November 5, 2025 – Ohvale USA, in collaboration with the FIM Mini Cup, is thrilled to announce a major expansion of the FIM Mini Cup USA Championship for the 2026 season. The championship will now feature dual, independent East Coast and West Coast series, significantly increasing accessibility for American youth racers aiming for the global stage.
This groundbreaking initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership between Ohvale USA (led by John Hopkins), and the dedicated organizations running the championships: South Florida MiniGP (led by Michael Correa) for the East Coast, and the newly formed West Coast Championship at Apex Motorsports Park (also led by John Hopkins).
- Dual Championships Reduce Travel, Maximize Opportunity
The newly structured 2026 FIM Mini Cup USA Championship will consist of two parallel series:
- West Coast Championship at Apex Motorsports Park (Managed by John Hopkins/Ohvale USA).
- East Coast Championship run by South Florida MiniGP (Managed by Michael Correa).
This expansion is explicitly designed to provide all American racers with a more manageable and cost-effective path to compete for the prestigious opportunity to represent the USA at the FIM Mini Cup World Championship Finals in Spain in 2026. The major impact for racing families is the reduced travel requirement, offering an accessible location on both coasts to qualify for the global event.
“This is a massive step forward for American youth road racing,” said John Hopkins, leader of Ohvale USA and the West Coast effort. “By taking the championship to both coasts, we are directly addressing the financial and logistical burden families face. Our primary goal is to foster talent, and this dual-championship structure, run on high-quality circuits like Apex and the East Coast venues, makes the dream of racing in a World Final a reality for far more young riders.”
“This expansion is the culmination of a long-term goal: bringing the FIM Mini Cup Championship directly to American soil,” stated Michael Correa, Owner/Operator of South Florida MiniGP. “I’ve been collaborating with John Hopkins since he took the helm, meticulously building a two-coast system to guarantee access for every eligible racer nationwide. Earning FIM approval was crucial, but just as vital was finding a way to drastically reduce travel costs for our racing families. Our new ‘Arrive & Drive’ service at both coastal championships is a cornerstone of this effort—it allows competitors to fly in, race, and fly out, completely bypassing long-haul travel. My mission has always been to remove all possible obstacles, and now, we’ve succeeded in removing the biggest ones.”
- Key Partnerships Driving American Talent
The success of this initiative is built on the expertise of its leaders:
- John Hopkins, through Ohvale USA and the new West Coast Championship at Apex Motorsports Park, leverages his vast racing experience to shape the competitive structure and promote growth.
- Michael Correa and the South Florida MiniGP organization will spearhead the East Coast efforts, bringing their proven track record of operational excellence and commitment to racer development to their region.
- FIM Mini Cup: The official global governing body provides the structure and the ultimate prize: a spot in the World Championship Finals.
The expansion is a direct investment in the future of American road racing, ensuring that the country’s best young talent can compete at the highest level without the prohibitive demands of constant cross-country travel.
- Join the Championship
The East and West Coast Championships are set to kick off in 2026. Interested racers, teams, and families are encouraged to follow Ohvale USA, South Florida MiniGP, and Apex Motorsports Park for official schedules and registration details coming soon.