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
• 10 minute 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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“Champions and Vice-Champions receive free entries to US Grand Nationals”

April 18, 2012 – After a successful start to the 2012 racing season, the North Rotax Max Challenge (NFRMC) presented by Ocala Gran Prix continues to increase in size, experience and competition. With the most recent event held at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida, the series met a new high in entries with fierce on-track, wheel-to-wheel action taking place. When the final checkered flag had flown, race winners were awarded and competitors left the track with a smile.

“We were expecting a lot of entries in the opening events of 2012 but the participation has been overwhelming. Watching drivers and their families leave the facility with smiles on their faces is something we strive for,” expressed North Florida Rotax Max Challenge President Jorge Arellano. “Drivers in the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge program have something to shoot for as series champions and vice-champions in all Rotax classes will receive a free paid entry to the US Grand Nationals held in Indiana in July.”

If history has been any indicator, the NFRMC is set to explode into epic numbers as more and more racers get on board with the TaG-style Rotax Max program. With the NFRMC first event taking place in early 2006, a mere twenty entries would show up for action. With numbers increasing throughout the years, it looked as if the series had reached it peak in 2010. With sub-par participation, OGP’s Jorge Arellano would step up to the plate and look to grow the series even more. Offering champions free entries, race tires and fuel to the United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals, the 2011 race series numbers began to rise once again.

Enter 2012 and with the first event of the program preceding the world recognized Florida Winter Tour, series numbers grew to nearly 100 entries. With their biggest event in series history, officials were cautious to get to excited about the increased participation citing the upcoming national event.

Arellano added, “The first event grew to almost 100 competitors and we weren’t sure if it was because we had people here testing for the FWT. Cautiously approaching the second event this past weekend, we were hoping for the same kind of turnout.”

With very little promotion within the state of Florida and the karting community in general, the NFRMC program reached 96 entries on April 14th, their biggest event in the history of the series.

“I think it is safe to say that the series is here to stay,” continued Arellano

With Jorge Arellano and Ocala Gran Prix providing the prize package to the series, OGP Team drivers will not be eligible for championship incentives. This includes drivers Nick Neri, Oliver Askew, Andrew Evans, Jonathon Kotyk, Mathias Ramirez, Cody Hodgson, Annie Hayden and Brandon Salyer.

The North Florida program runs all the normal Rotax divisions including Mini Max, Junior, Senior, Masters, DD2 and DD2 Masters. Any drivers and teams planning on attending future events 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 352.291.0600.

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 or via e-mail to: Info@OcalaGranPrix.com.

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“A way to say thank-you to Florida karters for a great summer season”

Ocala, Florida – August 29, 2011 – Always looking to give back to the karting community, Ocala Gran Prix’s Jorge Arellano has opened up his facility in central Florida for a free day of practice on Labor Day weekend. With no charge for practice or to be on the property, attendee’s will need to sign a waiver before entering the main gate and the track will go hot for practice from 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday, September 3, 2011.

“This is a good way to give back to the karting community,” expressed OGP’s Jorge Arellano. “We have had a great year at our track as our local series and track action continues to grow. This is just a way that I can say thank you to the karting community. Everyone is invited to come out on that Saturday.”

Participants looking to attend the Saturday, September 3 free day will still need to sign the insurance waiver before entering the main gate at Ocala Gran Prix. At that point, each and every person entering the property will be required to pick up his or her insurance wrist band free of charge and enter the track.

Arellano added, “With a lot of drivers taking advantage of the great weather the past few weekends, we hope to have a packed house on Labor Day weekend.”

The Ocala Gran Prix facility is located at:
4121 NW 44th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34482
352.291.0600

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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