ROK Cup USA has announced a new partnership with Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Omologato and Radford Racing School. The multifaceted partnership not only provides various brand exposure opportunities, but will also provide one ROK Cup karter with a unique opportunity to advance his or her racing career. The partnership will kick off at ROK Cup’s largest event in the western hemisphere, ROK Vegas, where approximately 300 karters — affectionately known as “ROKKERS” — will race to determine who is the best of the best.
“We are excited to partner with F4 U.S. as our open-wheel series partner. F4 is a global platform, much like ROK Cup, and many of our teams are already involved in F4 here in the U.S. and abroad,” stated Michael Burrell, ROK Cup USA director. “Having Omologato Watches on board will add to the image and prestige of winning in ROK. Omologato is associated with some of the most exciting motorsports brands, and we are looking forward to adding ROK Cup to that list. Finally, being able to have a ROKKER represented in the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship is an amazing opportunity. Our team is excitingly discussing who we will nominate for that honor.”
Held at Las Vegas’ Rio Hotel and Casino, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, ROK Vegas will feature a variety of Vortex 2-cycle karting engines ranging in size from 60cc to 125cc 6-speed shifter karts. Drivers as young as age seven will travel from 20 countries around the globe to race in one of the 10 different divisions.
With a variety of prizes on the line, none will be more coveted than the bespoke Omologato timepiece, which will be awarded to the winner of each ROK Vegas class. Omologato is the industry leader in producing racing-themed watches for the motorsports community, including racetracks like WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, IndyCar teams like Chip Ganassi Racing, race series like F4 U.S. and the Trans Am Series, and motorsports events like Nashville’s Music City Grand Prix — and now, ROK Vegas.
In addition, ROK Cup USA will nominate one deserving karter to participate in the upcoming Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship School. Scheduled for December 5-6 at Radford Racing School’s location in Chandler, Ariz., the school will provide the selected karter with an opportunity to get their first experience in a single-seater racecar. With ground school, skid control, lead-follow sessions, braking, shifting and handling drills, the program utilizes a first-generation Ligier JS F4 chassis, Honda 2.0-liter engine and Hankook racing slicks — matching the combination used in the Ligier JS F4 Series.
“We’re thrilled to establish a partnership with ROK Cup USA,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for F4 U.S. “Every year, approximately 75% of our field in F4 U.S. and the Ligier JS F4 Series are drivers straight out of karting—many of them from ROK Cup. The depth of talent within these karting fields is second to none. We’re excited to see one of their best and brightest join us on track at the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship School this December.”
As the partnership between ROK Cup USA and F4 U.S. grows, local karters will be invited to attend F4 U.S. race events across the country, gaining a familiarity with the series and a deeper understanding of what the transition from karts to single-seater racecars looks like.
While ROK Vegas takes place in Las Vegas, October 30-November 3, F4 U.S. will be wrapping up its 2024 season with the season-finale COTA SpeedTour at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas that same weekend. For more information about ROK Vegas, visit ROKCupUSA.com.