The premier series on the eastern half of the country over the last two seasons has been the United States Pro Kart Series. Focused on a narrowed class structure, more track time, and of course the fun and excitement of being at the race track combined with support of many industry members and businesses has propelled the program from a start-up at the beginning of 2013 to entering a third season in 2015, primed for another successful year. The opening event is on the verge of reaching 100 competitors for the seven divisions, with a projected record-breaking weekend.

The season begins as it has the past two seasons, at the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina – set for April 24-26. Right in the heart of NASCAR country, the two-year-old facility is quickly becoming one of the top facilities in North America. Taking the month of May off, the USPKS visits a new track for the program. The US Air Motorsports Raceway is among the most challenge circuits in the country. The series travels north on June 19-21 in Shawano, Wisconsin for Round Three and Four. The final two events of the season keep the series in the state of Indiana. July 31-August 2 is the Michiana Raceway Park in North Liberty, keeping another historic midwest circuits on the schedule. The series finishes three weeks later at the popular New Castle Motorsports Park on August 21-23.

The absence of 2014 Leopard Pro champion AJ Myers for the full season opens up the throne (Photo: EKN)

One category (Parilla Challenge) was removed from the class lineup for 2015, making it seven divisions competing on the year – four Yamaha and three TaG. Leopard Pro and Yamaha Pro are the headline divisions, with Leopard and Yamaha provided for the Junior age group. Yamaha Cadet and Mini Rok Cadet are back along with the Yamaha Rookie category.

Five different drivers won in last year’s Leopard Pro category, with three winning twice on the season. Champion AJ Myers was unable to break into the top-10 until Round Four at South Bend. That triggered two runner-up finishes in Pittsburgh to propel him into the championship chase. Victory at Round Seven in New Castle solidified his title run, becoming the second champion in the second season, edging out inaugural title winner Kyle Kalish.

Brandon Jarsocrak swept the $1,000 paydays in Yamaha Pro for 2014 (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

Both of those drivers will be absent this year. Myers is set for a partial schedule here in the United States with plans to compete in Europe. Kalish has switch to six-speed power, racing shifterkarts this season to expand his pedigree. That opens the door for a third different champion in the first three years of the series, in a category that has seen over 30 drivers take part in the opening weekend both years and schedule for another large and talented roster of drivers in Mooresville. Leading contenders returning include a number of challengers from last year. The KartSport North America duo of Roger Ralston and Derek Dignan, iKart’s new recruit Brandon Jarsocrak, Koene USA’s Elliot Finlayson, Franklin Motorsports’ Michael Geringer and Dustin Stross joining Top Kart USA.

The Yamaha Pro ended up becoming the Brandon ‘Money’ Jarsocrak show, taking home all four weekend $1,000 checks and the title. Moving over to the iKart brand for 2015, the Pennsylvania driver will still be challenged by runner-up Tony Jump (KartSport North America/Arrow). More drivers are scheduled to be in the hunt, including Ohio’s Dakota Pesek (Top Kart USA) and Senior rookie from Illinois Mike McAndrews (MRP Motorsport).

David Malukas and Zach Holden scored the Junior titles for 2014, with Malukas in Leopard and Holden repeating in Yamaha. The Top Kart USA drivers are set to defend their crowns against what will be two large and talented fields in both the Yamaha and Leopard divisions. New York driver Dylan Tavella doubled up in the Cadet divisions in 2014, and is among the rookie class of 2015 in the Junior categories, which leaves the competitive Mini Rok and Yamaha Cadet classes for new champions this year. The Yamaha Rookie returns for 2015, providing the younger generation a chance to race on the national stage, and continue to develop as drivers and karters.

Zach Holden will attempt a three-peat in Yamaha Junior (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

Money is once again on the line at the USPKS program, with the Senior and Junior categories competing for cash each weekend with support from Comet Kart Sales and Woltjer Racing Engines. The Leopard Pro division will race for a $1,000 check to the each race winner, adding in a $500 bonus to a driver that wins both main events in the same weekend. Second receives $500 each day, with a new set of MG Tires handed to third. The Yamaha Pro category competes for a weekend prize, with the driver earning the most points over the course of the two rounds receiving a $1,000 check. Second place earns $500 with $250 to third. For the Junior categories, the top two drivers with the best overall weekend point total will be awarded with a check, $500 for first and $250 to second. All categories honor the top-five at the podium ceremonies with trophies each day.

The United States Pro Kart Series is the one of the rare programs that counts all rounds toward its championship, with the each of the eight days providing points in every on-track session. Ten point bonus to the top qualifier, the top-10 in each heat race earning championship points in addition to the main event. This system has helped to provide a chase for the title in all the categories going into the finale weekend, and makes each and every on-track session vital to a driver’s chance at winning a championship. All seven USPKS champions will receive a driver suit along with a title ring.

2014 Leopard Junior champion David Malukas finished the year as one of the top Junior drivers in the country (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

Fans, family and friends can catch every lap of action LIVE with eKartingNews.com. For the third straight year, EKN is partnering up to provide live audio from all four USPKS events in 2015. The EKN Trackside Live program features live audio with USPKS announcer Randy Kugler, live timing provided by Race-Monitor.com, in addition to the industry leading race coverage that includes updates on social media links Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Companies interested in supporting the EKN Trackside Live program are asked to email sales@ekartingnews.com to partner up with the USPKS coverage for the GoPro Motorplex weekend.

Online registration is available at uspks.com/registration for the opening weekend at GoPro Motorplex. For more information, be sure to bookmark the series website – uspks.com

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