PMNA Partners with K1 Speed to Create Pathway to Porsche Sprint Challenge
Porsche Motorsport North America has announced a new multi-year partnership with K1 Speed designed to identify and elevate the next generation of racing talent. The collaboration creates a clear pathway from competitive karting into the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, with Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama serving as the entry point for selected drivers.
Through the partnership, Porsche Motorsport branding will be featured across more than 70 K1 Speed locations in the United States, introducing thousands of racers and fans to Porsche’s customer racing ecosystem. In turn, K1 Speed branding will appear on Porsche single-make race cars competing in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama.
“K1 Speed hosts thousands of motorsports enthusiasts each year and all of us at PMNA look forward to connecting with them,” Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, said. “Whether they are casual fans of motorsport or are searching for a path into professional racing, we are excited to introduce them all to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and the opportunities that it offers.”
The foundation of the program is the K1 Challenge GP, K1 Speed’s international competitive karting league structure. The leagues are divided into Junior, Teen, and Adult age groups, with the Teen and Adult categories forming the K1 Speed side of the Porsche selection process. Drivers compete monthly at their local K1 Speed facility, earning points toward advancement into state and national-level competition.
From the group of top performers who reach the national stage, Porsche Motorsport North America and K1 Speed will jointly select two standout drivers. One teen and one adult racer will earn a waived entry fee for a future season of either Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama or Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, offering a direct transition from indoor karting to professional-level sports car racing.
“It’s an immense honor for K1 to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America to provide up-and-coming American racers with an extraordinary opportunity,” said David Danglard, CEO and Founder of K1 Speed and K1 Circuit. “We built K1 on the belief that future champions start here, and this partnership with Porsche creates a pathway to take them from our indoor tracks to the country’s greatest circuits.”
By aligning with K1 Speed’s nationwide footprint and competitive league structure, Porsche Motorsport North America continues to expand access to its customer racing ladder. For aspiring drivers, the partnership represents a tangible first step toward Porsche Sprint Challenge competition and a potential long-term future within Porsche Motorsport.
Axel Martinez
Hello, I saw the K1–Porsche program announcement and wanted to say it’s an awesome opportunity. I’m eager to race and excited to follow how the program develops. Thank you for creating a pathway like this.
Tom
Hi Axel, glad to hear you are interested!
Lorenzo Rodriguez
Is this for all states or one specific state I’m based in Florida and would really like to join this year coming up. Thank you
Tom
Hi Lorenzo! This is indeed for all states. The teen driver and adult driver will be selected from next season’s U.S. Championship pool, held at K1 Circuit Winchester. So, place top 3 at your center, then top 3 at the Florida championship, and you’re in the running!
Xuchen Ding
Is it necessary for me to win the national teen championship at k1 circuit to earn a spot? I’m kind of confused..
Staff Writer
Hello, Xuchen! No, it’s not necessary to win the 2027 K1 Speed U.S. Teen Championship to earn a spot. Porsche and K1 Speed will select a driver from the pool of drivers who have qualified for that event.
Hendrix Owens
Porsche doesn’t just select the outright winner, But the driver they see fit, irrelevant of if they win right?
Staff Writer
Hello, Hendrix! Yes, you’re correct – you just need to qualify for the 2027 U.S. Teen or Adult Championship to have a shot at the seat. You do not have to win the U.S. Championship – though winning the championship does get you into the E-World Championship, which comes with its own incredible prizes.
Sheldon wright
When do these races begin?
Tom
Hi Sheldon, this is for the upcoming 2026 Challenge GP season. Visit this page and select your division to see the full league calendar. See you at the track!
Korak Sengupta
Hello! I’m reaching out to say how much I appreciate the new partnership between K1 and Porsche. It’s an amazing initiative that creates a much-needed bridge for aspiring racers. I would like to partake in this league. Anyone I have to meet or do?
Staff Writer
Thanks, Korak! To sign up, just visit your local K1 Speed at 6:00 pm the night of your respective event (junior, teen, adult) to register. Racing begins at 6:30 pm. For more information, visit our Leagues Page. See you at the track!
Brian Blazyk
Big fan of K1 speed. My son and I love it. Keeps us on the cutting edge of racing. As a Porsche owner, I love seeing this joint force. I’d love to be able to take out a car and show my son how a Porsche handles on a track.
Staff Writer
Thanks for the support, Brian!
Harold Dominguez
Interest in participating
Staff Writer
Join our Challenge GP league, Harold!
CHRIS ORTIZ
I saw the K1–Porsche program announcement and wanted to say it’s an awesome opportunity. I’m ready to race and excited to follow how the program develops.
Tom
Awesome Chris, good luck!
Angel Valentin Quiles
This is an awesome partnership, and an even better opportunity for aspiring drivers all over the country! Completely game changer to the way people look at indoor karting. Thank you K1 Speed and PMNA looking forward to the future of Racing!
Staff Writer
Thanks, Angel! It’s very exciting!
Juan Monterroso
Definitely amazing !! I love to race Porsches !!
James Cronin
Excellent partnership! I love the karts and was recently at PECLA for some great fun.
Staff Writer
Thanks, James!
Cameron Jobe
I want to join the K1 Porsche race because I love competition and high-performance racing. I’m motivated, focused, and ready to give my best effort on the track. This race represents a great challenge, and I’d be proud to be part of it.
Staff Writer
Best of luck, Cameron!
Nathan Austria
Hello! Is the Porsche partnership only for the 2027 us championship? If so does that mean if I don’t get top 3 for the 2026 gp challenge I can’t be able to join next years gp challenge and get a spot in a Porsche?
Tom
Hello Nathan! The Porsche partnership is for the 2027 US Championship, which brings together the top three racers per state, in each division. You’ll need to be one of the top three racers in your division/state to qualify for the 2027 US Championship. Please visit the E-World Championship page for more information.
Robert Campbell
Do the waived entry fees include a Porsche to race? This is a bit confusing. What exactly does the prize entail?
Tom
Hi Robert, the prize is a waived entry fee and does not include a Porsche to race. Hope that helps. See you at the track!
Jeff K
Will this opportunity be available for drivers participating in the 2026 National Championship?
Tom
Hello Jeff, this is only for the 2027 National Championship field. Thanks for commenting!
Chase Castillo
Will this also be happening for the k1 circuit in Winchester?
Staff Writer
Hello, Chase! This is only for the K1 Speed U.S. Championship – to qualify you must race in our Challenge GP leagues, then progress from our State Championship. However, the U.S. Championship will take place at K1 Circuit.
Kelvin G
Do locations have a limit for number of racers per competition? For if 40 racers wanted to compete before registration at Santa Clara but the track wont hold enough racers, would it be first come first served or would another race be held after a certain group?
Staff Writer
Hello, Kelvin! There is no limit on the number of racers per competition. If there are more racers than the track can accommodate at once, then we break things up into groups for qualifying. Race heats are determined by qualifying. The fastest drivers will be A-Main, the next fastest, B-Main, and so forth. Points are based on the total participants, not the number of racers in each group.
Operator
Can you explain a bit more about how the winner is selected? Is there any advantage to doing every monthly race vs only the minimum 3? Will you be taking the best 3 races points or will people who participate in every race have an advantage because of how many points they will inevitably have? Also is there a limit to how many people can race on any given day? Thanks
Staff Writer
Hello, Operator! Porsche and K1 Speed will have certain criteria they’ll be looking for during the U.S. Championships – they’re looking for the “complete package”. To finish high in your local Challenge GP series, you’re going to want to compete in as many rounds as possible to collect the most points. We count the best 11 finishes for the year – so if you compete in all 12 races, we’ll drop your lowest round. There must be at least three racers to run a Challenge GP league race – there is no maximum limit. Hope this all helps!
Riley Phillips
Sign me up! I’d love to stand up there.
Seattle Dad
Is there a minimum age for the teen driver to be selected by Porsche?
Staff Writer
Hello, Seattle Dad! All drivers who are part of our 2027 Teen U.S. Championship will be considered.
Chris Renzi
Let’s go!!!!!
Tom
We like the excitement, Chris! See you at the track.
Josh Holland
Hi there, Im interested in participating in either the teen or adult GP. Im currently 17, and will be 18 in March. Will I have to move to the adult GP, and lose any points I had previously?
Tom
Hello Josh, because you turn 18 during the season, you’ll be able to finish out the year in the teen division. See you at the track!
Dylan Baptista
This for the 2027 US Championships not 2026 correct?
Tom
Hi Dylan! Correct, this is for the 2027 US Championship, not the one in a few months. Good luck!
Dexter Paris
will I be able to watch it on TV?
Staff Writer
Hi, Dexter! We broadcast our U.S. and E-World Championships on Kart Chaser, which is available via YouTube.
Zeke Kienitz
is there an age limit?
Staff Writer
Hello, Zeke! Drivers in our teen league must be under 18 when starting the season, and drivers in our adult league must be 18 or older when starting the season.
Eddie
Super excited for this (and aware I already missed an event) – but does this work across different locations? I often spend part of the year in Virginia, and part of it in Michigan, can I still be valid if I’ve done races in different states?
Staff Writer
Hi, Eddie! While you can race wherever you are during the year, any points you score will only count towards that center’s championship – they can’t transfer to another center. And don’t worry about missing a round – we’re counting the best 11 of the 12 races for each racer this year.
Jonah VanCuran
Really happy to see this; It’s becoming so monetary to race, and I love to see these kinds of things to bring skill regardless of money into motorsport. You can definitely count me in.
Staff Writer
Thanks for the support, Jonah!
Jacob Evans
How do I enter for the Porsche racing event ?
Staff Writer
Hello, Jacob! You’ll need to compete in our Challenge GP leagues, finish in the top 3 of the final standings at the end of the year, and then finish in the top three of the State Championship in order to qualify for the U.S. Championship, where Porsche and K1 will select the drivers.
Zeke Kienitz
Ok, i will shoot for the adult league then
Staff Writer
Best of luck, Zeke!