CUDDEBACKVILLE, N.Y. — While the new Cup Karts North America North East Series technically opened at the Spring Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway in early March, the first what we’ll call “standalone” CKNA North East event is set to take place this weekend at a historic sprint track in Upstate New York about 60 miles north of Manhattan, Oakland Valley Race Park just outside a little town called Cuddebackville. 

When registration opened just a few weeks ago, around 40 pre-entrants came in within the first 24 hours, proving there was a good amount of interest for the new Vega Tire-backed Briggs 206 series. Now, only days away from the race, CKNA officials are pleased to report this weekend’s OVRP show has reached 100 race entries for the nine classes on the card.

“With pre-entries already at 100, it’s looking like a true championship event happening this weekend at Oakland Valley Race Park,” CKNA North East promoter Tony “The Toe” Cirillo said. “By CKNA bringing such an event to the East, it will allow drivers who have been racing at their local venue to experience racing with the organization that holds the top 4-cycle events in North America.”

There are 100 race entries currently tallied for each day of racing. The weekend’s schedule for all nine classes will include six rounds of practice Friday; a morning warmup, qualifying, two rounds of heats, and one round of features Saturday; and a warmup, qualifying, one round of heats and one round of features to close out the weekend Sunday. 

While over 25 percent of the entrants will be racing in their home state this weekend, racers on the list are set to head to OVRP from no fewer than 12 states in addition to New York as well as two Canadian provinces in Ontario and Quebec. Aside from Rhode Island, every state in New England will be represented plus Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina and Wisconsin. 

To date, the largest class is Junior with 23 racers pre-entered. Senior Light has caught up in recent days, now sitting just shy of 20 pre-entries. Senior Medium and Masters both already have double-digit entry counts, while Senior Heavy and Legends sit just shy of 10 pre-entrants. The three youth classes (Sportsman, Cadet and Kid Kart) are smaller, but officials hope for walk-up entries to boost the fields.

Pre-registration is still open, but only for one more day. 

Click here for the direct link to CKNA’s Race Select online pre-registration page.

Temperatures are predicted to be very warm this weekend for Upstate New York in mid-April, but there is some rain in the forecast. While the forecast changes daily, CKNA officials have assured there will be plenty of Vega rain tires on hand if needed.

OVRP has a kart shop at the facility with parts on hand, and there is a camping area with a pond that fishing is allowed.

Tony The Toe reiterated his excitement for this weekend’s event.

“Drivers, this is your chance to go against competition from other states and Canada to test your skills. Whether you do well or not, you will get to experience and drive with some of the best 4-cycle drivers in North America and compete for a championship that will go down in 4-cycle karting history. OVRP has a long history, including holding past IKF and WKA national races, and we believe this is the start of something great for 4-cycle karting in the Northeast.” Cirillo added. 

After OVRP, the CKNA North East Series will hold two more events in a best-5-of-7 format for the series championship. The tour will be at New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Liberator Circuit June 2-4 and close out July 28-30 at the popular Pittsburgh International Race Complex, formerly BeaveRun, in western Pa.