The promoters of the newly created Texas ProKart Challenge (TPKC) are very excited to announce the development of several cost-saving initiatives that have been designed to make the series more attractive to area racers. Competitors in the Texas-based regional series will have the opportunity to win a paid entry into the world-renowned SKUSA SuperNationals and the prestigious United States Rotax Grand Nationals, and they will also be offered the chance to qualify for TPKC entry fee discounts. In addition, the partnership between SKUSA and Vortex will provide the opportunity for Cadet class drivers to run in the TaG Cadet category through a loaner engine program. When combined with the wealth of talent on hand in the Lone Star state, the stage is set for an impressive inaugural three-event season.

 

One of the primary objectives of any karter racing in the Texas ProKart Challenge will be to win a championship title. Drivers who win the title in the SKUSA classes will receive a guaranteed starting position in the SuperSunday main event at the SuperNationals, regardless of their heat race or LCQ performances. The series promoters have added a further incentive to strive for with the announcement of paid entries to the SKUSA SuperNationals and the US Rotax Nationals. A portion of each Texas ProKart Challenge entry fee is being utilized to give the 2012 class champions in the SKUSA classes a paid entry to the SKUSA SuperNationals XVI at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada this November. The Rotax class champions will also be part of the program, earning a paid entry to the US Rotax Grand Nationals at Michiana Raceway Park in South Bend, Indiana in late August.

 

As any driver and/or team will tell you, racing is not cheap. Texas ProKart Challenge officials are well aware of this fact and have launched the ‘Series Loyalty Program.’ In an effort to keep the costs of regional racing down, they will be offering pre-entry discounts. Racers who register for the entire series in advance will get one race entry free, reducing the price of entry fees for each race to only $66, which includes the driver pass. In addition, TPKC officials have set the entry fee for a driver’s first class at only $80 (includes driver pass),and if he or she signs up for a second class, the entry fee is only $50 for that additional category.

 

"The Texas ProKart Challenge/BK RMax Challenge team has been working hard to provide the Texas racer with the best regional racing experience,” commented Dave Pauly, leader of the new administration team. “The new format of qualifying, dual heats, and a final will provide for a 20% increase in track time, all at a reduced entry fee. The award structure will continue to be enhanced as well, as we add to our growing list of sponsors. No longer will the Texas racer put it all on the line for a cheap trophy or picture."

 

The new Texas ProKart Challenge will also provide a great opportunity for young racers to sample the initial rung of SKUSA TaG racing. The series will be providing approximately six Vortex Mini Rok 60 engines free of charge to Cadet racers who don't already own one of these popular engines, but who would like to race in the TaG Cadet class. Each racer will only be required to purchase a “SKUSA Ready to ROK” Mini ROK accessory package, which will include all necessary components required to make the racer’s chassis track ready and technically compliant. Once the competitor arrives at the race venue, they simply pick up their motor, bolt in on, plug it in and hit the track! While full details will be available shortly, interested parties are encouraged to pre-register to reserve their engine. Series Loyalty Members (those pre-registering for the entire series) will receive priority opportunity in becoming part of the program. 

 

"I love what the Texas ProKart Challenge team is doing to provide a great series and a fun experience for SKUSA racers in Texas,” added Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA President. “I’m thrilled that we’ll have all of their champions at the SuperNationals this year, and I can’t wait to attend one of their events to check out the action!”

 

Of note, the Rotax classes in the Texas ProKart Challenge will also run as a Burger King™ Rotax Max Challenge Series (an official qualifying series), allowing the racers to qualify directly for the 2012 United States Rotax Grand Nationals. These events will also count as ‘punches’ for the Pan-American Challenge event, which will be held in September at The Track in Centennial in Englewood, Colorado on September 20-23, 2012.

 

The class structure for the Texas ProKart Challenge will be a mix of SKUSA Stock Moto and TaG classes, as well as Rotax Max categories, as the series is also an official Rotax Max Challenge program. The gearbox line-up will include the S1 Pro and S2 Semi-Pro categories, as well as the S4 Master and S5 Junior Stock Moto classes. TaG classes will include Senior, Master, Junior and Cadet. The SKUSA classes will all be run using the outstanding MG White ‘SK’ tire, allowing competitors to race throughout the year on the same tires utilized during the Pro Tour and the prestigious year-end SKUSA SuperNationals. Rotax competition will consist of the Micro Max, Mini Max, Junior, Senior, Masters and DD2 classes, featuring the MOJO tires.

 

The on-track action for the inaugural SuperKarts USA!-backed Texas ProKart Challenge gets underway on May 5-6 at Gulf Coast Karters in Katy, Texas. Additional races will be held at Grandsport Speedway in Houston, Texas (June 2-3), and North Texas Karters in Denton, Texas (June 30-July 1).

 

For all information regarding SKUSA and the Texas ProKart Challenge, go to www.superkartsusa.com and www.texasprokartchallenge.com.