(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 2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour WinterNationals at the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas. This is insider info will not be seen anywhere else. Be sure to follow the EKN Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for more coverage throughout the weekend.

Largest Event Ever for SKUSA Pro Tour

The 2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour is kicking off with a bang, hosting its largest event in history with the WinterNationals going to the Speedsportz Racing Park for the first time. A total of 305 entries makes this weekend the largest in the 16 year history of the championship. It also becomes the largest ever at the Speedsportz Racing Park facility. Neal Strickland with SKUSA told EKN it’s been great bringing back SKUSA Pro Tour to Texas, and the crew at Speedsportz has been very helpful in welcoming all the unique requests needed surrounding the event. Alan Rudolph of Speedsportz said he’s thrilled to get a SKUSA Pro Tour event to his facility. It’s been the goal since planning began for the circuit nearly a decade ago. The only negative thus far has been the weather. Wednesday unofficial practice was clear, however, heavy rain hit the region on Thursday. Friday official practice began with a damp track, but rain is in the forecast all day. Competitors are using the semi-dry conditions now to prepare for the rest of the weekend. As of 10am local time, there is only a 23% chance on Saturday and 24% on Sunday.

Formal Making GFC Debut

Danny Formal making his debut with GFC Karting (Photo: EKN – Mattia Marmo)

The big news heading into the weekend was the announcement for four-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner Danny Formal moving to GFC Karting. The Costa Rican living in Florida has cemented himself into the history books of karting at all levels during his tenure here in the USA and around the world. With a limited karting schedule due to his day job of racing IMSA and Super Trofeo Lamborghini programs, he spends time working with drivers at the kart track. Him and his father – based in Costa Rica – have become the importer for the GFC Karting brand. They race at a new facility – P1 Speedway in San Jose, Costa Rica – which is welcoming roughly 100 karters from Kid Karts to Shifter, with a focus on the ROK Cup engine platform. Speaking with Formal about his first ever laps on the GFC this week, he’s gotten up to speed with its nuances and feeling confident about the package, which includes the IAME KZ engine which is his first time utilizing that powerplant. He’s now working with #2 plateholder Jacob Gulick, former SKUSA Pro Tour champion Kyle Wick and veteran Hunter Pickett. On the wrenches for him this weekend is industry veteran Tim Lobaugh of Trackside Karting Services based here in Texas.

Burgess Under Speed Concepts Racing Tent in Texas

Zayne Burgess carrying the Speed Concepts Racing colors at WinterNationals (Photo: EKN)

Rookie Mini Swift driver Zayne Burgess is racing under a new tent at the SKUSA WinterNationals. The 2024 Micro Swift champion has moved from Velocity Racing for Speed Concepts Racing, still competing on the Sodi Kart chassis. Signed on to the Andretti Global Driver Development program at the start of the season, Burgess has a busy schedule that includes multiple events here in the United States along with the Champions of the Future Academy program. Talking with Zayne’s father Kevin, the support from Sodi Racing USA remains, just moving to a different tent for here in the USA. Speed Concepts Racing has a nearly sold out tent with 21 drivers this weekend, ranging from Pro X30 to Mini. The support of Austin Garrison, Brandon Lemke and others going over data and driver coaching, along with Mike and Alex Speed providing decades of knowledge, SCR sees room to grow even further.

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