WKA Returns To Chartlotte With All Three National Programs

Looking to combine multiple World Karting Association (WKA) events at one venue, karting will make its return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019 over the June 21-23 weekend. With the Vega Road Racing Series utilizing part of the Roval and Speedway made famous by NASCAR, the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup will also use a portion of the Roval in a sprint race style setting while the Maxxis Speedway Dirt Series will compete at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Everyone at WKA is thrilled to host an event back on our home soil, and even more excited to bring all three of our National Racing Series together the same weekend,” explains Kevin Williams. “The folks at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been amazing partners with WKA to make this historic event happen.” 

Maxxis Speedway Dirt Series

With the first ever Speedway Dirt Race at the Dirt Track at CMS, careful consideration was needed for track design and track prep. Maxxis Tires and the WKA staff have brought on veteran dirt track manager Mackey Flood to prepare an awesome track.

Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup

With the added Charlotte event, the 2019 schedule will experience some changes as noted below. Huge thank you to Pitt Race Complex and Concept Haulers Motor Speedway for making room on their calendars for 2019, but the addition of the Charlotte venue will result in the Manufacturers Cup program having to cancel these event venues with hopes to return to these amazing facilities in the very near future. 

Other exciting news from WKA is the confirmation that the Manufacturers Cup will return to Road America on the May 17-19 weekend. Huge credit is given to Badger Kart Club in helping secure the date and additionally, they have gracefully agreed to change their race date to the August 23-25 weekend.

Revised Final Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup 2019 Schedule:

• Daytona Kartweek, Daytona International Speedway – December 27-30, 2018
• GoPro Motorplex, Mooresville, NC – March 29-31, 2019
• Road America Karting Motorplex, Elkhart Lake, WI – May 17-19, 2019
• Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC – June 21-23, 2019
• Badger Kart Club Wolf Paving Raceway, Dousman, WI – August 23-25, 2019
• New Castle Motorsports Park, New Castle, IN – October 11-13, 2019**

**WKA Grand National Event

Other changes to the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup include a change to Motul 2T Kart Oil for all 2-cycle categories as it becomes the spec oil for the series. 

Additionally, at the most recent Trustee Meeting, some changes were made to the 2019 Regulations to make participation more member-friendly, as recommended by the Manufacturers Cup Competition Committee. After sampling many of the members to discuss the program’s two finals per event format for each class, the drops allowed for 2019 Manufacturers Cup have changed from two entire event drops to four daily drops. 

Also, to assist Mini drivers with their transition to the Junior ranks, WKA has added the KA100 Junior category to allow drivers to gain more experience before they move to the popular IAME X30 Junior class. To further assist, WKA will allow drivers with the attained age of 11-years old to advance to KA100 Junior for 2019.

Vega Tires Road Race Series Schedule:

With the addition of a return to the historic Charlotte Motor Speedway and racing on the famed Roval, the 2019 race schedule is now complete:

• Daytona Kartweek, Daytona International Speedway – December 27-30, 2018
• Roebling Road Raceway together with the Southern Kart Club, Bloomingdale, GA – March 8-10, 2019**
• Gateway Motorsports Park, together with C.E.S., Madison, IL, – May 10-12, 2019
• Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, together with Woodbridge Kart Club, Concord, NC – June 21-23, 2019
• Heartland Park, together with K.A.R.T., Topeka, KS – August 16-18, 2019
• NCM Motorsports Park, together with K.A.R.T. and CES, Bowling Green, KY – November 8-10, 2019

WKA Vega Tires Road Race Series Banquet

Also, after polling many of the road race members, the decision was made to celebrate the 2018 Vega Road Race Series Champions Banquet at Roebling Road in March 2019, as has been in previous years. 

“I’ve said from the beginning of my short time as President that we wanted to make WKA more member-focused,” adds Williams. “These program enhancements and schedules for our 2019 national campaigns bring the excitement and experience meter way up for our members. Special thank you to our committees, office team, trustees, and especially the support of our partners for making all this happen. 2019 promises to be one of our most exciting years yet.”

About World Karting Association (WKA) – The World Karting Association has been a non-profit, Membership Organization since 1971, and has provided venues for members to enjoy all aspects of Karting in the USA, from its office in Concord, NC, including the famous Daytona Kartweek.  Providing Regulations, Instruction and Certifications, Racing Series, Insurance, and Venues for fair and safe Karting on all levels, WKA has a place for everyone in Karting.   For more information, contact WKA at info@worldkarting.com or www.worldkarting.com.