lemke secured the fast lap in both main events in Daytona, and will try for his first victory in class. Braden Eves is another Senior rookie, sitting fourth in the standings with last year’s IAME Senior champion Alexander Kardashian in fourth. The category looks to eclipse the 14-entry mark from Daytona with 10 already registered before at-track entry begins.
Alex Bertagnoli leads the second Junior championship, the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Junior division. A victor and fast lap on day one was followed up with a third-place effort and fast lap honor in Round Two for the Illinois driver. His advantage is 60 points over Ohio pilot Marina Walters, who placed a Daytona-best of third in Round One. Spike Kohlbecker was the victor on day two, and sits third in the points with Sam Paley, Lance Fenderson, Tyler Ferris and Pauly Massimino all right there and set to improve their position in Mooresville.
The Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman saw two different winners in Daytona as well. Robert Noaker III and Luca Mars split the victories in December. Mars won Round One with Noaker taking the checkered flag in Round Two, and leads the championship thanks to a runner-up finish the opening day. Mars trails by 50 points with Jason Welage matching his same point total with two podium finishes of his own. Connor Ferris, Kaden Wharff , Taylor Maas and Madison Campeau all were in the hunt at Daytona, and round out the top-seven in the standings.
Jeremy Fletcher earned both checkered flags at Daytona KartWeek in the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift class. The Florida driver holds a 100 point advantage over Perra Granger and Nicholas Terlecki. Winter Cup champion Brent Crews and title contenders Caleb Gafrarar and Eli Trull are expected to be among those fighting for podium positions in Mooresville.
Ten drivers are already registered for the Water For a Cause Kid Kart class at GoPro Motorplex, including championship leader Austin Olds. The Round Two winner leads by 60 points over Ava Dutton and Karsyn Walters. Round One winner Indy Ragan is fifth in the standings, just behind Preveil Perkins.
Friday, April 1 will serve as official practice day with all eight categories, including the Local Option 206 class taking part on the weekend. Saturday, April 2 is Round Three with a full day of action, including warm-up, qualifying, two heat races and a main event. Sunday, April 3 is Round Four, with a repeat format from Saturday. eKartingNews.com will have the event report following the weekend, featuring the top performers at the Praga North America Nationals at the GoPro Motorplex. For more on the event in Mooresville, North Carolina, visit the WKA Entry Form for specific details and the Manufacturers Cup Series page at worldkarting.com for more on the 2016 season.
article by: EkartingNews.com
CONCORD, NC - As both the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup and RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series venture into the month April with their respective national events, WKA would like to remind our loyal customers of some very important rules pertaining to the events, prior to, and during the functions. WKA goes to a considerable amount of effort through their Board of Trustees, Competition Committees, and Office Staff to create rules that will provide a safe, fair, and enjoyable atmosphere on and off the track.
For starters, the purpose of the respective national entry blanks for each event is to not just enter for the event. The entry blank also provides key information pertaining to the event, including one very key element. See below.
Notice to all Competitors:
While the entire portion of what is written in this area is critical, the part that requires attention is the usage of Bikes, Skateboards, Hover Boards, Scooters, etc in the pit and paddock area. From the time WKA enters the track property on Thursday until the time the last checkered flag falls, usage of these items is forbidden. The only items that should be rolling in the pits are karts, kart stands, anyone who requires a wheelchair as their means to get to and from the pit area, and officials who are using golf karts to either use as part of parking, occasional garbage pickup, and helping to keep the facility clean. Nothing else is allowed. Anyone is caught violating this policy will be stripped of their mode of transportation for the weekend, and could be subject to further penalties.
Dogs must be kept on leashes, and are not allowed to run freely through any pit area. As many have witnessed at Daytona, animals in the past were not even allowed in the pit area. So please do not abuse this privilege. Maintain your animal on a leash.
Rule 13 on the Driver Info Sheet: ALL engines may ONLY be run in 2 locations. 1) In the competitors designated pit area, or 2) On the starting grid, 2 minutes before the karts are released to go out onto the track. Running engines is prohibited at any other location in the racing facility.
As a competitor arrives at registration to take care of their respective entries for the weekend’s events, there is a complete breakdown of the weekend schedule, including a timeline, as well as general rules for drivers with regards to qualifying and race procedures, including tire rules for the respective classes. Many long hours of thought and hard work go into what is typed on those sheets, and professed at the Drivers Meeting. And it asked by the organization that you take a few moments out of your day to familiarize yourself with all of that information.
The WKA National events are some of the most prestigious in the country, historically. There is a great deal of pride in putting on the events for the staff of the organization, as there is for you, the competitor, to stand proudly on the podium, earning a hard earned victory or top 3 effort. We genuinely respect and care very much for our customers. WKA only asks for the same in return. Please respect and obey the rules of the organization and the facility. And we will all have a wonderful weekend.
Respectfully,
The Staff of the World Karting Association
CONCORD, NC - WKA Officials are pleased to announce the continuing relationship with Rob Smith and Kart City Performance for 2016 as the official race sponsor of the August 5-7 national event for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series at New Castle Motorsports Park. The news is positive in a two-fold sense, as Kart City Performance’s return, after sponsoring the Kershaw Gold Cup event last year, takes place at a track that the Gold Cup Series have been absent from in a few years, the ultra modern New Castle Motorsports Park.
The return of Mark Dismore’s crown jewel in the Midwest to the Gold Cup program, further enhances another quality schedule for the top 4 cycle competitors in the country, with the traditional stops at the 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida with its famed 1,000 foot backstretch, not to mention the immaculate Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, which will comprise differing track configurations from the June race to the season ending GT Machine Grand Nationals in early October.
As for Smith, his continued involvement with sponsorship through his Kart City Performance business is just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to his dedication and involvement in the sport. For years, Smith has been a member of the Gold Cup Competition Committee, as well as being a noted and respected engine builder in the industry.
For more on Kart City Performance, click the Racing Series on the WKA site, then go to the RLV Gold Cup logo. From there click 2016 schedule. Scroll to the Kart City logo and click on, and learn more about another of the many fine contributors to the world of kart racing.
CONCORD, NC - As the winds of change have arrived on the scene for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series for the new year, it’s a wind that has blown through the pits in recent years with amazing results to show for it, on another series, that being the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series. In recent years, tiered fee systems have been set in place, giving drivers opportunities to take advantage of the best available entry price, well in advance of the event. Even more recently, the pricing structure changed for the Manufacturers Cup Series, which included the cost of their practice fee built in to the overall charge. The creation of certain Pro Classes afforded many to run for a set purse, helping them to recoup some of the money they placed into the event, or at least have a chance to get a set of Bridgestone Tires, thus saving a little going to the next venue. While the initial reaction may have been met with a certain amount of apprehension by some, the end result has yet to totally be seen. However, pre entry numbers for the April 1-3 Praga North America Nationals at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina have already well exceeded those of last year’s event, run in the precise same race rotation as that of last year, indicating the program is heading in the right direction, with still some tweaks to be made to help enhance the experience for the customer even better.
While that same apprehension may be prevalent on the Gold Cup Series to a degree, entry numbers are picking up, as drivers begin to embrace a change in their own series, one that will provide twice the amount of classes that will run for purses for 2016, giving many drivers a chance to recoup some of their entry money, with $500 going to the weekends overall top finisher in the Sportsman Pro Gas Animal Heavy class, the Junior Pro Gas Animal Lite and Heavy Classes, the Senior Pro Gas Medium and Heavy classes, as well as the Senior LO206 class. Second will $250 with the third place finisher overall per class receiving $150. For the Sportsman and Junior Pro Gas Drivers, their opportunity to get money back begins Friday afternoon with their respective shootout races paying $200 to win in 10 laps, with $100 going to 2nd and $50 for third.
Sponsorships have picked up immensely as new and existing faces in the sport buy into the concept, those being Jims Marine, Coyote Motorsports, MattMillerRacing.com, Briggs and Stratton, Boon and Sons, Water Medic, Bordeaux Dyno Cams, Brads Heating and Cooling, Spooner General Contractor, Inferno Racing Clutches, Trackside Kart Supply, Mikim Motorsports, Noram Clutches, Kart City Performance, and GT Machine, not to mention the title sponsor RLV.
While the number looks intimidating, it really isn’t once the math is one. With a host of competitors agreeing to an increase in fees late last year, to help advance the program, the program has responded, providing an opportunity for those who bought in, a chance to get back.
Trophy Class competitors are paying $15 more per class entered, practice included, racing at some of the best karting facilities in the country against the best competition. Pro Classes are paying $65 more per class entered, but with the opportunity to get anywhere from $150 to $500 if they are in the top 3 overall for the weekend, easily making up for the difference in the increase they paid, and then some, lighting up the eyes of many competitors looking for the top prize at the end of the weekend.
Whether it be running for a Trophy or Money, the prestige has not changed at all. The desire to be on the top shelf of the podium excites each driver just as much today as ever, whether it be hoisting a trophy or a check. And for many in the top 4 cycle series in the country, the opportunity to take it to the next level has arrived, as the April 15-17 Spring Nationals at 103rd Street Sports Complex will attest to.
To view the Weekend schedule and entry information for the Spring Nationals in Jacksonville, click here.
CONCORD, NC - At the WKA meeting March 6, 2015, the trustees voted to accept the Briggs and Stratton LO206 engine rules -- some of these rules were not included in the 2016 techbook -- please note following clarifications and/or changes: 708 BRIGGS LO206
add -- all items may be compared to know stock parts to insure compliance.
The Briggs and Stratton 2016 LO206 Engine Class Regulations may be used in conjunction with rules listed here in section 708.
708.5.3 VENTURI:
The vertical dimension is 0.792" no-go. Horizontal dimension is 0.615". (delete 0.618') -- the gauge may not pass into the slide area.
"When the 0.602" gauge is inserted horizontally, it may not pass into the slide area at the narrow point formed by the overlap of the two venturi circles" (delete 0.605")
Venturi idle fuel hole = .038" max
708.3 AIR FILTER
The only air filter permitted is the Briggs & Stratton Green Air Filter Part #555729. No modification to the filter element is permitted. A protective shield may be attached for wet-weather competition. It is not permitted for the protective shield to create any ram-air effect.
708.6.4 delete all
708.11 HEAD GASKET
Unaltered B&S part #555723 is the only head gasket allowed.
Minimum thickness allowed is .049" -- measurement must be performed using a
micrometer -- readings are taken from inside
the cylinder hole of the gasket closest to the
combustion chamber -- four measurements must be taken with 3 meeting
the minimum thickness of .049”
708.14 VALVES
Intake valve -- minimum weight of valve 27.80 grams -- diameter of valve stem = .246" to .247" --diameter of valve head = 1.055" to 1.065" -- diameter of valve seat = .972" inches ID maximum -- valve length minimum 3.3655" -- height from angle of valve face to top of the valve .057" minimum -- single angle only = 45 degrees
Exhaust valve -- minimum weight of valve = 27.20 grams -- diameter of valve stem = .246" to .247" --diameter of valve head = .935" to .945" -- diameter of valve seat = .850 inches ID maximum -- valve length minimum = 3.3655" -- height from angle of valve face to top of the valve = .060" minimum -- single angle only = 45 degrees
708.16 VALVE SPRINGS
Valve Springs are single coil stock, unaltered B&S part # 26826 -- must be identical in appearance to factory part and have 4.00 to 4.75 coils in stack -- Spring Wire Diameter .103" to .107" -- Valve spring length = .940" max -- Inside diameter = .615" to .635"
708.16.3 delete
708.5 CARBURETOR
The B&S stock carburetor part #555658 is the only carburetor permitted -- "Walbro", "Briggs" diamond logo and or #590890 etched in the body are additional visual indicators -- No alterations allowed unless stated below -- all parts will be compared to a stock known B&S part for eligibility -- this includes the nozzle, emulsion tube, jets, float, float needle and all other carb parts -- it will be allowed however to adjust the float height by means of bending the small tab on the float arm -- slide must remain B&S stock unaltered -- slide cutaway to be measured on flat surface = .075" no go -- B&S stock unaltered aluminum needle is required part number 555602 marked #BGB
708.9.1 ROCKER ARMS
Overall length 2.820" minimum
708.17.2 VALVE SEATS
delete -- "must have only one 45 degree angle on valve seats"
add -- Valve maintenance permitted (valve job). Valve seats must remain with the
factory specification of 30 and 45 degree angles only. Valve seats of additional
angles and/or excessive material removed when compared to the factory
stock is prohibited.
CONCORD, NC - Competitors wishing to get a leg up on the competition 3 national events in advance on the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting can rest assured they will be running the full course when the series heads to Atlanta Motorsports Park September 16-18 for the series Grand National and Championship deciding event. While the AMP Course features of variety of different layouts and elevation changes, including a 1.15 mile course, as well as a 0.85 Autocross and Karting Sprint Track, the Road Race contingent will be utilizing all 3 loops of the main course, covering precisely 2 miles, with at least 86 feet of elevation changes.
At present, officials at the track are preparing to film a new 1 lap demonstration of the 2 mile course, which will be available on the WKA web page, as well as the WKA Facebook page soon.
To view the layout of Atlanta Motorsports Park, click here.
In the meantime, preparations continue for the third round of the Road Race Series national program, with the running of the Summit Point Nationals June 4 and 5 at Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia. This will be the first of 2 events run by the Woodbridge Kart Club, with the second event also at another new facility to the WKA Road Race program, that being the July 29-31 event at the all new Dominion Raceway in Thornburg, Virginia, right on I-95.
To get more details on the Summit Point Nationals, click here.
CONCORD, NC - On the heels of a most successful weekend at Roebling Road Raceway for the second stop of the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series driven by Russell Karting, competitors are primed and ready for the third stop on the tour, that being the June 4 and 5 event at Summit Point Motorsports Park in Summit Point, West Virginia. And for competitors wishing to get the earliest info, the entry blank for the June event is now online. As always, in addition to the plethora of national classes offered by WKA, the Woodbridge Kart Club will be providing many of their own Local Option classes, including :
Junior CIK Lite and Heavy
Open Sprint
Animal Limited Modified
Vintage USA
Vintage Limited
Vintage Euro
As was the case last season, the June event will serve as a 2 -day show, with competitors having the chance to park on Friday June 3 between the hours of 5-11pm. Saturday activities kick into gear with Practice at 8:30am followed by races starting at 11am. The Sunday schedule will be similar, with races beginning at 10:45am.
While the Entry Blank is available to view online on the WKA website, which is a 2 page document, competitors should note that WKC processes the entries for the event. Registration is available at WoodbridgeKartClub.com. for those wishing to register for a class online. Or you can make your check payable and mail to:
Woodbridge Kart Club
462 Earl Road
Charlestown, West Virginia 25414
CONCORD, NC - As competitors for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series busily prepare for the season opening Spring Nationals April 15-17 at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as the 2015 Year End Awards Presentation, also being held in Jacksonville, future 2016 champions can rest assured that the Year End merchandise for the following season will only be enhanced, as Briggs and Stratton will be providing major product to the 11 champions of the top 4 Cycle series in the country. With Awards, Tires, and Product from RLV, not to mention the return of the Championship Rings to the series this year, Dave Klaus of Briggs and Stratton will be providing top of the line PowerSmart P2200 Inverter Generators to each class champion for 2016. With a retail value of $650, the PowerSmart P2200 is clearly the top shelf brand of generator, capable of handling any strain a customer wants to place on it, with absolute whisper quiet power. This generator serves as the perfect item for competitors to bring to the track on race weekends.
The addition of the Briggs product continues to enhance the year end awards package for the Gold Cup competitors, not to mention the race season, as WKA Officials recently announced the addition of guaranteed purses to the weekends overall top 3 finishers in the Brad’s Heating and Cooling Sportsman Pro Gas Animal Lite, Junior Pro Gas Animal Lite,and the Briggs and Stratton Racing Junior Pro Gas Animal Heavy classes, as well as the Senior Pro Gas Medium classes, sponsored respectively by Coyote Motorsports and Jims Marine, and the Senior LO206 classes sponsored by Briggs and Stratton and Inferno Racing Clutches. Additionally, Briggs is also sponsoring the all new Masters Senior class on Sunday, featuring drivers 35 and older. Overall weekend winners will receive $500, with $250 going to second and $150 going to the third place overall finisher.
The involvement of Briggs in 4 national classes, as well as the major giveaway of generators to the 2016 Year End Champions signifies a great relationship with Briggs and its karting competitors.
WKA Thanks Dave Klaus and the folks at Briggs & Stratton Motorsports for their continued involvement in the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series.
Anyone wishing to obtain additional info regarding the PowerSmart P220 Generator are welcome to visit the Briggs& Stratton site at www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/generators/portablegenerators/powersmart.
CONCORD, NC - There is an addition that needs to be made to the Pit Board that ran yesterday with regards to Brads Heating and Cooling sponsoring the Friday Night Shootout Races this season on the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series. When listing the classes that were guaranteed purses for the weekends top overall finisher, as well as 2nd and third, 1 class was mistakenly omitted, that being the Senior Pro Gas Animal Heavy class, sponsored respectively by Bordeaux Dyno Cams and Trackside Kart Supply. The Senior Pro Gas Heavy joins Senior Pro Gas Medium, Senior LO 206, Junior Pro Gas Lite and Heavy, as well as the Sportsman Pro Gas Heavy classes. The overall top finisher for the weekend in these classes will receive $500 for first, $250 for 2nd, and $150 for 3rd.
Our sincerest apologies for missing the Senior Pro Gas Animal Heavy Class in yesterdays story.
To view the Spring Nationals event info for Jacksonville, click here.
CONCORD, NC - With entries pouring in daily for the Praga North America Nationals for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series April 1-3 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, many competitors are catching the Tier 1 deadline. For those that haven’t, the Tier 2 deadline for entries to the 2nd event of the 5 race national program is just a week away, March 23 to be exact. With a huge turnout expected, as verified by pre entries, every inch of pit space will be utilized for competitor parking, thus supporting the mutual decision by GoPro Motorplex and WKA at the recent WKA Winter Cup event to locate RV’s in a different section of the track property, and not in the pit area.
Competitors are also reminded that the GoPro staff is handling parking for this particular event, not WKA. Anyone wishing to reserve a spot needs to contact the track office at (704) 696-2926.
To view the weekend schedule for the Praga North America Nationals, click here.
CONCORD, NC - For the second consecutive season, Brad Farmer of Brads Heating and Cooling will be sponsoring the Friday Night Shootout races for the Sportsman Pro Gas and Junior Pro Gas Classes on the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series, starting with the Spring Nationals event Friday April 15 at 103RD Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida. In keeping with last years structure, the winner of the 10 lap shootout races will receive a $200 payday, with $100 going to second and $50 going to the third place finisher. Additionally, the top 5 in each class will receive trophies as part of their participation, a great reward for quick work in a 10 lap event.
Friday’s shootout events will be the middle portion of a very busy day of activity, as competitors will have a full days practice from 8:30am-4:30pm, then the 2015 Year End Awards Ceremony, also taking place at the track following the Shootout races, as well as the Senior Pro Gas Money Race, always a crowd pleaser.
The Friday action kicks off what should not only be a great racing weekend, but a great season on the Gold Cup program with the insertion of Guaranteed Purses to 6 of the 11 national classes overall weekends top 3. Drivers in the Brads Heating and Cooling Sportsman Pro Gas Heavy, Sportsman Pro Gas Animal Lite, Junior Pro Gas Animal Lite, Briggs and Stratton Racing Junior Pro Gas Animal Heavy classes, as well as the Senior Pro Gas Animal Medium classes, sponsored by Coyote Motorsports and Jims Marine, and the Senior LO206 classes, sponsored by Briggs, as well as Inferno Racing Clutches, will fight for a $500 to win payday as the weekends top overall competitor in each class, with the second place overall finisher in each class receiving $250, and third netting $150.
Already working hard this season, ensuring a successful weekend of racing for all competitors in the inaugural WKA Winter Cup program with his North Florida Kart Club crew, Farmer continues his passion for the sport and its future with the Shootout and Sportsman Pro Gas Animal Heavy sponsorship through his Brad’s Heating and Cooling business.
Sponsorship is available for just a scant few classes left on the program, as well as races. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Marie Borsuk at the WKA Office at (704) 455-1606, ext 111.
On behalf of WKA, thanks to Brad Farmer, one of many dedicated individuals to the Gold Cup program and the sport of kart racing, and its future.
To check out the weekends action for the Spring Nationals, click here. Be sure and get your entry in for the best 4 cycle racing in the country.
CONCORD, NC - Competitors for the WKA National Road Race Series took time out of their busy weekend racing schedule this past Friday evening in Bloomingdale, Georgia to partake in the annual awards presentation, honoring the 2015 national champions, as well as many other worthy recipients from the most recent years national events. Taking place at the Bloomingdale Community Center, just a few short miles from Roebling Road Raceway, site of the second major event for the 2016 Road Race program, guests kicked back to music and great food provided by Pure Vinyl Entertainment and Barnes Restaurant, 2 local establishments.
While the evening was all about the champions, this night belonged to longtime Road Race competitor, Dad, and enthusiast Pete Michel, who became the latest inductee into the World Karting Hall of Fame. Joined by several members of his family who flew in for the function, Michel, totally oblivious to the impending award, drew a roaring applause and standing ovation from the packed house on hand. Starting racing at the age of 9, Michel won the World Championship in 1960 in Nassau, Bahamas, owned and operated a kart shop and track from 1965-1983, was the C Open National Champion in 1971 and 72, and continues to this day to build engines and karts, all while helping his son Matt, another recipient of a national championship this past season in the Yamaha Sportsman Heavy Class.
Joining Michel in the popularity category for the night were Rob Hindery and his Dad, recipients of the Karting Family of the Year Award, yet another popular choice to the guests in attendance. Hindery was on hand to receive his 4th place award in the Animal 360 Class, a title taken by David Clevenger this past season.
After missing out on the Manufacturers Championship Trophy last season to MGM, John Klutz and the gang from Competition Karting Incorporated returned to the top of the heap with a vengeance, taking 51 victories in 2015 with the CKI Chassis, outdistancing the competition by some 18 wins, returning to the top of the podium for yet another year.
Also on hand for a special award was Tim Linthicum. While taking home the hardware in the Yamaha Sportsman Lite and CKI sponsored Yamaha Medium Classes, Linthicum was also recognized for his sportsmanship at Daytona, by stopping on the track on the final lap of his event, an event he was leading, to check on the status of fellow driver Matt Michel, who was involved in a grinding crash in turn 3. Michel sustained several broken ribs, among other injuries, and has recovered fully. Linthicum, by virtue of his race status at the time, was well ahead in the event, and won the race. But his actions on that day displayed the true passion and love the Road Race Family has for one another.
Linthicum was not the only dual winner of titles in 2015, as several other drivers were honored for their double championship efforts, including Abigail Tobin in the Animal Junior Sprint Lite and Heavy Classes, as well as fellow drivers Chris Hines, taking the Stock Honda 1 and 2 Classes, Amy Hollowell, 2 time champ in Junior Sprint Lite and Heavy, as well as Kent Vaccaro, champion in the Junior Enduro Lite and Heavy Classes. Veteran Louie Magiera also laid claim to a pair of titles, taking down the Yamaha Sprint and Sportsman Sprint categories.
Other champions included Michael Tracy in The Agile Group sponsored 100cc Controlled class, while Travis Miller took down the KALL Racing/Millers Dynotime Racing Formula 100 class. Ian Bushey was the top dog this season in the Streeter Super Stands Stock Leopard class, while Bill Anderson took the Matthai Material Handling Yamaha Heavy class. Here’s a look at the rest of the 2015 Champions.
100cc Controlled: Adam Myers
100cc Pipe Heavy: Anthony Vaccaro
B Stock: Robby Harper
Animal Masters 410: Robert Garland
Animal 385: Blake Beattie
Pro Gas Animal: Stephen Wheatley
Clone LO206 360: Ben Thomason
Clone LO206 385: James Cartledge
125 Shifter: Donald Santini
WKA Sprint: AJ Ellis
Yamaha Medium: David McCauley
On behalf of the World Karting Association, our sincerest congratulations to all of the 2015 champions, as well as recipients of the Year End Awards Ceremony. The high energy in the room was a clear indication that competitors are realizing the WKA Road Race program is on its way back with good leadership and solid people now in place that truly cared about each and everyone in the room that night, as well as those that weren’t in attendance. Stronger than usual numbers for the second race at Roebling Road was also a good indicator that the road back is getting smoother. WKA salutes the 2015 champions of the National Road Race Series.
CONCORD, NC - On the heels of tremendous momentum from Daytona KartWeek, the high energy of the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series, presented by Russell Karting, make their way to Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia this weekend for stop #2 of the 5 race national road race series program, led by a multitude of dual event winners from Daytona. Leading the charge are Animal and Clone drivers Stephen Wheatley and Blake Beattie, both multiple winners of their respective classes in the Animal Medium and Clone LO206 Lite classes at Daytona. Beattie also took the Hoosier Racing Tire Animal Lite action in Daytona as well, while Andrew Boyer claimed the Animal Heavy Finals both days.
Other duel winners expected include Dawn Magiera in the Yamaha Sportsman Sprint Class, as well as John Parker in Junior Sprint competition, David Benham in the West Texas Outlaws TaG Heavy class, Rick Fulks, winner of the 100cc Controlled and B Stock classes, Kent Vaccaro in Junior Enduro competition, and Cole Peschang in Junior Animal Lite and Heavy action.
Jamey Brown and Stephen Basham lead the WT Racing Leopard Sprint contenders, while Steven Rougeou and Stephen Flatt will be expected to defend their Fisher Racing Engines Stock Honda titles from Daytona. Ryan Hatcher is also expected to lay claim to a second possible Foster 4J Ranch Yamaha Medium and Kion/Linde Forklifts Yamaha Heavy win, while Rusty Benson and John Brown will duke it out for repeat wins in the Matthai Material Handling 100cc Piston Port classes. Milo Schoonover and Lance Yunck were the recipients of the KALL Racing/Millers Dynotime Racing Formula 100 wins, while Mitch White and Ron Miller look to park into victory lane in The Agile Group Unlimited classes. Zack Clark and Tim Linthicum are also expected on hand to continue their success in the CKI Yamaha Sportsman Medium classes.
A strong pre entry count, coupled with the 2015 Year End Awards Presentation at the nearby Bloomingdale Community Center on Friday evening, has many excited about the second race of the 2015 season for the series.
Action gets underway Thursday with Competitor Parking beginning at 6pm. On Friday, the track will go hot with a full day of practice beginning at 8am, with 2 full days of racing action Saturday and Sunday, beginning both days at 8am.
For more information on this weekends Road Race Nationals, click here.
CONCORD, NC - With Springtime knocking on the door in the Carolinas, a strong contingent of 2 and 4 Cycle competitors converged on GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina for the third and final round of WKA Winter Cup action, as the inaugural season for the newest program of the WKA fold successfully came to a conclusion, with 5 drivers taking a seat twice on the top shelf of the podium. Leading the way was Lance Fenderson, taking both days of action in the Allison Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class. Other double up winners were fellow 2 cycle competitor Brandon Lemke in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior category, while both Zach Linsell and David Kalb Jr swept the Briggs and Stratton LO206 Senior and Junior classes respectively. Jason Welage was also a 2 time winner for the weekend, but was the only driver to win in 2 separate classes, the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman, and Woltjer Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman classes.
Other weekend winners included:
Caleb Gafrarar, Eli Trull: crpracing.com Mini Swift
Kaden Wharf, Jason Welage: Woltjer Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman
Zane Maloney, Jason Welage: IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman
Ayrton Grim, Karsyn Walters: Water for a Cause Kid Karts
For Fenderson, the sweep in the Allison Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class began Saturday with a victory over Alex Bertagnoli, with Pauly Massimino, Brooke Nachtman, and Stephen Dial making up the top 5. Not to be forgotten on Sunday was Ty Gibbs, one of Fenderson’s staunchest rivals all winter long. Gibbs shadowed Fenderson home in second for the Sunday finale, with Gage Rodgers, Maks Kowalski, and Drew Lindley completing the top 5. Fenderson and Sam Mayer were recipients of the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Awards.
Lemke was clearly the class of the field for the weekend in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior ranks, taking a convincing win on Saturday over Braden Eves, Jonathan Kotyk, Brandon Jarsocrak, and Mike Giessen. On Sunday, Lemke had to rebound from a miscue in the heat, starting a little further back, but eventually snaring the lead and the victory for the weekend sweep. David Ilavia came home second on Day #2 with Eves, Jarsocrak, and Nick Landi completing the top 5. Jarsocrak and Lemke took the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time honors.
In the 4 cycle ranks, Zach Linsell had to stave off some pretty stiff competition in LO206 Senior action during the weekend, first topping Corey Towles in day 1 of racing, then Eric Fagan on day 2. Following Linsell and Towles on Day 1 were Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner Dustin Demattia, Fagan, and Mike Greiner, with Towles, Demattia, and Greiner chasing Linsell and Fagan on Day 2.
For David Kalb, one of the few drivers doing double duty in both 2 and 4 cycle competition, the Midwest speedster turned back the competition both days in the Briggs and Stratton LO206 Junior category, topping Comet Kart Sales Fast Timer Cade Frazier, Seth Gentry, Matthew Miller, and Jimmy Cole Jackson in day 1 action, while Jackson, Miller, Frazier, and Nash Duyn completed the top 5 on day 2. Kalb took Fast time honors on the second day of action, while also competing in the Pro IAME Junior class for the weekend as well.
For the better part of the weekend, Jason Welage and Kaden Wharff appeared to be joined at the hip, running either side by side or nose to tail in the Woltjer Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class, with Wharff winning on day 1 over Welage, with Comet Kart Sales Fast Timer Robert Noaker III, Rylee Engels, and Garrett Adams making up the top 5. On day 2, Welage returned the favor, edging out a win over Wharff, with 2015 Gold Cup Champion Aiden Baker Crouse coming home in third, followed by Zane Maloney and Lucas Smalec. Maloney was Fast Timer on Day 2.
Welage also found his way to victory lane in the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman Class, this time trading Wharff for Zane Maloney as his chief rival for the weekend in this class. Maloney took the Day 1 win over Welage, with Leland Honeymann, Will Robusto, and Gray Leadbetter taking the top 5. Connor Ferris was the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner, finishing 8th in race #1. On Sunday, Welage returned the favor, collecting his second win of the weekend, topping Maloney, Honeymann, Crouse, and Wharff. Honeymann was the Comet Kart Sales Fast time winner on Sunday.
As usual, the Water for a Cause Kid Karts did not disappoint, with great competition each day. Taking the top honors on Day 1 was Ayrton Grim with Preveil Perkins rebounding from an early spin to claim second. Rounding out the top 5 were James Newell, Ava “Ice Cream” Dutton, and Hoyt Mohr. Dutton also took the Fast Time Award on Saturday. Day 2 action saw a battle right down to the wire with a pair of top future female competitors in Karsyn Walters and Dutton battle to the end, with Walters collecting the win. Dutton topped off a great weekend with a second place run, followed by Grimm, Newell, and Perkins. Walters was the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner on Sunday.
From Kid Karts a season ago to the crpracing.com Mini Swift class, Caleb Gafrarar has not skipped a beat at all. On Saturday, Gafrarar, the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner, topped Brent Crews, Eli Trull, Danny Dyszelski, and Adam Maxwell. Sunday was a little different with contact between Gafrarar and Crews changing the fortunes for both teams, while Trull, fresh off a 3rd place finish the day before, took full advantage, taking a huge win, with Nicholas Terlecki, Crews, Dyszelski, and Ben Maier completing the top 5. Adam Maxwell was the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner on Sunday.
With the third race of the Winter Cup program in the books, the final tabulation on the season points will be forthcoming soon, as discussion took place the following Monday at the most recent WKA Board of Trustees Meeting regarding an outcome of one of the classes events this season that could have an impact on the final top 3 in the point standings. Once the competitors involved have been formally contacted, and the points calculated, the final standings will be released on the WKA website.
World Karting would like to thank all competitors, sponsors, tracks, crewmembers, and family members, for adding yet another series to their schedule, and in the process, turning the first edition of the WKA Winter Cup into a great success.
The next event will be the respective 2 and 4 cycle national events for both the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series April 1-3 at GoPro Motorplex, and the season opener for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series April 15-17 at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida, also site of the 2015 National Awards presentation.
For more information on these events, click here.
CONCORD, NC - With the new season for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series a little over a month away April 15-17 at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida, WKA Officials, in continuing efforts to listen to the needs of their customers, have made some modifications to the new Briggs and Stratton Masters Senior Class for the upcoming season. When the new class was originally announced several months ago, the Masters Senior class was for competitors age 40 and older, with a minimum weight of 390 lbs. Since then, many competitors wishing to run the class, have voiced their opinion with regards to weight and age. As a result, here are the adjustments that have been made for the class.
Competitors age 40 and older will still run at 390 lbs. The class will now also allow competitors from the attained age of 35-39 to run, but with a minimum weight of 405 lbs.
With the addition of the new age and minimum weight requirement, Officials have also elected to extend the Tier 1 Deadline for Entry Fees by 1 week, giving competitors who wish to run this class with the new age and weight requirements until Tuesday March 15 to take advantage of the Tier 1 fees. The original deadline date for Tier 1 was March 8, not giving drivers a chance to sign up for the new class, given the changes made.
To view the entry blank info for the Spring Nationals at Jacksonville, click here.
CONCORD, NC - With the bulk of the winter weeks now in the rearview mirror, competitors now eagerly await the second stop for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series April 1-3 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. As the 1st weekend in April quickly approaches, so does the first tier for entry fees, as competitors have until Friday March 11 to get their payment in for the first tier of the Praga North America Nationals.
One change will be occurring for the Mfg Cup event at the Mooresville facility in April. With parking becoming increasingly tight due to the rise in entries, competitors who have motor homes will be required to park their rv’s outside the main pit area in a designated rv parking area.
As drivers and teams make their preparations for parking for the event, which will be handled by the track, they need to be aware of this change in policy.
To view the Praga North America Entry Blank, click here.
Before the first checkered drops on the 2016 season for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series April 15-17 at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida, champions and many other recipients of special awards will be honored, as the 2015 Awards Presentation will be held at the track Friday evening April 15, following the Shootout races for the Sportsman and Junior Pro Gas Animal classes, as well as the Senior Pro Gas Money Race. Competitors wishing to attend the Year End Awards Presentation can now view, download, and submit their reservation requests for the annual function, available at worldkarting.com. Go to Racing Series, click the RLV Gold Cup logo, then click Banquet Form. With the 2015 season one of the more memorable and remarkable seasons in Gold Cup history, the kickoff to the 2016 season is loaded with great anticipation.
Festivities for the Awards Presentation get underway with doors opening at 6:45, dinner at 7:15, and awards beginning at 7:45. A buffet dinner catered by Monroe’s Smokehouse Barbecue and Catering of Jacksonville will kick off what should be great evening of entertainment with champions receiving their awards and merchandise, highlighted by their 2015 National Championship Ring.
To view the Gold Cup Awards Presentation Form, click here.
Two of kartings biggest names team to support historic Barnesville, GA track ST. LOUIS, MO – (February 18, 2016) – Margay Racing and Bridgestone are proud to announce their sponsorship of the 2016 Georgia State Karting SuperSeries. 2016 marks the 3rd year of Margay/Bridgestone involvement with Georgia's leading sprint karting series. The GSKA 2016 Margay SuperSeries presented by Bridgestone will feature a 13 race championship season held at the historic Lamar County Speedway (famously known throughout karting as ‘Barnesville’), with top-tier year-end awards including Bridgestone tires and other merchandise.
GSKA will rely on Bridgestones proven YLC compound for the majority of classes while the new, highly anticipated YLM compound will be the designated tire for all TaG classes. As GSKA tire rules will be consistent with the WKA national series rules, racers will require fewer tires in the trailer thus leaving more dollars in their wallet.
“Barnesville is a legendary karting track, one that has provided over 45 years of memorable racing and has given rise to many of the sports biggest names,” said Margay Racing owner Keith Freber. “It’s a real honor for us, along with Bridgestone, to be able to support the efforts of the GSKA and all the members who work tirelessly to promote karting in the area,” Freber continued.
For more information on the GSKA class structure and schedule, please visit http://www.georgiasprintkarting.net/.
Based in Saint Louis, MO, Margay Racing is the most successful sprint kart manufacturer in the United States, supporting drivers in all divisions of karting and producing winning karts for countless local, regional, and national champions. Now in its 52nd year, Margay is owned by third-generation family member, Keith Freber. For more information about Margay, please see www.margay.com
CONCORD, NC - As the start of the 2016 season for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series gets closer, the sponsor list continues to grow, adding longtime sponsor and supporter GT Machine to the lineup, again returning as the sponsor of the annual Grand National event October 7-9 at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina. Since the late nineties, Dave and Sue Koehler of GT Machine has been a mainstay, not only with the Gold Cup program, but also as sponsor of the Grand National event, becoming an annual fixture for the program.
Additionally, the Koehler Family has also been responsible for bringing tons of new racers to the Gold Cup Series, and again will be carrying the flag for several new racers to compete this season on the top 4 Cycle program in the country.
The influx of new GT Machine and WKA customers will begin their quest for the title April 15-17 at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida for the season opening Spring Nationals.
WKA Thanks the Koehler Family and GT Machine for their continuing support of the Gold Cup program, as well as all of their tireless efforts in helping to mold the sport, helping new families enjoy the most gratifying level of motorsports.
To view the information for the Spring Nationals, click here.
