The 2023 United States Pro Kart Series begins this weekend with the Southern Grand Prix held at the Orlando Kart Center. The March 10-12 event at the Orlando, Florida facility ushers in a new era for the USPKS, as the first of five events this season along with a new event format and additional class. Nearly 300 entries are scheduled to battle in the eight classes on the weekend.

Orlando Kart Center

The Orlando Kart Center was developed in 2009, situated a few miles from the Orlando International Airport. It has hosted several major events, with the 2022 USPKS weekend the largest ever for the facility. The circuit measures out to 8/10-mile and will be contested in the clockwise direction.

This weekend also brings a new format change for USPKS with the large number of entries, and now at eight classes over the weekend with one main event on the weekend. Four practice sessions will be held on Friday before diving into qualifying to close out the day. Three rounds of heat races will be contest, including the A-B-C-D format for the KA100 Junior and KA100 Senior categories, which have more than 46 drivers in the field. Heat points will be calculated at the end of Saturday, with the top-40 qualifying for the main event. The remainder move to the Last Chance Qualifier, as the top-six finishers transfer to feature race. All main events, along with the LCQ races, will be held on Sunday.

A nearly full field will battle in X30 Pro presented by Franklin Motorsports. Leading the way is defending series champion Ryan Norberg (RPG / Kosmic), coming off six straight victories to open up the 2022 season. Norberg showed how tough it will be to beat him at his home track of Orlando last year. PSL Karting is among those looking to put up a fight, including defending FIA World Karting Champion Matheus Morgatto, Diego Ramos and new addition Alessandro de Tullio (Prime / Birel ART). The only driver to beat Norberg last year is former teammate Hayden Jones, now part of the Trinity Karting Group / Kart Republic banner. He joins former EKN TaG Driver Rankings #1 Arias Deukmedjian, who is returning back to karting after a season focused on car racing. Junior champion Caleb Gafrarar – also moving over to TKG – as the fellow North Carolina driver makes his 2023 debut. Gafrarar is not the only rookie moving up, as KA100 Junior champ Helio Meza (IRM / Tony Kart), Ayden Ingratta (SCR / Redspeed), British driver Brandon Carr (Tony Kart) and Cooper Shipman (IRM / Tony Kart) are set to battle.

Ryan Norberg looks to begin his X30 Pro title defense and two wins in Orlando last year (Photo: EKN)

Another large field will compete for glory in the KA100 Senior class presented by Mike Doty Racing. A total of 55 drivers are pre-entered, looking to become champion with 2022 title winner Alex Stanfield not defending his crown. The only drivers to win last year returning for Orlando include former series champion Brandon Lemke (FMS / Merlin) and Christian Miles (MDR / Kosmic). Aiden Levy (Alonso Kart0, Conner Ferris (TFR / Kart Republic) and Nicholas Terlecki (FMS / Exprit) are among the top returning drivers. Wes Duchak (RPG / Kosmic), Collin Lloyd (Magik Kart USA), and SKUSA Winter Series champion Peyton Phillips (Hi5 / Tony Kart) are among those to start the 2023 season off with wins early on. Rookies to watch include USPKS Junior champion Helio Meza (IRM / Tony Kart), Cooper Shipman (IRM / Tony Kart) and Austin Jurs (FMS / Merlin). The class will also welcome former USF Pro Championships driver Braden Eves (MPG / Kart Republic) returns to USPKS competition and into the 100cc class where he has secured a number of victories in the past.

The new category for the 2023 season is the Pro Shifter division presented by SRP Engines. A total of 15 drivers will be part of the inaugural class roster, including three drivers in the EKN Shifterkart Driver Rankings. That includes defending SKUSA champion and former FIA World Champion Marijn Kremers (PSL / Birel ART), AJ Myers (Magik Kart USA) and Hunter Pickett (PSL / Birel ART). Three-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner Danny Formal (RPG / Kosmic) has many laps around the Orlando facility, and should be among the favorites. Five-time SKUSA champion Jordon Musser (PSL / Birel ART) is among the ‘Masters’ drivers in the field, and could be a podium contender along with Jamaican Collin Daley (DRT / DR Kart).

Former FIA world champion Marijn Kremers will be among those in the inaugural Pro Shifter field (Photo: EKN)

A solid field of 30 will compete in the X30 Junior category presented by Rolison Performance Group. Cameron Brinkman (MDR / LN Racing Kart) is the only returning driver to win in 2022 with defending champ Caleb Gafrarar and Ayden Ingratta moving up. Brinkman ran a reduced schedule last year and was not in the top-five in the championship. The top returning driver from last year’s standings is Teddy Musella (RPG / Kosmic), who finished fourth. He along with SuperNationals winner Ernesto Rivera, Max Taylor and others lead the RPG charge in the category. Enzo Vidmontiene (MottazSport / Parolin) has a win already on the season, with Leonardo Escorpioni (Zanella / Tony Kart) and Steven Miller (CDR / Alonso Kart) showing pace already this season. Oliver Wheldon (JC Karting / Kosmic) is among the notable rookies in the class, along with Ty Fisher (SCR / TB Kart).

The KA100 Junior class presented by BBS Race Engines will also welcome a new champion with Helio Meza graduating to Senior. Steven Miller (CDR / Alonso Kart) is the top returning driver after placing sixth in the championship a year ago. He’s already added a SKUSA Winter Series title to his 2023 CV, winning twice in two rounds. Similar drivers are ones to watch in Junior competition with Brinkman, Rivera, Musella, Taylor, Vidmontiene, Escorpioni, Wheldon, Fisher and other doing double duty. The class also features rookies Salvador della Vecchia (SAR / LN Racing Kart) and Tyler Roberts (IRM / Tony Kart) – who won in Mini at Orlando last year. Others to watch include Austin Olds (MPG / Kart Republic), John Antonino (Tesoro / CRG), and Eli Warren (JSR / Redspeed).

Ernesto Rivera is among the top Junior drivers heading into the USPKS opener (Photo: EKN)

The Master category at the USPKS is making the transition in 2023 from the X30 engine to the KA100 powerplant. A total of 11 drivers who raced with USPKS last year will be part of the KA100 Master class presented by Speed Concepts Racing. Among those include last year’s vice champion Mario Barrios (RPG / Kosmic), former series championship Scott Kopp (FMS / Merlin), Laurentiu Mardan (Tecno Kart USA), and Cristian Vomir (Tecno Kart USA). SuperNationals winner Martin Stone (REM / Kosmic), Texas Sprint Racing Series champion Miguel Mier (Orsolon / LN Racing Kart), and California driver Tim Meyer (RPM / Tony Kart) are among the contenders heading into the weekend. Also in the field is two-time Rotax Grand Finals champion Christophe Adams (Sodikart) from Belgium, making his first USPKS start.

The sold-out DNJ Intermodal Services Mini Swift division – featuring 46 drivers – will welcome a new series champion with Keelan Harvick not competing in 2023. Leading the way as a possible contender is Lucas Palacio (Trinity / Kart Republic) who finished fourth in last year’s standings, coming off three wins at the SKUSA Winter Series. SuperNationals winner Michael McGaughy (RPM / Parolin), Ethan Tovo (Parolin), Tristan Murphy (Nitro Kart), and Max Cristea (MottazSport / Parolin) are other names to consider for podium finishes. The class is also welcoming a strong rookie class, featuring the top-eight from last year’s Micro standings, led by last year’s champion Ashton Woon (Supertune / Parolin), Rocco Simone (Parolin) and Jackson Gibson (RPG / Komsic).

Lucas Palacio has three wins already in 2023 in Mini Swift competition heading to Orlando (Photo: EKN – Nate Dean)

The Team Ferris Racing Micro Swift has a 30-driver field that will see a new champion and new race winners throughout the 2023 season with the top-eight moving up. Among the early favorites include Maxwell Macha (SLA / Kart Republic), Colton Schniegenberg (GWR / Energy), Santiago Diaz de la Vega Torries (Alessandros / Parolin), Parker Ives (Nitro Kart), Josh Bergman (Piquet / Sodikart), Juan Diego Garciarce (Orsolon / Parolin) and Enzo DiGennaro (TFR / Kart Republic).

Follow the coverage all weekend long on the EKN Social Media accounts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news, updates, photos, videos and more, including the top-10 results after each session beginning with qualifying on Friday. Listen to the racing action by heading to the EKN Live page or tune in on the EKN Radio Network.

Provisional X30 Pro Entry List

Provisional KA100 Senior Entry List

Provisional Pro Shifter Entry List

Provisional X30 Junior Entry List

Provisional KA100 Junior Entry List

Provisional KA100 Master Entry List

Provisional Mini Swift Entry List

Provisional Micro Swift Entry List

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