The following is an official bulletin from the United States Pro Kart Series following the Ohio Grand Prix at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati.

To those of you who have attended a USPKS event this season, thank you. I am proud to say that we have an excellent crop of competitors that have put on some great races over the course of 2024. The series has overhauled our internal systems and processes in the past year and, as a result, we are happy to share data generated from the officiating process with you. Below, you will find a round-by-round breakdown of on-track penalties and how many were overturned via protest. Please note, pushback bumper data is not included:

Texas GP

Total On-Track Penalties Issued: 118

Overturned via Protest: 11 (9.3%)

North Carolina GP

Total On-Track Penalties Issued: 100

Overturned via Protest: 10 (10%)

Wisconsin GP

Total On-Track Penalties Issued: 103

Overturned via Protest: 9 (8.7%)

Ohio GP

Total On-Track Penalties Issued: 98

Overturned via Protest: 8 (8.2%)

There are many ways to interpret this data. Each person will do so differently. We understand the on-track officiating team is not perfect, hence the two USPKS officials we have dedicated to video review. Clearly, the competitors have found this to be a useful resource, judging by the ratio of penalties called to penalties overturned. Our system is not a perfect one, but it is the one we’ve found delivers the best possible outcomes for our competitors given the circumstances.

As part of our continued efforts to uphold the ‘PRO’ in United States Pro Kart Series, we are moving to enforce Rule 101.18 of the USPKS Rulebook. This rule relates to probations issued by the USPKS. Shortly after the Ohio Grand Prix, two drivers were notified of their probationary status, which will apply for one calendar year in both cases. One case was due to dangerous kart-to-kart contact in the scale line in KA Junior, and the other was related to driving standards in Pro X30.

The USPKS officiating team has one goal: offering the best possible experience for our competitors. We are constantly seeking ways to improve and actively recruiting accomplished karting drivers to join the on-track team. On this front, we’ve landed a major win this season with the addition of Alex Bertagnoli, one of the best karters of his generation, who currently competes in sports cars.

We welcome any and all feedback, and are ever mindful that our drivers are our customers, and all that we do must be to their benefit. Thank you for supporting the USPKS over the past decade, we plan on continuously improving in the decade to come.

Yours truly,

Blake Hunt

Head Race Director

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