International winter series to reach milestone mark
ORANGE, CA (July 9, 2021) – The 2022 season marks the 15th anniversary of the inaugural year of the premier west coast winter series – the Challenge of the Americas. The international program began in 2008, then under the Rotax Max Challenge banner, which was the engine platform until 2018 when COTA transitioned to the ROK Cup format. Over the last 14 years, the series has welcomed hundreds of karters from the United States, Canada, Mexico and select countries from around the world.
The series began back in 2008 with promoter Andy Seesemann having to overcome several obstacles, including the location for the first event, having to move one month before the scheduled debut. Moran Raceway in Beaumont, California was scheduled to be the location for the inaugural event, however, the facility owners sold the property prior to the race, forcing Seesemann to re-position the race at Willow Springs Raceway. The second Challenge event in Sonoma was plagued by torrential rainstorms that caused the cancellation of Sunday’s races, which would eventually be made up on the Friday of the series finale. That event at the X-Plex in Las Vegas was the last official race at that facility. Continue reading
Category Archives: Challenge of the Americas
GREEN-GREEN-GREEN – Wednesday practice is BACK ON. Enough people called texted or emailed The Track directly yesterday after our announcement went out and complained, so they have now flip-flopped on their decision and The Track will be open for practice next Wednesday I repeat the track will be open for practice on Wednesday. We are so sorry for this but the office people at the track don’t seem to know what’s actually happening at the track and what is possible. Let’s Rok Wednesday practice – AndyOfficial practice begins on Friday and here is the event schedule. https://www.challengekarting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Sonoma-2021-Schedule.pdf
ROYCE & BAXTER BECOMES PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS AND CALIFORNIA ROK CHAMPIONSHIP
Premium hand sanitizer company provides support to ROK Cup USA west coast programs for 2021
ORANGE, CA (January 14, 2021) – The 14th season for Challenge of the Americas is set to begin in just days with the 2021 opener scheduled for January 22-24 at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association. ROKKERS from all over the western half of North America will gather at the Glendale, Arizona facility to begin the three weekend, six-round championship. The very highly anticipated fourth season under the ROK Cup USA program is set to see record numbers once again after setting new series benchmarks in February last year.
This year’s Challenge of the Americas and the upcoming California ROK Championship this summer will have a new presenting sponsor – Royce & Baxter Premium Hand Sanitizer. Founded in early 2020, Royce & Baxter products are formulated to exceed CDC and FDA minimum guidelines for those who wish to live clean and stay safe. Their Premium Hand Sanitizer spray, currently available in four scents, kills germs on the skin in seconds plus offers long-lasting antimicrobial benefits. Royce & Baxter President Mike Guasch is a racer for over 40 years, having raced dirt track, jet skis, motocross and formula cars in the United States and most recently GT and Prototype endurance racing in the U.S. and Europe. Continue reading
Challenge of the Americas Ruling on Engines Permitted for 2021
Challenge of the Americas is moving forward with the same class structure for the 2021 season as the series contested in 2020. The ROK Cup USA and the ROK Promotions announced on December 16 a move to Vortex-only engines for their events in 2021, including the upcoming Florida Winter Tour. FTK Promotions owner Andy Seesemann confirmed with eKartingNews that the engines allowed for the 2021 Challenge of the Americas will not be changed from what has been published, more specifically the 100cc divisions.
“Our class structure is moving forward unchanged,” stated Seesemann. “The 100cc categories will include both the VLR engine and KA100, with the remainder of our categories following the ROK Cup ruleset. Of course, we have adapted to the new LeVanto KRT as the spec tire for all categories in 2021 and I look forward to its debut at our opening event in roughly one month.”
Seesemann added the many teams and competitors have received their first shipment of LeVanto tires, hitting the track for initial tests. Reviews have been very positive about the new tire for all divisions. The spec fuel will be Sonoco Supreme with Motul Kart Gran Prix as the spec oil for 2021.
Registration is now open for the first two rounds of the 2021 Challenge of the Americas on January 22-24 at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association in Glendale, Arizona. Head to challengekarting.comfor the registration link and all the information regarding the series and this summer’s California ROK Championship program.
CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS SHUFFLES UP TRACK LOCATIONS FOR 2021
Opportunity to adjust opens up to move PKRA as opener and CalSpeed to month of February
ORANGE, CA (December 9, 2020) – Dates remain the same, however, the locations will be different from the published schedule for the 2021 Challenge of the Americas. The ROK Cup USA international winter series is adjusting the locations for the January and February events on the upcoming calendar.
The opening weekend for the 2021 Challenge of the Americas scheduled on January 22-24 is moving from the CalSpeed Karting facility in Fontana, California to the Phoenix Kart Racing Association in Glendale, Arizona. The February 26-28 that was scheduled for PKRA facility is now replaced with CalSpeed.
“Two reasons for the change in locations,” commented FTK Promotions owner Andy Seesemann. “NASCAR and COVID-19. The 2021 schedule for NASCAR took away our original plan to compete at CalSpeed in February. Their announcement this week to not host a race in February at Auto Club Speedway allows for us to move the Challenge second event back to Fontana and open in Phoenix. This was our original plan and works best with the weather and other logistics. We also know that California can be one of more restrictive states regarding COVID-19 guidelines. With just six weeks away from the opening event, this move gives us five more weeks to monitor and adapt to those guidelines.”
As the COVID guidelines continue to change state to state, county to county, Seesemann stated that they are reviewing back-up plans, especially for the events in California.
“We have continued discussion with our friends at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson as the backup venue for our second event in February should California have any further restrictions. We have been able to run events while observing the guidelines set out by the Auto Club Speedway and the San Bernardino County thus far, but we need to have plans in place in the event that things change.”
In addition to the change in schedule, The Challenge is also establishing a restricted access to the paddock for the Phoenix Kart Racing Association event in January. For each driver, access to the paddock is limited to one mechanic. In the case of drivers who are minors, one mechanic and one parent are permitted.
Details surrounding the opening event for Challenge of the Americas at the PKRA facility in Arizona will be published to the challengekarting.com website in the coming days. Registration for the opening event for the 2021 COTA program opens on Friday, December 11. Be sure to follow The Challenge on Facebook and Instagram.
2021 Challenge of the Americas Schedule – REVISED
January 22-24: Phoenix Kart Racing Association – Glendale, Arizona
February 26-28: CalSpeed Karting – Fontana, California
March 26-28: Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, California
February 26-28: CalSpeed Karting – Fontana, California
March 26-28: Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, California