The 2024 Challenge of the Americas program is set to begin this weekend at the Musselman Honda Circuit. The Tucson, Arizona will welcome the start of the 17th season for the west coast winter series championship, hosting the opening two rounds over the February 2-4 weekend. An increased pre-entry list of 117 for the six categories welcome in a new era for the Challenge, with all classes competing on the Vega Tires

(Photo: Musselman Honda Circuit)

Another new element to the start of the 2024 Challenge of the Americas is the direction competitors will be taking the replica of the Suzuka circuit in Japan, which measures out to 8/10-mile and 13 corners. For the first time in Challenge history, the track will go in the clockwise direction for the opening weekend. The Challenge first visited the Tucson facility in 2012, making its 10th visit in total. Five rounds of practice on Friday officially kick off the event before Round One and Two are contested on Saturday and Sunday. Each round features a warm-up, qualifying, Prefinal and Final.

eKartingNews.com is proud to be entering the 13th season of Trackside Live program with Challenge of the Americas. EKN’s own Rob Howden will be calling the action all weekend from Tucson. Those unable to attend can listen in to the live broadcast. Bookmark www.ekartingnews.com/live and follow the EKN social media channels for more throughout the weekend in Arizona.

Jacob Gulick looks to defend his COTA championship in Shifter (Photo: EKN)

A stacked field make up the 17 drivers in the updated Shifter Senior division presented by SwedeTech – featuring five of the top-11 from the EKN Shifterkart Driver Rankings presented by Skip Barber Racing School. In addition to the ROK engine, the KZ engine platform is welcomed to the Challenge in the shifterkart divisions. EKN will have more on that trackside. Kyle Wick (GFC Karting) finished out 2023 as the Driver of the Year, but the 2021 Challenge champion did not make a single start at the series last year. He’ll have to contend with defending champ Jacob Gulick (GFC Karting) and two-time former title winner Hunter Pickett (GFC Karting). Adding to the prestige of the weekend is entry from two-time FIA KZ World Champion Bas Lammers (Italkart). The Dutch driver will make his Challenge debut, returning back to the seat after spending much of his time coaching. Nicolas Taylor (Italkart) leads a trio of Canadians in the field while Romanian Daniel Vasile (Italkart) is coming off a runner-up at the WSK Super Master Series opener prior to traveling to Tucson.

The Senior 100cc presented by Forward Direction Motorsports is at the brink of breaking 30 entries – which will help to elevate their championship purse thanks to P1 Racing Engines. Despite the large field, no winners from last year or last year’s champion Liam Letzsch is racing in Tucson, opening the door for some new names to shine in the Arizona sun. Josh Campbell (LN Racing Kart), Parker Delong (Ruthless / Tony Kart) and Chris Martin (TKC / Sodi Kart) are familiar names at the Challenge. Kane Martin (Nash / Tony Kart), Ryan Persing (Nash / EOS) and Travis Varney (FDM / CompKart) are looking to fight for podiums while Keagan Kaminski (FW / GFC) is among the Senior rookies.

Nixx Eggleston returns in Junior 100cc as defending champion (Photo: EKN)

The Junior 100cc presented by Nash Motorsportz is the largest entering the weekend with 31 set to battle. All will be chasing defending champion Nixx Eggleston (Ruthless / Exprit) who comes into the new season off three wins last year, including one in Tucson. Archer Eversman (FDM / Pantano) is the only other returning winner from 2023, after finishing sixth in the championship standings. Alexander Gonzalez (Nash / EOS) stood on the podium in four of the six rounds a season ago to finish runner-up in the championship chase. Payton Westcott (Nash / EOS) has made big strides over the 2023 season since finishing eighth in the Challenge standings, and is among the many contenders including the return of Rocky Moran (KartNick / Tony Kart). Junior rookies include Mateo Calderon (SpeedSense / Exprit), Luca Popescu (FW / GFC) and Jackson Gibson (Ruthless / OTK).

Numbers have increased in the Masters 100cc class presented by Ruthless Karting, welcoming 13 pilots. Defending champion Ian Koentges is not returning, however, two-time former Challenge champion Paul Bonilla (PGR / LN Racing Kart) is back. He along with Travis Irving (FW / GFC) highlight returning drivers along with Matthew Ostiguy (DMG / Kosmic). Greg Welch (FDM / Pantano) replaces Koentges as a top contender along with KC Cook (FTK / OTK) replacing flags for a helmet, making his Challenge debut.

2023 COTA champion Braydon Wagner is among the drivers that will be part of the revised Cadet 60cc class (Photo: EKN)

A new champion will be crowned in the Shifter Masters class with Jonathan Vitolo moving to Senior class. Bud Grossenbacher (TB Kart) was among the three different winners last year, entering the weekend with the target on this back against the 12 others in the field. Cody Hodgson (Aluminos), Joey Guyon (Overdrive / Ventesimo) and Rob Kozakowski (Italkart) come in with experience to contend for wins and podiums, as does former Challenge champion Derek Wang (BBR / LN Racing Kart). After missing 2023 season, the four-time series champion moves to the six-speed division having competed in shifterkart divisions in the past.

The Cadet 60cc presented by The Karting Collective is also welcoming change in 2024, allowing both the ROK and IAME engines in the class. It has also welcomed an increase in numbers at 14 pre-registered. Among them is defending champion Braydon Wagner (FW / GFC) who scored the title of one win and four other podium results. Paxton Romera (FDM / CompKart), Cam Becker (FDM) and Aidan Go (SpeedSense / Exprit) are among the returning drivers with a host of others looking to establish a strong start to the 2024 season.

Be sure to catch the action on Saturday and Sunday with LIVE audio at www.ekartingnew.com/live or www.ekartingnews.com/radio and be sure to follow the EKN social media channels for updates, photos, videos and more!

Shifter Senior Provisional Entry List

Senior 100cc Provisional Entry List

Junior 100cc Provisional Entry List

Masters 100cc Provisional Entry List

Shifter Masters Provisional Entry List

Cadet 60cc Provisional Entry List

Share on Facebook

Tweet