Paddock Insider: 2022 Challenge of the Americas – Tucson
(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 2022 Challenge of the Americas at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona. This is insider info will not be seen anywhere else. Please feel free to comment and discuss our coverage and today’s action in the EKN Global Members Discussion area below.
15th Season for Challenge of the Americas
The Challenge family from 2013 (Photo: COTA)
It has been a successful journey from Centennial, Colorado. There in mid-2007 was the announcement from Andy Seesemann for Challenge of the Americas. The program began with the Rotax brand, opening in the winter of 2008 for its first races. Weather was a major issue in the beginning with flooding due to rain forcing postponement of one full round in Sonoma, moving it to Las Vegas for the series finale. Since that time, the Challenge has become the home for western North America racers and teams. A lot of history has been made during that time, including sending many drivers to the Rotax Grand Finals, and over the last four years, the ROK Cup Superfinal with the new relationship with ROK Cup USA. What has helped with the growth and sustainability of the Challenge is the crew Seesemann put together. The Challenge family continues to provide one of the more professionally run events with a fun, relaxed atmosphere then anywhere else in the world. EKN would like to say cheers to Seesemann and the entire crew from day one to today that have made this program what it is.
New Look and Completed Design for GFC
The 2022 GFC chassis making its debut this weekend in Tucson with a new look and new design updates (Photo: EKN)
The Challenge weekend is the official debut for the updated 2022 GFC chassis. The SS31 TaG and GT14 shifter models featuring a host of updates since the chassis brand made its debut at the end of 2018. In addition to the new bodywork and graphic kit, the chassis itself features a number of updates from the front to the back, aimed at providing one of the best frames on the market. GFC owner Gary Carlton is excited to see all the hard work and time pay off with the new chassis design. The race team tent is loaded with drivers and talent, along with the Formula Works tent welcoming drivers in nearly every category in Tucson.
Fresh CRG in the USA Under Ron White Racing
Ron White back behind the wheel for 2022, aboard a fresh new CRG (Photo: EKN)
The new homologation period provides the opportunity for the many chassis manufacturers to set a new standard with their products. One of the more historic brands – CRG – remains a world-wide powerhouse and remains a prominent kart here in the United States. CRG Nordam is continuing to provide dealers in North America with the latest products – both on the competition side and their rental kart line – with Euan Jeffery on hand to provide assistance to CRG drivers here in Tucson. Ron White Racing is a longstanding dealer for CRG, returning with defending Shifter ROK Masters champion Kevin Woods. Also behind the wheel is former series champ Ron White – who is taking on the Shifter ROK division once again. RWR will have a big contingent of CRG drivers at the Challenge, along with the California ROK Championship and the ROK Sonoma program at their home track in NorCal.
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