Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026!  Lots of great things are on tap for this season.  Some of this info has been shared on the Discord channel, but here are a list of updates to get everyone ready for the 2026 Route 66 Sprint Series.  (Link to new Discord Channel)

Rick Jump, who has been our Tech Director for a number of years, has decided to step back from his position at Route 66.  For those that weren’t aware, Rick provides Tech service to several other racing organizations, and the schedules have become to hectic to do everything.  We may see Rick from time to time, but Al Weisensel is assuming the role of Route 66 Tech Director.  We all know Al and he does a great job, so I don’t expect much to change.  I want to take a moment to thank Rick for all he has done for karting.  I have known Rick since both participated (and later managed) in the Midwest Sprint Series, then

This 206 Masters/Heavy class will be back for 2026.  We introduced this class in 2025 and it started strong, but fizzled towards the end.  There appear to be enough racers committed for 2026 to have a real season of racing, and we want this group to build, so tell your friends to saddle up!

There is significant interest in a Shifter class as well.  With the ending of some other series, and a renewed interest in Shifters in the US, we are going to have a go at creating a venue for midwest based shifter drivers can compete.  We do need a minimum number of drivers to pre-enter for the season (when registration opens in late January) in order to secure a spot in the order.  Jerome Pettke is helping organize this group, and they have provided the ruleset below as a good starting place.  These rules are somewhat based on the Stars ruleset, as they are the closest competitor currently running the class.

Senior Shifter: ages: 15+
Number:200-299
Engines:
Kz- 175sse: 400lbs
Rok: 390lbs
Moto: 375lbs
Fuel: series spec fuel
Oil: series spec oil. 1ltr/5 gallons
Notes:
1: Motos must run skusa or wka approved pipe and silencer.
2: Motos must use air box silencer.
NO open air filters..
3: if a driver is 25lbs over weight with zero weight bolted to kart in their engine class he/she may move up to master

Master Shifter: ages: 30+
Numbers: 600-699
Engines:
Kz- 175sse: 415lbs
Rok: 405lbs
Moto: 380lbs
Fuel: series spec Fuel
Oil: series spec Oil. 1ltr/5 gallons
Notes:
1:Motos must run Skusa or wka approved pipe and silencer
2: Motos must run air box silencer
NO open air filters.
☆Both classes will be limited to two sets of tires per race weekend.
☆ Tires: MG SM2 yellow. ( 4.6×7.10)
☆This does not include rain tires if needed.

Season Registrations will open in Late January. There will be a couple changes to the Season Pass for 2026. The Season Pass will be for all 4 Events in 2026 (discounted) and will include a reserved number for the season. Driver wristbands/pit passes will be mandatory when registering (same as the latter half of 2025). This makes sure that all drivers are completing the online waivers and there are no surprises.

Tim K. will be reaching out to existing sponsors soon to confirm that they are back for 2026. We will likely have a couple openings, although a number of new sponsors have already gotten on the list for next season. If you are interested in becoming a Route 66 sponsor, please email me at tkoyen.route66@gmail.com and I’ll get you out some information. Thanks!

In 2025, we did a pilot run with the Kart Chaser video streaming platform. We essentially hired them with money we didn’t have, hoping to make up the cost in increased entries. The reality is that our entries (adjusted) didn’t increase, but the cost to stream did. The cost for the streaming service is far higher than most people realize. We have reached out to a number of our racers and teams asking for opinions on whether people would be will to pay an increased entry to fee to cover some of this service, and the overwhelming response was that it was not worth the cost for a regional series like Route 66. Instead of spending money on a video stream that gets very few views, We would rather spend it on bringing back a larger off-season Awards Ceremony and Banquet, like in years gone by. This type of event speaks to our Series Mantra of Good Family Fun for All.