“Four race wins and five podiums in two weekends”

July 13, 2011 – Just as she did all last year, Floridian driver Ashley Rogero has begun to win races in the heart of the karting season. After taking three main event victories at the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) event in late June, the talented female claimed her first World Karting Association (WKA) victory as a junior driver this past weekend at the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania.

“I am very happy,” expressed Ashley after the weekend’s competition. “We had some bad luck in a couple of classes but we were able to overcome that in the other two with a win and a podium. I am feeling very confident now as a junior and can’t wait for the next race.”

Rogero’s winning ways began earlier in the year at the Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour as she went on to claim the Formula Leopard championship in March. Since that day, she has been traveling to events throughout the United States honing her skills and gaining valuable experience as a rookie.

In late June, Rogero competed at the 103^rd Street Motorsports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida. Entering three divisions, the up and coming female driver scored three victories as she was at the front of the field in the Komet Junior, Yamaha Junior and TaG Junior classes.

July saw the return of WKA national competition in the Midwest and the Rogero crew traveled North from their Florida home to compete. Not racing with a big name team or high dollar tuner, Rogero and her Dad went to work as they tested and prepared for the racing weekend.

When the dust had finally settled at the challenging BeaveRun circuit, Rogero had fared extremely well in the Komet Junior Lite class where she swept the day claiming the pole position, heat race win and main event victory. Komet Junior Heavy provided another podium for the Comet Kart Sales powered Tony Kart driver as she crossed the stripe in a solid third.

Rogero continued, “A lot of people were doubting my abilities as a junior but I knew I was just going through some growing pains. They say the first win is the hardest and it only took me four events to get there. Hopefully that means that there are many more in the future.”

Ashley would like to thank all of her sponsors for all their hard work and continued support: the entire crew at Ocala Gran Prix, OTK USA, Tony Kart, Grand Products, Bridgestone Tires and Comet Kart Sales.

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“OGP to also partially sponsor Team USA at Rotax World Finals”

Ocala, Florida – June 9, 2011 – Thanks to the support of long-time karting dealer and racing facility, Ocala Gran Prix, the July 19 to 23 event at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah will be known as the United States Rotax Grand Nationals presented by Ocala Gran Prix.

Just as in 2010, Ocala Gran Prix and Jorge Arellano have also stepped up to the plate to once again support America’s “Team USA”, made up of nearly twenty competitors from across the United States traveling to the Rotax Grand Finals in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates later this year.

“I am extremely excited to get back behind the US Rotax Grand Nationals and Team USA,” expressed Jorge Arellano from his location in Ocala, Florida. “Seeing our country and our drivers perform on the world stage is something that I really enjoy and I am looking forward to helping all of them succeed with their goals.”

Looking to help make the United States Rotax Grand Nationals one of the best karting events in the USA, Jorge Arellano and Ocala Gran Prix have jumped on board to help with the financial costs of taking the event to the next level. Showing their true commitment to the Rotax program, Ocala Gran Prix will help the event organizers provide live streaming for three days over the Internet for family and friends who are not able to travel to Utah.

“We would like to thank OGP for their continued commitment to the US Grand Nationals event and Team USA,” said Josh Smith, RMCUS Administrator. “Their support for these important entities helps us in the continued growth and success of the Rotax community.”

With the latest technology in trackside video, crisp and clear pictures will be broadcast worldwide via the United States Rotax Max Challenge website (www.KartRacingNetwork.com) as well as provide event personnel with video marshaling services to ensure a call will not be missed.

The United States Rotax Grand Nationals presented by Ocala Gran Prix will take place July 19 to the 23 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. For more information on the event, regional series, rules and the entire Rotax program, please visit www.GoRotax.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 them at 352.291.0600 or via email at Info@OcalaGranPrix.com.

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“Rookie-of-the-Year candidate claims another top ten”

Ocala, Florida – June 6, 2011 – Cody Hodgson of Escalon, California, posted his best-career finish inthe NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with a strong eighth place run in the Army Strong 150 at Bowman Gray Stadium this past weekend. Hodgson’s career night came in the series’ inaugural visit to the track affectionately known as “The Madhouse.”

After starting 22nd in the 27-car field, the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year candidate and Ocala Gran Prix sponsored driver slowly worked his way to the front by avoiding one of the many incidents that filled the evening’s action. For his efforts, the Dave Davis Motorsports prepared Dodge and Hodgson leapt three spots in the K&N Pro Series East standings to ninth through the first five events of the 2011 season.

“It was a wild one, that’s for sure. Coming from 22nd (starting spot), I wasn’t sure how the night was going to be. But I just stayed to the inside and I kept on the wheel and we were able to make up some ground,” expressed the two-time Rotax DD2 United States Grand National Champion. “In practice and qualifying, I just couldn’t find the balance of the car very well so we struggled with single lap speed. Once the race got going I could keep up with the guys in front of me and stay on the inside, no matter what, and I was going to be able to go by the guys on the outside. It’s definitely a one-groove track.”

When the dust had finally settled, Hodgson had completed all 156 laps of the event and garnered a solid eighth place result and 142 points for his efforts. In addition to his already secured point total, Hodgson moved into the top ten in the series point standings as well as into the second position for the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

Looking forward, the Ocala Gran Prix Dave Davis Motorsports Dodge will enjoy very little time off as they will travel to the half-mile Gresham Motorsports Park in Jeffersonville, Georgia this weekend. Hoping to build of his momentum from the previous two rounds, the former multi-time national karting champion is looking forward to the event.

For more information on Cody Hodgson, please visit him online atwww.CodyHodgsonRacing.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 atwww.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact them at 352.291.0600 (Info@OcalaGranPrix.com). For more information on media releases, please contact Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com).

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Watch the races held at OGP live on-line here!

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“Solid result in East meets West showdown”

Cody Hodgson impresses in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East vs. West event in Iowa. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Spring Jr.

Ocala, Florida – May 26, 2011 – Traveling to the Iowa Speedway for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East meets West showdown, Californian pilot Cody Hodgson would look to make his presence felt in his Ocala Gran Prix sponsored Dave Davis Motorsports prepared entry. Competing in front of the NASCAR Nationwide teams and owners as a support program, the two-time defending Rotax DD2 United States National champion would try and continue his recent rookie success.

With the event taking place in Newton, Iowa at the Rusty Wallace owned Iowa Speedway, Hodgson would get up to speed early in his one and only ninety minute practice sessions. Averaging more than 130 miles per hour on the .875-mile oval, drivers would reach some of their highest speeds all season long as they looked to find that elusive setup come race time.

“I have to admit, the Iowa Speedway is pretty fast,” expressed Hodgson after his first time on the track. “Earlier in the year we competed at Richmond which is also quite quick but I think the Iowa track is going to provide better racing and with more than sixty drivers, it will be important for a good qualifying effort to ensure that we stay out of trouble. It took me a little to get up to speed but once I was comfortable, we were able to work on car setup and running fast and consistent race laps.”

After claiming the fifth quickest time in the practice session, Hodgson will look to qualify his #03 Ocala Gran Prix Dodge solidly in the field for the Pork “Be Inspired” 175 presented by Tompkins Industries event. When the dust had finally settled on their lone qualifying run, Hodgson would be awarded the twelfth quickest time of the session and an impressive outside sixth row starting spot.

The Escalon, California driver continued, “I am very happy with our qualifying efforts. A few tenths of a second separate the top fifteen so it was important to have a good lap. Now we will shift our focus to the race and try to gain as many championship points as possible.”

In the long 175-lap event, Hodgson battled hard with veteran drivers in the top ten as he continued to show his true speed. Moving up into the top four for his East program, Hodgson would eventually take the checkers in the twelfth position overall claiming 142 points towards the end of the year title chase. With the effort, the Dave Davis Motorsports driver claimed an eighth place finish among the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers.

Moving forward, Hodgson currently sits twelfth overall in the K&N Pro Series East Championship and a solid fourth in the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year title chase. Enjoying the Memorial Day weekend off, Hodgson will travel to Bowman Gray Stadium for the fifth round of the series as he looks to take his first victory at the Army Strong 150. Having tested at the facility earlier in the year, the Ocala Gran Prix driver has high hopes heading to the next event.

For more information on Cody Hodgson, please visit him online at www.CodyHodgsonRacing.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 them at 352.291.0600 (Info@OcalaGranPrix.com). For more information on media releases, please contact Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com).

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“Multiple race wins and podiums for OGP Team”

Ocala, Florida – May 19, 2011 – Heading to North Florida for the fourth round of the Florida Karting Championship Series, Ocala Gran Prix drivers would be shooting for race wins and podiums along the way. With the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) event taking place at the Monticello Karting and Motorclub facility, championship contenders would rise to the top as they make a final push towards the end of the year championship chase.

Leading the way in the Senior categories was perennial front runner and senior rookie Nick Neri. After taking the top honors in the Stock Moto and overall shifter division, Neri also went on to claim the TaG Senior win and a third place result in Rotax Senior. OGP showed their true dominance in the TaG Senior class as Neri was followed across the line by Jonathon Kotyk and Brandon Salyer in second and third. Tony Kart’s own Andre Martins finished in fifth. Floridian Andrew Evans was looking to make it an OGP sweep in the top five but a broken seat and a dislodged weight caused him to be one pound light at the scales post race.

Having a season best run in the FKCS program was Floridian Jonathon Kotyk. Competing in both the TaG Senior and Rotax Senior classes, Kotyk would be at the pointy end of the field all weekend long. After claiming the pole position, Kotyk went on to win the Rotax Senior category in one of his best races of the year.

In the junior categories, it was Oliver Askew who would claim a victory in Sunday’s Rotax Junior class, rebounding from a disappointing third place result in Saturday’s TaG Junior program. Askew would also compete in KPP and Yamaha Junior where he would run in the top five throughout the weekend. Working with no tuner in this pair of classes, Askew would begin to learn the in’s and out’s of tuning as he worked on his own kart all weekend long.

First year driver Alex Hornborg continued to turn heads as his rapid development at the club level program has seen him turn into a podium contender in regional level action. Seeing battle in both the Rotax and TaG Junior categories, Hornborg worked with OGP tuner Nate Grindell to score a solid fifth place result in TaG Junior. Sunday would see mid-race contact while running fourth in the Rotax Junior class to eventually be classified in the eleventh position.

Mathias Ramirez would solidify another win for the OGP squad as he stood atop the podium in Rotax Micro Max while teammate Dylan Gennaro came home in twelfth. In the Cadet Junior Sportsman class, Ramirez would cross the stripe in P9 while Gennaro would come home in nineteenth.

National level front-runner and Florida Winter Tour TaG Junior champion Ashley Rogero would be back behind the wheel of her Tony Kart and would see battle in the Yamaha Junior and KPP Junior classes. Showing her speed, Rogero stole the show in the Yamaha division as she added another win to her already impressive resume. In the KPP Junior class, the female pilot would claim a solid fourth place result.

“It was another good weekend of racing and great results for the OGP team,” expressed Ocala Gran Prix President Jorge Arellano. “With two events left, we will now take a look at the championship points and try to do whatever possible to make a run at as many of them as we can.”

The next Florida Karting Championship Series event is only a month away as the series will travel to the 103^rd Motorsports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida.

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 them at352.291.0600 (Info@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723(Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com).

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“Two-time defending Rotax DD2 National Champion tries his hand in oval racing”

Cody Hodgson competes in K&N Pro Series with backing from Ocala Gran Prix Photo courtesy of - www.CodyHodgsonRacing.com

Ocala, Florida – May 16, 2011 – While the karting world has seen very little of Escalon, Californian driver Cody Hodgson since the Rotax World Finals in November of 2010, the Ocala Gran Prix sponsored pilot has been behind the wheel of his new NASCAR K&N Pro Series East machine. Competing with Dave Davis Motorsports, a high profile program out of Mooresville, North Carolina, Hodgson has already begun his march up NASCAR’s ladder and is gaining knowledge and experience with each passing weekend.

“The step from karting into the NASCAR world has been an easy one for me thanks to the guys at Dave Davis Motorsports and Jorge Arellano of Ocala Gran Prix,” explained Hodgson, after his first top ten result at the last event. “I am competing at all the tracks that you see on TV and where you dream of racing as a kid as well as alongside some of NASCAR’s best up and coming drivers.”

Hodgson started his season at the Greenville Pickens Speedway for the Kevin Whitacker 150 back at the end of March. With only testing under his belt up to this date, the Californian would try his hand at the ultra competitive wheel-to-wheel racing action that can be seen in the K&N Pro Series. Competing in the Ocala Gran Prix backed Dave Davis Motorsports Dodge, Hodgson finished on the lead lap and claimed an impressive tenth place result.

“Entering the first event, I was hoping to finish on the lead lap and secure a top twenty result,” explained Hodgson. “When we got into the racing action, I found that I could run fast and consistent race laps and was not losing any time to the leader. Looking to stay out of trouble and advance forward as much as I could, I managed to finish in the tenth position and be the highest finishing Dodge driver.”

Hodgson’s second event would take place in mid-April at the South Boston Speedway for the South Boston 150. Looking to improve on his top ten result from the opening round, the OGP driver would suffer some setbacks due to mid race incidents. Finishing just off the lead lap, Hodgson crossed the stripe in the fifteenth position, finishing in the front half of the field for the second race in a row.

The third stop in the twelve-race program would see the Dave Davis Motorsports crew compete at the Blue Ox 100 at the famed Richmond International Raceway. Competing next to the NASCAR Nationwide program, the K&N Pro Series East cars would reach some of their highest speeds of the season as they approached 165 miles per hour.

With the biggest field of the season to date, Hodgson would compete against almost forty drivers as they looked to impress in front of some NASCAR’s biggest teams. When the dust had finally settled and the checkered flag was flown, the kid from California would come home in the nineteenth position.

Hodgson continued, “My only experience in cars before the 2011 season was a nine or so in a Late model stock car in northern California. Competing with Nascimento Motorsports at 99 speedway and Roseville out there, my Dad and I went to the race track just looking to make as many laps as possible. I learned a lot and showed I could run up front. This year has been quite a big change for me as I am living on the East coast and with the support from Ocala Gran Prix and Dave Davis Motorsports, I am racing and working in motorsports.”

“It hasn’t been easy for me,” added the 19-year-old driver. “The learning curve has been steep and the sacrifices have been big. I have learned a lot in the first four months of this season and still have a ton to go. I am making contacts for the future, meeting the right people and having great success as a rookie.”

There is no downtime for the up and coming driver as Hodgson is testing on a regular basis. Preparing for the upcoming May 21 event at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, Dave Davis Motorsports and their rookie pilot will enter the K&N Pro Series East meets West event at the .875 mile high banked oval. With sixty plus cars scheduled to compete, Hodgson will look to score another solid result and continue to turn heads in the NASCAR world.

Heading to Iowa, Ocala Grand Prix sponsored Cody Hodgson currently sits tenth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East point standings.

For more information on Cody Hodgson, please visit him online atwww.CodyHodgsonRacing.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 atwww.OcalaGranPrix.com or contact them at 352.291.0600 (Info@OcalaGranPrix.com). For more information on media releases, please contact Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723(Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com).

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“Drivers on track honing skills for US Rotax Nationals”

Ocala, Florida – May 11, 2011 – While you don’t see the Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) race team at many national events throughout the summer months, the team has been on track testing and honing their skills for the upcoming United States Rotax Grand Nationals. While team drivers have been testing throughout the sunshine state, they have also been competing in wheel-to-wheel racing action at the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge (NFRMC) and the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS).

“We have a solid business plan in place,” expressed OGP President Jorge Arellano. “Our team is based in Florida, my track is based in Florida so we really want to focus on the Florida karting market. Though you don’t see OGP at many national events other than the Florida Winter Tour, there is no lack of testing and racing that our squad competes in.”

Arellano speaks of both the North Florida Rotax and the FKCS programs, one of which his team will compete in this weekend. Taking place in northern Florida, the Ocala Gran Prix race team will travel to the Monticello Karting and Motorclub facility in Monticello, Florida. With a tent full of competitors, OGP drivers will look to continue their impressive streak of race wins and podiums in the series.

Competing in the Rotax Senior and TaG Senior categories will be standout drivers Nick Neri, Andrew Evans, Jonathon Koytk and Brandon Salyer while Oliver Askew and Alex Hornborg will look to keep their competitors at bay in the junior versions of the class. Dylan Genarro will be back in action in Cadet Junior Sportsman and Rotax Micro Max while Mathias Ramirez will do battle in Micro Max as well as Yamaha Junior Sportsman.

Turning the wrenches this weekend in Monticello will be Mike Maurini, Alex Speed and Wesley Boswell, Nate Grindell, Mario Ioffredo, Kyle Kraus and Cody Johnson as they look to ensure success for all team competitors.

With July just around the corner, any drivers looking to utilize Ocala Gran Prix’s arrive and drive program at the US Rotax Grand Nationals in Tooele, Utah are asked to contact the team immediately. With limited openings and a test week planned prior to the event, OGP will travel west with one goal.

Arellano continued, “We have had two tremendous years in Rotax competition and this year started off well at the Florida Winter Tour. We are going to keep the momentum going through our regional races and then make another attack on the competition in Utah. I am feeling very confident for both my team and my drivers as we head into the summer months and look forward to celebrating with them.”

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 them at 352.291.0600 (Info@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723 (Mike@RaceTechDevelopment.com).

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