2020 United States Pro Kart Series tentative schedule released

The 2020 season will mark the eighth year for the United States Pro Kart Series presented by MG Tires and IAME USA East. The program is coming off one of its most successful seasons, with the 2019 schedule featuring a straightforward format of three race weekends at three premier United States venues. The 2020 plan is currently tentative with three of the same weekends scheduled with a possible fourth to be added.

The eighth season of the United States Pro Kart Series begins in March at the Ocala Gran Prix. The central Florida facility will host the series opener for a third straight year, with the event moved up one weekend from the previous two seasons.

GoPro Motorplex hosted the inaugural event in April of that year, and the North Carolina facility remains part of the schedule in 2020 with the middle position in June. What makes Rounds Three and Four unique, is the move to a Thursday, Friday, Saturday schedule with the racing set to be contested under the lights.

The third event of 2020 will be held at the New Castle Motorsports Park, with the date moved up one week in relation to the last two seasons. USPKS worked with USAC Karting, promoter of the Battle at the Brickyard, which was forced to move their date at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway onto the previous New Castle weekend for USPKS. The NCMP facility has been part of the United States Pro Kart Series since the first year in 2013, with the finale contested on the popular 1-mile circuit four times in the past seven seasons.

The 2020 United States Pro Kart Series is tentative as of today, with the series exploring the addition of a fourth event. The first five seasons featured four events for the program before the last two seasons were reduced down to three weekends counting toward the championship. The USPKS is asking for input from current and potential racers and teams regarding the option of adding a fourth event to the 2020 schedule. Thus the reason for the tentative label on the schedule.

“We have had an amazing run over the last seven years,” stated promoter Mark Coats. “The one thing we have focused on is listening to our racers to provide the series they want to compete in. After two years of only three race weekends, we have received positive input regarding adding a fourth event to the program for 2020. Rather than decide this behind closed doors, we want to be open with our communication to racers and ensure this is the direction the majority wishes to go with the series. We have over six months before our season begins, and thus we have the next month to investigate the option before committing to a 2020 schedule. I ask racers to contact us with their thoughts and ideas, not only on the schedule but any other input they have to help grow the USPKS.”

Class structure for the United States Pro Kart Series in 2020 is an extension of the past two seasons, and not tentative. Based around the IAME engine platform of the X30, KA100 and Swift powerplants, the same seven categories from 2019 will be offered for the 2020 United States Pro Kart Series.

Prize package from the United States Pro Kart Series is among the largest in the sport today, featuring a number of prizes racing and non-racing related in addition to a cash purse. In total, the 2019 prize package exceeded $80,000 with the 2020 program gearing up to be very similar with a number of the matching awards. IAME engine packages and parts, MG Tires along with grills and coolers were part of the multiple prizes handed out during the season and at the year-end banquet.

Of the overall prize package, $27,000 made up the cash purse for the X30 Pro and X30 Pro Junior categories. Each division features a $4,500 weekend purse, with the top overall driver taking home $2,500 with second earning $1,250 and third a $750 check. The top-three on the weekend point total also receive a free set of MG Tires.

Two major parts of the prize package includes tickets to the IAME International Final in Le Mans, France and the USPKS Winner's Circle program. Drivers who claim the championship in the X30 Pro, X30 Pro Junior, X30 Masters and Mini Swift have the option to claim the ticket to the world-wide IAME event or grab the Winner's Circle program that includes entry and tires for the entire following season.

More information on the United States Pro Kart Series can be found by visiting the series website at uspks.com or by contacting Series Director Mark Coats at (217) 652-6275 or via email at [email protected].

2020 United States Pro Kart Series Tentative Schedule

March 26-29: Ocala Gran Prix — Ocala, Florida
June 18-20: GoPro Motorplex — Mooresville, North Carolina
July 16-19: New Castle Motorsports Park — New Castle, Indiana
TBA: Potential Fourth Event

2020 United States Pro Kart Series Class Structure

X30 Pro
X30 Pro Junior
X30 Masters
KA100 Senior
KA100 Junior
Mini Swift
Micro Swift