Pittsburgh, PA (January, 16, 2012) – A new era in karting begins at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (formerly BeaveRun Motorsports Complex) with the announcement of the 2012 schedule featuring a host of local, regional and national competition.
The season kicks off with a return of the popular Great Lakes Sprint Series, a WKA Divisional event, April 27-29. The following weekend, May 4-6, the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series returns to the renowned Wilson Circuit featuring the best of National Caliber 2-cycle racing! Additional WKA National racing takes place with the Gold Cup Series, moving to the summer sunshine of August for 2012.
Once the dust settles from the big season opening events, the Pitt Race Karting Series gets down to business with the first Series race on Saturday May 12. The Championship schedule stretches through October 7th and features fifteen races.
Back by popular demand will be two Reverse Direction points races along with a new twist – two Alternate Configuration layouts! The final round will once again be a Double Feature race ensuring most Championship chases come down to the last race.
The always popular Double Weekends return to the summer schedule, featuring two complete race days in a single weekend – June 30-July 1, July 21-22 and August 25-26. With overnight camping available and hot showers, the summer Doubles are always packed with travelling racers wanting to get a double dose of the 17-turn, .82 mile in one road trip.
The Championship will include a driver’s best twelve finishes, allowing for three drops over the course of the season. A driver will only need to compete in ten of fifteen events to qualify for yearend awards!
Special non-points Events include the season ending Great Pumpkin race, moving back to the traditional end of October date, as well as two Endurance Races. A Clone Endurance race is scheduled for July 21 and a TAG/Yamaha Endurance race is planned for August 25. Both races will be open to teams or Ironman entries for those that dare. The Clone race will also feature a special award for parent/racer team entries!
Pitt Race Karting Rotax Challenge will debut in 2012 as a six race series debuting June 3. For racers looking to earn their punches for the 2012 Rotax Max Grand Nationals in August, there are four PRK Rotax races scheduled from June 3 to July 1. Two additional events will round out the season in August and September. With eight new Rotax Senior and five Mini-Max racers already scheduled to run, the expectations are high that this will be a successful addition to the program!
“The commitment to the karting program on the part of the new owners is reflected in the schedule but only scratches the surface,” noted Karting Manager Dan Schlosser. “They have endorsed the program but more importantly have challenged and supported us to raise the bar to a new level. Whether it is the schedule or safety, comfort or services this program will be better than ever and growing. This is a really exciting time for all of us!”
“After spending last season observing and talking with the competitors we were confident we had a solid asset to the facility in the karting track and program,” commented new owner Jim Stout. “The expanded schedule will help draw more racers to PIRC and the improvements to an already great track will hopefully keep them coming back.”
For more information on the Pitt Race Karting program please visit www.pittracekarting.com or call 724.535.1000.
Pitt Race Karting Series 2012 Schedule Date PRKS Layout Special Events