10 minutes for $12.50: Includes use of all safety gear and kart on supervised racetrack.

Specials

TRACK and OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY MAY 31st

Announcements

“Champions receive free entries to US Grand Nationals”

May 28, 2010 – The North Florida Rotax Max Challenge is set to back on track June 5 – 6th weekend at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida. With free entries awarded to the US Rotax Grand Nationals, a lot will be on the line as series competitors fight wheel-to-wheel for valuable championship points. The North Florida Rotax Max Challenge is becoming the premiere Rotax series in the Northern half of the sunshine state in the summer months and attracting some of Florida’s best teams and competitors.

“We have had nothing but great success in the opening few events,” expressed North Florida Rotax Max Challenge President Jorge Arellano. “The racing action has been great and the atmosphere in the paddock has been second to none. Also, drivers have something to shoot for as series champions in all Rotax classes will receive a free paid entry to the US Grand Nationals held in Indiana in July courtesy of OGP.”

With the event taking place June 5 – 6th, competitors will be treated to another well run professional event at a premiere Florida facility with more track time you can imagine. Series teams and competitors will be treated to a lunch BBQ courtesy of Ocala Gran Prix during Saturday’s festivities.

With many championships up for grabs, the current front runners include Mathias Ramirez in Micro Max while Derek Sobel is currently in the lead of Mini Max. Rotax Junior is led by Jack West but he is only 15 points ahead of female pilot Ashley Rogero. Making the move to the senior ranks, Florida Winter Tour champion Nick Neri leads OGP teammate Brandon Salyer in Rotax Senior while Rob Maier is currently on the point in Masters. The DD2 top spot is currently deadlocked between Californian Cody Hodgson and Joe Vilece.

The North Florida program runs all the normal Rotax divisions including Mini Max, Junior, Senior, Masters, DD2 and DD2 Masters. Several Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) classes will also be offered, as teams and drivers are welcomed to come and participate as well as test for the following weekends FKCS event. Any drivers and teams planning on attending the event are urged to contact Ocala Gran prix for their pit spaces.

“I am very excited about the upcoming race weekend,” added Arellano. “The entry numbers are climbing with each and every passing weekend and I can’t wait to see what this week’s totals will be.”

For more information at the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge, please contact Charlie Kramer via e-mail to Charlie@OcalaGranPrix.com or Troy Mitchell at Troy@OcalaGranPrix.com or 352.291.0600. Also, an incentive program has been put in place for the larger race teams in regards to pit spaces. Please contact Kyle Kraus via e-mail to Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com for program details.

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities, Tony Kart, the OTK product line and information on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at http://www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com)

Mike Maurini
Race Tech Development
Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com
P: 317.270.8723

Announcements, Newsletter

“Five wins and multiple Podiums at Orlando Kart Center”

May 28, 2010 – Another weekend and another set of great results for the Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart race team as this time the team showed their strength at the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) event held at the Orlando Kart Center in Orlando, Florida. Taking away a pair of wins was junior driver Nick Neri while team newcomers Pietro Fittipaldi and Oliver Askew split the top honors in Rotax Junior. Continuing her hot streak, Floridian Ashley Rogero was at the front of the Sportsman fields while Brandon Salyer had a pair of strong results in the senior divisions.

“What a great weekend for the race team,” expressed an overwhelmed Team President Jorge Arellano. “When we were preparing for the FKCS event back at the shop, I knew we would be in the hunt for podiums but I wasn’t expecting something like this. The weekend results have been outstanding and I am proud of the program that we have put together under the tent.”

The most exciting races of the weekend had to be the TaG Junior and Rotax Junior divisions where the Ocala Gran Prix squad stole five of a possible six podium positions as well as a pair of wins. Leading the way on Saturday’s TaG Junior field was the young and talented Pietro Fittipaldi who drove the wheels of his OGP prepared Tony Kart to take the checkers. Fittipaldi started from the tail of the fourteen kart field and moved forward with a vengeance taking the lead from teammate Oliver Askew with two laps remaining. As the drivers battled hard throughout the event, sneaking into the picture was Andrew Evans who was quietly closing in on the duo looking to take advantage of any mishap by the pair. While the three teammates raced hard, no contact was made throughout the twelve lap final as Fittipaldi, Askew and Evans swept the top three spots providing OGP and Tony Kart with a trio of podium results.

Sunday would see the same drivers battle again in the Rotax Junior field but Askew would come out on top. After finishing second in the pre final, the rookie pilot moved passed Fittipaldi for the lead on lap six and never looked back. As he stretched the gap in the remaining circuits, Fittipaldi, Evens and another pair of pilots were dead locked in a podium battle. Entering the last corner, Fittipaldi made a bid for the second spot but contact was made that cost him his momentum and a podium result. Benefiting from the miscue was OGP teammate Andrew Evans as he was able to slip by for the third and final podium position while Fittipaldi would fall down to fifth.

Junior driver Nick Neri would continue his quest for another pair of championships with a weekend sweep of the KPP Junior and Yamaha Junior classes. After taking both pole positions, pre final wins and main event victories, Neri led all but two laps on the weekend as he drove to the victory. Using the weekend as a test session for future World Karting Association Manufacturers Cup events, Neri proved that he will be a threat for multiple championships at the national level as the 2010 season continues on.

After a career weekend in South Bend, Indiana, Sportsman pilot Ashley Rogero was back in her home state of Florida and would do battle in the Cadet Junior Sportsman, Yamaha Junior Sportsman and Rotax Mini Max classes. Utilizing the series the same as Neri, for WKA Manufacturers Cup transfer points, Rogero could be found at the front of all the classes of competition including the Cadet Junior Sportsman class where she swept the day’s proceedings by qualifying pole, taking the pre final win as well as the main event victory. Rogero was also at the front of the field in the Yamaha Sportsman and Rotax Mini Max divisions but came one position short from her second and third wins of the weekend as she came home a very strong second in both classes and helped her points total for the end of the year championship.

Rookie senior driver Brandon Salyer also scored a pair of podium results as he had one of his best weekends of competition in the FKCS program. Competing in both the Rotax Senior and TaG Senior categories, Salyer managed to score two second place results against some of the largest fields of the weekend. Salyer will now shift his focus to the Ocala Gran Prix round of the series as he will look to score his first series win.

Another driver pulling double duty on the weekend was Tony Kart driver Jonathon Koytek as he competed in the KPP Junior and Yamaha Junior divisions. After scoring a solid second place result in KPP on Saturday, Koytek had to come from deep in the field in Sunday’s Yamaha Junior class to score a fourth place finish.

Micro Max competitor Devin Boutout had a challenging weekend but kept his head down and persevered through. At only seven years of age, Devin battled hard to score a seventh place finish and improved his lap times and consistency throughout the weekend.

“I am really happy with our team results this weekend,” stated OGP Team Manager Kyle Kraus. We had rookies under the tent and newcomers to the Tony Kart product and they are all doing very well. “As a team, we are looking to make an assault on our home track and try to repeat the success gained this past weekend.”

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities and info on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com).

Mike Maurini
Race Tech Development
Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com
P: 317.270.8723

Announcements, Newsletter

“Up and coming junior will run with OGP for remainder of season”

Pietro Fittipaldi joins OGP race team for the remainder of the 2010 racing season

May 19, 2010 – The Ocala Gran Prix race team is pleased to announce that up and coming junior competitor Pietro Fittipaldi de Cruz has joined the squad for the remainder of the 2010 racing season. The Miami area resident will be aboard an Ocala Gran Prix prepared Tony Kart as he looks to make an assault on the junior categories in future event.

“We are pleased to have Pietro join the Ocala Grand Prix race team,” stated Team Manager Kyle Kraus. “Pietro has tested with the team on a few occasions so far this season as well as ran the first ever Ocala Gran Prix / Bump U race school. His desire to learn and understand the mechanics of the chassis as well as his eagerness to become a better driver should help his progression to the front end of the grid. Showing improvement each and every weekend, Fittipaldi will join a host of junior competitors and will be a threat for victories in 2010.”

Fittipaldi, who competed at the Florida Winter Tour as an independent driver, managed to claim one victory in the series in the IAME Junior class. This past weekend was Fittipaldi’s first event as an official member of the OGP squad and the youngster scored a win in the Rotax Junior class at the second round of the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge event held in Ocala, Florida

“Pietro has been around the sport of karting for quite some time,” expressed OGP President Jorge Arellano. “He competes at a very high level and is always fast. The OGP team is looking to help him become a winner and I know that he is looking forward to the next event.”

With a focus in the Rotax Junior division, Fittipaldi will likely contest some of the remaining World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup program as well as the US Rotax Max Grand Nationals to be held in July.

Anyone interested in joining the Ocala Gran Prix race team are asked to contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 or via e-mail at Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com. Dealership opportunities and inquires should be directed to Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail to Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities and info on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com) .

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development
Photo courtesy of: On Track Promotions

Mike Maurini

Ocala Gran Prix

Announcements, Newsletter

Hello all you OGP racers out there, we have the latest points posted here.

Announcements, Newsletter

“Strong team with tons of experience looks to grow in WKA program”

May 17, 2010 – After another successful round of the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup program that saw Tony Kart and the Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) race team score five victories, OGP is pleased to announce that they will finish out the remainder of the 2010 Manufacturer’s Cup schedule and continue to support dealers, the OGP race team and Tony Kart drivers at each and every event.

With a goal of race wins and championships in the series, Ocala Gran Prix will look to continue to promote the OTK product line as well as search for prospective dealers in different areas of the United States. Ocala Gran Prix will also look to support all other Tony Kart drivers and race teams participating at these events with product advice, product sales as well as promotion wherever possible.

“The event in South Bend was the first Manufacturer’s Cup race that I have been to and I could not believe the sheer number of entries and how smoothly the weekend went,” explained OGP’s Jorge Arellano. “There is huge potential in the series for us and our dealers and we will look to grow the Tony Kart brand nationally through the WKA program.”

The WKA Manufacturer’s Cup will be a big network point for Tony Kart as the participation at these events is second to none. Utilizing a direct working relationship with the factory, Ocala Gran Prix will be the face and team behind Tony Kart as they look to continue to build momentum throughout 2010 and onwards.

Tony Kart drivers achieved five victories at the latest round of WKA Manufacturer’s Cup as Ashley Rogero won Cadet Junior Sportsman as well as Komet Piston Port Sportsman while John Dixon took the top honors in the TaG Masters category. 2010 Double Florida Winter Tour champion Nick Neri claimed the highest point on the podium with his victories in Yamaha Junior Lite and Komet Piston Port Junior Heavy classes. Not only is five wins an impressive feat in the WKA series, five wins ranging from the senior division all the way down to the Cadet ranks shows the Tony Kart diversity and the capabilities that it has on winning in each and every division.

“We will look to grow the race team, dealer network as well representation of Tony Kart at the Manufacturer’s Cup,” expressed Ocala Gran Prix’s Mike Maurini. “We will be offering arrive and drive opportunities with the race team, scheduling meeting’s with potential dealers and trying to ensure that all Tony Kart drivers are at the front of the pack. With a large staff at each and every event, Ocala Gran Prix and Tony Kart will have the upmost in product support.”

Continuing to go to each and every WKA race weekend will be OGP’s Kyle Kraus, Nate Grindell and Mario Ioffredo. Making the trek from the Netherlands will be Koene Racing’s Martijn Koene as he will assist in product and team support as well as Race Tech Development’s Mike Maurini who will continue to work with hot shoe Nick Neri. Ocala Gran Prix will also bring a fully stocked parts trailer providing trackside support and product sales at all events.

Anyone interested in joining the Ocala Gran Prix race team are asked to contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 or via e-mail at Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com. Dealership opportunities and inquires should be directed to Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail to Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities and info on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com) .

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development

Race Tech Development

Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com

Announcements, Newsletter

“Champions receive free entries to US Grand Nationals”

May 12, 2010 – After a successful opening round of the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge, the series will be back in action this coming Saturday at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida. With some great racing action in the first event that saw new winners and returning champions, the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge is becoming the premiere Rotax series in the Northern half of the sunshine state in the summer months.

“The entries for the first event nearly doubled last year’s biggest event,” expressed North Florida Rotax Max Challenge President Jorge Arellano. “With the second event a one day deal at Ocala Gran Prix, we are hoping we can add to the registration numbers by drawing entrants from the entire state. Also, drivers have something to shoot for as series champions in all Rotax classes will receive a free paid entry to the US Grand Nationals held in Indiana in July.”

With the event taking place May 15th, competitors will be treated to another well run professional event at a premiere Florida facility with more track time you can imagine. Competing drivers can also use the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge to earn their punches to the US Rotax Grand Nationals and compete for a seat on Team USA where they will be invited to compete at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, this year held in Italy.

Series sponsor, Ocala Gran Prix, has stepped up to the plate to support the North Florida Rotax Series by offering a paid entry fee to all class champions attending the US Rotax Grand Nationals. Champions wishing to work towards this prize must compete in all North Florida Rotax Max Challenge events leading up to the US Nationals.

While official event days will be Saturday May 15th, the Ocala Gran prix facility will be open for testing and practice throughout the remainder of this week.

“The North Florida program runs all the normal Rotax divisions including Mini Max, Junior, Senior, Masters, DD2 and DD2 Masters,” continued Arellano. “Any drivers and teams planning on attending the event are urged to contact Ocala Gran prix for their pit spaces.”

For more information at the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge, please contact Charlie Kramer via e-mail to Charlie@OcalaGranPrix.com or Troy Mitchell at Troy@OcalaGranPrix.com or 352.291.0600. Also, an incentive program has been put in place for the larger race teams in regards to pit spaces. Please contact Kyle Kraus via e-mail to Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com for program details.

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities, Tony Kart, the OTK product line and information on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at http://www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com)

Announcements, Newsletter

“Tony Kart leads seven championship standings after round two”

May 11, 2010 – The Ocala Gran Prix race team and it’s host of Tony Kart competitors have taken the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup by storm in 2010 as the combination leads a total of seven class points standings after the second event. Looking to make a big entry into the program, three drivers have scored multiple wins in both Daytona and South Bend as they look to continue the momentum through the rest of the season.

Junior Sportsman pilot Ashley Rogero is on a tear after the last round and with her results, she currently leads or is tied for the lead in all four of the classes that she competes in. The young Floridian female leads the Cadet Junior Sportsman category by five points and has the same margin in the Komet Sportsman division. The Yamaha Sportsman Lite class is the greatest point lead for the Tony Kart pilot as she has a thirty-five point advantage over her closest rival, while the Yamaha Sportsman Heavy class is a little tighter point’s chase as Rogero is tied for the lead.

“Ashley had great success in South Bend and is really coming into her own,” expressed Ocala Gran Prix President Jorge Arellano. “She has been behind the wheel of a kart a lot this season and is really providing good feedback. She is becoming more aggressive each and every race and it is being proven by her results.”

The second Ocala Gran Prix pilot that is in the hunt for multiple championships is multi-time race winner and 2009 eKartingNews.com Young Driver of the Year Nick Neri. The up and coming star is in a three way tie for the Komet Junior Heavy point lead while he enjoys a seventy point advantage in Komet Junior Lite. Neri has been flawless in Yamaha Junior Heavy as he enjoys a massive 170 point advantage after only two events.

“Nick has been in the hunt for almost every race win this season,” expressed his tuner and Race Tech Development’s Mike Maurini. “We are working well together as a team and trying hard to attain multiple championships in the WKA program. Nick is doing a great driving job this season and needs to continue his success to help garner these championships.”

Tony Kart driver and Indiana Racing Services (IRS) driver John Dixon is also in the title chase as he competes in both the TaG Masters and TaG divisions. While Dixon currently sits fourth in the TaG category, he has performed well in the Master division and enjoys a healthy 95 point gap on the second place driver. Fellow IRS pilot Mike Burrell also sits fifth in the Yamaha Masters division and will look to have strong runs at the next event to vault him up in the standings.

“It is not just the Ocala Gran Prix team that is having success,” stated OGP Team Manager Kyle Kraus. “Most of the Tony Kart competitors and dealers are enjoying successful seasons and we look to keep it that way.”

Anyone interested in joining the Ocala Gran Prix race team are asked to contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 or via e-mail at Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com. Dealership opportunities and inquires should be directed to Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail to Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix, OGP race team opportunities and info on how to get into karting, please visit Ocala Gran Prix online at www.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact Kyle Kraus at 352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@OcalaGranPrix.com).

Announcements, Newsletter

Nick Neri scored the double victory on Sunday as well as another podium in Saturday’s racing action.

May 4, 2010 – Junior standout and Tony Kart pilot Nick Neri claimed another two victories and three podiums this past weekend at the second round of the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup program held at the Michiana Raceway Park in South Bend, Indiana. Competing in four junior divisions, Neri would have a tough day on Saturday but managed to rebound and steal the show in Sunday’s racing action.

In Saturday’s racing action, Neri would compete in the Komet Junior Heavy and Yamaha Junior Lite divisions with a host of the nation’s best junior competitors. After qualifying in the second spot in both classes, Neri would battle hard throughout the prefinals claiming two top two results and a starting spot on the front row for each main event. With more than forty competitors in the field, Neri would look to come out on top and gain valuable championship points.

Falling victim to the outside starting row, Neri quickly fell to fourth at the start of the Komet Junior Heavy class. With three very tough competitors in front of him, Neri battled hard all race long to stay with the lead trio as he began to hunt them down. Moving into the third position just before the halfway mark, the Floridian pilot would run out of time before being able to mount a charge on the lead pair and would claim a solid third place podium result.

The Yamaha Junior Lite race would have an ugly start to it as three of the series closest rivals would line up in the front two rows. With an incident taking place earlier in the day, an Andretti Autosport USF2000 driver showed his true colors as intent to injure and pre-meditated shunt at the start of the race would send Neri into the barriers and out of the race before the completion of the first corner ending his day.

“I knew the start was going to be hairy, but I was not expecting to deliberately be taken out,” explained Neri after the incident. “We have been faster than most of our competitors all weekend, and I guess they feel that they need to crash us to win. I was extremely upset with the actions from other drivers on the start but I kept my cool and just watched the race from the sidelines. It was very unfortunate as I think we had a kart to win today.”

Looking for revenge on Sunday, Neri would enter the Komet Junior Lite and Yamaha Junior Heavy classes with winning on his mind. After sweeping Sunday’s festivities at the opening round in Daytona, Neri would look to do the same in Northern Indiana and would start by qualifying on the outside front row in both divisions.

Both prefinals were pretty much carbon copies of each other as Neri would fall back to third on the opening lap on both occasions. Waiting for his Mike Maurini tuned Tony Kart to come in, Neri would hang with the leaders before making his moves to the front. The talented junior would take both prefinal wins in fashion and claim the inside front row starting spot for the main events.

As the green flag flew for the start of the Komet Junior Lite final, Neri would take the lead on lap three and never look back. Holding his own with some very fast race laps, Neri began to draw away from the field to score his first victory and second podium finish of the weekend.

Looking to repeat his success earlier in the day, the double Florida Winter Tour champion would jump out to an early lead in the Yamaha class. With the same chassis setup on both karts, Neri would get up to speed before the halfway mark and draw away from the field. Leading from flag to flag, the Ocala Gran Prix driver would score the fastest race lap on his way to his second victory of the day.

“This definitely made up for yesterday’s racing action,” expressed Neri. “I’d like to thank all my supporters as well as the WKA series officials for keeping the racing action safe and fair.”

Nick Neri would like to thank his all of his 2010 supporters: Ocala Gran Prix, Tony Kart, Josh Power, High Rev Engineering, Alpinestars, SKF Bearings, Grand Products, Bridgestone, Koene Engines and Race Tech Development.

For sponsorship opportunities and more information on Nick Neri please contact Race Tech Development at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail to Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development
Photo courtesy of: On Track Promotions

Race Tech Development
P: 317.270.8723

Announcements, Newsletter