Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest
Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental...

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

In just over 10 days, many rental kart drivers have already registered for the Sprint Cup and several teams have signed up for the Endurance Cup, the two main events of the Rental Kart World Contest...
Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix
Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual...

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration is now open for the 30th annual The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race. This year’s race is August 30-31, 2025 and...
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

One month after Jesolo, the ROK Cup Italy is back on track for the fifth round of the season, on the occasion of the "night event" in Lonato del Garda. In total, 262 drivers livened up the...
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International...

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

Drivers in the colours of the Modena Kart team have become regulars on the podiums of the biggest events since the start of 2025, in the WSK Promotion series as well as the ACI Karting Italian...
Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record
Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King...

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Liam Carr is knocking on the door of a maiden KA2 Junior SP Tools Australian Kart Championship after an immaculate weekend in Newcastle, while double KZ2 Champion, Troy Loeskow, recorded a...
A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative
A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO...

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

As part of their 2025 ‘ACO Challenge’, Team WRT continues its commitment to meaningful, human-driven initiatives. After winning the 2024 ACO ‘Coup de Cœur’ Award for its...
Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two
Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart...

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Jac Preston has taken his first ever SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round win in KZ2 at Murray Bridge, South Australia, while Ky Burke broached the top step of the podium in KA2 for the first...
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with...

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

The ROK Cup Italy continues its seasonal journey with the second round held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV). Almost 200 are the attendants in the seven categories competing, in a...
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in...

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

Since its creation in 2010, the IPK factory has rapidly established itself as one of the leading companies in the global karting market, thanks to its innovative technology and the quality of the...
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as...

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Young Queenslander, Cooper Folley has stunned the field in his first KA2 Junior round at the opening SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol event sweeping to the win at the...
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Great weekend for Kalì Kart colours at the 36th Margutti Trophy that took place this weekend in Lonato. In the OK Junior category, Ilia Berezkin dominated the OK Junior by winning all 3 qualifying...
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in...

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion Moritz Ebner is set to make his Australian debut at the opening round of the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol in Melbourne next weekend (March 28-30).
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in...

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Melbourne’s Grand Prix week started off with a bang with the Stars of Karting Event at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road facility on Monday. The short and sharp format saw qualifying followed up...
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double...

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

The first event of the 2025 ProKart Challenge program was held on the February 28-March 2 weekend at the new K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility welcomed the Superkarts! USA regional...
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025...

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Karting Australia is proud to announce that Annabel Kennedy (Brisbane, QLD) and Hamish Campbell (Gold Coast, QLD) have been selected to represent the nation in the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy...
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing...

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

With a very busy Road Racing Calendar and events so close to each other throughout the year, racers have expressed their concerns that some events are simply not feasible to attend.  Responding...
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury...

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

Karting Australia can confirm that the 2025 Rotax National Cup will be hosted at Albury Wodonga Kart Racing Club on September 13-14.
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1...

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

More than 100 of Australia’s top kart racers will take centre stage at the Go-Kart Club of Victoria on Monday, March 10, as the Stars of Karting event launches "Race Week" for the...
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the...

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

Fresh off a record setting campaign in Florida, the Superkarts! USA organization is turning its focus on the 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour. Set for its 16th straight season, the championship will again be...
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the...

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet...

ROK Superfinal 2023 – Registrations

ROK Superfinal 2023 – Registrations Read more

Even for this year, the ROK Superfinal is full of registrations just a few hours after the registrations opening. Many drivers coming from all over the world will compete on the South Garda Karting track in Lonato (BS). There are still few places available in the Junior ROK, Super ROK, Shifter ROK, Expert ROK, and Expert ROK Plus categories.

New WKA Online Membership Portal Now Open

New WKA Online Membership Portal Now Open Read more

The World Karting Association is pleased to open a new Membership portal through Race Select. Moving event registration to Race Select mid-season, WKA Membership can now be obtained through the same site.

California ProKart Challenge to close out 2023 season at Adams Motorsports Park

California ProKart Challenge to close out 2023 season at Adams Motorsports Park Read more

The second half of the 2023 California ProKart Challenge was revised due to the arrival of Hurricane Hilary. The fourth stop of the Superkarts! USA regional series in August was scheduled to be a double-round weekend, hosting Rounds Four and Five. Due to the weather issues, Round Five was moved to the upcoming series finale weekend on September 22-24 at the Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, California.

ROK Cup Italy, Round 8 – Race Reports

ROK Cup Italy, Round 8 – Race Reports Read more

Great success for the season final of the ROK Cup Italy at the Cremona Karting circuit, with plenty of drivers and fierce battles for the titles in all six categories running on track. At the end of the day, the following category champions were declared: Shen Zeyu (Mini ROK), Nicolas Marchesi (Junior ROK), David Stefan Dragan (Senior ROK), Sona Ptackova (Expert ROK), Bartosz Grzywacz (Super ROK) and Niki Taylor (Shifter ROK).

Information about the 13th Rotax African Open 2023 at Zwartkops Raceway

Information about the 13th Rotax African Open 2023 at Zwartkops Raceway Read more

The 13th Rotax Africa Open will take place at Zwartkops Raceway on 1 October 2023. This event will feature Africa's top drivers competing for an invitation to the 2023 ROTAX Max Grand Final in Sakhir, Bahrain. The final heat winners in each class will be crowned the Rotax African Open Champions for 2023. The program for the event will span across Saturday and Sunday, offering an exciting weekend of racing. Don't miss out on this opportunity to compete and see who will earn their spot in the prestigious ROTAX Max Grand Final.

History made at 28TH Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

History made at 28TH Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

History was once again made in the streets of the city during the 28th running of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race. The event has a rich history of foreign competitors. This year, Scott “Skitchy” Barnes of Bermuda won his seventh and eighth Rock trophy and Erik Gasparovich of Latvia became the 20th foreign winner at Rock Island and first from his country. History was also made when Andrew Bujdoso of Ohio won his third consecutive King of the Streets shifter title, tying Alan Rudolph for the three-peat but becoming the only racer to be crowned King 3 consecutive times at Rock Island.

Sam Dicker claims Maiden Australian KZ2 Championship in thrilling final day

Sam Dicker claims Maiden Australian KZ2 Championship in thrilling final day Read more

Western Australian driver Sam Dicker has been crowned the 2023 KZ2 SP Tools Australian Kart Champion after an exhilarating Grand Final day for the Series presented by Castrol at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit.

Australian Kart Championship honours on the line in Melbourne this weekend

Australian Kart Championship honours on the line in Melbourne this weekend Read more

Four hundred of Australia’s best young kart racers will put it all on the line to chase motorsport glory at the final round of the 2023 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol in Melbourne this weekend.

Round four contested at Adams Motorsports Park for California Prokart Challenge

Round four contested at Adams Motorsports Park for California Prokart Challenge Read more

The 19th season for the California ProKart Challenge has been put to the test as the program enters the second half of the championship chase. What was scheduled as a three-day, two-round race weekend at the Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, California over August 18-20 became a shortened two-day, one-round event. Hurricane Hilary hit the southern California region on Sunday, forcing Superkarts! USA to postpone the Round Five action scheduled for that day. Round Four was contested on Saturday, with dry weather greeting the competitors at the historic Riverside, California facility.

Double-round weekend ahead for California ProKart Challenge

Double-round weekend ahead for California ProKart Challenge Read more

Two rounds of racing set for Superkarts! USA regional championship program at historic Adams Motorsports Park on August 18-20

Australian kart racers selected for Ferrari Shootout

Australian kart racers selected for Ferrari Shootout Read more

The participants for the 2023 Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) – Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program have been confirmed for next month’s prestigious event with Karting Australia drivers dominating the list.

Walton wraps up Australian Championship in Ipswich

Walton wraps up Australian Championship in Ipswich Read more

Queensland teenager Max Walton has become the first SP Tools Australian Kart Champion-elect of 2023 at the penultimate round of the Championship at his home track of Ipswich on Sunday afternoon.

Sodi World Series International Finals 2023: A lively edition in Slovakia

Sodi World Series International Finals 2023: A lively edition in Slovakia Read more

From 5th to 8th July 2023, the 12th edition of the SWS International Finals introduced a new destination to the 374 drivers who had qualified throughout the world during the 2022 SWS season. In Slovakia, the races were extremely hotly contested, sometimes even a little too hot in the Sprint categories. The competition was very intense, and the winners were often revealed in the final meters of the Finals. Many positive comments rewarded the efforts of the 3MK Events organising team, who worked hard to satisfy the vast majority of participants.

Sodi World Series: New destination for the world's biggest leisure karting event

Sodi World Series: New destination for the world's biggest leisure karting event Read more

For the first time, the 12th edition of the SWS International Finals will be held outside France and Italy. From 5th to 8th July, Slovakia will be the venue for the major annual meeting of the Sodi W Series, bringing together the best drivers selected in 2022 from all over the world. The Slovak Karting Center is the ideal setting for this landmark event, in a country that deserves to be better known.

Round three of California ProKart Challenge set for Santa Maria

Round three of California ProKart Challenge set for Santa Maria Read more

The 2023 California ProKart Challenge returns to action on the July 8-9 weekend with a trip to the Santa Maria Karting Association facility. The third round of the Superkarts! USA regional program will be held at the Santa Maria, California facility. Following two events at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park to open up the year, the California PKC program reaches the midway point with the third event to continue the 19th championship season with a perfect sunny, breezy beach climate expected for Round Three.

Registration now open for Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

Registration is now open for the 28th running of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3.

Energy Corse on the podium all over the world!

Energy Corse on the podium all over the world! Read more

In FIA Karting, Rotax, Rok or IAME, and in numerous countries around the globe, podium finishes are on the cards for Energy Corse. In OK, Tomass Stolcermanis is racking up a string of brilliant results and is currently 4th in the FIA Karting European Championship, just a few points behind 3rd place. In Mini, Niccolo Perico leads the Italian Championship after his victory at La Conca! On the other side of the world, podium finishes were also on offer in the Australian Championship, as well as in the Rotax Challenge in the USA.

Lana Flack re-writes the record books in Newcastle

Lana Flack re-writes the record books in Newcastle Read more

History was created at Round Three of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE as Lana Flack became the first female driver to win an event at a multi-round Australian karting Championship in 26 years.

WKA Changes Date and Venue for the Next Southern Gold Cup Round

WKA Changes Date and Venue for the Next Southern Gold Cup Round Read more

Responding to the schedules of multiple events, the World Karting Association (WKA) recognized that far too many events were scheduled on top of each other, forcing racers into the tough decision of choosing one event over another.  As a result, WKA made an aggressive decision to get out of that multiple-event pool to help the racers with their schedules. 

Repeat winners and first time victors at California Prokart Challenge

Repeat winners and first time victors at California Prokart Challenge Read more

The second event of the 2023 California ProKart Challenge saw teams and drivers return to the Buttonwillow Raceway Park over the May 6-7 weekend. Round Two of the Superkarts! USA regional program welcomed nearly 100 karters competing in seven categories around the 7/10-mile circuit in the clockwise direction. Perfect racing weather provided an amazing backdrop for the racing action over the two days.

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Superkarts! USA confirms next chapter of its national race director role for abbreviated 2020 ProTour Racing Season, Supernationals and beyond
Bart Luijkx
/ Categories: News

Superkarts! USA confirms next chapter of its national race director role for abbreviated 2020 ProTour Racing Season, Supernationals and beyond

On the heels of the open letter from SKUSA principal Tom Kutscher, Superkarts! USA is pleased to announce yet another small piece of a complicated 2020 puzzle by announcing the next chapter in series officiating with not one, but two new race directors for the 2020 SKUSA ProTour and SKUSA SuperNationals. Effectively immediately, SKUSA is tremendously proud to confirm they have procured none other than veteran race directors Beaux Barfield and John Maesky. Both Barfield and Maesky have stellar resumes and long histories in motorsports, in addition to their current roles at the International Motor Sports Association — where the duo has worked together as a team for the better part of a decade.

Other major sanctioning bodies, such as IndyCar, are also familiar with the idea of having 1 or more advisors working with a Race Director to evaluate on-track conduct. The concept aims to provide consistency and an alternative viewpoint to look at all incidents. “It’s no secret,” said an open and honest Tom Kutscher “the 2020 SKUSA season is unlike anything motorsport has ever seen before. We realize with an entire national season baked into two consecutive weekends; officiating will be of utmost importance. We are pleased to deliver not only one… but two of the best in North America.”

The format of two race directors working in concert will be something new to SKUSA but certainly not motorsport. The model has been adopted by several series throughout the country, perhaps most notably IndyCar. Beaux Barfield is a seasoned race director with nearly 25 years of experience. His resume includes roles as race director and steward for Trans-Am, Toyota Atlantic, ChampCar, IndyCar, ALMS, and most recently the IMSA Weather Tech Sports Car Championship. While Barfield’s reputation and experience speaks for itself, Beaux is also no stranger to karting. He raced in his native state of Texas in his earlier days and sees the partnership with SKUSA as coming full circle.

“In Karting, the competition and parity are undeniable, and I couldn’t be more excited to return to my roots of where it all began remarked Barfield. Virtually everyone I have had the pleasure of watching in my numerous years of doing this began in karts. I’m looking forward to helping hone the race craft of tomorrow’s professional racing driver.”

Working in tandem with Barfield is another motorsport veteran, John Maesky. Maesky is no stranger to racing and certainly no stranger to the SKUSA ProTour. He has worked alongside the previous officiating crew to consult and advise on the current video marshalling system. Maesky is also the current race director for IMSA’s GT3 Cup Challenge in both the United States and Canada. “Having the opportunity to take on the role of a race director with SKUSA is certainly an exciting one, and an honor," said Maesky. "Having worked with the SKUSA team for a few years now, the processes and operations are all familiar. We will be able to jump right in. With my role in ushering in the SKUSA video marshalling over the last few years, it will be a great opportunity to further refine our process and bring more insight from the professional car racing world to the foundational level of karting. To be able to do with this while working with not only the SKUSA team in place, but also my good friend and mentor, Beaux, will be a huge benefit to all involved. Having the extra set of eyes and perspective is invaluable and will add to the professionalism of the SKUSA brand."


The model going forward will be to have two concurrent race directors at each national event. Each race director will be consulting the other on any penalties or crucial decisions made by the officiating crew. With an entire national championship effectively condensed in two consecutive weekends, the importance of getting every call correct cannot be emphasized enough.

Each race director will be assigned respective race classes to directly oversee, alternating groups throughout the weekend and events. The ‘off-duty’ race director who is not actively officiating a class on track, will be personally available to talk to competitors, crew, or team managers. If a call is made on-track that requires deliberation or a second set of eyes, both race directors will confer to make the most accurate and fair decision possible.

The revised structure addresses one of the common criticisms of SKUSA and not having a race director available to speak firsthand with participants. In a new push towards transparency and approachability, increasing the presence of SKUSA’s officiating crew and making them available for consult are two new initiatives to address these issues.

“To get one of these guys in our ranks would be a big win,” explained an enthused Tom Kutscher. “But to get both, working together — we couldn’t have asked for a better solution going forward. Having two guys with the wealth of experience and knowledge collaborating and conversing directly with our participants… it’s precisely the improvement we’re hoping to usher into SKUSA competition going forward.”

From a technical standpoint, the officiating process will remain the same. SKUSA will continue to use and iterate their existing video marshalling system to oversee on-track action. SKUSA’s new race directors bring decades of experience, but a fresh set of eyes and perspective to the format.

“It’s no secret,” added Kutscher. “One of the common complaints we hear is a belief the race director has a personal bias or financial incentive to favor one driver over another. While this is categorically false, hiring people within the sport naturally lends itself to this criticism. We’re incredibly fortunate to secure the talents of Barfield and Maesky. Neither come with anything other than a desire to be transparent in their efforts to create a level playing field, without bias or any commercial interest.”  

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