Temecula, CA – Two decades of racing completed in September for the California ProKart Challenge. The Superkarts! USA regional program hosted five events, featuring six rounds of competition throughout southern California. It was another successful year, experiencing tight racing in every category, while the organization awarded over $50,000 in prizes over the course of the season, including weekend and championship awards.
The 2024 California ProKart Challenge was a best five of six championship format, visiting four facilities over five weekends. Buttonwillow Raceway Park hosted the opening two rounds in March and April before the series traveled to the Santa Maria Karting Association facility in May. A double-header weekend in August ushered in the new K1 Circuit before returning to the Winchester, CA facility in September for the sixth and final round of the championship program.
It was a big turnout throughout the season for the KA100 Senior by P1 Engines class, welcoming 73 different drivers. Consistency was key in the championship chase, and Senior rookie Keagan Kaminski was able to secure the 2024 title. Kaminski, the Junior champion in 2023, finished top five in all six main events, including two podium results at the end to secure the championship by 74 points. Two podium finishes also promoted Jackson Menchu to the second step of the championship podium. Last year’s class champion Ethan Lampe won three times on the season, finishing 104 points back to end up third in the standings. Shea Aldrich ended up fourth in his rookie season, picking up two wins, while Aiden Kempf was fifth, earning two podium results on the year.
The KA100 Junior category sponsored by SuperSpeed Bearings added another new class champion with Matthew Cagle. The Junior rookie was able to land in the top five in five main events on the season, earning the championship by 40 points over Johnie Stamps. It was Stamps who won in the final round of the season, improving from sixth in the standings last year to second in 2024. Alex Rantala won Round Three on the season, helping him to earn third in the championship, with two-time winner Payton Westcott finishing the year in fourth. Keegan Ellsworth ended up fifth in the standings with a best finish of second over the six rounds.
Nearly 30 drivers contested the HRT Driver Development Pro Shifter category on the season. Former SKUSA ProMoto Tour champion Alan Sciuto was able to claim this year’s class championship, winning twice over the six rounds of racing. Lucas Weisenberg finished second in the standings, placing on the podium twice on the year. Former multi-time class champion Billy Musgrave was third, recording one victory. Liam Jones and Kyle Wick, a winner in the last round, complete the top five in the championship chase.
Four drivers won over the six rounds in the Formula Works Mini Swift category. Earning the top step of the podium three times in 2024 was JohnJohn McLellan. After scoring victory in the first two rounds, McLellan won Round Five to help him clinch the title by 94 points over Daniel Ramirez. Three podium results, including a victory, was the highlight of the season for Ramirez. Third in the championship is Braydon Wagner, winner of the Round Six finale. Sebastian Hauser and Nathan Ramirez were fourth and fifth in the final standings as the top five finished within 238 points.
The Sanner Racing Micro Swift title chase went down to the wire, with the top three finishing within 80 points. Hudson Hidalgo finished on the podium in all six rounds, including victory at Round Three, helping him to secure his first series championship. Aidan Go won twice on the year, finishing 26 points back in second for the title. Asher Biezonsky was third in the standings, earning one win and a total of six top five results. Koa Saito had three podium results on the year to end up fourth, with Arthur Kelly completing the top five in the championship.
Mike Manning Karting Master Shifter class welcomed David Jenkins as the series champion. Jenkins won twice over the six rounds, edging out Scott Carvalho by 28 points. Carvalho stood on the podium at the first three events of the season, with a best finish of runner-up twice. Rod Streed ended up third in the standings ahead of race winners David Jones and Rob Logan. Two wins on the season helped Tony Rossetti earn the championship in the Nash Motorsportz X30 Master category. Arman Cornell was second in the standings with a best finish of runner-up, while Scott Nealon ended up third, thanks to three podium results. Race winners Robert Switzler and Tim Meyer completed the year in fourth and fifth.
In total, over $50,000 in prizes were awarded to competitors at the California ProKart Challenge. For each of the six rounds, the top finishers in all classes received a CPKC entry with tires, second place earned a CPKC entry and third place was awarded $50 in MotorsportsReg.com credit. The series championship prize package for the top three in all classes is as follows: Champion – SKUSA SuperNationals 27 entry with tires; Second place – two 2025 CPKC entries with tires; Third place – one 2025 CPKC entry with tires.
Dates for the 2025 California ProKart Challenge have been confirmed, including five weekends with six rounds of racing once again for the 21st season of the program:
February 28-March 2: Rounds 1 and 2
April 12-13: Round 3
June 21-22: Round 4
August 23-24: Round 5
October 11-12: Round 6