CONCORD, NC - The minutes from the most recent WKA Board of Trustees Conference Call are now available to view online.
Minutes from the April 11 discussion can now be seen by going to the WKA web page, clicking Docs, then hitting Latest Meeting Minutes.
CONCORD, NC - With just 3 weeks until just the second event for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, entries are flowing in at a steady pace for the Keystone State Nationals at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania.
The race, slated for May 19-21, will also mark the first race of the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout, a concept that will encompass 3 tracks, Pittsburgh, the July event at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana, culminating with the August race at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin.
8 national classes will resume their battle for their respective 2017 points championships, those classes including;
CIK 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
The Pittsburgh event will also mark the return of the Kid Kart Class, which will be run purely as an exhibition class for the remaining races in 2017.
Also returning will be the purses for the 3 Pro Classes, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior, and Pro IAME Senior. The weekend's overall champions in Pro Swift Sportsman and Pro IAME Junior will receive a $500 payday, with $250 going to second and a set of Bridgestone Tires going to third. The Pro IAME Senior Overall Weekend Champion will receive a $1,000 payday, with $500 going to second and a set of Bridgestone Tires for third. Additionally, the weekends overall champion will receive an award courtesy of Trinity Karting Group.
In addition to sponsoring a class through their Comet Racing Engines sponsorship, Comet Kart Sales returns as the sponsor of the Fast Time Awards, given out on both race days.
The Pittsburgh facility will also be adorned with the 2016 National Champions Flags, courtesy of New Jersey Sprint Series. And 1 lucky competitor will again go home with a brand new Tillotson Generator.
As mentioned earlier, the Pittsburgh event will serve as Race #1 for the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout, which is totally separate from the 2017 championship. A drivers best 5 of 6 finishes will be tablualted with the highest point earner in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportmsan, Pro IAME Junior, and Pro IAME Senior winning a trip to the October ROK Cup International Final in South Garda, Italy, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires. Aside from the cost of travel, all other expenses will be paid.
High point earners in CIK LO206 Senior, Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, and Yamaha Senior will receive a set of tires, pit pass, and free entry to the season ending Grand Nationals Ocotber 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Activities for the Keystone State Nationals get underway Friday May 19 with a full day of practice, followed by 2 full race days Saturday and Sunday.
Anyone wishing to reserve parking may contact Buddy Long at the WKA Office at (704) 455-1606, ext112, or at buddy@worldkarting.com.
To register online for the Keystone State Nationals, CLICK HERE.
To view the weekend schedule for the Keystone State Nationals, CLICK HERE.
CONCORD, NC - Perhaps you don't recognize him without his famous toothpick, but this week's WKA Team spotlight is on the WKA Hall of Fame award-winning and tech guy extraordinaire, Lynn Haddock. Lynn has over 40 years of racing in his blood and closer to 50 years of technical karting experience. He is also the Vice-President of 2-cycle in the WKA. Read on to learn more about the racer turned tech king in his interview below.
"Since 1958."
"I raced for 40 years straight, from 1958 until 1998."
"I love the sport of karting, love the people and to just have fun."
"I hang out in the tech area at the races."
"Formula 1 and NHRA drag racing."
" I enjoy the people and the intense competitive attitude they bring to the arena."
"Winning the 1978 World Championships with driver Lake Speed (I was the mechanic)."
"As a driver, I won over 100 National championships in IKF, WKA and PKA -- I raced in two cycle, four cycle, sprint, enduro, speedway and road race on both dirt and asphalt -- this includes over 35 Duffy awards in the IKF."
CONCORD, NC - In a continuing effort to honor the history within the WKA organization, it is WKA's great pleasure to take our members down memory lane for a look back at the many pioneers who have been a part of creating a legacy that was started back in the early seventies.
The list of HoF Members list is a virtual Who’s Who in not only the karting industry but the motorsports world, displaying the great relationships World Karting has built over the past several decades. Included in that list is George Kugler, the organizations founder, as well as legendary names such as Bill France and Humpy Wheeler, past representatives of the two powerful groups in NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation and Speedway Motorsports Inc, more specifically Daytona and Charlotte.
Other karting pioneers from the big leagues of racing include LG Dewitt, Lake Speed, Scott Pruett, Mark Dismore, and Jamie McMurray, as well as Dan Wilson from Briggs & Stratton. Over the years, many karting specific pioneers have been inducted, too many to mention here. But one gander at the list will take many people back to some wonderful memories of days past in karting, thanks to these fine men and women. Some of the women include Anne Kugler, Alice Keating, Carma Withrow, Yvonne Overton, Audrey Griffith, Shirley Howard, Marie Borsuk, and Missy Nelson-Tate, showing the vast contributions by females in the industry.
The most recent induction was held in March of 2016, with Pete Michel from Georgia being placed in the Hall as a member of the Road Race Series. 2 new members from the Road Race program will be inducted in June when WKA pays a visit to Summit Point Motorsports Park for the latest edition of the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting.
If you know of someone you feel is a candidate for future Hall of Fame consideration, contact Buddy Long at buddy@worldkarting.com.
To view the list of Hall of Fame Members, CLICK HERE.
In the future, the list is available by going to DOCS on the main page, then clicking WKA Hall of Fame.
Officials at Concept Haulers Motor Speedway in Sheridan, Illinois are proud to announce the 1st edition of the Yamaha Shootout. Scheduled for Saturday April 29, the Shootout will be incorporated into the regular Saturday racing schedule.
Entry Fee for the event is $75, $100 the week of the event, or at the gate, just a $20 increase from the normal Saturday Club races. Over $3,000 in cash and prizes will be on the line at the famed Illinois facility.
Featuring both Yamaha Senior and Junior classes, The race will consist of a 10 lap pre-final with a 22 lap final. Drivers are welcome to come out for practice on Friday April 28 from 10am-6pm.
For more information regarding the 1st Annual Yamaha Shootout, call the track at (815) 496-CHMS.
If you are a track, club, or group that is part of the WKA Insurance and Wristband program, and would like to further promote your events on the WKA site, contact Buddy Long at buddy@worldkarting.com.
CONCORD, NC - The WKA Board of Trustees has announced that homologation is now open for engines less than 125cc for the 2018 racing season.
Rules and Procedures may be found in item 117.1.1 in the 2017 WKA Tech Manual.
Due to the late announcement, the May 1st deadline has been extended to June 1st.
CONCORD, NC - Bridgestone Tires, one of the World Karting Association's long-standing sponsors has created for their loyal racers, the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout. Bridgestone Tires has put together an offer for free entries to future events for some classes, while others will be offered invites to the ROK Cup International Final where Bridgestone is the official tire.
The Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout will see all eight classes receive an additional prize package on top of the end of the year awards and prizes that have already been established from the Manufacturers Cup program. The winner of the Shootout in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Pro IAME Senior will receive an all-expense paid trip, less travel, to the ROK Cup International Final in South Garda Italy in October that utilize Bridgestone tires. Shootout class champions will have the opportunity to compete in Vortex Mini ROK (winners of both Mini Swift and Pro Swift Sportsman) as well as Vortex ROK Junior and Vortex ROK Senior.
The Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout will also see a lucrative prize package for Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Senior and L0206 Senior. The highest point earner after the best five of six main events that conclude in Dousman, Wisconsin will receive entry fee, race tires and drivers pit pass to the final WKA Grand Nationals at the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina over the October 13 - 15 weekend.
Details listed below for Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Pro IAME Senior
Details listed below for Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Senior and L0206 Senior
For more information on the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout, please contact the World Karting Association office at 704.455.1606 or via e-mail to kevin@WorldKarting.com
To register online for the Keystone State Nationals, CLICK HERE.
To view the Paper Entry for the Keystone State Nationals, CLICK HERE.
CONCORD, NC- With the third event for the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting just around the corner June 3 and 4 at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia, Woodbridge Kart Club Officials are busy preparing for the first tune-up for that prestigious event with the announcement of registration being open for the first event of the karting season at the SPR Shenandoah Course.
The event, slated for April 29 and 30, is now open to competitors to register online at WoodbridgeKartClub.com. This will enable drivers running for the national title an opportunity to get some additional track time, and also afford the local competitors a chance to well prepare for the national event.
To view the online registration form for the April event, go to woodbridgekartclub.com. Any other tracks or groups that are a part of the WKA insurance and wristband program are more than welcome to promote their upcoming events here on the WKA site by contacting Buddy Long at buddy@worldkarting.com.
CONCORD, NC - Following the recent posting of the online entry blank for the Keystone State Nationals for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, scheduled for May 19-21 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, the paper entry blank is also now available, for those who wish to print out and either email or fax their entry in.
Competitors planning on attending the event need to contact Buddy Long (WKA) at buddy@worldkarting.com, to arrange for their respective parking needs, including those who may have already entered online.
The Pittsburgh event will also serve as a return for the Kid Kart program, which will be running as an exhibition class. For competitors in that class, the pit pass will also serve as the entry fee for that weekend. In addition to the Kid Karts, the full national slate of classes will be returning, including:
CIK 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
The return of the Money Races will also take place at Pittsburgh, with competitors in Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Senior running for paydays in the top 2, with a set of Bridgestone Tires going to the third-place finishers. Sportsman and Junior drivers will run for a $500 payday, given to the weekends overall champion, with $250 going to 2nd place. For Senior, $1,000 will go to the overall weekend winner, with $500 going to second.
The event will also mark another drawing for a Tillotson Generator, which will also be done during the Sunday afternoon podiums.
While Winter Cup Champions were just crowned, the points battle at Pittsburgh will be a result of the current points from the Margay Sprint Championships back in December at Daytona.
1 Corey Towles
2 Zach Linsell
3 Hunter Fox
4 Dustin Demattia
5 Mike Greiner
1 Garrett Adams
2 William Robusto
3 Mateo Rubio-Luengo
4 Anderson Leonard
5 Logan Adams
1 Elliott Budzinski
2 Tyler Ferris
3 Colin Neal
4 Emory Lyda
5 Finnegan Bayliff
1 Alexander Kardashian
2 Braden Eves
3 Jake Venberg
4 Chris Slinden
5 Josh Fierke
1 Mateo Rubio-Luengo
2 Caleb Gafrarar
3 Calem Maloney
4 Alex Powell
5 Ben Maier
1 Ashton Chilton
2 Santiago Trisini
3 Elio Giovane
4 Lucas Rodriguez
5 Anderson Leonard
Dylan Tavella
2 Zane Maloney
3 Pauly Massimino
4 Max Peichel
5 Oliver Calvo
1 AJ Myers
2 Brandon Jarsocrak
3 Jonathan Kotyk
4 Braden Eves
5 Austin McCusker
CONCORD, NC - WKA has been in consultation with Bridgestone regarding the concerns that arose at the WKA Winter Cup event in Ocala. Recognizing a need to take action Bridgestone's kart product manager stated, "It's unfortunate our valued karting customers experienced performance differences of YLC compound tires between the two logo version tires (“new” and “old”), and that WKA had to shoulder the burden at the event, however, we will work with WKA and take the proper steps to avoid this from happening in the future."
As always when there is a change there is a transition period and Bridgestone is working with its distributors to release the “new” logo tires through its normal distribution channels and ensure the tires are available to the competitors. Additionally, for drivers that have not procured the “new” logo tires by the WKA Pittsburgh Event Bridgestone will also offer a 1 for 1 exchange at the event (tires must be new in wrappers). These important steps ensure the drivers are all competing on equal equipment now and into the future.
For the Pittsburg Event, all WKA competitors will be required to bring to the WKA official tire marking area their race tires on competition Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The tires will receive a very unique marking system to make sure that the tires submitted are personalized to the driver competing in that class. WKA’s President John Ferris stated, “Bridgestone has given assurances to WKA a return to the “Bar Codes” getting put back on the tires I see this as a temporary solution until that happens later this year. This temporary process will ensure that all drivers are using the required tires that were meant for that day’s competition and to make sure our valued racers know that the driver next to them is on the same tires for the competition day. Again this process will only be temporary as with the return of the “Bar Codes” WKA will be moving into a full scanning system of Tires, Engines and Chassis.”
JACKSON, NJ- If you race in the WKA Manufacturer's Cup but you have never had the joy of meeting one of our officials, Erik Graham, you are definitely missing out. Erik is not only an official, but a racer who has experience in driving legends cars, factory stock cars and karts. He has a great sense of humor and is not afraid to join in on jokes with our younger racers. More than anything, he enjoys being apart of developing the future race car drivers of the world. Read more about Erik in his interview below:
"I am from Jackson, NJ. If you draw a line between New York City and Philadelphia you will find Jackson in the middle."
"Pretty much my whole life. My first memories are of my home track (Wall Stadium) and racing. When I was a child my Uncle ran in the Demo Derbies that were a very big deal back then. So my Saturday's were spent with my Grandmother at the races and my Sunday's would involve my whole family supporting my Uncle."
"Yes! I actually started out in karts at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. After doing that for a few seasons I was able to accomplish a life long dream and race stock cars (Legends and Factory Stocks) at Wall Stadium. After racing for a while I became a Karting official, then a Stock Car official. I'll get more into how that came to be later. As far as other sports, growing up the son of a sports writer I love pretty much all stick and ball sports. My favorite sports team is the Philadelphia Eagles."
"Once I left karting to race stock cars I found myself at the kart track on Sundays anyway. You meet so many amazing people in karting I couldn't stay away. One day on a whim I asked John Ferris (Race Director / Promoter at Englishtown) if he needed any help on the track. He gave me my first opportunity as a race official and I fell in love with it. Having many years in management under my belt after a season I was directing club races. Later on, I was asked to direct the New Jersey Sprint Series. I also became the Assistant Race Director at Wall Stadium after I retired from behind the wheel in 2013. In early 2016 I was given the honor of becoming a co-director for the WKA Manufacturers Cup. It's amazing how many great people I've met and places I have been thanks to the WKA. I couldn't ask for a better organization to work for."
"Working with NASCAR style modifieds, weekly of course I love the NASCAR Modified Tour. A few of our weekly competitors actually race on the tour so it's fun to watch them on TV. As far as road racing goes I love the Supercars Championship in Australia. Their races are amazing, if you have never watched I highly recommend it."
"The people by far. Getting to see the country is great but the people you meet through the WKA are amazing. It's also a wonderful and humbling feeling to know I am a small part in developing the future race car drivers in the world."
"This has a two part answer.
As a driver, my most memorable race was getting to race in front of my Grandmother. She wasn't doing too well when I started racing. Somehow she was up to coming to see me race one day and my Uncle was able to get her there. I was so emotional knowing she was there I actually got into a wreck.
As an official, I think this is an easy one. By far getting to Officiate a race in Daytona was a life changing experience for me. Plus having my Cousin Sam (also a WKA official) there was the icing on the cake. It's crazy how far I've come after just asking John if he wanted some help at the track one day. I can't thank the WKA enough for the opportunity."
CONCORD, NC - With the WKA Winter Cup Series serving as the buffer between the Daytona Mfg Cup event back in December, and the race #2 May event at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, it will serve as a welcome sight for those who are specifically running the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series solely, as the online registration for the Keystone State Nationals is now open.
Scheduled for May 19-21, the Pittsburgh event will also serve as a return for the Kid Kart program, which will be running as an exhibition class. For competitors in that class, the pit pass will also serve as the entry fee for that weekend. In addition to the Kid Karts, the full national slate of classes will be returning, including:
CIK 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
The return of the Money Races will also take place at Pittsburgh, with competitors in Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Senior running for paydays in the top 2, with a set of Bridgestone Tires going to the third-place finishers. Sportsman and Junior drivers will run for a $500 payday, given to the weekends overall champion, with $250 going to 2nd place. For Senior, $1,000 will go to the overall weekend winner, with $500 going to second.
The event will also mark another drawing for a Tillotson Generator, which will also be done during the Sunday afternoon podiums.
While Winter Cup Champions were just crowned, the points battle at Pittsburgh will be a result of the current points from the Margay Sprint Championships back in December at Daytona.
Here's a look at the top 5 in points in the respective classes, heading into Pittsburgh:
CIK LO206 Senior:
1 Corey Towles
2 Zach Linsell
3 Hunter Fox
4 Dustin Demattia
5 Mike Greiner
Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman:
1 Garrett Adams
2 William Robusto
3 Mateo Rubio-Luengo
4 Anderson Leonard
5 Logan Adams
Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior:
1 Elliott Budzinski
2 Tyler Ferris
3 Colin Neal
4 Emory Lyda
5 Finnegan Bayliff
Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior:
1 Alexander Kardashian
2 Braden Eves
3 Jake Venberg
4 Chris Slinden
5 Josh Fierke
CRPRACING.com Mini Swift
1 Mateo Rubio-Luengo
2 Caleb Gafrarar
3 Calem Maloney
4 Alex Powell
5 Ben Maier
IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman:
1 Ashton Chilton
2 Santiago Trisini
3 Elio Giovane
4 Lucas Rodriguez
5 Anderson Leonard
Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior:
Dylan Tavella
2 Zane Maloney
3 Pauly Massimino
4 Max Peichel
5 Oliver Calvo
KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior
1 AJ Myers
2 Brandon Jarsocrak
3 Jonathan Kotyk
4 Braden Eves
5 Austin McCusker
World Karting Mourns Loss of Hall of Famer Kyle Adkins
CONCORD, NC- The Karting Family was hit with some very sad news Wednesday morning, as World Karting Hall of Famer Kyle Adkins passed away. Known as a man who wore many hats, Kyle's involvement in kart racing is the epitome of a man who bled karting from beginning to end.
From a racer to race track owner, as well as engine builder, shop owner, sponsor, and most importantly Racing Dad to his son Brandon, Kyle contributed to every corner of the karting world. His track, Adkins Raceway Park, still in operation in Ohio, was also on the WKA radar for a future Gold Cup event, once Kyle was completely satisfied the track was adequate enough to meet the challenges of a national caliber track, typical of Kyle's ethics in racing.
For many years, through his Adkins Speed Shop company, Kyle was a class sponsor on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Series, giving back to a sport he so loved.
That dedication and love for the sport also placed Kyle in a very elite class in the World Karting Hall of Fame, as Kyle joined fellow 2007 honorees Kenny Venberg, former vice president of WKA, legendary Road Race King Randy Fulks, engine wizard Robin Bradshaw, and longtime WKA executive Rosie Howell.
To honor Kyle's memory, a commemorative sticker is already being designed, which will be issued to all competitors in the Keystone State Nationals, the next stop on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, scheduled for May 19-21 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania. Racers will have the opportunity to proudly display their appreciation for a man who truly loved the sport of kart racing, and his karting family.
On behalf of the World Karting Association, our sincerest sympathies, as well as complete thoughts and prayers are with Kyle's Family at this time.
Information regarding funeral arrangements will be posted as soon as they become available.
CONCORD, NC - The finale for Year #2 of the WKA Winter Cup Series ended under brilliant sunshine, blue skies, and 95+ degree temperatures at the immaculate Ocala Gran Prix in Ocala, Florida. With titles in all classes hanging in the balance, it was time to get up on the wheel one more time. And that's exactly what many did, including Logan Adams, Corey Towles, Mateo, Rubio-Luengo, and Brandon Jarsocrak, sweeping their respective classes.
From holiday weather in Daytona for round 1, to Daytona 500 time in Jacksonville for stop #2, to what appeared to be the beginning of the Florida summer season at Ocala, the competition remained keen throughout the 3-race program.
Keeping pace with his championship performance from Gold Cup to Winter Cup, Corey Towles began the weekend off, topping Hunter Fox and James Vanderzee in the CIK LO206 Senior competition both days. Towles, also the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner each day, bested Fox, Vanderzee, Jorge Ruiz, and Ryan Rogers on Day 1, with Fox and Vanderzee switching places on day 2, followed again by Ruiz and Rogers. For his efforts, Towles was also crowned the 2017 Champion in the class, as Fox, Vanderzee, Rogers, and Ruiz completed the balance of the top 5 in the championship standings.
The battle for the top spot in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman Class was as close as it gets, with brothers Logan and Garrett Adams ending their season in a virtual deadlock in the championship standings, the tiebreaker coming in the form of national wins, with Logans sweep of the weekend enough to get past his brother in one of the best battles of the season. Taking the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award on the first day, Logan topped Sam Hinds, Garrett Adams, William Robusto, and Mateo Rubio-Luengo on Day 1, with Garrett charging up behind his brother for 2nd on Day 2, followed by Luengo, Fast Time winner Robusto, and Hinds. Following the Adams tandem in the final national championship standings were Robusto, Hinds, and Luengo.
The Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior class found 2 different winners over the weekend, the first being eventual class champion Jack Dorsey, as he edged Bryce Aron, Matthew Mockabee, and Blake Korth on Day 1. Day 2 found Mockabee not only taking the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award, but also heading to his first career national WKA win, edging Dorsey, Aron, and Korth. Dorsey claimed the title for the season over Aron, Mockabee, Elliott Budzinski, and Korth.
One of the tightest battles coming into the finale was in the CRPRACING.com Mini Swift class with Mateo Rubio-Luengo joining the ranks of the sweep club, pulling out the broom both days for the top honors. Splitting the Comet Kart Sales Fast time honors with Christian Miles, Luengo was able to get around Miles on Day 1 for the win, with Miles holding on for second, followed by Sam Corry, Sofia D'Arrigo, and Sebastian NG. Day 2 found NG making a great run in the event, finishing on the heels of Luengo, with Corry, Miles, and Ben Maier rounding out the top 5. By virtue of his consistency both days, Miles was able to distance the gap between himself and challenger Caleb Gafrarar, who finished 6th and 7th both days, taking the title in the class. Gafrarar, Luengo, Corry and Maier were the final 5 in the championship standings.
The IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman class was also loaded for bear on the final weekend of racing, with Jeremy Fletcher and Brent Crews taking down the top honors both days. Looking to gain some valuable points, and possibly get to the championship podium twice in the Winter Cup Series, Logan Adams took the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Awards both days. However, Adams would finish on the heels of both Fletcher and Crews each day, with Anderson Leonard, Garrett Adams, and Sam Hinds the top 5 on Day 1, with William Robusto, Lucas Rodriguez, and Nikita Johnson following Crews and Adams on Day 2. While not having the weekend he wanted, Ashton Chilton had plenty of success in the series first 2 races at Daytona and Jax, assuring a championship for the young driver. While Chilton mustered up a 7th and 9th over the weekend, the damage was done at the top, with Chilton the champ over Lucas Rodriguez, Brent Crews, Logan Adams, and Jeremy Fletcher.
Much like Chilton, Pauly Massimino enjoyed a healthy lead in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class coming into Ocala, which eventually would be needed, as Massimino was involved in contact with another kart on Saturday, thus finishing dead last on the field. Massimino rebounded for a 7th place run on Sunday, good enough for a strong result in the final standings as the champion. In the meantime, Zachary Hollingshead and Dylan Gennaro were the class of the field up front both days. Interestingly enough, both took the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Awards, but would finish second to the other each day.
Hollingshead took Day #1 over Gennaro, with Caleb Bacon, Jade Hubert, and Isabella Robusto making up the top 5. Day 2 found Gennaro finding his way to victory lane, with Hollingshead on his heals, followed by Hubert, Gunnar Bischoff, and Caleb Bacon. In addition to Massimino, it was a tough weekend for the top 3 in the final standings, as both championship runner-up Kaden Wharff and Gray Leadbetter had rough outings, finishing outside the top 10 both days. But strong overall season efforts placed them in the top 3 behind Massimino, with Isabella Robusto and Bischoff rounding out the top 5 in the final standings.
The final title to be decided came in the form of the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class, where Brandon Jarsocrak was the fourth and final driver to sweep weekend action, topping Abby McLaughlin both days. With the sweep, Jarsocrak also took the title over McLaughlin, with Ryan Raffa, Jonathan Yobaggy, and AJ Myers rounding out the top 5 in the championship standings.
All champions, in addition to their awards, also received a free set of Bridgestone Tires, as well as free entry into one of the remaining 2017 Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series events, the next being May 19-21 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania.
While the top 3, as well as overall weekend winners and champions were honored, the final award to be bestowed was the trip to the X30 Nationals later this year in Lemans, France. Drivers eligible were competitors in the Pro IAME Junior and Senior ranks who participated in all 3 events in the Winter Cup season, with Junior driver Gunnar Bischoff being selected as the recipient by virtue of the drawing held at the end of the weekend.
Special thanks to Eric Jones and IAME for his very special presentation and hard work for this opportunity to be presented.
CONCORD, NC - As a follow-up to the Water Medic Southeast Showdown for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series, held recently at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida, there is an update on the tabulation for the Chassis Standings.
Coyote Racing Chassis is awarded 7 wins, not 9, following the event. The change is a result of the rule that does indeed cover all national series, in which a chassis victory can only be credited to classes that host a minimum of 3 entries. The results of the Senior Pro Gas class were mistakenly recorded.
Coyote: 7
Ionic Edge: 2
Razor: 2
MGM: 2
Comet: 1
The next event for the Gold Cup Series will be July 28-30 at Thompson Kart Raceway in Ohio. Entry information for that event will be coming out shortly! Hope to see you there.
CONCORD, NC - After just missing out on the 2016 Manufacturers Championship Trophy by a mere victory, Coyote Motorsports, led by Mark and Jim Lipari, came to Jacksonville, Florida with a vengeance, leaving the Water Medic Southeast Showdown for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series at 103rd Street Sports Complex with a 7 win edge over 3 of their rivals in the sport.
The wins for Coyote encompassed the Sportsman, Junior, and Senior classes, making for a complete weekend for the camp out of western New York. Here’s the breakdown of Coyote winners over the weekend:
GT Machine Sportsman Pro Gas: Blake Boon, 2 wins
GT Machine Junior Pro Gas: Austin Williamson: 2 wins
Coyote Motorsports Senior Pro Gas: Jim Lipari: 2 wins
Target Distributing Senior LO206: Matt Mayes, Saturday
Target Distributing Senior LO206: Jason Yarbrough, Sunday
Masters Senior: Brad Farmer, Saturday
3 Chassis manufacturers are tied for 2nd with 2 wins apiece, as Ionic Edge, MGM, and Razor all found success over the weekend as well, Ionic Edge with Brian Van Cleve in the Junior LO206 ranks, MGM with Justin Vanderzee in the CIK LO206 Senior class, and Timothy Clark in Masters Senior, while Owen Lloyd powered Razor to 2 wins in the Boon and Sons Sportsman LO206 class.
Comet Chassis checked in for 1 win over the weekend, with James Vanderzee taking the CIK LO206 Senior main on Sunday.
Here’s a look at the current standings:
Coyote: 9
Ionic Edge: 2
MGM: 2
Razor: 2
Comet: 1
The battle for the top chassis spot continues July 28-30 when the series heads to Thompson Kart Raceway in Ohio for stop #2 for the series!
CONCORD, NC - For the second season in a row, the opening round of the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products at 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida not only encompassed the energy of a season opener, it also paid tribute to the 2016 national champions, top award recipients, as well as many other special award honorees.
One of the many special moments of the weekend was honoring the WKA Karting Family of the Year, presented to The Vrabel Family from the Midwest. Due to a most unfortunate automobile accident involving Renee Vrabel, the family, whose son Alex competes in Junior competition, as well as dad Jon as the head wrench, were unable to attend. WKA sends its sincerest sympathies and well wishes for a speedy recovery to Renee and the entire family.
Also missing, but receiving the Sportsmanship award was Jacob Connors from Maryland. Running in 2 of the toughest classes in the program, the Senior Pro Gas Medium and Heavy last year against Jacob and Jimmy Heavlow was tough. But Jacob stood tall in the midst of some tough competition.
The battle for the top chassis manufacturer for 2016 may have been the closest ever, with Arrow Racing Chassis, again led by the Heavlow brothers, accounting for their part in the 24 victories, narrowly edging Coyote Chassis by 1 win, with Razor Chassis finishing third.
WKA also recognized the Most Improved Junior Driver for 2016, with young Blake Boon making a smooth transition from Kid Karts to the Sportsman ranks, taking the Sportsman Gas Lite title in 2016, as well as finishing 3rd in the Sportsman LO206 Class last year as well.
Many champions were also recognized, with winners receiving generators from Briggs & Stratton, as well as a set of tires from Bridgestone, not to mention Championship Eagles and other merchandise. 2nd place received a Gold Cups, as well as Kart Stands from RLV, and other merchandise.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2016 standings, as well as other award recipients from 2016:
1 Jimmy Cole Jackson
2 Matt Miller
3 Cade Frazier
4 Talia Moffett
1 David Kalb Jr
2 Matt Miller
3 Jimmy Cole Jackson
4 Austin Williamson
5 Talia Moffett
6 Alex Vrabel
7 Brian Van Cleve
1 Sean Meier
2 Corey Towles
3 Michael Clark
4 Patrick O’Neal
5 Jacob Heavlow
6 Tim Stiefel
1 Tim Stiefel
2 Brad Farmer
1 Jacob Heavlow
2 Jimmy Heavlow
3 Jacob Connors
4 Chris Osgood
1 Jacob Heavlow
2 Jimmy Heavlow
3 Jacob Connors
1 Kevin Lanyi
2 Caleb Gafrarar
3 Blake Boon
4 Elmer Edmonson
5 Brady Atwood
1 Elmer Edmonson
1 Blake Boon
2 Elmer Edmonson
3 Hunter Burns
1 David Kalb Jr
2 Matt Miller
3 Austin Williamson
4 Alex Vrabel
5 Brian Van Cleve
CONCORD, NC - Fresh off a strong beginning to the new season at Daytona in December, Competition Karting Incorporated of Welcome, North Carolina further extended their lead in the Chassis standings for the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting, following the series second event recently held at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia.
Coming into the event with 18 wins, CKI drivers posted another 8 wins at Roebling, giving the defending chassis champion 26 wins after the series first 2 events. All totalled, 12 different chassis found their way to victory lane during the 2 day event with Arrow Chassis posting 3 wins. 2 wins apiece were recorded by Warren, MGM, PT2, Birel, and DR, while Coyote, DSE, Tony Kart, Elite, Ital Kart, and Kosmic recorded.
The quest for the championship continues June 3rd and 4th, when the series heads to Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia for stop #3 for the program. For the season, there have been 20 different chassis’s represented on the top shelf of the podium.
CKI: 26
MGM: 6
Margay: 4
Elite: 4
Ital Kart: 3
Arrow: 3
Owl: 2
CRG: 2
Parolin: 2
Warren: 2
PT2: 2
DR: 2
Birel: 2
PVP:1
Praga: 1
Sodi Kart: 1
Coyote: 1
DSE: 1
Tony Kart: 1
Kosmic: 1
CONCORD, NC - You might not be able to recognize Kelly from the wild skydiving picture above, but if you have raced a WKA event in the past year you definitely would have met her. Kelly Frazier is the newest face working out of the WKA office in Concord, NC. Being part of the WKA administrative team, she often; manages your calls to the office, creates the entry blanks for every race, takes registrations, plans and coordinates all awards banquets and helps Marie put together all those race packets that you get at each race. She loves being a part of the WKA family and did we mention she loves 'Hermit crab racing?!' You can read more about "The Amazing Kelly" from her interview below:
"I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina."
"I guess since I was a teenager. My family owned a foundry in Charlotte Called Carolina foundry, and they made the Coca Cola 600 trophy, My grandfather and I would always go to that race and I became a Nascar fan. Then as you get older a lot of your friends work in the racing industry in some way shape or form so you are always connected to it."
"I have never raced. I played soccer until a car accident injured my knee. I have always been a baseball fan. My passion is scuba diving, but I don’t get to do that as much as I would like."
"Having been in the medical field for 20 some odd years I was ready for a 'fun' job. Having friends who have raced in with WKA and meeting people over the years, I heard of the opening in the office and thought that it would be a fun and cool job, challenging and something different."
"Each day differs. We are always prepping for the next race, whether it's creating entry blanks, preparing for banquets, race entries, memberships, and then there are other office administrative duties to attend to. And of course, the most important part of the day is playing with Abbey the office rescue cat!"
"Hermit Crab racing......If you ever go to the US Virgin Islands, make sure you catch Tito and Sues crab racing, it's so much fun! You pick a crab, name it and see if it wins you prizes.....again, it's so much fun!"
"Hands down, the best part about the WKA races is meeting the families. We are lucky to have some really nice people and amazing kids coming to the races."
"Go Pro Motorsports back in March of 2016, was my first race I actually worked, so that stands out in my mind. Getting to meet the families and being on the backend to see how the races come together from start to finish was great. Daytona 2016 was my first time actually working a Daytona race. I have been there as a spectator, watching friends race, but it was pretty awesome to be a part of it and to experience the Dirt Racing, Road Race and Sprint Series all at one event."
CONCORD, NC - The season opener for the RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Gold Cup Series not only welcomed back many of the fine families in the sport of 4 cycle racing, it also produced some new national winners from competitors who have been digging hard the last few years to get to the top shelf of the podium.
Leading the way in the new national winner category in the Water Medic Southeast Showdown were Austin Williamson and Owen Lloyd. For Williamson, his wins came in the GT Machine Junior Pro Gas classes both days, while Lloyd, a graduate from Kid Kart competition, took down both days of the Boon and Sons Sportsman LO206 Class.
In addition to the newest winners, there were also several other double-event winners, including;
Jim Lipari: Coyote Motorsports Senior Pro Gas
Blake Boon: GT Machine Sportsman Pro Gas
Brian Van Cleve: Junior LO206
Other single event winners included;
Matt Mayes: Target Distributing Senior LO206
Justin Vanderzee: CIK LO206 Senior
Brad Farmer: Masters Senior
Jason Yarbrough: Target Distributing Senior LO206
James Vanderzee: CIK LO206 Senior
Timothy Clark: Masters Senior
Williamson began his weekend sweep with a win in Saturday's second race of the day for the GT Machine Junior Pro Gas class. Graduating from the Sportsman ranks very successfully, Elmer Edmonson challenged Williamson throughout, coming home second in his Junior debut, with Macon Moore and Brian Van Cleve rounding out the order. Williamson took day 2, with Brian Van Cleve, Edmonson, and Moore rounding out the top 5. For the weekend, Williamson was the overall class champ, with Edmonson and Van Cleve rounding out the top 3. Weekend Champions in all classes received Power Washers, courtesy of Briggs & Stratton, with Tool Sets going to both the second and third place finishers.
For Lloyd, a graduate from the Kid Kart ranks, the weekend sweep marked his first 2 WKA National event wins in the Sportsman ranks, taking the Boon and Sons Sportsman LO206 Class results both days, first fending off Blake Boon on Day 1, followed by Fast Timer Camden Gruber, Camryn Reed, and Brentley Miller. On Day 2, Camryn Reed, one of the newest young female talents on the series, and fresh off a third place finish in the Sportsman Shootout Friday, came home second, followed by yet another Kid Kart graduate in Brentley Miller with a fine third place run. Gruber, the fast timer again on Day 2, was 4th, followed by Boon. For his sweep, Lloyd was also the weekend's overall champ, with Reed and Gruber the top 3.
Fresh off a 2016 championship, Blake Boon went right back to work in Event #1, claiming the GT Machine Sportsman Pro Gas Classes. Boon, however, found some stiff competition from Fast Time winner Camden Gruber both days, as Gruber tailed Boon to the stripe, with Owen Lloyd and Camryn Reed rounding out the field each day. Boon took the Fast Time on Day 2, as well as the Overall title for the weekend, over Gruber and Lloyd. Boon also took the Friday Night Sportsman LO206 Shootout, netting $200 for the weekend.
The last sweep of the weekend came for Brian Van Cleve in the Junior LO206 category. Fresh off his $200 win in the Friday Night Shootout for the Junior LO206 Class, Van Cleve took control of the weekend, netting the Saturday national event win over Austin Williamson, followed by Edmonson, Sportsman graduate Kevin Lanyi, and Collin Miller. Much like Edmonson, Lanyi, fresh off a 2016 Sportsman title, began to find his comfort zone in the next age level, shadowing Van Cleve in second, with Moore, Edmonson, and Miller making up the top 5. For his efforts, Van Cleve was the weekend's overall champion, followed by a pair of freshman in Lanyi and Edmonson.
The Target Distributing Senior LO206 Class found some extremely tough competition both days, with the local contingent turning back many of the outside invaders in the series first race of the year. Day #1 found Florida product Matt Mayes scoring a popular win over New Yorker Jim Lipari, with Marylander Jimmy Heavlow, Aren Lloyd, and Brandon Murzynski rounding out the top 5. Worth mentioning was Sean Meier’s 6th place run, as the Florida driver made a stellar run from the back of the 15 kart field. Day #2 found yet another local hotshoe in the form of Jason Yarbrough taking the last lap victory in exciting fashion, with Aren Lloyd again checking in for a top 5, taking second, with fast timer Sean Meier, Tyler Lloyd, and Michael Clark making up the top 5. By virtue of his top 5 consistency, Aren Lloyd was the weekend's overall champion, with Matt Mayes and Jim Lipari the top 3.
The series also debuted a new CIK LO206 Senior Class with the Vanderzee brothers, Justin and James, sharing the weekend wins. Justin took Day #1 over James, with Michael Gay coming home third, while the brothers flip-flopped the end result on Sunday, with James the winner, Justin second, and Brian Collins checking in for a third place finish. James Vanderzee took the Overall weekend top honors, with Justin second, and Brian Collins the top 3.
Since its debut 1 season ago, the Masters Senior class has been full of tough competition. That statement was again backed up into a new year, with a pair of winners over the weekend, as Brad Farmer took the Day 1 honors over New Yorker Tim Stiefel, with Timothy Clark, Joey Miller, and Kevin Medearis making up the top 5. Day 2 found Clark, in a backup kart, following extensive damage on his primary kart in the heat race, taking the win over Farmer and Stiefel, with Medearis and Vernon Sparks completing the top 5. Farmer was the weekend's overall champion, with Clark and Stiefel making up thetop 3.
With the weekend tucked in the books, the series points to the second event of the 3 race national program, coming July 28-30 at Thompson Kart Raceway in Ohio, with the finale being the Grand National Oct 6-8 at Lamar County Speedway in Barnesville, Georgia.
Special thanks to Briggs and Stratton for providing major product to the weekend's overall champions, as well as Water Medic for the title sponsorship of the series first event of 2017. Thanks also to Coyote Motorports, GT Machine, Boon and Sons, and Target Distributing for their tireless efforts to help make the first event of the 2017 season a great success.
