Growing prize package and rules updates

In just over a month, a new era will begin for karting in the USA as the United States Pro Kart Series kicks off its inaugural season. The series opens at the new Mooresville Motorplex in North Carolina on April 26-28, presented by GoPro. Pieces to create and operate a new racing program are coming together quickly, based on the principle of value for the racers. Prize packages are coming together for the seven categories offered, industry leaders are showing their support, final tweaks of the rule structure to ensure each and every class is competitive and fair have been made, and more details regarding the first event are being finalized.

"Our mission is to provide the best value for the racers and the teams in the eastern half of the United States," added United States Pro Kart Series CEO Mark Coats. "Racers new and old have been looking for something different offered on the national level, and that's what we are putting together. Looking at the numbers, we are estimating that competitors cost per lap in entry fees and tire cost will be half of what they are used to spending, roughly $3 for each class and $4 in the Pro category. Racers will experience more track time, more fun, more prizes for less money."

The series is building an amazing prize package for the 2013 season, and has begun by announcing the minimum guaranteed payout for Leopard 125 Pro and prize for the Leopard 125 Masters champion. The podium finishers in each of the Leopard 125 Pro feature races will split $1,550 in cash - $750 for first, $500 for second and $300 for third per day - providing $3,100 per weekend. If the same driver wins both main events on the same weekend, that driver will receive a $500 bonus. This incentive will grow every weekend until it is won.

The Leopard 125 Masters champion will be awarded an entry into the Championkart International Final, held in Jesolo, Italy on October 6. The USPKS champion will compete in the Over category consisting of drives 32 years and older, utilizing a spec Parolin chassis with FIM engine. Support will be provided by Russell Karting Specialties and the Parolin Management Team, including a hotel room with the team (driver will be responsible for international license, passport, flights, meals and crash damages). Additional prizes and cash payouts will be announced in the near future.

A number of additional companies, both inside and outside of the karting industry, have pledged their support for the 2013 United States Pro Kart Series. DRT Racing and Ribtect will be the presenting sponsors for the New Castle Motorsports Park in June. Freem-usa.com, Lonici Rental Group, QPS Employment Group, Steiner Electric Company and Verde Speed Resources have also been added to the growing list of companies lending their support in 2013. Bridgestone, Comet Kart Sales, Franklin Motorsports, Grand Products, KartLift, KartSport North America, Laukaitis Racing, Margay Racing, McLaughlin Motorsports, and Russell Karting Specialties are among the early supporters of the USPKS.

As the season draws closer, the USPKS staff is making the final tweaks to the rule structure for 2013. One point of emphasis is the age clarification for Leopard 125 Pro and the advancement of minor drivers. Competitors in the Pro category must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the race. A minimum of one year of national level competition is required to compete. It is the Race Director's discretion to determine a driver's qualification for the Pro class. Those unable to match the pace of the field may be asked to compete in the Leopard 125 Semi Pro class, and some may be asked to move up to the Pro class pending their pace and skill level. Drivers are not allowed to compete in both categories.

Minor drivers of at least 9 years of age whose birthday qualifies them to move up to a class may do so under two conditions; 1) birthday occurs by June 30 of competition year may advance to class of next higher age requirement at the beginning of the competition year; 2) birthday occurs after June 30 of competition year may advance to class of next higher age requirement on or after their birthday and complete the competition year.

Engine tech regarding the Yamaha and Leopard powerplants will include a 'blowdown' rule for each engine. The Yamaha 'blowdown' rule includes a minimum of 0.380" and a maximum of 0.410" as measured with the LAD tool. The Leopard measures a minimum of 0.395" and a maximum of 0.405". More specifics on the 'blowdown' rules will be posted on the website. The spec fuel for the series will be Sunoco leaded 110. A fuel truck will be at the track or can be purchased from your local shop.

Another rule implemented for the series will be a practice ban prior to each event. Testing Monday thru Thursday the week of the event will not be permitted for competitors in their own kart or someone testing a kart competing in the event. Anyone violating this rule will not be allowed to practice on Friday, forced to qualify and will start at the back of their heat race.

Details for the Mooresville Motorplex event, presented by GoPro, are taking shape day by day. Competitors who will be in the area over the next few weeks can contact the track to learn about practice hours and fees for March and April. Trailer storage is also available at the facility for a $50 fee to help cover extra security measures. Reserved pit spots are available for the weekend, and are asked to contact George Sieracki of Franklin Motorsports at 262-814-5400. The USPKS will host a Friday cookout following the practice schedule on track, and everyone is invited.

Registration is open, with drivers from 14 different states already registered. The first 100 drivers to enter will be given a free drivers pass and all pre-entries post-marked by April 3 will receive inaugural series t-shirt designed by TJ Koyen of Oktane Visual. Beginning March 15, the USPKS will begin taking credit cards for entry in addition to personal checks.

UPDATED RULE STRUCTURE & PRE-ENTRY FOR OPENER

Inaugural event presented by GoPro in Mooresville, NC just around the corner

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (February 15, 2013) – The inaugural season for the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS) is set to begin in less than 70 days, with series officials finalizing plans for the debut race weekend. The new Mooresville Motorplex facility in Mooresville, North Carolina will provide the perfect setting for the April 26-28 event, presented by GoPro. Pre-entry has now opened on the series website for the first race, with the final rules put into place for 2013, in addition to a new working relationship with the WKA.

The advancement toward the opening weekend is the finalization of the 2013 USPKS rules and class structure. With the karter in mind and the geographic location of the events, USPKS will utilize the WKA rulebook as the basis of the 2013 USPKS rules, with the exception of specific class adjustments. The series will use the core of the 2013 WKA rulebook to conduct the series events and for engine technical specifications for the Yamaha and IAME classes.

"We are pleased to have worked out an agreement with Michael Davis Insurance and WKA President Rick Dresang for the use of the WKA insurance program and the WKA rulebook as a guideline," stated United States Pro Kart Series CEO Mark Coats. "The concept behind the USPKS was not to reinvent karting, but to take it to the next level. This working relationship with WKA will provide the racers we expect to be competing in our program the ability to race with little to no adjustments to their kart or engines. And if racers elect not to be a member of the organization, it will be their choice as we will not be requiring drivers to pay any membership fees."

The four Yamaha classes will be near identical to those offered in WKA, with the exception of Yamaha Senior specifying the RLV 7548 SSX muffler. In the three IAME Parilla Leopard categories, engine tech will be based off the WKA technical manual for 2013 with specific exhaust rules and age limits mandated in the Semi-Pro and Masters divisions.

All classes will compete on the popular Bridgestone YLC tire with the exception of the Leopard Pro which is set to utilize the Bridgestone YLB compound. In an effort of cost saving for the racers, the series will mandate the same set of tires to be used throughout competition on Saturday and Sunday. Leopard Pro will be allowed one set of tires each day of racing.

One of the key features of the United States Pro Kart Series is track time. With the limited class structure and specialized event format, classes will see optimal track time throughout the weekend. Drivers will experience plenty of sessions during the official practice day on Friday of each event to ensure competitors are accustom to the conditions and facility in one day. The race event will include a double race format, with separate rounds of racing on Saturday and Sunday. Each race day will include your typical warm-up session, followed by a 10-minute qualifying session for every class. Two rounds of heat races will determine the line-up for the main event, which will last either 20 laps or 20 miles, depending on the facility.

"Our thought is to provide the most we can for each and every racer at our events," continued Coats. "Maximum amount of track time is the most common feedback we heard when forming the series. The same can be said for our tire rule. It will cut competitors tire bill in half, by not having to purchase two sets for racing for two days, but one set for the Saturday and Sunday racing in every class but Pro. We care about what racers have to say and we welcome opinions and comments. That's how we have revised our program in the last few months as we get ready for the opener in Mooresville."

Coats has put together a solid and experienced staff to oversee the race weekend activities. Rick Fulks will act as Event Coordinator, ensuring the entire paddock is experiencing the best event possible. Glen Firing has signed on as Race Director with Jason Ludwig the Assistant Race Director. Mike Everson will be the series Tech Director along with Rick Jump serving as the Assistant Tech Inspector. Dylaneigh and Kris Finke will handle Registration and Scoring as Randy Kugler is set to call the racing as the series announcer.

USPKS 2013 Classes Revealed

It has not been a big secret that USPKS believes there are too many engines and too many classes in other American based karting series. And it's not been a secret that USPKS will only feature the Yamaha KT-100S and IAME 125cc Leopard. But until now, the details of the seven USPKS classes have been a closely guarded secret!

USPKS will have seven classes in 2013: four "Yamaha" categories and three "Leopard". "With fewer classes, everyone will get more track time –much more track time than they're used to." states USPKS CEO Mark Coats. "Also, our format makes it possible to own one engine from age 7 to 70 and still race competitively!"

The Yamaha KT-100 classes begin with "Yamaha 100 Rookie" for age 7-10 year old drivers. From there, a steady progression through the 100cc ranks ends in "Yamaha 100 Senior" ~a traditional" class that has proven popular for close to two decades.

"The KT-100 has been the backbone of US karting since the early 1980's," continues Coats. "It is still the most popular and most economic 2-cycle karting engine in the world, and with the thousands (if not tens of thousands) of them in the US it makes sense to base the USPKS class structure around this engine package."

There are three IAME 125cc Leopard categories. "Leopard 125 Semi-Pro" features new karters and those looking to gain experience before moving to the "Pro" level; this class is for ages 14+ and runs with a 25mm header restrictor. "Leopard 125 Masters" pits drivers over age 35 against each other with 30mm header restrictors that will help reduce engine wear and speed (aka save dollars and save "old bodies"). Finally, the series will be headlined with the "Leopard 125 Pro" class for licensed and experienced karters age 16+!

"The Leopard 125 Pro category is for the top professional drivers in the country," said Coats. "It gives young karters a category to aspire to and a reason to stay in karting!"

All Yamaha categories are limited to one set of tires for the weekend (beginning with qualifying on Saturday). "Tires are one of the leading expenses for any racer," said Coats. "One of the things we've heard from karters is they wanted to reduce that expense and with the Yamaha classes one set of tires will last all weekend and control expenses!"

For more information and marketing partnership opportunities with USPKS, contact the USPKS media and public relations office at 217-529-8558.

USPKS 2013 Schedule Announced

After an overwhelming peak of karter's curiosity and a positive response from last week's launch, the USPKS is excited to unveil the 2013 schedule! The four weekend series will feature eight complete race events kicking off at the new Mooresville Motorplex in North Carolina April 26-28. America's newest "super track" is an ideal location to launch America's newest "super series"!

With the month of May off to allow USPKS participants to participate in local races and concentrate on the end of the school year, the series will resume June 7-9 at the New Castle Motorsports Park in east central Indiana. However, USPKS can promise you it won't be the same standard "national event" karters are used to at NCMP! "We intend to have 'special events' at each race," stated USPKS race director Rick Fulks. "Someone even mentioned a 'clown race' in one of the meetings; not quite sure what that'll be, but it sounds fun!"

Another unique feature, the USPKS will annually feature a bit of "karting history" on their schedule. In 2013 that event will be a visit to the Badger Kart Club in Dousman, WI on July 12-14. "Tracks like Badger, Adams in California, Mid-State Kart Club in IL, Barnsville in Georgia, and G&J in Ohio have been the backbone of karting for the past half century," states USPKS CEO Mark Coats. "We believe it's important to visit these tracks, expose new karters to these classic facilities, and remember what these tracks and clubs mean to the sport. USPKS will have one 'nostalgia' event each year: the "USPKS Mid-Summer Classic". We promise this event will be one you don't want to miss!"

As the leaves begin to turn, the 2013 USPKS season will conclude at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (formerly known as Beaverun) on September 6-8. The Wilson Circuit at Pitt Race Karting is a challenging layout that combines great elevation changes, technical sections, and a big horsepower straight to crown the first seven USPKS champions on!

"We've worked real hard to assure we don't schedule on top of other touring series and large club events," continued Fulks. "Some USPKS events are inadvertently scheduled the week after other races. Our goal isn't to make people chose where they want to race, our goal is to have them want to come to USPKS events more than any other!"

For more information and marketing partnership opportunities with USPKS, contact the USPKS media and public relations office at 217-529-8558.

2013 Schedule

• April 26-28, 2013: Mooresville Motorplex - Mooresville, North Carolina
• June 7-9, 2013: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, Indiana
• July 12-14, 2013: Badger Raceway - Dousman, Wisconsin
• September 6-8, 2013: Pittsburgh International Race Complex - Wampum, PA

TESTING BAN RULE ADVISORY: USPKS will not allow participants to practice at an event location for one week before the USPKS event begins.

USPKS Set to Debute in 2013

The 2013 season will mark a new era in the sport of karting as the United States Professional Karting Series (USPKS) will launch under the guidance of Route 66 Sprint Series promoter Mark Coats. Aimed at providing a new and fresh karting organization to promote the sport for the racers, Coats along with a number of industry supporters have provided the groundwork for a new national series.

"We've all heard the racers say for years they want fewer classes and more track time, but no one was doing anything about it," stated Coats in the official press release sent to EKN announcing the new series. "So together with some highly experienced karting advisors, we created the USPKS."

USPKS events will have both amateur and pro (paid) classes for the top-level drivers. Race weekends will feature full formats on both Saturday and Sunday including: qualifying, two heat races, and 20-mile or 20 minute features (depending on track size/times).

The full schedule will be announced in a later release; however, USPKS's first event will be held April 26-28 at the new Mooresville Motorplex in Mooresville, NC. This will be the first "national level" race contested at this world-class facility. While the detailed class schedule will be announced soon, USPKS will only feature two engine packages: the Yamaha KT-100S and IAME 125cc Leopard.

"Without question, these are the two most popular and widely used engines in US karting," continued Coats, "And creating a class structure around these two engine formulas is what's best to grow US sprint karting."

Rick Fulks has signed on as Event Coordinator and Race Director, a similar role to his in the Route 66 program. A host of industry members have pledge their support and services to the series, and have acted as the initial series panel during the formation of the series. Mark Dismore Sr. and Mark Dismore Jr. (Comet Kart Sales), Jamie and George Sieracki (Franklin Motorsports), Tim Koyen (KartLift), Eric Jones (KartSport North America), Kent Laukaitis (Laukaitis Racing), Keith Freber (Margay Racing Products), Bill McLaughlin (MKP Motorsports) and Jim Russell Jr. (Russell Karting Specialties). Series engine technical advisers are Laukaitis and Kevin Nelson (Switch Racing Engines).

Coats concluded, "First and foremost, we've been racers. When we created Route 66, we asked ourselves 'what would make the racing better' and I think all of our Route 66 racers would agree those events are a better format than your 'standard' kart race. That's what our goal is with USPKS: a better event, with more track time, and more understanding/listening to what the racers want."

Those who wish to learn more about the United States Professional Karting Series are asked to contact Mark Coats directly at 217-529-8558.