(Photo: EKN)

EKN’s Paddock Insider is part of our Trackside coverage, bringing you notes, updates and breaking news as it happens. The article will feature notes from trackside at the 2024 United States Pro Kart Series at the Texas Grand Prix held at the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas.

USPKS Back in Action for the 12th Season

The start of the 2024 United States Pro Kart Series is upon us, and the second ever visit to the Speedsportz Racing Park welcomes the first round of this season’s championship chase. The new championship format will count all five events this season, putting the emphasis on drivers competing at their best, at all five circuits on the year. Speedsportz hosted the second stop last year, with many making their first ever visit to the facility. Aside from the Micro drivers, a lot are returning for a second time if not more, and thus there are no new aspects to the circuit. The facility is packed, and the Food Zone that was under construction next door is open, providing many food options in and around the facility. A walk through the paddock and its all business, with a lot of focused faces inside the tents and around the pit lane.

Meza Returns with Trinity Karting Group

Helio Meza making his 2024 debut under Trinity Karting Group (Photo: EKN)

The 2023 USPKS KA100 Senior champion Helio Meza did not have karting on the calendar for 2024. After an invite to the Norberg Pro-Kart Invitational with Trinity Karting Group, the Texan is back on a Kart Republic at his home track of Speedsportz. Meza was the star at last year’s event, driving away to victory in what would help him clinch the 2023 championship. Now racing the Spec MX-5 as a factory Mazda driver in 2024, Helio is making only his second karting start of the 2024 season. He’s adapting to the Kart Republic after spending a lot of years racing on OTK product and making his first weekend on the newer MG SH2 compound that has a lot more grip compared to the last model he is familiar with. Keep an eye on him throughout the weekend and of course in his car program throughout the season.

CRG Nordam Adding New Names Under Tent

Aden Rudolph helping to lead the CRG Nordam race team this weekend at Speedsportz (Photo: EKN)

One of the focuses for the 2024 season was to establish a race team under the CRG Nordam banner. Euan Jeffery has done that for the club and regional level drivers through their network of dealers in the southern region, competing in the Texas Sprint Racing Series program over their opening two events, including two weeks ago at Speedsportz. A handful of drivers are under the tent in a home track weekend for the USPKS opener, including TSRS winner Aden Rudolph. The second generation karter won in his CRG debut in NOLA, set to take on the large KA100 Senior field at his home track. Joining the squad is Pasha Ali in the Mini Swift division along with Vincent Cossard moving over from shifter to KA100 Master. CRG Nordam is fielding six drivers in five categories, including Challenge of the Americas race winner David Ybarra in KA100 Junior.

Tillett Racing Seats Trackside with Franklin Motorsports

Tillett Racing Seats on location for the USPKS Texas Grand Prix (Photo: EKN)

One of the key components to a USPKS weekend is the Franklin Motorsports parts trailer trackside for competitors and teams to purchase needed supplies during the events. Adding to it this weekend is representatives from Tillett Racing Seats. Making their way from the United Kingdom, Tillett is providing seat fittings with their many different models and sizes, along with their rib protector. The Tillett P1 is customizable with different color graphics, including the optional chest plate with the P1 Defender model. Those trackside can sample the many different options or see them online through the Franklin Motorsports online store.

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