Jacob Gulick named EKN Driver of the Month for his two win performance at the SKUSA SpringNationals (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.

The most competitive Pro Shifter field thus far in the 2023 season came at the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals, held over the June 9-11 weekend at the Utah Motorsports Park. Among them were multiple SKUSA Pro Tour champions, former SKUSA SuperNationals winners, European champions and a former FIA Karting KZ World Champion. The driver that stood out however was Washington’s Jacob Gulick, securing his first two SKUSA Pro Tour victories in the two rounds contested on the weekend.

Gulick locked up his first two career SKUSA Pro Tour Pro Shifter victories in Utah (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The GFC Karting driver is into his third season as a shifterkart pilot, coming off his first series championship at Challenge of the Americas during the winter months. He began the SKUSA Pro Tour with two top-six results at the WinterNationals held at the Orlando Kart Center at the start of April. Fast forward to June and it was a return to where GFC Karting gained its first SKUSA Pro Tour triumph with Kyle Wick aboard the famous Trackmagic brand.

Gulick found himself in the third spot after qualifying for Round Three on Saturday, behind Wick and European race winner Senna van Walstijn at the top of the order. It was the Dutch driver that led all 10 laps of the Prefinal with constant pressure from Gulick who moved up into the second spot that included him posting the fast laps of the race. In post-race tech, van Walstijn was found to be too wide with the rear track width. That promoted Gulick to the race win and the pole position for the main event. The same pace Gulick held in the Prefinal was evident in the Final, as he pulled away from the rest of the field with only Senna coming from the tail of the field quicker on the stopwatch. Gulick led all 20 laps to a 3.5-second margin of victory to secure his first SKUSA Pro Tour triumph with Wick ending up second to give GFC its first 1-2 finish of the season.

The GFC duo carried it over into Sunday’s Round Four with a 1-2 result in qualifying. Gulick and Wick were the only two drivers to dip below the 55-second mark, with Jacob’s 54.873 setting a new track record in SKUSA competition. Ironically, it was Gulick’s own pace in 2021 that he was able to better by nearly three tenths of a second. It was Gulick at the front in the Prefinal, leading all 10 laps for the race win. The start of the Final was a bit unique, as the track was still drying from a rain shower that passed through. A dry line was formed in the racing line, while off-line was still slick from the moisture. Starting on the pole position meant starting off the dry line. Gulick struggled for grip as the green flag waved, allowing both Wick and 2019 FIA Karting KZ World Champion Marijn Kremers to bolt away off the grid. Gulick went to work and found his way past both drivers to assume the lead by lap seven, eventually pulling out to a 1.4-second gap to complete the main event sweep on the weekend. Wick placed second once again, giving GFC a 1-2 sweep of the SKUSA SpringNationals.

The two victories in Utah have put Gulick into the lead of the SKUSA Pro Tour championship standings, leading Kremers by 43 points with Wick a close third. It will all be decided at the SKUSA SummerNationals, set for July 27-30 at the New Castle Motorsports Park. Gulick and the GFC Karting team made its United States Pro Kart Series debut in June at the Indiana Grand Prix held in New Castle. Wick grabbed his first series victory while Gulick joined him on the podium with a third-place result for a triple podium month. He will possibly compete at USPKS once again later this season, with the focus on the SKUSA championship along with the ROK Vegas and SKUSA SuperNationals 26 at the end of the season.

June 2023 EKN Driver of the Month – Jacob Gulick

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Bio

Born: 7/10/2001
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Marital Status: Single
Children: 0
Height/Weight: 6’ / 170lbs.
Education: High School
Occupation: Property Management

Racing Resume

Chassis: GFC
Engine/Engine Builder: ROK & KZ / SwedeTech
Sponsors: Gulick Trucking
Series You Compete In: Challenge of the Americas / SKUSA Pro Tour / United States Pro Kart Series
Years Karting: 15
How did you get started in karting? My Dad used to race so I finally was able to convince him to get me a kart.
What has been the high point in your racing career? SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals 2023
What are your goals in racing? Win some races with no specific goals.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Overdrive
Funniest moment at the racetrack? Too many

Likes

Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park probably takes it but Pat’s Acres Racing Complex is close
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Rally/Rally Cross
Favorite karting driver: Gary Carlton
Favorite professional driver: Daniel Riccardo
Favorite website: N/A
Favorite movie: Ford V Ferrari
Favorite actor/actress: N/A
Favorite music/group: Country
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Anywhere with mountains
Favorite food: Sushi

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Dirt bikes, Snowmobiles
What are your goals outside of karting? Enjoy life
What type of street car do you drive? 1984 Chevy Pickup
What type of street car would you like to drive? If I were to have a sports car, it’s a Porsche GT2 RS
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Bad driving on the road
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Having spectators or big sponsors for a race series would be able to improve a lot of aspects
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? How much I have learned about controlling my own emotions and how to handle/work through problems.

June 2023 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Truly Adams: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

– Austin Garrison: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – X30 Pro winner

– Michael McGaughy: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – Mini Swift winner

– Lucas Palacio: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (Mini Swift)

– Kyle Wick: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – Pro Shifter winner

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