USKGP Organizer, Bernie Adamson, is standing his ground and delivering on his promise of making the 2007 running of the United States Kart Grand Prix the biggest and best Road Race of the year.

At 4.2 miles long, the 2007 United States Kart Grand Prix at VIR is without a doubt the longest road race event in the United States. Combine that with the USKGP inviting the world's top Superkart drivers to the United States to race and just for good measure then add on a purse, yes you read correct, a purse!!  In fact, the total purse will be a whopping $27,000, with a substantial dollar amount going to each class winner and the balance going to other top finishers.

“Alongside the buzz this payout will surely generate, it will also hopefully create and generate the most amount of interest seen in Kart Road Racing in some time” according to Adamson, adding, “a lot is on the line not only for a Grand Prix win but also for the future of Road Racing in general. It should make for a very interesting race weekend come December 14!”
Adamson went on to say, “A number of the top European, Australian and American Superkart drivers have committed to this event. Trevor Roberts from Northern Ireland who was the last CIK-FIA World Champion in Formula/E, Germany’s Peter Kruse, who took a win in the European Superkart Championship in 2006 and “Super” Sam Zavaglia from Australia who is a huge threat to any of the world's best drivers, to mention just a few. Reigning “US” plate holder in Formula/E, J.R.Osbourne has also committed to travel to VIR from his home in Colorado as well as Riley Will from BRC Engineering in Calgary, Alberta to make this an event one not to be missed.”

Former World Champion and NASCAR driver Lake Speed will also be on hand to give the “whipper snappers” a run for the money, racing in the TAG and also 125 Shifter Class and has promised to bring some of his “friends." Possibly three of the best known pilots from the West Coast, Scott Holmboe, Chris and Ryan Hegar have also confirmed that they will all be running in the 125 Class and are looking forward to a large class participation given the prize monies that are stake.

The class structure for the 2007 USKGP at VIR is as follows:

Cadets -
Junior Sprint Yamaha- -
Piston Port Can Sprinter –
Junior Spec 125 -
Spec 125 -
125 Stock Honda -
125 Open - ICC & Moto Combined -
Maxxis F-125
Stock CR 250cc
F/E & IC/E
Unlimited –
TAG-E -
Controlled –
Yamaha Pipe –
Yamaha Sportsman -
Piston Port Can Enduro –
Vintage
Briggs Animal. Light and Heavy, for both Junior and Senior Drivers

And for those of you who may be upset because they don't see a class for themselves we have also decided to adopt a "Run What Ya Brung" class.

The prestige that accompanies a Grand Prix winner should be unequaled in American Road Race Karting circles and now the cash that will accompany that win is unequaled as well. An announcement regarding a newly created pole position award for the quickest driver during the qualifying sessions is also being readied.

In Adamson’s opinion a reduced class structure means longer seat time for all drivers as well as allowing the Enduro drivers a full 45 minute enduro race. It will also allow and enable drivers, crew, family and fans to enjoy more of the local area and also of the beautiful countryside surrounding the race facility. “The decision to limit classes is a deliberate one this year for the United States Kart GP. Kart road racing in general has been hurting and with the mass of classes that road racing generally has, I believe that it is time to re-introduce the fun and excitement of competition but also for the drivers to have more track time than ever and certainly the prospect of prize money doesn’t hurt anyone either.”

Anyone familiar with Adamson knows that he is possibly just crazy enough to pull it all off. “I hope I have followed what seems to work in other areas of the country and I have listened to and taken advice from many fellow competitors. I believe that what we are bringing to the table has proven very successful for other organizations such as SKUSA, TagUSA and Stars of karting so far, so why not road racing” added Adamson.

USKGP will be making various announcements regarding the 2007 USKGP including rules, weights, race registration, hotel information, pit space reservations, special events and additional value for all participants while in the Danville, Virginia area during the race weekend. Race sponsors will also be announced over the next several weeks.

(Bernie can be contacted at bernieadamson@verizon.net )