Series expands to six rounds, including double-race weekend for third season
ORANGE, CA (December 2, 2020) – The second season for the California ROK Championship was one of multiple hurdles, yet set new records for the young traveling series. The ROK Cup USA regional program had to adapt to the guidelines set out by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing schedule and location changes. Teams and competitors responded in the positive, setting a new benchmark for entry totals for the program, including a record-setting triple digit mark at the season opener in Phoenix, Arizona.
As the calendar is set to turn on the 2020 season, the focus moves to the upcoming new year of racing. The 2021 California ROK Championship is set to expand to six rounds of racing in five weekends between May and September. A survey sent out to the competitors from the first two years of the program provided the data to expand, along with providing a unique three-day event that will feature two full rounds of racing. The remainder of the five events will focus on the two-day format that includes practice and a full round of racing.
“I am really excited for the 2021 edition of the California ROK Championship,” stated FTK Promotions Andy Seesemann. “We started with 27 drivers less than two years ago and averaged almost 100 in 2020. I want to thank all the teams and competitors for what an amazing progression for our program was, and to those who are ready to return this coming season. I can’t wait to see the growth in 2021.”
The series will open in southern California, visiting the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in May. Buttonwillow was the site of the inaugural Cali ROK event back in May 2019 and returns to the schedule after being off in 2020. The cooperation between the California ROK Championship and the ROK Sonoma program will continue in 2021. After hosting two events in 2020 at the Sonoma Raceway, the program will do so again this coming season. The first is Round Two in June, with the second hosting Round Five in August.
The middle of the 2021 schedule brings a new track in a new state for the program. The series travels north to the Pat’s Acres Racing Complex in Canby, Oregon for what will be a three-day, two-round event. The schedule format will mirror that of a Challenge of the Americas weekend, providing a full day of practice on Friday with two separate rounds of racing on Saturday and Sunday. The sixth and final round of 2021 is set for the end of September with the location to be announced at a later time.
“The event at Pat’s Acres is going to be an epic return of an out of state program to the historic facility,” added Seesemann. “This will be the most anticipated summertime race on the West Coast and will surely have a tremendous turnout. Our partnership continues with the ROK Sonoma program, as they have a great following in northern California. The numbers continue to grow here in southern California, and with our reach up to Oregon, we have the entire west coast covered for the ROKKERS!”
Class structure for the 2021 program will be similar to that of the past year and in line with Challenge of the Americas class roster. All ROK Cup USA categories – Senior ROK, Masters ROK, Junior ROK, Mini ROK, Micro ROK, Shifter ROK and Shifter Masters ROK – will be joined with the Senior 100cc, Junior 100cc and Masters 100cc divisions.
2021 California ROK Championship Schedule
May 7-8: Buttonwillow Raceway Park – Buttonwillow, California
June 12-13: Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, California
July 23-25: Pat’s Acres Racing Complex – Canby, Oregon
August 21-22: Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, California
September 25-26: Buttonwillow Raceway Park – Buttonwillow, California
For complete information regarding the California ROK Championship and Challenge of the Americas, visit challengekarting.com. More information, videos and photos can also be found on the Facebook and Instagram page.