Superkarts! USA - Supernationals (2024)

The SKUSA SuperNationals 27 is set for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

After a return to LVMS in 2023, SKUSA will again take their show to the North Las Vegas facility. The 2024 edition features a move of the actual trackside location to the back lot adjacent to where the event was run in 2021. That area of the facility will provide a significant increase in acreage for the SKUSA staff to lay out a new track design and paddock area.

As always, planning and preparations for this year’s event began in the days immediately following the last edition, and SKUSA is excited to get back to Vegas. Registration for this year’s SKUSA SuperNationals will open at 12:00 PM PDT on July 2, 2024. If you’re planning to participate in the race, it is recommended to enter as soon as possible – as SKUSA has confirmed that only four classes will be opened to the expanded 88-entry grid. Those classes set for competition at the SKUSA SuperNationals 27 include Micro Swift, Mini Swift, KA100 Junior, X30 Junior, KA100 Master, Master Shifter, KA100 Senior, Pro X30, and Pro Shifter.

First run in 1997 at the Las Vegas Karting Complex (XPlex), a purpose-built track located just south of Las Vegas on I-15, the SuperNationals quickly became the biggest karting event in North America. Over the last 26 editions, the race has been run at five different venues, including LVKC, the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, Sam Boyd Stadium, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The event has enjoyed the participation of the sport’s best from around the world, as well as professional drivers like Michael Schumacher, Will Power, Sebastien Bourdais, Travis Pastrana, Dan Wheldon, Alexander Rossi, and two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden. Current F1 drivers Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lance Stroll, and Logan Sargeant also raced at the SuperNationals on their way to the world stage.

All of the same categories from the 2023 edition of the event will return this November, headlined by the Pro Shifter (KZ) and Pro X30 classes.

Danny Formal led the Pro Shifter field toward the sunset on SuperSunday to claim victory (Photo: EKN)

The event began with the opening ceremonies with the driver parade, national anthem, and the famous words from EKN’s own Rob Howden – ‘It’s time for SuperSunday!’ One of the segments was the induction of new members to the Superkarts! USA Hall of Fame that was stablished in 2016. Joining the list of members are Stephan St. Charles and Dominic Labrecque from PSL Karting along with driver/industry member Gary Carlton.

X30 Senior pole position - Oliver Hodgson (Photo: EKN)

KA100 Senior presented by RLV featured five different drivers to win in the six heat races. Jesus Vasquez Jr. (Nash / EOS) and Rock Island Grand Prix Scholarship winner Chase Jones (MPG / Kart Republic) took the first round as Harley Keeble (Sodi Racing USA) and Ernesto Rivera (RPG / Kosmic) grabbed wins in the second round. Saturday continued the streak of different winners with Race Liberante (MPG / Kart Republic) taking the first heat. Rivera became the only driver to win twice, taking the top spot in the final heat. Matching those with a runner-up finish in the opening heat race lands Rivera on the pole position for SuperSunday. Jones will start alongside on the front row. Donovan Bonilla (RPG / Kosmic) and Chase Hand (GFC Karting) were among the consistent drivers – as Bonilla finished with a best result of second (AvsC) and Hand fifth in AvsD to fill out row two. Oliver Calvo (SCR / Redspeed) and 2019 SuperNationals winner Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Racing Kart) will start from row three. All the other winners had issues with their other heat races as Vasquez is back in 10th, Liberante 15th, and Keeble 26th. Read full story on eKartingNews.com

Austin Garrison set fast time in the X30 Senior category (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

Pro Shifter presented by PSL Karting was the final class on the order, split up into four groups. The first three were not as dramatic as the final group, hosting 18 of the quickest drivers in the category. On lap two, an incident involving FIA European Champion Danilo Albanese (IM / Kart Republic) brought out a full course caution and eventually the checkered flag. Drivers were put into the scale line, with nearly all drivers unable to complete a lap ‘at’ or ‘near’ regular pace. SKUSA officials debriefed and nearly 45 minutes to an hour later, the drivers from that final session were brought back out onto the circuit for a makeup session in which all drivers clocked in five laps. Prior to that session, Luis Speck (Racelab / TB Kart) was holding the provisional fast time from the Q2 group. Once the final session was completed, it was a GFC Karting 1-2 with Jacob Gulick taking the top honors posting a 42.150 lap. Former SKUSA Pro Tour champion Kyle Wick was second, edging out Speck by 16 thousandths. Canadian Remo Ruscitti (IM USA / Italkart) was fourth with SuperNationals 24 winner Matteo Vigano (PSL / Charles Leclerc) rounding out the fast five. The first half of Q1 including SKUSA Pro Tour champion Marijn Kremers (PSL / Birel ART) – who ended up going from provisionally second to sixth. Read full story on eKartingNews.com

A total of four drivers knows the feeling of winning the headline shifterkart category at the SKUSA SuperNationals – including defending race winner Pedro Hiltbrand (PSL Karting / Birel ART). The Spainard made his Pro Shifter debut at the SuperNationals a memorable one, winning the anniversary event a year ago outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Last year he came in 11th at the FIA Karting KZ World Championship. This time, a DNF in Germany against the best in the world. Read full story on eKartingNews.com