California ProKart Challenge set to kick off 2018

The 14th season of the California ProKart Challenge is set to begin February 2-3 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Round one of the six-race championship series kicks off the flagship regional program for Superkarts! USA, coming off a successful inaugural SKUSA Winter Series event in Florida. The 2018 season for the California PKC program is a year of additions and changes based on the progression of the SKUSA organization and the sport itself. Among the changes include an expansion to 12 classes, a new numbering system to help both staff and spectators, and new trophies to be presented during the award ceremonies following each event.

“It is amazing to me looking back to see where we have gone from our first days in 2005,” stated SKUSA CEO and original promoter of the ProKart Challenge Tom Kutscher. “Our start began with the goal of ‘the place to race'. With last year being our biggest for the California PKC and gaining historic numbers on the SKUSA Pro Tour, Superkarts! USA is exactly that. It doesn't matter if you have the biggest budget in the world, or pitting out of the back of a pick-up. It's about racing. People want to race against the best, and the best is racing with SKUSA. We are expecting the 2018 season to be no different, with the numbers we are seeing for registration and what we are hearing about the practice numbers at Buttonwillow this coming weekend.”

The 2018 California ProKart Challenge has expanded now to 12 categories, featuring the six Stock Honda divisions and the six IAME categories. The S1 Pro/S2 Semi-Pro categories continue to showcase the top shifterkart drivers in the region. S3 Novice and S5 Junior serve the newcomers to the sport at the regional level. The combination of the S4 Master and S4 Super Master race group continues to welcome former and new racers to the sport, growing at the national level as well. 2018 marks the creation of the X30 Super Master division, mirroring its S4 counterpart with the new class welcoming racers 45-years of age and older. The new category rounds out the six ‘TaG' divisions supported by the IAME powerplant line.

With the new season just around the corner, SKUSA is also thrilled to announce that it has confirmed all of its class sponsors for the 2018 California ProKart Challenge.

S1 Pro Stock Honda: Mad Old Nut
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Honda: Swiss-Micron
S3 Novice Stock Honda: Ace High Designs
S4 Master Stock Honda: Doran Motorsports Group
S4 Super Master Stock Honda: Musgrave Racing Company
S5 Junior Stock Honda: Mike Manning Karting
Micro Swift: PKS Kart Supplies
Mini Swift: Ryan Perry Motorsport
X30 Junior: Nash Motorsportz
X30 Senior: Phil Giebler Racing
X30 Master: Rolison Performance Group
X30 Super Master: Empire Karts

The 2018 California ProKart Challenge schedule is a repeat of last year, featuring six events at six unique facilities across The Golden State. Buttonwillow Raceway Park has served as the opening event dating back to 2012, and continues that streak. Round Two of CPKC is set for the Streets of Willow circuit at the Willow Springs International Raceway. The 1.8-mile course provides a different aspect of the sport. Round Three takes competitors and teams to the popular CalSpeed Karting Center. Return trips to the Santa Maria Kart Track and Monterey Bay Karters facility begin the second half of the season, with the finale remaining at the two-day Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix.

February 2-3: Buttonwillow Raceway Park - Buttonwillow, California
March 30-31: Willow Springs International Raceway - Rosamond, California
June 1-2: CalSpeed Karting Center - Fontana, California 
July 6-7: Santa Maria Kart Track - Santa Maria, California
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Monterey Bay Kart Track - Marina, California
September 29-30: Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix - Lancaster, California

Pre-Registration is open for the first round of the California ProKart Challenge at Buttonwillow. The deadline for online registration for the event is Monday, January 29 at midnight PST — with the discounted price of $325 for entry and stamped race tires. Superkarts! USA membership is mandatory to register and compete. Move-in for Round One of the California PKC begins on Thursday afternoon, February 1. On Friday, the California PKC registration desk opens at 7:00am, with the official practice day beginning on track at 9:00am, running until 5:00pm. There is a nominal fee of $35 for each pit spot and $50 for overnight camping at the track (as a flat fee for up to 3 total nights). Attendees are encouraged to reserve space now as spots are filling up fast. Competitors and spectators will need to pay the $10 per person gate fee upon entering the facility. Complete race and venue information, along with a tentative weekend schedule and host hotel information, can be found at the California PKC Event Page.

For more information on anything related to Superkarts! USA, please visit the website — www.superkartsusa.com and be sure to follow the Superkarts! USA Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts.