Pesek Wins with Heavy Heart in Keystone State Nationals

May 25, 2017

CONCORD, NC - For families, competitors, race officials, and fans, the second event for the WKA Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series at Pittsburgh International Race Complex was already going to be greeted on a somewhat somber note, with the news of the passing of WKA Hall of Famer Kyle Adkins, whose son Brandon not only participated on the series for many years, but also had been a past employee of the facility.

The news became more bleak in the karting world, as just a short time later, yet another proud karting Dad, Kevin Pesek, passed away. The father of past WKA National Champion Dakota Pesek, who currently competes in the Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior class, Kevin never missed an event, and was one of the strongest supporters of his son and his racing career.

Fighting through the challenges of losing a Dad, as well as wet track conditions, a determined Dakota Pesek willed his way to the top shelf of the podium in Sundays finale for the class, thus hoisting both hands straight up in the air, pointing to the heavens, motioning to his Dad, "This one is for you, Thanks Dad!!"

Pesek's victory immediately extinguished all other challenges anyone may have been dealing with throughout the weekend, from wet weather to poor luck on the track, or anything else, thus placing what the organization, the series, and its competitors place squarely in perspective, FAMILY.

Coming off a second place finish to Braden Eves on Saturday, Pesek's win also netted him the weekend's Overall Championship, garnering the hardware from Trinity Karting Group. Nick Landi, Alexander Kardashian, Eves, and Jake Venberg rounded out the top 5 on Sunday, with Kardashian taking the Comet Kart Sales Pole Award. Following Eves and Pesek on Saturday were Kardashian, Venberg, and Derek Hughes, with Eves collecting the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award.

Eves victory on Saturday was the first of 2 for the weekend, as he also claimed Sundays win in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class, topping Kardashian, AJ Myers, Brandon Lemke, and Nick Landi. Lemke claimed the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award. Saturdays action found Lemke taking the top honors, with Eves coming home second, followed by Kardashian, Myers, and Ryan Raffa. Eves took the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award. Eves success also netted the Overall Weekend Champions Award, sponsored by Trinity Karting Group, as well as earning $1,000 for his efforts. Lemke received $500 for the weekend, while Kardashian won a free set of Bridgestone Tires.

Eves wasn't the only driver to score more than 1 win for the weekend, as Connor Zilisch, Eric Fagan, and Mateo Rubio-Luengo also doubled up for the weekend.

For Zilisch, his weekend began with the win in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman Class, topping Logan Adams, Thomas Schrage, Annie Rhule, and Sam Hinds. Luengo, the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Winner, wound up 6th, but rebounded in a big way, taking the Day 2 activities over Zilisch, Schrage, Rhule, and Garrett Adams. Zilisch not only netted the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Award, but was also the weekends Overall Champion, receiving the Trinity Karting Group award.

Later in the day on Saturday, Zilisch took the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman top honors, becoming the only driver to take 2 wins in a single day for the weekend. Brent Crews chased Zilisch across the line, followed by Ashton Chilton, Logan Adams, and Annie Rhule. Chilton improved from third to the top step on the podium Sunday, taking the win, as well as the Overall Weekends top honors, netting a $500 payday. Crews, a runnerup for the second straight day, netted a $250 payday, with Zilisch gaining a set of Bridgestone Tires, by virtue of his 4th place finish on Sunday. Nestled in between Crews and Zilisch was Logan Adams in third, while Isaac Beekman rounded out the top 5. Zilisch also swept the Comet Kart Sales Pole honors both days.

Eric Fagan enjoyed a weekend sweep in the CIK LO 206 Senior class, topping Pennsylvania stalwart Zach Linsell on Day 1, with David Kalb Jr, Jeremy Warren, and Evan McCorquadale rounding out the top 5. Day 2 action found Kalb chasing Fagan to the line, with Warren, Dustin Demattia, and McCorquadale rounding out the top 5. Linsell and Kalb took the respective Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Awards, while Fagan took the Trinity Karting Group Overall Weekend Championship top honors.

Colin Neal and Elliott Budzinski shared the honors in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior class, with Neal taking the Day 1 honors over Caiden Young, Tyler Ferris, Arie Venberg, and Matthew Mockabee, while Budzinski fended off runnerup Young on Sunday, with Ferris, Neal, and Evan Stamer completing the top 5. Consistency paid off for Young, as the pair of second place finishes netted the young driver the Trinity Karting Group Overall Weekend Title. Tyler Ferris swept the Comet Kart Sales top qualifying efforts for the weekend.

The CRPRacing.com Mini Swift class also found parity in the win column, with Mateo Rubio-Luengo and Caleb Gafrarar sharing the weekends top honors. For Luengo, the Sunday win marked his second for the weekend, as Elliot Cox, Gafrarar, Danny Dyszelski, and Ben Maier chased the 2 time winner across the stripe. Gafrarar, the Saturday Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner, rebounded for a weekend ending win on Sunday, besting Maier, Miles Murray, Charlie Knoll, and Christian Rutty. Cox, the Comet Kart Sales Fast Time winner on Sunday, rode home 6th. With his win and 3rd place finish, Gafrarar netted the Trinity Karting Group Overall Weekend Title.

Keeping with the multiple win theme were Pauly Massimino and Tyler Ferris in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class. Massimino took the Day 1 action over Tahlon Yockel, Colin Gasparini, Ferris, and Madison Campeau, with Ferris topping Yockel, Massimino, Gasparini, and Alex Yankowski on Day 2. Yockel and Kaden Wharff took the respective Comet Kart Sales Fast Time Awards, with Massimino garnering the Trinity Karting Group Overall Weekend title, and also a $500 payday. Yockel netted a $250 payday with Ferris gaining a set of Bridgestone Tires.

The Kid Kart Class also made their first appearance of the season as an exhibition class. Special thanks to Colton Guiher, Lewis Beckham, and Parker Garrigus for joining the national classes this past weekend as well, as future hopefuls in the sport.

The Keystone State Nationals also marked Race #1 for the Bridgestone Mid Season Shootout. The 3 race program, run within the confines of the Mfg Cup Point System, but separate from the season ending championship, will continue July 14-16 at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana for the TEAM EMPOWER Natonals, with the third and final stop on the tour taking place August 25-27 at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin.

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

High Point Earners in Yamaha Sportsman, Yamaha Junior, Yamaha Senior, and CIK LO206 Senior will receive a free entry, race tires, and a drivers pit pass to the season ending WKA Grand National event for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series October 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Entry Information for the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals at New Castle will be released shortly.

Top Kart Takes Chassis Lead Following Keystone State Nationals

May 24, 2017

CONCORD, NC - A well rounded effort of 4 different winners in different age categories helped propel Top Kart to the lead in the annual chassis standings on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, following the series second event of the season this past weekend at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania.

While Tyler Ferris's win in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class was the last of 4 for Top Kart, helping to break the tie with Tony Kart, many in the industry will see the 1 win edge, and point to Dakota Pesek's emotional win in the rain in the Franklinkart.com Yamaha Senior class, honoring his departed father Kevin, as the difference, as the series now heads in the direction of Indiana in July for the TEAM EMPOWER Nationals at New Castle Motorsports Park.

Joining Ferris and Pesek for the Top Kart camp were Pauly Massimino, a winner in the 1st day of action for the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class, while steady Brandon Lemke took the Day 1 honors in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class.

For Tony Kart, 2 wins were scored, the first coming in the form of Colin Neal's win in the Comet Racing Engines Yamaha Junior class, while Elliott Budzinski scored the Yamaha Junior win on Day 2.

Other teams enjoying multiple success were Energy Chassis, backed by Connor Zilisch's 2 wins on Saturday in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class, while later taking the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman honors.

Keener Chassis, led by 4 cycle standout Eric Fagan, led the way for 2 wins in the CIK LO206 Senior class, while Mateo Rubio-Luengo also notched 2 wins to help Beniks cause, taking the CRPRACING.com Mini Swift final on Day 1, as well as the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman finals on Day 2.

Other drivers notching a victory for their respective chassis's were the following:

Braden Eves: FA

Caleb Gafrarar: Parolin

Ashton Chilton: Nitro

Braden Eves: Kosmic

Here's a look at the updated chassis standings.

Top Kart: 7

Tony Kart: 6

Kosmic: 3

FA: 3

Benik: 2

Comet Eagle: 2

Parolin: 2

Energy: 2

Keener: 2

Comp Kart, TB Kart, and Praga have 1 win apiece.

Get to Know WKA Team Member: David Coates

May 24, 2017

PORTAGE, IN - If you didn't know David Coates and I had to describe him to you using only three words; energetic, positive and passionate would immediately come to mind. David is absolutely on fire for working WKA Manufacturer's Cup races, not to mention all the other cool hobbies he participates in like playing percussion in a band, photography, and hiking to name a few. David raced for 12 years and continues to hold the same enthusiasm for karting as he had when he was racing in his younger years. If you ever come across David at the races, he is easy to spot because he always has a huge smile and kind words to say to all the drivers. Read more about David below in his interview:

How many years have you been in the racing world (Either a racer, fan, working for a racing organization)?

"Getting close to 50 years that I have loved the sport of racing. My passion for racing began at an early age, [probably around 4 or 5 years old] My dad would take us to Illiana Motor Speedway, one of the Midwest premier paved half mile ovals. The love for the smell of race fuel, rear end grease, hot brakes, burnt rubber and peanuts will forever be etched in my mind. Saturday nights were always the best when we were “going to the track!"

Have you ever raced? If so, what and for how long?

"I raced for 12 years at Club Level at MRP [Michiana Raceway Park] in South Bend Indiana from 1992-2004. I also ran in all four Portage IN. GP’s and all three South Bend Regional Airport GP’s. I ran Yamaha Pipe and HPV 4- Pipe my entire career. I met a lot of great people during those days that I still call friends today."

What made you want to work for the WKA?

"I had worked multiple WKA events at MRP [as an MRP employee] and really liked the camaraderie I saw in the WKA staff. Dennis Long, a long time flagman for WKAand multiple other series, took me under his guidance when it came to flagging races knowing I was very interested in his position, and led me to Buddy Long. The rest is history. Buddy, as well as the entire WKA organization have welcomed not only me, but my son [Alec] to my multiple positions with the Man Cup Series which I am grateful for."

What does a day in the life of you look like at the WKA office?

"Well I am not in the WKA office, LOL but a day in the life of me can have a lot of variables! I live my life on “10”! I have multiple hobbies….I am a musician and play percussion every chance I get weather it is in my shop or with a band. I love Photography, I cannot get enough camping in, in a season, I love the beach, sunset’s and hiking. My wife and I enjoy working in our yard. And more important than anything, I have a beautiful wife, three amazing kids and two totally awesome grandkids [that are into all kinds of fun stuff] that I enjoy more than anything previously mentioned! Life is GREAT, just crazy busy."

What is your favorite racing series to watch?

"Well I would think the appropriate answer would be the WKA! ;-) But since I can’t watch it for the enjoyment of it all, I will have to go to series “B”, I LOVE USAC SPRINTS AND MIDGETS as well as INDY CAR!! Saturday night short track, Late Models and Modified’s……….Well, it don’t get better than that either!!!"

What do you enjoy most about WKA races?

"The family atmosphere. Not only amongst our officiating team, but I am a “people person”, and the relationships that I have, and continue built around the paddock with not only the racers, but the families makes the long days and weekends on your feet worth it!"

Which race has been your most memorable so far, and why?

"2016 Man Cup at New Castle. Three 100 degree days in a row set a president for any and all races to follow!! Makes all of the others a cake walk! That was nothing short of BRUTAL!!"

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

"I would just like to thank Buddy Long and the entire WKA Organization for not only believing in me, but also for allowing my son to be a part of this Great Series. Being able to enjoy and share a passion for racing as a national race official with my son……Well work cannot describe! VERY BLESSED, AND VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!! THANK YOU!"

Road Race Competitors Gearing up for Summit Point National

May 23, 2017

CONCORD, NC - The nearly 3 month gap between races 2 and 3 on the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting, has nearly evaporated, as Sprint and Laydown competitors gear up for the Summit Point Nationals, slated for June 3 and 4 at Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia.

Following a most successful March event at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia, racers are set to renew their respective points battles, in quest of the 2017 national title.

Several tight points battles will continue next weekend, one of the closest being in the CKI Yamaha Sportsman Medium Class, where Michigan native Amanda Holewski holds a narrow 5 point edge over Georgia hotshoe Matt Michel. Still within striking distance are Bill Holder, David Lee, and Lyle Trudell, who make up the top 5.

The gap is also tight in the WT Racing IAME Sprint class, where Donald Nelson has a 15 point hold on Gary Sircy after two events, with Lee Curtis, Walter Troup, and AJ Ellis currently in the top 5.

In 4 Cycle competition, Rob Garland has just a 10 point edge over his Dad Robert, with the friendly family fued expected to carry over to Summit. Wesley Thomason, James Cartledge, and Steve Johnson are the next 3 in line, vying for the title in the Hoosier Racing Tire sponosred class.

Jason Lorang comes into the event holding down the lead in two national points classes, a 30 point edge over Michael Tracy in the KALL Racing/Millers Dynotime Racing Formula 100 class, while also leading Emmitt Rodriguez handily in the West Texas Outlaws TaG Heavy class.

Steven Rougeou heads into Summit as the leader over Stephen Flatt in the Fisher Racing Engines Stock Honda class, while Brian Wilhelm leads The Agile Group Unlimited class, with a slim 5 point lead over George Sunderland, as well as leading Kyle Stevens by just 4 tallies in the Formula 125 class.

Here's a look at some of the other respective class points leaders:

Animal Lite: Ben Thomason

Animal Medium: Quentin Hill

Junior Animal: Jordan Johnson

Yamaha Senior: Don Johnson

Yamaha Sportsman Heavy: Bill Holder

100cc Piston Port: George Lincoln

125 Sprint Shifter: Tracy Phillips

Yamaha Sprint: Mark Justice

Junior Sprint: Ella Brown

WKA Sprint: Louie Magiera

Yamaha Sportsman Sprint: Dan Febbroriello

Clone LO206 Lite: Rob Hindery

Clone LO206 Heavy: Joe Cuslidge

Junior Enduro: Logan Nedelka

X30 Laydown: JC Sanders

B Stock: Randy Fulks

In addition to these national classes in competition, several Local Option Classes will also be in action, including;

TaG Junior

Cadet LO206

Junior LO206

CIK LO206

Open Sprint

WKC Vintage Euro

WKC Vintage Piston Port

WKC Vintage Open

WKC Vintage USA

Competitors wishing to enter a class can visit the Woddbridge Kart Club website at woodbridgekartclub.com, or make checks payable and mail to:

Woodbridge Kart Club

462 Earle Road

Charles Town, West Virginia 25414

Activities for the Summit Point Nationals get underway with parking at 6pm Friday June 2. A full day of activities continue Saturday June 3, with gates opening at 6am, practice at 8:30, and the first race of the day getting underway at 11am. Gates open at 7 on Sunday, with practice at 8:30, and the first event of the day rolling off the line at 10:45am.

To view the Summit Point Entry Blank, CLICK HERE.

Get to Know WKA Team Member: Xander Clements

May 10, 2017

WOODSTOCK, GA- If you have raced in or have come to watch a race in the WKA Manufacturer's Cup or Winter Cup, his face may not look familiar but his voice just might. Xander Clements has been announcing in both of these WKA series for over the past year now and the race action has never been more exciting. A fellow kart racer himself, Xander conveys the excitement of every move down the twists and turns of tracks all over the Eastern seaboard. He definitely has a voice beyond his years. Not only does Xander announce, he is friends with many of the racers and often is a source of support and coaching. Read more about Xander in his interview below:

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

"Woodstock, Georgia."

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE RACING WORLD?

"My earliest involvement in the sport takes me back to before I can really remember. When I was really young, my parents were both still working, so my grandmother on my dad's side babysat me often. She also did the same for many of my cousins, and my older cousin Mason stored his Power Wheels monster truck at her and my grandfather's house. I really wanted to drive it, but I was way too small to reach the pedals. After constant nagging, my grandmother finally gave in. She took her walking cane and used it to press the gas gently while I steered around her driveway, and I've been hooked on the sport ever since."

HAVE YOU EVER RACED? IF NOT, WHAT SPORTS OR HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY?

"My parents never could afford to buy a kart and a full time mechanic, so I never got started as young as I would have liked. I was always looking up brochures and websites online of every different discipline of entry level racing I could find, though. Mini cups, Bandoleros, Legend Cars, Baby Grands, 1/4 Midgets, 1/2 Midgets, and of course, go karts. But without any mechanical background (my dad is an English major and my mom works in IT) we were still scared of jumping in and running our budget out in a few weeks by not knowing what we were doing.

The summer I turned 9, the local indoor karting track began hosting weekly camps. $199 for five days from 9-5 of non-stop racing, arcade games, coaching, lunch, and hanging with other 8-12 year olds. We did a ton of these weekly sessions, and when I was able to convince the promoter of the track's adult league to open a junior division, I finally got my start.

I ran three seasons, placing 2nd in Junior Semi-Pro the first season, winning 11 of 12 races and the championship in the season, and then winning the championship in Junior Pro in my final season.

After that, we took a break from the indoor league as we had reached the top, and began to save up. About a year later, we took a trip down to Barnesville, GA, to watch the club races at Lamar County Speedway. We found a friend from the indoor league racing there, and that was the one connection my parents needed to get involved in the sport with confidence. We bought our first kart a few weeks later.

I eventually graduated from that club after a year and a half and raced my first few national races in 2014, beginning with WKA Daytona KartWeek. In 2015 and 2016, we couldn't afford to race as much and only made one national, but this year I am racing at least five events and possibly more."

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THE WKA?

"Well, when I began racing at Barnesville, I asked one the club's board members if I could announce the races I wasn't driving in. Since we had no announcer at the time, he gave me a shot, and I announced every club race there ever since. When WKA Gold Cup returned to the track in 2015, Steve Roberts of Roberts Kart Shop referred Buddy to me to call the action. He even offered to cover my pay for the weekend because he believed that Buddy and everyone would like my announcing so much they'd pay him back in full.

Long story short, the weekend was a success, and when Buddy asked me if I was available for Daytona, I was over the moon. I ended up getting to announce the entire Winter Cup and Manufacturer's Cup seasons for 2016, and am getting to do it all over again this year!"

WHAT DOES A DAY WORKING FOR WKA LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

"While I don't work in the physical offices, my day normally begins with picking up my announcing binder that Buddy prepares for me for each race. I make a few announcements in the morning to let everyone know our plans for the day, and if we have a wireless mic at the track, wander through the paddock to say hi and welcome all of our racers.

I really enjoy getting to connect with the drivers and their families at the track, and in most cases I get to do that. However, once qualifying gets under way, I am 100% focused on announcing everything on track until we throw the checkered flag on the last race of the day. After that, I normally wander around again to say hi with any racers I didn't get the chance to talk to yet in the weekend."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACING SERIES TO WATCH?

"Karting is by far the most exciting form of motorsport. In karting, it's a rarity to watch a single driver pull away to an easy victory, but in car racing, it's a rarity to watch a pack of drivers battle for the win on the closing laps."

With that said, I'd have to say either Australian V8 Supercars or NASCAR when it goes to road courses. Both put on a fantastic show."

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WKA RACES?

"I really enjoy practice being able to spend time throughout the weekend meeting and speaking with all of our racers. Karting is an amazing community of people, and seeing the smiles on parents faces when they hear their kid's name over the PA system is simply priceless."

WHICH RACE HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SO FAR?

"That would easily be the first Daytona KartWeek I announced, at the beginning of the 2016 season. Working out of a hot and humid trailer with the windows open let in the roar of nearly 250 entries every time they opened up the throttle down the front stretch. I wore my voice out that weekend by being so excited to be calling the action.

I also got to meet and make friendships with some pretty amazing people! Rob Howden was working the EKN broadcast that weekend, and he has since become a great mentor of mine. Chris Wheeler has also helped me a ton as he is a great announcer in his own right, and I consider him a good friend as well. There are a ton of other amazing people I got to meet that weekend - far too many to name."

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

"I just want to thank everyone at my WKA home track in Barnesville, GA for always supporting me. Without all of them, I wouldn't have been able to get any of the opportunities I'm enjoying right now. Karting is filled up with great people, and I hope that I can make a quarter of an impact on someone that the GSKA group made on me."

Tomorrow Evening is the Pre Entry Deadline for the Keystone State Nationals!

May 9, 2017

CONCORD, NC - As the calendar turns to the biggest month for the world of motorsports, one of the many events in the month of May, the Keystone State Nationals for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series is approaching its pre-entry deadline.

Scheduled for May 19-21 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, the deadline for competitors to take advantage of the pre-entry pricing is Wednesday May 10.

The event, stop #2 for the series, also marks the beginning of the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout, the first of 3 races that will tabulate points to determine special prizes for the champions on all 8 national classes. The other two venues that will encompass the Shootout include the July 14-16 event at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana, culminating with the August 25-27 event at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin. A competitors Best 5 of 6 finishes during that timeframe will be tabulated to determine the Shootout Champion. It is important to note that the Shootout is separate from the 2017 national championship, as these are two separate situations.

High Point earners in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Pro IAME Senior will receive a trip to the ROK Cup International in October in South Garda, Italy, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires. With the exception 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 free entry, drivers pit pass, and race tires to the October 13-15 Bridgestone Mfg Cup Grand National at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, where the 2017 champions in all classes will be determined.

Activities for the Keystone State Nationals get underway Friday May 19 a with a full day of practice, with 2 full days of racing following on Saturday and Sunday.

The Monday through Thursday of the week of the event, the track will be open for competitors from noon to 8pm each to utilize for practice. Cost is $50 per driver per day, with competitors running practice in conjunction with the tracks daily concession kart program.

For those who wish to arrive at the venue early and take advantage of the practice session, you are encouraged to contact Buddy Long at the WKA Office, affording WKA the chance to park you in your reserved spaces for the weekends event, thus preventing any inconvenience of relocating to your weekend parking spots.

For those who still are in need of reserved parking, contact Buddy at (704) 455-1606, ext112, or at buddy@worldkarting.com.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

Kid Karts Make Return to Keystone State Nationals

May 4, 2017

CONCORD, NC - World Karting Officials are proud to announce the return of the Kid Kart Class for the remainder of the season on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series, beginning with the Keystone State Nationals May 19-21 at Pittsbugh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania.

Running strictly as an Exhibition Class, the Kid Karts will join the 8 national 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

With the Kid Kart Class running as an exhibition class, a competitors Pit Pass will cover the cost of their entry.

Additionally, any legal engine package will also be allowed, including Comer and LO206.

All competitors will also receive participation medals, giving the youngsters an opportunity to join the national competitors on the podium each race day, as well as run on the national caliber tracks, thus preparing for future opportunities at the next age level of WKA competition.

To view the weekend schedule for the Keystone State Nationals, there is a paper entry blank, as well as online registration where you can see the current entry list.

To view the paper entry blank and sign up, CLICK HERE.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

Summit Point Entry Blank Now Available!

May 3, 2017

CONCORD, NC - The first of 2 events on the National Road Race calendar for the Woodbridge Kart Club is right around the corner, as the entry blank for the Summit Point Nationals, scheduled for June 3 and 4 for the Dunlop/Xeramic National Road Race Series presented by Russell Karting is now online.

The Summit event will mark the third event for the national road race series, with stop #4 taking place July 21-23, as the series makes a return to Virginia International Raceway, also a WKC event for WKA, followed by the season ending Grand Nationals September 15-17 at Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville, Ga.

Online information for the Summit Point event is now available by either viewing the entry blank on the WKA site, or going directly to WoodbridgeKartClub.com. Just like the Roebling Road event, all entries will be processed through the Woodbridge Kart Club site. The entry blank on the WKA site is simply a viewing tool, giving competitors an opportunity to see the national and local option classes available.

Many of the WKC local option classes include 4 different Vintage classes, including Vintage USA, Vintage Euro, Vintage Open, and Vintage Piston Port. On the national side, many local option classes are being offered, including Cadet LO206, Junior LO206, CIK LO206 Senior, Open Sprint, and TaG Junior.

Activities for the Summit Point Nationals begin on Saturday June 3 with practice at 8:30am, followed by a full day of competition. Sunday will be a busy day as well, again with a full slate of racing. While the June Summit Point event will not host a Friday Practice Day, competitors will be allowed to enter the facility at 6pm that day to begin set up and preparations for the event. It is important to note that gates for all, including WKC Staff, will not open till 6pm, as per Summit Point Motorsports Park Officials. So be sure and plan your travel accordingly.

Special thanks to the many 2017 Road Race sponsors

Russell Karting Specialties

WT Racing

Fisher Racing Engines

West Texas Outlaws

The Agile Group

Competition Karting Inc

Hoosier Racing Tires

KALL Racing

Millers Dynotime Racing

To view the Summit Point Entry Blank, CLICK HERE.

WE WANT MORE ROAD RACER SPOTLIGHTS!

That's right. We want more Road Racers to be featured on our #RaceLife Spotlight and would like to extend the opportunity to showcase more of this series' talented drivers! Do you want your son/daughter or yourself to be featured across social media and on the World Karting website? Email us at shift.counseling@gmail.com to receive your interview questions today.

Pre Entry Deadline for Keystone State Nationals May 10

May 2, 2017

CONCORD, NC - As the calendar turns to the biggest month for the world of motorsports, one of the many events in the month of May, the Keystone State Nationals for the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series is approaching its pre-entry deadline.

Scheduled for May 19-21 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, the deadline for competitors to take advantage of the pre-entry pricing is Wednesday May 10.

The event, stop #2 for the series, also marks the beginning of the Bridgestone Mid-Season Shootout, the first of 3 races that will tabulate points to determine special prizes for the champions on all 8 national classes. The other two venues that will encompass the Shootout include the July 14-16 event at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana, culminating with the August 25-27 event at Wolf Paving Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin. A competitors Best 5 of 6 finishes during that timeframe will be tabulated to determine the Shootout Champion. It is important to note that the Shootout is separate from the 2017 national championship, as these are two separate situations.

High Point earners in Mini Swift, Pro Swift Sportsman, Pro IAME Junior and Pro IAME Senior will receive a trip to the ROK Cup International in October in South Garda, Italy, for classes that utilize Bridgestone Tires. With the exception 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 free entry, drivers pit pass, and race tires to the October 13-15 Bridgestone Mfg Cup Grand National at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, where the 2017 champions in all classes will be determined.

Activities for the Keystone State Nationals get underway Friday May 19 a with a full day of practice, with 2 full days of racing following on Saturday and Sunday.

The Monday through Thursday of the week of the event, the track will be open for competitors from noon to 8pm each to utilize for practice. Cost is $50 per driver per day, with competitors running practice in conjunction with the tracks daily concession kart program.

For those who wish to arrive at the venue early and take advantage of the practice session, you are encouraged to contact Buddy Long at the WKA Office, affording WKA the chance to park you in your reserved spaces for the weekends event, thus preventing any inconvenience of relocating to your weekend parking spots.

For those who still are in need of reserved parking, contact Buddy at (704) 455-1606, ext112, or at buddy@worldkarting.com.

To register online, CLICK HERE.

To view the paper entry blank, CLICK HERE.

April Board Meeting Minutes Now Available

May 1, 2017

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.

Entries Rolling in for Keystone State Nationals at PittRace

April 27, 2017

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.

Get To Know WKA Team Member: Lynn Haddock

April 25, 2017

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.

How many years have you been in the racing world (Either a racer, fan, working for a racing organization)?

"Since 1958."