HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – With several Road Race events on the schedule before the September 24-26 AKRA National Road Race Series season closer at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, including this weekend’s AKRA Round 4 at Nelson Ledges Road Course in Northeast Ohio, many are already pointing to the Pittsburgh round to be a marquee event on the 2021 calendar that could rival the 900-plus entry count seen at Mid-Ohio in June.
Josh Nevels, the co-promoter of the 2021 Animal Nationals for Briggs sprint-enduros that attracted over 50 entrants in May at Summit Point, is working hard to bring as many racers out to Pittsburgh as possible. Nevels thinks 1,000-plus race entries is possible at Pitt with the help of cash purses and special promotions he and others have been working on. The event is a points race for several series, including AKRA, WKA, CES, Woodbridge Kart Club and the host Dart Kart Club.
“I’m working as hard as I can to get as many people and karting businesses involved as possible,” Nevels said. “It started at Mid-Ohio where we raised about $1,500 from our 50/50 raffle. That money is going toward cash purses for different classes at Pittsburgh. We’re going to do a 50/50 raffle at Nelson Ledges, Blackhawk and Summit Point this summer and we’re hoping to raise around $5,000 through all these raffles. We’ll take that money and distribute it back to the racers via cash purses for many of the top classes.”
In addition to cash purses, Revolution Racing Chassis is donating a new SpitFire sprint-enduro chassis kit. The kart will have an engine mount on both sides so it can be run as a 4-cycle or 2-cycle. Cobra Tires is donating a set of tires for the kart and Lance Hiser is donating a set of fiberglass bodywork. Everyone in attendance at Pitt will have a chance to win the chassis kit.
Other promotions include:
- Coy Dayton of Dayton Racing has donated $1,500 for Stock Honda Heavy. The class will pay $750 to win both Saturday and Sunday.
- TM Racing and PB Tuned have combined to donate $500 toward a cash purse for Pro Shifter.
- Franklin Motorsports is donating gift certificates to their kart shop for the 100cc Air Cooled TaG classes that include the KA100 engine.
- Money raised from Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, Blackhawk and Summit Point 50/50 raffles will go toward cash purses for several classes.
The Pittsburgh national weekend will start with the Vintage Enduro Kart Celebration Friday after practice. Click here for more information on this special for vintage karts.
“The goal is for this race to be bigger than Mid-Ohio,” Nevels added. “Pittsburgh is a great track and great facility. It’s going to be an epic event at we need all hands on deck to help make it as big as possible. We’re looking for more participation from engine builders, chassis builders and kart shops. Support the people that support you. Sponsors for cash purses, gift certificates, and more are all wanted. Everything goes straight back to the racer.”
If you’re interested in helping support the event, reach out to Josh Nevels at 414-403-1457 or send Kart Lounge a contact on Facebook or via our website.
For more information on Pittsburgh Int’l Race Complex, visit the track’s official website.