In 2012, the Texas ProKart Challenge was launched to provide a major regional program for the region of Texas, Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Promoted by Dave Pauly, the series grew into one of the top programs in the country. Last year, Pauly handed over the reigns to P1 Promotions – Mark and Gina French. After a successful first season in 2016, the focus is building on the future of the program beginning in 2017.

The first five years of the Texas ProKart Challenge was a combination of the Rotax Max Challenge and Superkarts! USA. Beginning in 2017, the series is making the transition to become strictly a SKUSA regional series and duplicate a similar format to the organizations flagship regional program by offering six single-race weekends. Day One consists of official practice with Day Two serving as race day. The format for the opening event of 2017 will follow that of the SKUSA Pro Tour with a warm-up, qualifying, prefinal and final structure for the single race day.

“Our mission remains to provide a quality traveling race series focused on fairness and customer service, all while providing a fun atmosphere and strong competition,” stated Texas ProKart Challenge co-owner and series director Gina French. “The future for karting is big in Texas with the re-energized focus on Stock Moto and the IAME Program. The series will be streamlined with our national counterpart making the bridge from regional to national racing a natural progression for our racers.”

The new schedule format mirrors that of the successful California ProKart Challenge, the flagship regional program for Superkarts! USA. The Texas ProKart Challenge will now host six single-race weekends for 2017, spread out from February to October. 2017 begins outside the Lone Star State, the only event not hosted in Texas. Round One is scheduled for the NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, the weekend prior to the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour WinterNationals. That Friday evening, 2016 Texas ProKart Challenge champions will be crowned during the year-end banquet with details to be announced at a later time. A month later, the series returns to the Dallas Karting Complex, with the Gulf Coast Kartway returning to the Texas ProKart Challenge schedule for the month of June. The Katy, Texas event serves as the only Saturday-Sunday event of the year, with the other five events contested on Friday-Saturday of each weekend.

The first new facility on the 2017 schedule is the Amarillo Kart Circuit. Located just outside the northern Texas city, the layout is a duplicate of the Intercity Istanbul Park – the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix facility. Texas PKC officials have tested on the course and are working directly with the facility owner to welcome racers to the circuit for its first ever major event. The proximity of the facility also allows for nearby competitors in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Kansas and New Mexico to join in on the fun with the Texas PKC. Taking the month of August off, the Texas ProKart Challenge returns to racing in September at the North Texas Karters circuit in Denton.

The much-anticipated SpeedsportZ Racing Park at Grand Texas is set to open officially in February 2017, with the Texas ProKart Challenge scheduling its finale event at the new karting facility. Owner Alan Rudolph – one of the first to be inducted into the Superkarts! USA Hall of Fame – has worked diligently for the last two years to make this facility happen, and is going to be a staple for karting in the southwest.

2017 Texas ProKart Challenge Schedule
February 24-25: NOLA Motorsports Park – New Orleans, LA
March 31-Apirl 1: Dallas Karting Complex – Caddo Mills, TX
June 10-11: Gulf Coast Kartway – Katy, TX
July 14-15: Amarillo Kart Circuit – Amarillo, TX
September 15-16: North Texas Kartway – Denton, TX
October 13-14: SpeedsportZ Racing Park – New Caney, TX

The transition from 2016 to 2017 launches a new focus on the growing Stock Moto and IAME powerplants for the Texas ProKart Challenge. The same SKUSA categories from 2016 will return for 2017.

2017 Texas ProKart Challenge Class Structure
S1 Pro Stock Moto
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto
S3 Novice Stock Moto
S4 Master Stock Moto
S4 Super Master Stock Moto (local option only)
S5 Junior Stock Moto (local option only)
Micro Swift
Mini Swit
X30 Junior
X30 Senior
X30 Master

Texas ProKart Challenge is working directly with IAME USA to provide a motor program for those looking to move into the IAME divisions to help expand both the IAME platform in the region and within the series. More details will be released following the SKUSA SuperNationals. Also for 2017, the Texas PKC is offering up a ‘Series Loyalty Program’ for competitors to enter for all six events at one time. A $750 fee will cover five race entry fees ($150) with the sixth entry becoming free. Details of this program will be available when registration for the first event in 2017 opens.

Once again, Texas Barge & Boat is partnering with the Texas ProKart Challenge along with Brash Racing as the title sponsors for the 2017 season. Nuclear Imaging Services and Dallas Karting Complex have returned in support in addition to MPH Racing as presenting sponsors. Uncle Hal, Acceleration Karting and 3G Kart Racing are joining the series as varying sponsors for the upcoming year. If you or your business is interested in sponsorship opportunities with the Texas PKC, contact Mark French at 214-876-9356 or mfrench@texasprokartchallenge.com.

For more information, visit texasprokartchallenge.com and be sure to find Texas ProKart Challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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