NEW CANEY, TX – Factory Karts kicked off the 2026 racing season with a statement of intent this past weekend at the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Winter Series. In a weekend defined by technical precision and raw speed, newly signed world-class talent
Oliver Hodgson secured a commanding victory in the Pro X30 division, while multi-time champion
Billy Musgrave proved the chassis strength with a second-place podium finish in Pro Shifter.
The event served as the official competitive debut and launch of
Factory Karts 2.0, a complete evolution of the brand’s American-made racing platform. Following an ownership transition and a rigorous year of re-engineering at their Phoenix, AZ headquarters.
Winning on Debut
Oliver Hodgson, making his first start for the Factory Karts team, proved the new Single Speed chassis is a force to be reckoned with. After a hard-fought battle in the 20-lap Final, Hodgson claimed the lead on lap four and never looked back, delivering the brand’s first-ever SKUSA victory in the single-speed category.
"Joining Factory Karts for this new era is an incredible opportunity," said
Oliver Hodgson. "The 2.0 chassis felt planted and responsive from the first practice session. To bring home a win in its first major outing shows just how much work the team has put into the development of this kart."
Strength in the Shifter Ranks
In the Pro Shifter category, Billy Musgrave showcased the prowess of the new FZ 125cc Gearbox chassis. Leading much of the Final, Musgrave ultimately secured a second-place finish, reinforcing Factory Karts' reputation for building dominant shifter karts. The result marks a successful start to the 2026 calendar, positioning the team as a title favorite for the upcoming SKUSA Pro Tour.
The Evolution: Factory Karts 2.0
The 2.0 launch represents a "resurgence" for the company. Key updates to the 2026 lineup include:
- Proprietary Material Blends: A strategic mix of 1.250" tubing to optimize driver feel and torsional flex.
- Advanced Manufacturing: 5-axis fiber tube laser cutting and CNC tube bending performed in-house in the USA.
- Aesthetic & Function: Finished in the signature “American Red” powder coat with a new, modular seat-mounting system for rapid tuning alongside a list of key developments to improve performance and function.
"We aren't just building karts; we're building a next-generation development in the industry said Justin Stefani "Seeing Oliver and Billy on the podium validates the countless hours our staff in Phoenix has spent elevating our platform.”
About Factory Karts
Factory Karts is a premier American manufacturer of high-performance racing karts. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the company is dedicated to world-class manufacturing, producing a full range of chassis from 125cc Shifters to Mini Shifter and Single Speed models.
