The 2026 season is nearing the end with the big one on the horizon for ROK Cup USA. ROK Vegas 2026 is shaping up to be a big one, with the event set to return to the Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on October 28-November 1. The Florida Winter Tour and the two triple-crown championships as part of the ROK Sonoma program preceded the trip to Vegas, featuring growth throughout the season.

Now just 49 days prior to heading to Vegas for full trackside coverage, EKN sat down with Mike Burrell of ROK Cup USA to recap the season thus far and what to expect at ROK Vegas 2026.

eKartingNews.com: First off, let’s do a 2026 review, looking back at the Florida Winter Tour, the continued success of the ROK Sonoma program and the return of ROK Fest West event. What have been some of the positives you take from the year thus far?

MB: Looking back at 2026, Florida Winter Tour seems like a lifetime ago at this point! After an “average” 2025, we renewed our commitment to FWT being in Florida only ~which isn’t easy considering the lack of tracks/parking lots available to karting there right now. But Orlando Kart Center and T4 KartPlex worked with us in making the 2026 FWT successful.

2026 ROK Sonoma has seen amazing growth and consistency. The series is averaging about 80 entries; nearly double what it was a couple of years ago. The VLR Senior class is averaging over 24 entries and all the classes are providing exceptional racing! We’re running two 3-race series at ROK Sonoma, so drivers have the chance to “reset” their championship mid-year and score great prizes in the spring and summer.

We returned a ROK Fest West event to Sonoma this year with a great prize lineup for a last-minute event, already confirming and growing it for 2027. We tried to make it fun with some different races including an Australian Pursuit Race with a LeMans style start for VLR Senior along with a new racing format for ROK. Plus, we had some off-track activities and still have new ideas ready for 2027! I like the ROK Fest one-off events as it gives us the opportunity to “ROK the boat” and do something different.”

Big numbers are expected for the upcoming ROK Vegas 2026 (Photo: RTD Media)

EKN: The build up on the season leads to ROK Vegas. The 2026 event is shaping up to be the largest in its eight year history. What are some of the major differences from last year to this year?

MB: ROK Vegas at the Rio looks to be huge this year! On-track, the biggest difference is that addition of the ROK SV Junior class with the same engine lottery system we used for ROK SV Senior/Pro last year. Both SV classes are almost sold out already, and other classes are way ahead of 2026 entries to this point.

Off-track, the Rio really worked with us on room options, including cheaper options in the Masquerade tower. They also got us the parking lot back we didn’t have last year so it won’t be as congested. We’ve also added a grandstand, more outdoor restrooms, and some more elements surrounding the atmosphere of the event to make the whole ROK Vegas at the Rio experience better.

EKN: ROK SV Senior debut was a success at ROK Vegas last year and as you mentioned we will now see ROK SV Junior make its debut, following the same engine raffle format. Was the change from ROK GP Junior to SV Junior already on the forecast or did the success of the Senior program green light the move?

MB: The success of the SV Senior/Pro program last year and the parents/teams asking for it is what truly prompted the switch from ROK GP Junior to SV Junior for ROK Vegas and the FWT in 2027. This is also a great way we can help reduce or control the costs for our racers. The $750 rent for the week might even be too cheap for the ROK SV package.

The ROK GP is still a great engine package. It’s just not right for this market/format right now. The SV is small, light, yet powerful and very drivable. And the lottery format provides a more level playing field. Last year, we saw guys that usually run “mid-pack” solidly in the top ten.

The ROK SV engine will be featured in two classes at ROK Vegas 2026 with Senior and Junior (Photo: EKN)

EKN: Track layout is always a big factor for drivers and teams heading into an event, and I’m sure it’s a crucial part of your pre-race preparation. Is the 2026 layout going to be different from last year, and if so, when will it be released?

MB: Yes, we are doing a different track this year. We went out to the Rio after the last ROK Sonoma race and walked the lot looking for places that would need repair or obstacles to avoid. I learned the Rio location is at the bottom of the list for the new Las Vegas NBA arena so that is awesome news for the future of karing at the Rio.

I think the 2026 track is going to be longer by a little bit. The direction is going clockwise this year, although last year’s counter-clockwise track worked out pretty well. We should have the final design out in the next week or so, we’ve just been so busy with all the other details of the event, the track artwork always slips to the back (laughing).

EKN: Our final question of the Fast Five. The prize package you have announced for ROK Vegas 2026 is said to be valued at over $100,000. Do you feel that is a big factor in why competitors come to ROK Vegas or do you feel the overall experience is the bigger reason?

MB: That is a deep question. Personally, I don’t believe sprint karting is money/prize driven. I think it is ego driven. Drivers want to race the best in their class to prove they are the best. We don’t race karts for money or prizes, it doesn’t add up. But what sets ROK Vegas apart is the whole package: international competition in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, as affordable as possible, you can walk to the track from your room and really feel like you are racing in Las Vegas!

EKN: Thank you Mike for joining us, and we can’t wait to see you at ROK Vegas 2026!

MB: Thank you David. We look forward to having you and Rob with us at the Rio next month!!!

Share on Facebook

Tweet