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 →