SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — The 2026 AKRA / Hoosier Kartsport National Road Racing Series closed its five-race campaign this past weekend with the Dart Kart Club-hosted GingerMan Nationals at GingerMan Raceway, marking the series’ first visit to the South Haven, Michigan, road course.
While Mother Nature ultimately had the final say in much of the weekend’s schedule, a solid field of road racers made the trip to GingerMan despite an unfavorable forecast, and Saturday’s competitors were able to complete a full slate of racing before persistent rain and standing water forced the cancellation of Sunday’s program.
(SR Photography)
The weekend began under ideal conditions Friday with six rounds of group practice. Beautiful weather greeted early arrivals, while additional racers continued to join the event throughout the day in preparation for the final AKRA and Dart Kart Club racing weekend of 2026.
As predicted, conditions changed dramatically overnight.
Heavy rain moved into the area early Saturday morning, forcing officials to delay the start of practice until 10:30 a.m. Once conditions allowed, competitors were given one hour of open practice before officials moved into an adjusted race schedule.
Saturday’s program featured 20-minute sprint races, one 30-minute enduro and a pair of 15-minute Cadet races. Fortunately, the rain subsided as the morning progressed, although cloudy skies and cool temperatures remained throughout the day.
Conditions continued to improve enough for Race Group 4, featuring 100cc Controlled and Yamaha Enduro, to compete on a damp but no longer saturated racing surface. Most of the enduro competitors in attendance elected to take the green flag for their 30-minute race.
Saturday’s racing program ended at 5:30 p.m., allowing officials to stay with the original schedule and open the track for open practice from 5:45 to 7 p.m. With the track now mostly dry, the practice was well-attended and gave racers what would become a final opportunity to test the 11-turn, 2.14-mile course in dry conditions.
A number of drivers raced to victory during Saturday’s abbreviated but complete racing program.
Cody Hoss and Oliver Olsen scored victories in the two Cadet races.
Patrick Olsen earned the Enduro Yamaha victory over Colin Jedrzejek and Rick Fulks, while Shane Hayden won 100cc Controlled; Gary Ellis won Vintage Piston Port. In Race Group 2, Shawn Dawley captured the Super Kart win, while Larry Dobbs prevailed in Unlimited.
Jeff Chalmers won CIK 206 Lite in a close finish over Kevin Fletcher and Eric King (see photo below), while Emmitt Goffaux scored a pair of victories in Junior CIK 206 and Junior CIK 100 TaG. Rod Williams won CIK 125 TaG Lite and later added the CIK TaG 125 Medium victory.
Jerome Schutzenhofer took the win in CIK TaG 100 Heavy, while Eric King earned the CIK TaG 100 Lite victory.
Eddy Eckart won DKC CIK TaG 125 Rotax Max, and Alran Brady topped CIK 125 TaG IAME. Lance Lane swept the 125 Shifter finals, while Andy Lyszczarczyk scored the G-125 Shifter victory.
Scott Davis earned the Formula 125 win, with Kasey Davis victorious in Formula 100.
Among the weekend’s strongest categories were several familiar fixtures of AKRA road racing, including Enduro Yamaha, the 250cc SuperKarts and 125cc Shifters.
Saturday photos by SR Photography —
Sunday Racing Canceled Due to Track Conditions
Unfortunately, Sunday brought another round of heavy rain to GingerMan Raceway.
Race teams were greeted by steady precipitation early in the morning, and the rain continued for several hours. Although conditions began to improve later in the day, portions of the racing surface remained flooded. Combined with the colder temperatures, officials determined that conditions were not suitable to safely conduct the scheduled racing program.
Sunday’s competition was therefore canceled, with rain points awarded toward the AKRA / Hoosier Kartsport National Road Racing Series, Ultimate Kart Challenge and Dart Kart Club championships.
Officials were disappointed to see the 2026 AKRA and Dart Kart Club seasons conclude with a canceled race day, but the decision was made with competitor safety as the overriding priority.
Despite the weather, the GingerMan Nationals attracted a solid entry count for AKRA and Dart Kart Club’s first event together at the Michigan facility. The turnout, particularly considering the forecast leading into the weekend, provided an encouraging foundation for the event moving forward.
AKRA officials were also pleased with the atmosphere throughout the weekend and the experience of bringing the National Road Racing Series to GingerMan Raceway for the first time.
With more favorable weather, AKRA and Dart Kart Club believe the GingerMan Nationals has the potential to attract an even larger group of road racers in the future.
Regardless of the conditions, the inaugural AKRA weekend at GingerMan provided a safe, enjoyable and welcoming conclusion to the five-race 2026 AKRA / Hoosier Kartsport National Road Racing Series schedule.
AKRA thanks the Dart Kart Club, GingerMan Raceway staff, event officials, workers, sponsors and every racer and family who supported the season finale and the entire 2026 National Road Racing Series.
AKRA and Dart Kart Club hope to return to GingerMan Raceway in 2027, with additional information regarding next season’s schedule to be announced as plans are finalized.
Updated UKC and AKRA National point standings will be posted soon and shared on the website and AKRA Karting Facebook page.
