Kid Kart category at Route 66 Sprint Series to utilize the Briggs 206 engine package (Photo: EKN - Nate Dean)

New Route 66 Sprint Series owner Chris Kardashian is certainly putting his signature on the program as it heads into the 2023, and he has definite ideas on the direction he wishes to take the series. EKN sat down with Chris back in mid-November of 2022 (Part 1, Part 2) to detail his plans and he’s now implementing his forward-thinking ideas. The series recently announced its class structure on social media, and the biggest takeaways were a three-class Briggs 206 component and a full-season Kid Kart category, which will run as a full championship class. This is not how the class is positioned in most cases. In particular, the Route 66 Kid Kart class will utilize the Briggs 206 engine package, which aligns it with the largest grassroots platform in the sport.

“Kid Karts are vital to the success of any local club or regional karting series,” Kardashian told EKN. “The racers in the 5 to 7-year-old age bracket represent the future of the Route 66 Sprint Series. Not only is Route 66 committed to the Kid Kart point championship program, running on a Kid Kart chassis with the Briggs 206 engine, but we are also committed to the principal that Route 66 will be focused on bringing family ‘fun’ back to regional racing. We want to create an environment for the entire family to participate in the weekend activities.”

The move will provide a competitive home for Kid Kart families who wish to race for points and ultimately a championship, rather than in an exhibition class. It will also be the foundation for an internal ladder system with the Route 66 Sprint Series continuing with a full slate of classes for the Briggs 206 engine platform. Briggs 206 Sportsman is the next step from Kid Karts, followed by the Briggs 206 Junior and Briggs 206 Senior categories.

The five 2-cycle divisions remain the same as in 2022 with Micro and Mini Swift joined by the Junior, Senior and Masters divisions for the KA100 engine platform.

Format for the 2023 season has also been announced for the Route 66 Sprint Series on social media. Each of the four weekends in 2023 will be a one Final format. Three rounds of practice will be provided each Friday, with three additional sessions beginning the day on Saturday. Qualifying and a special 1-lap shootout session for classes featuring 15 drivers or more on the weekend. The top five for each shootout class will run a special one-lap session to set the grid for first through fifth. Heat 1 races close out the action on Saturday with Heat 2 and the Final to be held on Sunday.

“With our focus on the fun factor at the Route 66 Sprint Series, while also being sensitive to the race teams, racers, and racing families to shorten the weekend, Route 66 is introducing a few changes to the event format in 2023. One of main goals is to get everyone home earlier Sunday night. We have had to shorten up the weekend slightly while still giving the racers the same amount of laps or more. The Shootout in qualifying features the top-five from the initial session in the larger categories, adding some excitement to those sessions. Additional points will also be awarded for qualifying in 2023. This format addresses the desire of all racers to place more focus on the fun aspect of racing with the Route 66 Series, while bringing top talent from across the Midwest to race at some of the most well-known circuits in the country.”

Head over to route66kartracing.com to learn more about the series and the 2023 program. Be sure to follow them on social media at Facebook and Instagram.

2023 Route 66 Sprint Series Class Roster

Kid Kart presented by One Powersports
Briggs 206 Sportsman presented by MAC Paving
Briggs 206 Junior presented by Whiteland Raceway Park
Briggs 206 Senior presented by Kart Circuit Autobahn
IAME Micro Swift presented by Allison Racing Engines
IAME Mini Swift presented by BBS Race Engines
IAME KA100 Junior presented by Quickswim
IAME KA100 Senior presented by Mill-Rite Inc.
IAME KA100 Masters presented by Milrock

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