Spencer Hite gained the inaugural Kid Kart championship at the new CKNA North East Division (Photo: CKNA)

The Cup Karts North America program is celebrating its 10th season in 2023. The family-friendly racing series is based around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform which has rejuvenated the grassroots karting movement across North America over the last decade. As the leader in grassroots regional racing, CKNA has grown into four different divisions that run from Eastern Canada down to the southern tip of the United States.

The 2023 schedule began with the South Division, opening up the season with the Winter Nationals before trips to Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina for the finale. New for the 2023 season was the North East Division, which began at the Spring Nationals in Charlotte. Events in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania highlighted the series’ inaugural season. The ‘OG’ division is the North, which featured four races in four different Great Lakes states. The new-in-2022 Canada Division expanded to three events this year with the season started with a race in Quebec and capped with a pair of events in Ontario.

All the programs and races have helped to build the excitement for the Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals 7, which are set to return to New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana on September 28-October 1. Featuring 385 entries in 2022, the event is expected to break the 400-entry mark this year to make it one of the largest karting events of the season in North America, and around the world.

Before the engines rumble in New Castle for the 2023 CKNA Grand Nationals, EKN would like to recognize a handful of drivers who were able to claim divisional championships.

Cup Karts North America 2023 Champions Profile

North East Division: Kid Kart Champion

Spencer Hite

(Photo: CKNA)

Hometown: Alburtis, Pennsylvania
Age: 7
Grade / School: Alburtis Elementary / 2nd Grade
Kart: Coyote
Sponsors: Mom and Dad

The Kid Kart class continues to be a focus of Cup Karts North America. It was part of the original North Division and at the inaugural CKNA Grand Nationals. Those drivers have graduated up the ranks and continue to be part of CKNA in the Cadet and now even Junior categories. It has been included in the CKNA South and was part of the new CKNA North East program. The driver earning the inaugural championship is Spencer Hite.

Spencer was part of the big Kid Kart field at the Spring Nationals held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in March. The event was the opening round of the North East Division, where he went on to finish fifth. It was a sweep from there as Hite went on to win both races at the Oakland Valley Race Park in New York a month later. In June, Hite beat out two others to claim two more victories at the New Jersey Motorsports Park facility. The North East Division came to a close at the end of July with a visit to the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Spencer was able to collect both victories on the weekend, making it six straight to secure the inaugural championship.

Spencer will be one of three CKNA Kid Kart champions at the upcoming CKNA Grand Nationals 7. Blaise Hindery (South) and Jaxson Reinholz (North) will also be part of the 12 driver field at the CKNA Grand Nationals 7.

When and where did you start karting?

SH: When I was 4.5-years-old in the backyard on Mud Monster

Why do you compete at the CKNA?

SH: Because that’s where dad takes me

What’s your favorite track to compete at?

SH: OVRP in the rain

Who do you look at as your primary challengers in each event?

SH: Anyone who is on the track with me

Are you racing at the CKNA Grand Nationals 7, and if so, what’s your goal for the event?

SH: Yes, I’d really like to win.

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