PHOENIX – The second leg of the YNOT Grand Prix’s 2016 season will take to the track March 30 — without the European driver who has trounced everyone else for the past two years. Jurgen from PlugRush will sit this one out.

Perhaps this time American drivers can win a race in their own country for a change. Heaven knows they’ve done a piss-poor job of winning anywhere for the past six years.

An official opening event for The Phoenix Forum, the YGP will begin at 6 p.m. at Octane Raceway in Scottsdale, a short jaunt from the forum’s headquarters hotel. Transportation to and from the event, like everything else associated with every YNOT Grand Prix since the kart-racing series began seven years ago, will be provided gratis by generous sponsors including FNCash, JuicyAds, Payze, Mistral, Studio20 and Traffic Mansion.

According to race organizer and YNOT Group LLC co-owner Jay Kopita, the lap times in Phoenix are always lightning-fast. The 1/3-mile raceway, specifically designed for its venue, is the only track of its kind in the U.S.: Each lap begins indoors, then speeds through an open-air section before zipping back inside.

“The facility for the YNOT Grand Prix at The Phoenix Forum is personally my favorite,” Kopita said. “The track offers electric karts that take off quickly and state-of-the-art equipment. Since this track is the easiest to race on, in my opinion, I highly encourage everyone of all driving levels to get to our event the day before The Phoenix Forum starts and partake in the most fun the industry has to offer.”

The other aspect of the Phoenix race that impresses Kopita every year is the catered trackside meal and drinks, which the sponsors provide for both drivers and spectators.

“The Mexican food is awesome,” he said.

Busses will begin transporting drivers and spectators from the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel to the raceway at 5:30 p.m. A few driver seats remain. To grab one, email Kopita or Skype him at LAJConsulting.