Dear Florida Karting Championship Series Members and potential racers, I would personally like to thank each and every member that nominated me to run for Presidency of the Florida Karting Championship Series in 2011. As announced at the fourth round of the series in Ocala, I would not run for the President’s position this upcoming season and would officially like to remove my name from the ballot.

It has been a great two seasons and I have really enjoyed the challenges of helping grow the series to where it is today. In the short period as the president of FKCS I have grown as a leader and as a person and from the bottom of my heart I say thank you to all members for allowing me the freedom to lead. This has been by far one period of my life I will always look back and smile. I have come to know the FKCS members as a growing family. I look forward to meet my upcoming challenges with the same intensity as I have done for FKCS and its members.

As mentioned earlier this season, I have several businesses in which I am trying to grow that will need my utmost attention, one which includes becoming a Tony Kart distributor for the United States and I did not want there to be any conflicts of interest as an active board member in the future. I will continue to support the series for the years to come including the end of the year charity event to help raise money for the Victory Junction Camp and OGP will continue series sponsorship and the end of the year gift certificates.

I wish the new President the best of luck and will look to make this transition as easy and pain free as possible. For that President, the board members and the participants of the FKCS program, I will always make myself available for any questions comments or concerns regarding the series.

Thank you again, Sincerely,
Jorge Arellano

Announcements, Newsletter

“Hodgson, Neri and Formal to be part of Team USA”

July 21, 2010 – The Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart race team was front and center in New Castle, Indiana as they worked hard all weekend long to help their drivers succeed. When the dust had settled, DD2 driver Cody Hodgson waclked away with the national championship and will join Florida Winter Tour champion Nick Neri in Italy for the Rotax World Finals later this year. Ocala Gran Prix also had the opportunity to work with Kosmic driver Daniel Formal and the team gelled nicely in two days of action to garner a third place podium result and a spot on America’s team.

With a testing weekend planned prior to the event, twelve Ocala Gran Prix drivers and the crew of more than ten travelled north to New Castle Motorsports Park to tame the mile long facility. With some quick times put down by all drivers, it looked as if the weekend would be another dominant one by the OGP crew.

Rotax Rogero’ – Junior rookie Ashley Rogero scored a solid 4th place result in her first big Rotax Junior race

“The weekend test went well and Wednesday’s official event practice was great for most drivers,” expressed OGP President Jorge Arellano. “Our junior drivers were well up to speed as both Ashley Rogero and Oliver Askew topped the time sheets on occasion. Jack West was also on his game as he was in the top five all week long and showed the speed to run with the front runners. Racing has its fair hand in luck and some of our drivers had some good luck, while others struggled with the bad luck.”

Disaster struck for 14-year-old Nick Neri in Wednesday morning’s opening practice as a freak accident would see the youngster break his arm as he looked to take control of the Rotax Senior class. Neri was sent to see the IZOD IndyCar Series doctor as he required immediate surgery that saw a plate and seven screws inserted into his arm. Now a cheerleader for the rest of the week, Neri was back at the track for the remainder of the event helping the younger team drivers with driving lines and race craft.

The surprise of the weekend for the Ocala Gran Prix squad would have to be female driver Ashley Rogero. After competing in Mini Max and Cadet all season, Rogero was battling with the junior big dogs and holding her own as the week went on. After topping one of the timed sessions on Wednesday, Rogero worked with the team and fought hard throughout Saturday’s pre final and main event scoring a solid fourth place finish. Missing Team USA by one spot, Rogero was hoping for a top twenty result when the week had started and never expected to be battling for a podium finish.

Junior pilot Jack West overcame a bent chassis in one heat race and a main event starting spot outside the top twenty to come home sixth while AJ Myers overcame a DNF in heat one to score a solid top ten result in ninth. Miami’s Pietro Fittipaldi was at the pointy end of the field throughout the week and raced wheel-to-wheel with Team USA’s future additions. A bold late braking pass in the pre final would see contact with another competitor at the end of the long straightaway and Fittipaldi would see his chance to travel overseas go away as he slid off the racing surface. Starting the main event in 39th, Fittipaldi battled hard for a top twenty result.

Rotax Cody’ – Cody Hodgson will represent Team USA and OGP at the Rotax World Finals for the second year in a row

The dominant driver in DD2 all weekend was Californian Cody Hodgson. After qualifying on the pole and taking the first and third heat race wins, Hodgson went on to be perfect on Saturday taking the checkered flag in the pre final and final. On his way to the national title, Hodgson also scored the fastest race lap and will look to improve on his third place result from last year’s Rotax World Finals in Egypt.

Half way through the week, OGP picked up the driving skills of Floridian Daniel Formal. With Neri out of the lineup, OGP’s Mike Maurini was assigned the task of making sure Formal would be part of America’s team. After qualifying fifth and finishing second in all three heat races, Formal claimed the win in the pre final before taking the third and final podium spot in the main event.

Masters drivers Rob Maier and Jason Bell overcame incidents in the pre finals and moved forward in the main event. After starting from the tail of the field, both drivers showed their speed as Bell managed to move forward and score a solid top fifteen result while Maier would be just outside the top twenty.

Arellano added, “This was another tremendous event for OGP, New Castle Motorsports Park and the crew of the US Rotax Nationals. I have no complaints and am happy to be part of this program.”

A complete list of team results are below:

Rotax Junior

• Oliver Askew – 23rd
• Pietro Fittipaldi – 18th
• Andrew Evans – 30th
• Ashley Rogero – 4th
• AJ Myers – 9th
• Jack West – 6th
• Ethan Low – 21st

Rotax Senior

• Nick Neri – DNS
• Brandon Salyer – 29th
• Daniel Formal – 3rd

Rotax Masters

• Jason Bell – 15th
• Rob Maier – 22nd

Rotax DD2

• Cody Hodgson – 1st

Rotax DD2 Masters

• Nick Weil – 5th

Ocala Gran Prix will be purchasing chassis and providing testing sessions for members of Team USA. Stay tuned for future releases and dates as Ocala Gran Prix looks to ensure Team USA’s success at the Rotax World Finals.

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’s courtesy of: On Track promotions

Announcements, Newsletter

“Winning team looks to continue success in important July events”

July 5, 2010 – The Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart race team is prepared for a busy month of July that will see the team crisscross the East coast to compete at several important karting events. With the first weekends of July spent in Wisconsin for the World Karting Association (WKA) Manufacturer’s Cup and Indiana at the Rotax Grand Nationals, the team will look to score national level victories and the chance to represent the United States at the Rotax World Finals before returning to their home state for some regional level action.

Only two drivers competing at New Castle will make the long trek from the Sunshine State to the famed Road America facility for the third round of the WKA calendar and both have a shot at multiple victories. Coming off a career weekend in South Bend, female pilot Ashley Rogero will look to continue her success as she will take part in five classes while multi-time champion Nick Neri will look to stand atop the podium in four divisions. Floridian Jonathon Koytek will also be at Road America and will look to run at the front of the junior divisions.

While Neri and Rogero compete in Wisconsin, a host of Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart drivers will partake in the test weekend for the prestigious United States Rotax Grand Nationals. Neri and Rogero will make the seven hour trip from Road America to New Castle Motorsports Park to meet up with the squad as they look to get on track on Monday morning.

“This is a challenging few weeks for our team,” stated Ocala Gran Prix’s President Jorge Arellano. “We have a split squad for the first weekend and will bring everyone together for the following week. We need key personnel to be in certain places to ensure success. Not to mention the organizing of hotels, tent, catering and other stuff, the ‘to do’ list is endless.”

While three drivers on the Ocala Gran Prix team have Rotax World Finals experience (Neri, Hodgson and Weil), OGP is bringing thirteen competitors to New Castle, Indiana with the hopes of scoring several race wins and podiums. While most of the drivers can be found competing in the Rotax Junior class, Hodgson and Neri will do battle in the Senior ranks in DD2 and Rotax Senior respectively. A complete team list can be found below.

Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart Entries for US Rotax Grand Nationals:

• Rotax Junior
• Oliver Askew
• Pietro Fittipaldi
• Andrew Evans
• Ashley Rogero
• AJ Myers
• Jack West
• Ethan Low

Rotax Senior

• Nick Neri
• Brandon Salyer

Rotax Masters

• Jason Bell
• Rob Maier

Rotax DD2

• Cody Hodgson

Rotax DD2 Masters

• Nick Weil

Looking to support the team and Tony Kart customers, Ocala Gran Prix has brought in some of the best chassis and engine tuners in the industry to ensure race winning packages. Martijn Koene of Koene Racing will make the trek from the Netherlands while Race Tech Development’s Mike Maurini will work with Nick Neri at both WKA and the Rotax Grand Nationals. Multi-time WKA champion Tony Loniewski will also help the team at WKA while Clark Hadden as well as OGP’s Nate Grindell and Mario Ioffredo will join Kyle Kraus in overseeing the complete team operations and rental engine program.

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

“The plan to set up dealers can now be put into action”

July 2, 2010 – The newly formed Ocala Gran Prix International Imports (OGPII) has confirmed that they will receive their first container shipment from the Tony Kart Srl. factory in northern Italy Tuesday, July, 6^th, 2010. Complete with Tony Kart and Alonso chassis as well as a complete line of OTK parts, the container has made it to port in the United States and is in the process of clearing customs. On this date, OGPII will be open for business to set up dealers and support the OTK product line throughout North America.

“The dream is now becoming a reality,” expressed Jorge Arellano from his offices in Ocala, Florida. “It was a big undertaking to determine what was needed to immediately fill the void for the OTK product line in North America and that is what this order has been designed to do.”

Entering the heart of the racing season, there are several prolific karting events on the horizon including the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup program, United States Rotax Grand Nationals, WSK World Series event in New Jersey and several regional events across the nation. Having a good supply of karts and parts is essential to success and OGPII is looking to start that with their very first supply order.

Arellano added, “There is a high demand for these products in the United States and it will only be a matter of time before we turn around and make another substantial order. In the mean time, we will begin to service, support and work with customers and OTK dealers to provide the great customer service that we have developed a strong reputation behind.”

Focusing on the Florida and Midwestern markets (Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana), interested companies looking to help promote the OTK product line are asked to contact OGPII. With profitable margins and support from some of the top personnel and leading karting operations in the United States, a partnership with OGPII will have major benefits and be an instant success.

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix International Imports, including information on how to get into karting or become a dealer, 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

“Seventeen podiums including eight main event victories”

June 17, 2010 – It was more of the same for the Ocala Gran Prix/Tony Kart race team this past weekend at the fourth round of the Florida Karting Championship Series held at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida. Taking away victories were Ashley Rogero, Nick Neri, Brand Salyer, Austin Osborne and Jacob Duvall while several other drivers had their hand in helping OGP score a total of seventeen podium results.

“Wow! That’s all I can say after another great weekend for the OGP team,” expressed an excited Team President Jorge Arellano. “I thought nothing was going to outdo our 2009 set of results but already, 2010 has produced more than I was expecting. With champions returning to score race wins and new drivers coming to stand upon the podium, what more can I ask for?”

With the racing action hot and heavy throughout the race weekend, some front running regulars as well as first time race winners rose to the top when the dust had settled. Female pilot Ashley Rogero scored two podium finishes including a win in the Cadet Junior Sportsman class while multi-time champion Nick Neri claimed three more victories on the season. Utilizing a borrowed kart and motor from the Rogero family, Texan Austin Osborne found his way to the front of the pack quickly as he managed to take the Yamaha Junior Sportsman race win in his first ever drive on a Tony Kart while Micro Max driver Devin Boutot garnered a solid second place result.

In Rotax Senior, it was a sweep of the podium for Ocala Gran Prix as Jacob Duvall, running an arrive and drive package, claimed top honors in the class. Rounding out the podium were Masters pilot Rob Maier and up-and-comer Brandon Salyer. Duvall and Salyer were not done there as the pair of drivers scored victories in the TaG 1 and TaG 2 classes respectively. Future star Oliver Askew scored a pair of second place results in his classes and heads to the next event with the overall points lead in Rotax Junior and TaG Junior while fellow junior driver Jonathon Koytek claimed a pair of podium results.

For a complete list of team results, please see below:

Arellano continued, “With a pair of FKCS races, a few WKA Manufacturer’s Cup events and the Rotax Grand Nationals still left on our schedule, we are set to top last year’s terrific season. Every time I turn around, there is a new trophy in our showroom and it usually says ‘1st Place’ on it. This is something that I have worked towards for a long time and am happy with the people I have surrounded myself with; we are having nothing but great success.”

For more information on the Florida Karting Championship Series, please visit the program’s website at www.FLWKASprintSeries.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

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

Announcements, Newsletter

“Six Podiums in Florida karting action”

Since the first round of the WKA program in Daytona, Neri has been on a tear scoring multiple race wins.

June 14, 2010 – Ocala Gran Prix and Tony Kart pilot Nick Neri dominated the past two weekends in Florida karting action as the up and coming driver scored five victories and six podiums in six classes entered in the past two weekends. Competing in the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge and the Florida Karting Championship Series, Neri dominated almost all on track action to take multiple race wins.

While both events took place at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida, the first weekend of action would be the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge (NFLRmax) where Neri would compete in the Rotax Senior category. Looking to gain enough punches to compete at the US Grand Nationals at the New Castle Motorsports Park facility in July, Neri swept the entire weekend of action scoring two pole positions, two prefinal wins and two main event victories while taking fast lap honors in both main events.

Looking to carry the momentum into the following weekend, Neri would compete in four classes at the Florida Karting Championship Series. Looking to utilize the series for World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup transfer points, Neri would compete in both Yamaha Junior and KPP Junior classes. Just like the prior weekend in Rotax Senior, Neri was able to sweep both classes throughout the weekend to add to his win total for 2010.

Neri would also enter the TaG Junior and Rotax Junior classes as he looked to work with team drivers and help prepare for the upcoming Rotax Grand Nationals. Utilizing a Rotax package in the TaG division, Neri would battle hard throughout the event weekend but would take the win after scoring the pole position.

“That was a fun race,” expressed Neri. “The different packages are faster or slower in certain areas of the track so you have to be smart about the way you race and where you make your passes. Though the OGP track may favor the Rotax motor, it is hard to say what the next event will bring in Jacksonville.”

Neri’s only falter would be in the Rotax Junior class as he would claim the third and final podium position. After taking the pole position, Neri struggled on the start and fell back to fourth before the exit of the first corner in the prefinal. Battling hard, the three time Florida Winter Tour champion drove back to a solid second place finish. The final would see very little action as Neri and a fellow competitor drew away from the field. Looking to fight for the checkers, Neri tried a last lap move but was forced to take evasive action to avoid contact and was slowed in the back section of the track. As the leader drove away, Neri would lose one more position as he struggled to get back up to speed to come home third.

Neri added, “The competition in the Florida karting region is tougher each and every race. Some of the nation’s best karters come from this state, and I am just happy I have the opportunity to race against some of the best.”

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

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

Announcements, Newsletter

“Shift of focus to OGP, race team and Tony Kart”

June 13, 2010 – Hot on the heels of the fourth largest round of the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) in history, current President Jorge Arellano made it official that he will step down as President for the program at the end of the racing season and will not run for re-election for the 2011 program. Citing business opportunities and possible conflicts of interest in the future, Arellano will shift the majority of his focus to his Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) facility, the OGP race team, Tony Kart and the newly formed company of Ocala Grand Prix International Imports (OGPII).

“It has been a great two seasons, and I have really enjoyed the challenges of helping grow the series to where it is today. In the short period as the president of FKCS I have grown as a leader and as a person and from the bottom of my heart I say thank you to all members for allowing me the freedom to lead. This has been by far one period of my life I will always look back and smile. I have come to know the FKCS members as a growing family. I look forward to meet my upcoming challenges with the same intensity as I have done for FKCS,” expressed President Jorge Arellano. “I have several businesses in which I am trying to grow that will need my utmost attention, one which includes becoming a Tony Kart distributor for the United States, and I did not want there to be any conflicts of interest as an active board member in the future. I will continue to support the series for the years to come including the end of the year charity event to help raise money for the Victory Junction Camp, and OGP will continue series sponsorship and the end of the year gift certificates. I will always make myself available for any questions comments or concerns regarding the FKCS program.”

Informing the Board of Directors in a closed door meeting on Saturday evening, Arellano was emotional in his decision showing his true passion for the sport of karting and the FKCS. As the official World Karting Association state series for the state of Florida and providing national level classes to offer transfer points to the Manufacturer’s Cup, the competition level of the series has increased throughout the past seasons thanks to the hard work of Arellano and his Board of Directors.

Arellano continued, “The OGP race team is growing each and every season and our results continue to improve and I feel great about that. I have the right people in place to continue the success of the team, and I feel the same for the FKCS series moving forward. The Board of Directors is willing to work hard and grow the series even more and I am very confident in them. The Ocala Gran Prix and I will support the series by bringing our race team, offering arrive and drives, supporting customers as well as be a series sponsor.”

“This was a very hard decision for me to make as when I got involved on the board, the series was in dire straits with less than half of the entries at each event. We put programs in place, worked with professional tracks and provided a great atmosphere and the racers started to attend. Adding a few cookouts throughout the seasons at events, handing out t-shirts at registration and providing an end of the year awards banquet to start recognizing all the way down to the fifth place champion kept the smiles on people’s faces as entry numbers grew.”

The announcement was made to the FKCS members during Saturday at the drivers meeting this past weekend. Becoming emotional during his announcement, silence was brought upon the over 200 participant crowd as Arellano struggled to get through his speech. Though he was hugely involved in the day to day operations of the series at the track, the President worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the utmost professionalism and fun at his series.

After the announcement, Arellano worked the pits as he visited each and every trailer to thank everyone for a great season and to ask for their support in the series coming years.

The next FKCS event will be July 16 – 18, 2010 at the 103rd Street Motorsports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida.

For more information on Ocala Grand Prix or the Florida Karting Championship Series, please contact FKCS President Jorge Arellano at 352.291.0600 or via e-mail at Jorge@OcalaGranPrix.com or any of the Board of Directors whose information you can find online at www.FLWKASprintSeries.com

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development

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

Announcements, Newsletter

Announcements, Local Series Points Results, Newsletter

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