“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

“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