“Success has motivated OGP to make program bigger and better”

Ocala, Florida – May 23, 2012 – Announcing their ‘Pit Stop’ program just over two months ago, Ocala Gran Prix has seen nothing but success in the effort to aid Tony Kart customers improve kart handling, speed and decrease lap time. Launching at the second round of the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS) and continuing at the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge (NFRMC) program, multiple drivers and families have taken advice from national level tuners and former karting champions.

“The program has had nothing but success in the first few weeks and all my guys have worked hard together to complete any work that is thrown their direction,” expressed Ocala Gran Prix’s Jorge Arellano. “Continuing to aid Tony Kart customers with kart setup, repair, maintenance and driver coaching, we would like to welcome any Tony Kart customer to visit our tent on any given race weekend and receive free advice.”

While the program took a little time to get off the ground, more and more competitors are seen wheeling their karts to OGP’s Pit Stop program. From complete kart rebuilds to simple advice, all customers leave smiling and with their money in their pockets.

Arellano continued, “Our program is completely free. No Tony Kart customer will be refused and you will not receive a bill for these services.”

Helping privateer drivers improve their race craft, competitors are urged to bring their My-Chron data to Ocala Gran Prix’s data center and receive a free analysis from multi-time karting champion Gary Carlton. With some driver coaching and reading off the data, a team of tuners can determine what changes are needed to make your Tony Kart better. Springing into action, the program becomes full circle when the work is completed quickly and professionally to ensure limited track time is missed.

“When Jorge brought this idea to the table, we all thought that not many people would take advantage of this,” expressed Team Manager Nate Grindell. “Every time I turn around, there is another happy customer leaving the tent. It is all about making frustrated families happy and help grow the sport.”

The Ocala Gran Prix Pit Stop program’s next event will be the Florida Karting Championship Series event at the new Orlando Kart Center May 25 – 27 weekend.

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Overall championship winner to receive free race day in a Rotax powered Tony Kart with support from Ocala Gran Prix race team
– A $5000.00 Value!

Four Hour Event / Six Race Series / 12 Drivers

• Event only open for drivers 18 years of age and up.
• Held on the last wednseday of every month starting on May 30, 2012 – Ending on Oct.31, 2012
• Online registration on a first come first serve basis.
• Registration must be paid in full.

Race Event Format

• Divers meeting
• Kart weight in.
• All karts 556lbs. Minimum with driver and helmet
• 2 – 10 minute practice sessions
• 10 – 15 minute break between each session
• 1 – 10 minute qualifing session +/- 14 laps
• 10-15 minute break before pre – final
• 10 minute pre- final race / +/- 14 laps
• 10-15 minute break before the final race

Race Dates and Time

• May 30, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• June 27, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• July 25, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Aug.29, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Sept. 26, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Oct. 31, 2012: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

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“Team USA driver continues his winning ways”

Askew, who claimed three wins at the 2012 Florida Winter Tour, continues to stand atop the podium (Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media)

Tequesta, Florida – April 24, 2012 – Taking to the Andersen Race Park facility on Palmetto, Florida, Ocala Gran Prix pilot Oliver Askew was back to his winning ways as the recent Florida Winter Tour champion was once again one of the drivers to beat. Seeing action in both the TaG Junior category aboard a Parilla Leopard powered Tony Kart and the Rotax Junior class, Askew was again at the top of the time charts scoring a race win on Saturday backed up by a solid second place podium result on Sunday.

Making the switch to a Russell Karting prepared IAME Parilla Leopard package, Askew showed dominance in the TaG Junior category. After pacing all drivers in Friday’s unofficial practice sessions, Askew continued his hot streak on Saturday morning by topping the morning warm-up session.

Back to the paddock to prepare for qualifying, Askew and his tuner Mike Maurini went to work to fine-tune his Tony Kart for the qualifying session.

With rain forecast throughout the day, every session would count, as track position was key on the tight and twisty racetrack. Scoring the pole position and setting a new track record in the process, Askew would be one of only two drivers below the 45 second barrier as he turned a blistering lap of 44.542.

Lining up on the inside of the front row for the prefinal, Askew quickly jumped into the lead and never looked back. Leading every circuit of the ten-lap prefinal, Askew went on to score the race win and pole position for the main event.

With rain on the horizon, the heavens would open before the TaG Junior pilots could get back on track. With high winds and a heavy downpour, officials deemed the racing surface impassable and were forced to cancel the rest of the day. With all classes completing at least their heat races, the day was deemed official and overall race results were awarded in the finishing order of the prefinal giving Askew another win to add to his resume.

Back to the track on Sunday, Askew would trade his Parilla Leopard engine package in for an Ocala Gran Prix prepared Rotax Junior motor. Completing no laps with a Rotax engine on the test day, Askew would hit the track fresh on Sunday morning as rain doused the facility. Qualifying on the outside of row four in the eighth position, the Team USA member would gain four positions in the red-flag shortened prefinal to cross the stripe in fourth.

Looking to get into a podium position and a possible race win in the main event, Askew’s chances were hindered as he fell back to seventh in the opening complex of corners. Working hard to move back towards the front of the field, Askew drove to a solid second place result en route to the fastest lap of the event.

Oliver Askew would like to thank all of his sponsors and supporters for their hard work and continued support. A special thanks to Ocala Gran Prix, Tony Kart, Koene Racing, Coastal Performance, K1 RaceGear, GO Designs, Race Tech Development and his tuner Mike Maurini.

For more information on Oliver Askew, please visit him online at www.OliverAskew.com.

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Aaron Bass has made the switch to Tony Kart with Ocala Gran Prix (Photo: Aaron Bass Racing)

“First event with OGP sees Bass score sixth place result in Mini Max”

April 23, 2012 – Making the move to the potent Tony Kart chassis with the championship winning Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) squad, Florida resident Aaron Bass looks to continue his development and become a front-runner in only his second year of competition. Having flip-flopped chassis, teams and tuners, Bass has found a new home with OGP and Tony Kart and has big plans for future success.

“This was my first big weekend with the Ocala Gran Prix team and I have to say, they are fantastic,” expressed the 11-year-old. “I have learned a lot about the Tony Kart as well, and their driver coaching and data analysis has helped me improve a lot. I am looking forward for podiums and race wins with OGP in the very near future.”

Competing in the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge program two weekends ago and back on track this past weekend for the Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS), Bass has already improved leaps and bounds by working with tuner Alex Speed. Looking for solid results in the talent filled Rotax Mini Max class, Bass showed he has what it takes to run in the front half of the field and on tracks unfamiliar to him, he is on the verge of being one of the drivers to beat.

After qualifying in the seventh position, Bass improved one position in the pre-final to claim an outside third row starting position for the main event. With rain in the forecast and moving into the area quickly, officials worked hard to get the race started before the heavens opened. On the attempted start in dry conditions, Aaron was bumped from behind sending him wide and pushing him back to last position, completing only two circuits before the rain began to fall heavily, the Mini Max field was brought to a stop via the head flagman’s red flag as drivers were sent back to the paddock to prepare for wet weather competition.

With winds swirling and heavier rain on the horizon, Mini Max drivers were back on the slick track and battling hard to improve their positions.  Aaron would quickly improve at the drop of the green flag fighting from the back and working his way through the traitorous conditions battling hard against the Mini-Max field.  Bass would cross the stripe in P6 scoring another top ten result for the Ocala Gran Prix squad.

“I am happy with Aaron and his progress,” stated tuner and karting champion Alex Speed. “Aaron still has a lot to learn but he has loads of potential. I think being with the OGP team and having the leadership from junior and senior drivers, Aaron will improve greatly over the next six months.”

Looking onwards in Aaron Bass’ karting program, the talented British-born Floridian will compete in the remainder of the Florida Karting Championship Series and North Florida Rotax Max Challenge events. Preparing himself for the Rotax Summer Shootout and the United States Rotax Grand Nationals in Mini Max, Bass will make the switch to the 60cc Mini-Rok program for the annual Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) SuperNationals in Las Vegas this November. With Aaron continuing his Mini Max and Mini Rok development, the talented youngster will begin training in a full size junior kart to gain experience and get accustomed to the speed.

With 2013 plans all but confirmed, Bass will see action in the prestigious Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour as well as the WSK Masters Series and WSK Euro Series with a yet to be determined team.

With an ultimate goal of competing in Europe in karting and single seater formula cars, Bass will tailor his racing program towards future plans as they become more apparent.

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No Kart Rental Until March 28, 2012

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• All dogs must be kept on a leash at all times
• All dogs must be must clean up after
• NO Skateboards, bicycles, rip-sticks, heelies, etc are allowed to be used (pits included)

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