Machismo 12 Hour 2018 Event Preview

This weekend marks the 11th Annual Machismo 12-Hour Endurance Kart Race, with the 2018 edition the biggest in its history, nearly selling out at 40 entries across three classes. Things will kick off with optional practice throughout the day on Friday, before the traditional ‘Under The Lights’ 1-hour qualifying session that night, which will set the grid for the once around the clock contest Saturday. The Le Mans style start will launch off the twelve hour race just before 10am, with regular event coverage via Facebook through the course of the event, before crowning the winners late on Saturday. All three classes have deep fields to them, including 10 in the headlining Pro Class, 13 in the Super Sport category, and a whopping 17 teams signed up for the Sport Class. In all, 169 different drivers will take to the unique Machismo track layout, a busy configuration that tests both mind and body with its technicality, and its variety of corners. Throw in the day into night transition, varying track conditions as the temperature changes, and of course the 40 karts out on the circuit, and you have one helluva challenge.

Now in its 11th consecutive year -and 10th with multiple kart types/classes- The Machismo 12 Hour enters its third edition with the popular LO206 engine for its Pro Category, again astride the proven VLR Emerald Chassis. The first endurance race of its kind here in the states to utilize the 206 engine, it has proven to be a sturdy, reliable, and consistent package over the past couple of years. This year, however, karts are provided either by their owners, or by one of our Partner organizations, including 2Wild Karting, Josh Huff Motorsports, and Troy Adams Coaching. Joining the workhorse of the CalSpeed Karting fleet -the Sodi GT2 with Honda power- has worked out to be a great blend; the two karts differing by about 7 seconds a lap, but with a very comfortable closing rate. This allows for some great racing across the 12 Hours, and with the split in sport kart categories, we see an opportunity for drivers of several skill levels able to compete for the win.

Leading up to the event, there has been a Track Preview -the same exact course from 2017- posted, as well as a closer look at the karts in use for the 12-Hour, while this week we will preview each class and highlight a few teams that could be contenders come Saturday. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll also have a run-through of the rulebook via Facebook Live, giving both veterans and new drivers a chance to ask a few questions or get clarification on any rules ahead of the event. This Event Preview acts as your one stop shop for all of your need-to-know info, as well as links to both the previous 2018 articles and upcoming previews as they come. Get ready for the longest running endurance karting race in the country; Get ready for the Machismo!

Official Facebook Page
2018 Official Rulebook
Race Clinic Registration
Sport Kart Practice Registration
Machismo Track Preview
Kart Comparison
Sport Class (S2) Preview
Super Sport Class (S1) Preview
Pro Class (P1) Preview

General Event Schedule

Friday-

• 8:00a: Gates Open
• 8:30a-6p: Driver Registration
• 9a-12p: Open Practice (Pro Class only)
• 12:00p: Race Clinic Begins
• 3:00p: Clinic Ends
• 1p-6p: Optional Practice Sessions
• 5:00p: Team Weigh-ins
• 6:15p: Qualifying Briefing
• 7:00p: 1 Hour “Under The Lights” Qualifying

Saturday-

• 7:30a: Gates Open
• 8:15a: Drivers Meeting
• 9:30a: Race Start
• 9:30p: Race Finish
• 10:00p: Podium Presentation