EKN Radio Network

eKartingNews.com is the hub of the karting world, providing you with all the latest news, insider information and race reports from events around the globe. ‘This Week In Karting’ helps to tie everything together in one weekly podcast, bringing our listeners up to speed on the most recent news in the sport.

The inaugural episode hits on the new SKUSA SSE powerplant, Dan Wheldon Award, the latest release of the EKN Driver Rankings powered by Bell Racing USA, and more.

The Rok Cup USA program is wrapping up the 2018 season this week with the inaugural ROK the RIO event in Las Vegas. From October 31-November 3, racers will be competing outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino to be name the inaugural winners of the event. The Rok Cup USA program has continued to grow throughout the season, adding the Florida Winter Tour and Challenge of the Americas to its list along with a number of facilities added the Rok engine platform to its roster. EKN’s Rob Howden grabbed Garett Potter of Rok Cup Promotions prior to the event to talk about Team USA at the Rok Cup International Final, the ROK the RIO, and plans for the 2019 season.

The newest show to hit the EKN Radio Network is ‘Operation Grassroots’, a podcast geared solely on the foundation of the sport. The hub of the show will be discussion centered on the grassroots level of karting, from club racing to regional racing, all focused around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform. Our #OperationGrassroots movement has been based around the Briggs powerplant, with the ultimate goals of bringing new people into the sport and igniting the spark of former racers to come back into what is the most economical form of karting.

It’s back-to-back podcast programs with Cup Karts North America promoter Greg Jasperson on ‘Operation Grassroots’ powered by Briggs & Stratton Racing.. Prior to their Grand Nationals II event, we had Greg on to talk about the event. Now, Mr. Jasperson is back to provide his take on the September race that drew in nearly 200 drivers from around North America to compete in the unofficial Briggs continental championship at New Castle Motorsports Park. He and EKN’s Rob Howden talk about the event and the future plans for the Grand Nationals III, along with the 2019 plans for the regional programs under the CKNA banner.

It has been an amazing 2018 season for the Nitro Kart brand. In just two years, the chassis has become the leading brand for the Cadet age group, gaining major wins and championships since launching in 2017. The man behind its birth is Nick Tucker. A SKUSA Pro Tour champion and motorsport industry member has taken the reigns for the leader in the Cadet ranks, helping to develop not only a successful chassis, but a group of drivers primed to take on the best in not only North America, but the world. EKN’s Rob Howden sits down with Tucker to discuss the 2018 season, the upcoming end to the season and the outlook for the future of Nitro Kart.

One of the most unique events of the year is the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix. The City of Lancaster, California put together the 10th edition of the event on September 29-30, working with Superkarts! USA for the past eight. Racers from all over North America converged to the southern California city for what was the season finale for the California ProKart Challenge. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with the latest edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to IAME USA. The Cambrian Go-Karts Paddock Pass, VemmeKart USA Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by TB Kart USA complete the podcast.

The Texas ProKart Challenge closed out the racing for the 2018 season, deciding this year’s champions at the Dallas Karting Complex. The Caddo Mills, Texas facility welcomed racers for a one-round event on September 22-23, with rain hitting the area hard throughout Saturday. Thankfully, the precipitation ended on Sunday to allow the racing to be completed and this year’s champions confirmed. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with the latest edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to CRG Nordam. The Acceleration Kart Racing Paddock Pass, Comet Kart Sales Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Bell Racing USA complete the podcast.

The 2018 season continued for the World Karting Association Manufacturers Cup Series on September 14-16. Racers headed to the New Castle Motorsports Park for the Nitro Kart Nationals, competing on a revised layout of the popular New Castle, Indiana facility. Weather was perfect for racing, with Round Nine and Ten contested in the penultimate event for 2018. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with the latest edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to Alan Rudolph Racing Academy. The Comet Racing Engines Paddock Pass, IAME USA Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by K1 RaceGear complete the podcast.

The newest show to hit the EKN Radio Network is ‘Operation Grassroots’, a podcast geared solely on the foundation of the sport. The hub of the show will be discussion centered on the grassroots level of karting, from club racing to regional racing, all focused around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform. Our #OperationGrassroots movement has been based around the Briggs powerplant, with the ultimate goals of bringing new people into the sport and igniting the spark of former racers to come back into what is the most economical form of karting.

The Cup Karts North America program is the midwest authority in Briggs & Stratton regional racing. The program has closed out the North and Central schedules, and are now looking ahead to the upcoming Grand Nationals II, set for New Castle Motorsports Park on September 28-30. EKN’s Rob Howden tracked down promoter Greg Jasperson to talk about the season and the second edition of the special event in the latest episode of the ‘Operation Grassroots’ powered by Briggs & Stratton Racing.

The 24th edition of the Rock Island Grand Prix was held over Labor Day weekend. Karters from all over the country and the world traveled to the Quad Cities area to compete in the two-day racing festival in Rock Island, Illinois. Racers battled wet weather early before the skies opened up for perfect racing conditions the rest of the way. In all, 16 categories took on the 6/10-mile street circuit that always provides amazing action for the thousands of spectators in attendance. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with a special two-hour edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to EPARTRADE. The KartLift Paddock Pass, Alan Rudolph Racing Academy Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Precision Karting Technologies complete the podcast.

The ninth season of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour came to a end with the 2018 SummerNationals held at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The Pro Tour finale has found a new home in New Castle, Indiana, with the nine IAME and Stock Honda categories crowning the 2018 champions after Round Five and Six were contested on the 1-mile course. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with a special two-hour edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to K1 RaceGear. The Texas ProKart Challenge Paddock Pass, Nitro Kart Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Comet Kart Sales complete the podcast.