The newest show to hit the EKN Radio Network is ‘Operation Grassroots’, a podcast geared solely on the foundation of the sport. The hub of the show will be discussion centered on the grassroots level of karting, from club racing to regional racing, all focused around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform. Our #OperationGrassroots movement has been based around the Briggs powerplant, with the ultimate goals of bringing new people into the sport and igniting the spark of former racers to come back into what is the most economical form of karting.

The Cup Karts North America program is the midwest authority in Briggs & Stratton regional racing. The program has closed out the North and Central schedules, and are now looking ahead to the upcoming Grand Nationals II, set for New Castle Motorsports Park on September 28-30. EKN’s Rob Howden tracked down promoter Greg Jasperson to talk about the season and the second edition of the special event in the latest episode of the ‘Operation Grassroots’ powered by Briggs & Stratton Racing.

The 24th edition of the Rock Island Grand Prix was held over Labor Day weekend. Karters from all over the country and the world traveled to the Quad Cities area to compete in the two-day racing festival in Rock Island, Illinois. Racers battled wet weather early before the skies opened up for perfect racing conditions the rest of the way. In all, 16 categories took on the 6/10-mile street circuit that always provides amazing action for the thousands of spectators in attendance. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with a special two-hour edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to EPARTRADE. The KartLift Paddock Pass, Alan Rudolph Racing Academy Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Precision Karting Technologies complete the podcast.

The ninth season of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour came to a end with the 2018 SummerNationals held at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The Pro Tour finale has found a new home in New Castle, Indiana, with the nine IAME and Stock Honda categories crowning the 2018 champions after Round Five and Six were contested on the 1-mile course. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with a special two-hour edition of the ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to K1 RaceGear. The Texas ProKart Challenge Paddock Pass, Nitro Kart Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Comet Kart Sales complete the podcast.

The 2018 edition of the United States Pro Kart Series closed out at the recent Hoosier Grand Prix. The New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana hosted Round Five and Six on the July 27-29 weekend under perfect racing conditions. The seven IAME categories decided the 2018 champions after two days of solid racing around the 1-mile circuit. Rob Howden and David Cole break down the entire event with the latest ‘EKN Debreif’ - thanks to IAME USA. The Rolison Performance Group Paddock Pass, TB Kart USA Race Report, and the EKN Trackside Live Race Calendar presented by Precision Karting Technologies complete the podcast.

Each Labor Day weekend, karters flock to the Quad Cities area to take part in the annual Rock Island Grand Prix. The Illinois city along the Mississippi River will host the 24th edition of the RIGP with a host of volunteers putting on the three-day festival. The featured entertainment is the two days of racing through the city streets in a six-trun, 6/10-mile course. The event requires 365 days of preparation and execution, and the man leading the core group of volunteers is Roger Ruthart. EKN’s Rob Howden sits down with the RIGP director about how the event began, what makes this race so special and things racers this year can expect to see and experience.