WinterNationals move to Orlando while SpringNationals set to return to Utah. After being announced in August of 2022, the schedule for this year’s Superkarts! USA Pro Tour has been altered significantly over the last two weeks due to circumstances outside of the organization’s control.
As confirmed during the SKUSA Winter Series opener in Homestead, FL, this year’s Pro Tour WinterNationals will be moving from NOLA Motorsports Park to the Orlando Kart Center after recent contract negotiations with the facility went in a negative direction. Despite this unforeseen disappointment, SKUSA is thrilled to have the opportunity to make its debut at OKC, and the event dates will remain the same on the March 31 – April 2 weekend. Immediate feedback from the teams that support the Pro Tour was unanimously positive, as the venue change will decrease their travel costs. Input from many drivers and their parents was also positive.
“To be honest, I’m still pretty floored with how everything went down with NOLA Motorsports Park over the last six weeks, but we were put in a position where we truly had no choice but to look for an alternate facility,” offered SKUSA CEO Tom Kutscher. “An unreasonable increase in what they expected us to pay for the track rental forced us to seek another option, and I want to thank Andre Martins from the Orlando Kart Center for welcoming us to his facility for the WinterNationals.”
Unfortunately, the WinterNationals location is not the only change in the 2023 national racing schedule. SKUSA was extremely excited about debuting at the new K1 Circuit in Winchester, CA, but while the track construction continues, it has become apparent that the facility will not be prepared to host an event of the magnitude of the SpringNationals by the June 9-11 event date. In its place, SKUSA has completed an agreement to head back to the Utah Motorsports Campus for this year’s midway point in the Pro Tour. SKUSA has a long history of major events at UMC, and the racing has always been competitive.
“Like everyone in California, we’re anxious to take to the track at our region’s newest facility, which will no doubt be an immediate crown jewel for karting on the west coast,” Kutscher continued. “But while the track is working diligently on its construction, we simply cannot commit to it being ready for the SpringNationals. We’re thrilled to be working closely with the track’s new General Manager – Mike Smith – and we look forward to holding a few California ProKart Challenge races there this year, and very likely the SpringNationals in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates to the California PKC schedule in the very near future, as well.”
The Pro Tour season finale, the SummerNationals, remains confirmed at New Castle Motorsports Park on the July 28-30 weekend to cap the championship series.
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