The 2021 season marked the seventh year of the Briggs & Stratton Weekly Racing Series presented by RLV program. This unique point system provides Briggs to continue its focus on the ‘Operation Grassroots’ program of supporting local tracks and clubs, while promoting those drivers competing at the grassroots level across North America.

The Briggs Weekly Racing Series collects results from April 1 through October 31 with each track/club allowed to submit 10 race dates. The program is broken up into three categories: Junior (USA/Canada), Senior/Master (Canada), and Senior/Master (USA). The final standings for the Briggs WRS program include the best seven results of the first eight events submitted.

In total, 45 tracks were involved in the 2021 Briggs & Stratton Weekly Racing Series programs within the United States and Canada. Results from those programs in 2021 put together a total of 3531 drivers results submitted over the three different categories.

One of the key components of the Briggs Weekly Racing Series is the prize vault. This year’s total value is at $76,500, which equates to 31% more than 2020. The top prize includes a new MGM Espionage kart chassis. Other companies to provide prizes for 2021 include RLV, Weber, Milwaukee Tool, Vega Tires, TS Racing along with returning supporters Cup Karts North America, Franklin Motorsports, Target Distributing, Hilliard Clutches, and AMSOIL.

Prize breakdown:

1st Place: MGM Espionage Kart Chassis
2nd Place (USA): VLR Emerald Kart Roller
2nd Place (Canada): Weber SX-335 Stainless Smart Grill
3rd Place (All): Weber SX-335 Stainless Smart Grill
1st-3rd Place: CKNA Grands Entries
4th-11th Place: Milwaukee Impact Wrench
12th-16th Place: Weber Q1200 Portable LP Grill
17th-26th Place: Briggzilla Bison Cooler
27th-41st Place: Snap XD 550CFM Blower with Battery & Charger
42nd-45th Place: Franklin Motorsports $200 Gift Card
46th Place: VEGA Tires
47th-56th Place: 12 quarts of Briggs & Stratton 4T by Amsoil
57th-66th Place: Noram Stinger & EK Chain from Target
67th-81st Place: Hilliard INFERNO Flame Clutch
82nd-83rd Place: Amsoil Tech Jacket
84th-87th Place: TS Gift Certificate
88th-92nd Place: Briggs Animal Hitch Cover
93rd-100th Place: RLV Xtreme Reaper #35 Chain, 106 Link

Here is a quick profile of the three drivers (Senior/Masters Canada, Senior/Masters USA, and Junior) who finished as the #1 driver in their respective categories. Briggs & Stratton Racing has confirmed the Weekly Racing Series will continue in 2022. For more on the program and a complete list of the standings, visit www.briggsracing.com. Also, below is a video recap of the 2021 Briggs & Stratton Weekly Racing Series featuring all three champions.

Senior/Master USA #1 – Ryan Gensheimer
Points: 200.25
Track: Twin Fountains Raceway

Age: 18
Hometown: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Occupation: Student at University of Louisville
Chassis: Margay
Sponsors: No formal sponsors but I would like to thank my family, friends, Jamie and Christine Bradford with the Tennessee Karting Association (TKA) and Robert Smith with Kart City Performance
Years Karting: 3

When and where did you get your start in karting? I got my start in 2017 at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park in my hometown, where I participated in their rental karting leagues. I then learned of the Atlanta Motorsports Park rental kart endurance races, and my team competed in two 10-hr Enduro races in 2018 and won the second race.

What was your first kart? My first kart was a Margay Ignite K3

When did you begin racing at the club you are currently racing at? I began racing with the Tennessee Karting Association (TKA) in 2019. My first ever race in Briggs karting was with TKA.

What brought you to racing the Briggs 206 engine package? After our success in rental karts, my family began looking at how to get into competitive karting. The Briggs 206 package was the only option that we could afford. Reliability was also a big factor for the Briggs 206. We realized we could run the same engine for multiple years unlike two-stroke engines. The support that Briggs & Stratton provides for their drivers and clubs is something unlike any other company, from small help at any track to the huge prize vault at the end of every season.

What are some of the great aspects you like about karting and racing at the club you are at? The Tennessee Karting Association (TKA) is a family. I am grateful for the friends I have made on and off the track. Karting brings people of all backgrounds together to produce some of the best racing there is. The competition in Tennessee is top-tier every race weekend with championship-winning drivers making their way over from many surrounding states. I am constantly challenged to be a better driver.

Senior/Master USA Top-100

Senior/Master Canada #1 – Skylar Dunning
Points: 204.25
Track: Rotax Mojo Raceway

Age: 25
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
Chassis: 2016 Tony Kart
Sponsors: Apollo Motorsports
Years Karting: 17

When and where did you get your start in karting? I started in 2004 at the Edmonton and District Kart Racing Association (EDKRA) when they were still racing at Stratotech Park in Fort Saskatchewan. The club has since moved to the Rotox Mojo International Speedway in Warburg, Alberta.

What was your first kart? Used, early 2000s CRG chassis with a 5.5 hp Honda 4-stroke engine.

When did you begin racing at the club you are currently racing at? I have raced with the EDKRA since 2004. Since approximately 2006 or 2007, I have also raced almost full time with the Calgary Karting Club.

What brought you to racing the Briggs 206 engine package? The Briggs engine package was attractive because of the cost and parity. Unlike other engine packages in our sport, you can pull a brand-new Briggs 206 engine out of the box and be competitive immediately while it will last multiple seasons with basic maintenance. Also, due to the lower speed and harder tires, the chassis age is less critical, and you can be competitive with used equipment unlike other classes where it is common for the top drivers to have brand new chassis for every major event. These factors allow the Briggs 206 class to be relatively affordable. Also, because of the engine parity and low horsepower, the pack racing makes Briggs 206 classes some of the more exciting events of the weekend. Finally, I believe the driving skills you develop in the Briggs 206 class are an asset when participating in the higher horsepower classes as well.

What are some of the great aspects you like about karting and racing at the club you are at? The family atmosphere at the EDKRA is unparalleled. The racing is competitive on the track, but off the track the drivers and families are all genuine friends. I participate in karting as a hobby with my family and having good off-track relationships with my competitors makes it more enjoyable. That being said, the on-track racing at the club is very competitive and we have produced some of the most skilled racers in Canada across multiple classes.

Senior/Master Canada Top-100

Junior #1 – Kennedy Spier
Points: 204.25
Track: Horn Rapids Kart Track

Age: 10
Hometown: Kennewick, WA
School/Grade: 5th
Chassis: Righetti Ridolfi
Sponsors: Dad and Mom
Years Karting: 3

When and where did you get your start in karting? I started karting when I was 7 years old at Horn Rapids Kart Track in Richland, WA. A gentlemen had built a kid kart for his daughters but they didn’t have an interest in racing so he asked my Dad if we would try it.

What was your first kart? My first kart was a custom built kid kart by BJ Tidrick from Kennewick, WA.

When did you begin racing at the club you are currently racing at? My first kart racing track was at TCKC (Tri-Cities Kart Track). I started racing around August 2018 when I was seven years old.

What brought you to racing the Briggs 206 engine package? We decided to race the Briggs 206 engine class because it is the largest field of racers and has the most competition.

What are some of the great aspects you like about karting and racing at the club you are at? The greatest aspects about racing at TCKC for me is that all the club members are great sports and tough competition. I love getting in my kart and being up front and all the challenges of passing and taking corners correctly.

Junior Top-100

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