“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).

Announcements, Newsletter

“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).

Announcements, Newsletter

(more…)

Announcements, Newsletter, Rotax Max Chalange Points Results

(more…)

Announcements, Local Series Points Results, Newsletter

“Askew and Neri run at the front of the field in Junior and Senior”

Oliver Askew claims a pair of victories for OGP. Photo courtesy of: Autosports Media Grou

Ocala, Florida – March 29, 2011 – With the final round of the Florida Winter Tour taking place at Ocala Gran Prix (OGP), team drivers would look to utilize track knowledge and experience to take home race wins. Leading the way was multi-time champion Nick Neri who scored the Rotax Senior race win on Sunday as well as Rotax Junior competitor Oliver Askew who claimed a pair of dominating wins.

“I am so proud of my team and drivers,” exclaimed Jorge Arellano after the weekend was over. “We have had some great success over the past three months and to cap the tour off in the form that we did is something to build on in the future.”

As the season began to wind down, several Ocala Gran Prix drivers hit their stride as they entered the final round of the Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour. Competing in the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior class was a quartet of pilots, as Oliver Askew, Alex Keyes, Angus Hunt and Alex Hornborg would look to end off the series strong. While only one driver can win, that honor was given to Askew has he dominated the Rotax Junior class throughout the weekend.

After scoring the pole position for Sunday’s racing action, Askew claimed the fourth place starting spot for Saturday but would look to move forward. After claiming the second position in the heat race, Askew went on to take the lead at the drop of the green flag for the main event and never looked back. Leading all twenty-four laps and scoring the fastest lap of the race, Askew scored his first career Florida Winter Tour win.

Starting from the pole position on Sunday, Askew scored a perfect day taking the heat race win, main event victory and fastest race lap to score maximum points on the day. With the pair of victories, the Floridian pilot claimed the second position in the overall championship.

Michigan resident Alex Keyes did not have the best of luck in Ocala as multiple incidents hindered any chances at a good result. Though the 14-year old driver managed to make both main events, contact throughout the finals would force him to retire early with a pair of 31^stplace results.

Fellow Floridian pilot Alex Hornborg would have a great showing in Saturday’s racing action as he claimed the 17^th place position while Georgia’s Angus Hunt garnered a 19^th place result on Sunday.

Ocala Gran prix’s other race win came at the hands of two-time Florida Winter Tour Rotax Junior champion Nick Neri as he took the top honors in Sunday’s Rotax Senior category. Jumping out to the lead early, Neri led all twenty-four laps as he stole the show. The race win made up for a disappointing result on Saturday as Neri was removed from the results after failing a controversial post-race technical inspection after claiming the second position on track.

Also competing in the Rotax Senior category was Miami-area driver Andrew Evans. Looking to utilize his experience of the OGP facility, Evans had his best result at this year’s Florida Winter Tour on Saturday with a solid fourteenth place finish. Looking to improve on Sunday, Evans could only manage a 26^th place finish.

Rotax Masters competitor Jason Bell entered the final weekend of action with a shot at the title. With a stout field of competitors, Bell garnered the third step on the podium on Saturday but ran into severe trouble on Sunday. After claiming the pole position for Sunday’s festivities earlier in the weekend, Bell would make contact with a fellow competitor on the opening laps and be forced to retire from the heat race. Starting from the tail of the field, Bell worked his way forward to claim an impressive twelfth place result but came just short of the overall series crown.

Another driver scoring his best Florida Winter Tour results to date was the young Enzo Fittipaldi. After running inside the top twenty at the opening two rounds, Fittipaldi jumped into the top ten during the final rounds claiming a ninth place finish on Saturday and a fourteenth place result on Sunday in the Rotax Mini Max class.

The young Mathias Ramirez would be Ocala Gran Prix’s sole entry in the Rotax Micro Max class as he would see battle against a host of seven to eleven year olds. Working with the OGP team personnel, Ramirez scored a solid eighth place result on Saturday but would falter slightly on Sunday to finish 16^th.

Arellano added, “I am happy that this year’s Florida Winter Tour is over. Though we had some great results and memories that will last a while, it is time for me to give my guys a break and regroup as we work towards a busy summer season.”

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 at352.291.0600 (Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com) or Mike Maurini at 317.270.8723

Announcements, Newsletter

“Another title for the Floridian female”

Ashley Rogero claims Formula Leopard Junior championship at FWT. Photo courtesy of Autosports Media Group

March 29, 2011 – Looking to have a breakout rookie season in the junior ranks, karting standout Ashley Rogero started off her 2011 racing season in fine form. After a dominating program in 2010 that saw Rogero claim multiple championships in the Sportsman ranks, the Floridian female moved to the tougher junior categories and did not miss a beat as she claimed the Florida Winter Tour Formula Leopard Junior championship.

“Winning a championship in my rookie season as a junior is something that I didn’t know I could do,” expressed Rogero. “I was going to take this season as a learning year but after the first event I knew that I could fight for race wins and championships. This is a great way to start off the season and it will provide a lot of momentum as we move forward.”

Heading to the final round two weeks ago at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida, Rogero was sitting second in the points battle with an outside shot at winning the title. Needing to score near perfect race results, Rogero did just that as she claimed a solid fourth place finish on Saturday and a second place finish on Sunday. Couple those results with a pair of heat race wins that reward with bonus points, Rogero managed to take the Formula Leopard Junior title by forty markers when the final points were tallied.

Rogero continued, “Though the kart count in the Leopard Junior class was lower than expected, the competition was second to none as top drivers from across the United States were here to compete. I am thankful to have the support from Tony Kart, Ocala Gran Prix, Comet Kart Sales as well as my friends and family.”

The young female was a model of consistency throughout the Florida Winter Tour as she claimed six top five results is six events. The up and coming driver was a threat each and every race weekend as was shown by her outright speed and determination to run at the front of the field. With six top five results including one main event win and two heat race victories as well as countless pole positions, Rogero proved that she will be a threat in each and every race in 2011.

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

For more information on Ashley Rogero, please contact Jim Rogero at 239.877.4302. For press release and media information, please contact Race Tech Development at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail atInfo@RaceTechDevelopment.com.

Announcements, Newsletter

(more…)

Announcements, Local Series Points Results, Newsletter

“Strong runs at PBIR for Ocala Gran Prix drivers”

Ocala, Florida – Heading to the Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) for the second round of the Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), Ocala Gran Prix drivers knew that the competition would once again be stout. With talented drivers from all around the world descending on Jupiter, Florida, Ocala Gran Prix would prove to have another successful weekend as the second weekend in the program has come to a close.

“The Palm Beach facility has changed a lot over the last few years and you need to have a smart driver and fast equipment to run at the front of the field,” explained Team Principal Jorge Arellano. “Our drivers had good weekend of results and now we head back to our home facility for the third and final round in the series.”

While the Rotax Senior drivers lead the team, it was the junior competitors that came home with the best results this weekend. Pietro Fittipaldi and Oliver Askew led the OGP team in the Rotax Junior division as both drivers were able to take home top five results. Askew claimed a solid fifth place finish on Saturday, his career best in FWT competition, and backed it up on Sunday with a solid sixth place result. Fittipaldi struggled in Saturday’s main event but managed to claim an eighth place finish out of the 68 registered competitors but improved on Sunday to score a podium result in the third position.

Alex Hornborg was the third junior competitor to make the final on both days of action directly through the qualifying rounds. When the weekend was finally complete, the Florida resident claimed 25^th and 31^st place results after being involved in some opening corner incidents. Michigan driver Alex Keyes showed leaps and bounds of improvement from the opening round in Orlando as he claimed a solid 22^ndplace result on Saturday while Angus Hunt went on to win the Last Chance Qualifier on Sunday to make the main and eventually score a 27^th place result.

Double Rotax Junior champion Nick Neri and IndyCar competitor Dan Wheldon would battle at the front of the Rotax Senior field all weekend long at PBIR. While Neri would have to overcome some engine issues during pre event testing, he managed to claim a disappointing 11^th place finish on Saturday but rebounded on Sunday to finish fifth. Wheldon was at the front of the field throughout Saturday’s main event as he led the majority of the race. The fierce competition and aggressiveness would not let up for Wheldon as he eventually crossed the stripe in the sixth position. Another driver improving greatly from the opening round was OGP’s Andrew Evans. After not making either final in Orlando, Evans managed to take home 19^th and 20^th place results at PBIR.

In the Rotax Masters class it was a pair of OGP drivers in Jason Bell and Rob Maier who would battle in the top ten all weekend long. Bell would score the best results of the duo with a tenth and seventh place results while Maier would come home sixteenth and thirteenth.

Entering the PBIR round, Californian driver Cody Hodgson would look to battle for the race win. After claiming Saturday’s pole position, Hodgson would be disqualified in post qualifying technical inspection and sent to the rear of the field. Driving with aggression and determination, Hodgson moved through the talented field to claim a fourth place finish on Saturday. Sunday would be a little different for the two time defending United States Grand National champion as he would lead the main event. Looking as if he would have a good shot at the race win, Hodgson was driven over by a fellow competitor and with a badly damaged kart, was unable to continue.

OGP would enter three drivers in the youngest two divisions on the weekend as Enzo Fittipaldi and Sebastian Sierra would run in the Rotax Mini Max class while Mathias Ramirez would compete in Micro Max. While Fittipaldi would come home in 19^th and 22^nd, Sierra would run into trouble and be classified in 28^th and 34^th. Ramirez would show consistent speed throughout the race weekend and score a pair of top ten results in ninth and tenth.

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

Announcements, Newsletter

“Strong motors available for purchase before final round of Florida Winter Tour”

Ocala, Florida – With a host of drivers competing at the Florida Winter Tour under the Ocala Gran Prix team tent, the OGP program utilized multiple Rotax power plants to ensure their drivers were at the front of the field. Now that the popular winter series is coming to a close, Ocala Gran Prix will look to sell some of their Rotax motors to the general karting community before the final round at the end of March.

“At the beginning of the Florida Winter Tour, we rebuilt and prepared more than forty motors to use and rent throughout the series,” expressed Ocala Gran Prix’s Jorge Arellano. “Now, we are looking to sell some of the motors to the karting community. We have multiple Rotax Senior power plants available for only $2500.00″

Ocala Gran Prix team motors will be sold complete with battery, wiring harness, coil, air box, fuel pump, and starter buttons. All motors will be in good working order and will be freshened up before the final round in Ocala and were built in conjunction Koene Racing’s Martijn Koene.

Arellano added, “Once motors clear post race technical inspection on Sunday, buyers are welcome to take them home or can organize shipping with OGP representatives after the event.”

Ocala Gran Prix is expecting a quick sale on all six motors as they will be offered on a first payment, first taker basis. For more information on these motors, please contact Ocala Gran Prix’s Kyle Kraus or Troy Mitchell at 352.291.0600 or via e-mail to Kyle@OcalaGranPrix.com or Troy@OcalaGranPrix.com

Announcements, Newsletter

“16 Drivers under Ocala Gran Prix tent look for success in South Florida”

Ocala, Florida – February 20, 2011 – As the second round of the 2011 Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT) fast approaches, teams and drivers begin their testing and preparation in the hunt for race wins and podiums. The Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) squad is no different as they have assembled yet another large contingent of drivers to compete at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) in Jupiter, Florida.

IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon drove to a solid top five and sits sixth in the Rotax Senior point standings.

“While some of our drivers are veterans of the Florida Winter Tour, others are fresh out of the box rookies who are looking to gain experience needed to compete at the front of the field in 2011,” expressed Jorge Arellano, Team Principal for Ocala Gran Prix. “We had some mixed results in Orlando as weather played a definite role in the final results. We look to overcome that minor speed bump and return back to the form of winning races and earning multiple podiums at PBIR.”

Leading the way in the Rotax Senior class will be senior rookie Nick Neri and INDYCAR champion Dan Wheldon. Both drivers could be seen at the front of the pack in Orlando scoring top five results and currently sit fourth and fifth in the point standings respectively. Joining the duo in the talent-laden senior class will be Floridian pilot Andrew Evans.

Two time defending United States Rotax DD2 national champion Cody Hodgson will make the cross country trek once again to compete at the FWT. Showing speed at the opening round, Hodgson would succumb to racing luck scoring results that were not equivalent to his on track action. When Hodgson is not behind the wheel of his Tony Kart, he can usually be seen piloting the #55 in the NASCAR Late Model Western Series.

Scoring the OGP squad’s best results in Orlando were that of Rotax Masters competitors Jason Bell and Rob Maier. While Bell went on to score a pole position and a pair of solid results, Maier overcame his tough run on Saturday to finish in the fourth position on Sunday. Currently Jason Bell sits second in the title chase while Maier is in the mix in seventh.

Ocala Gran Prix’s largest contingent of drivers comes from the junior division. Leading the way into the second round of the program will be Oliver Askew and Pietro Fittipaldi. Askew will enter the Palm Beach race with redemption on his mind after a pair of twenty something results in Orlando. Showing the speed to run with the lead trio, Askew was involved in opening lap incidents taking him out of contention for the win. On the other hand, Fittipaldi showed that he has what it takes to make a run at the title scoring a pair of top fifteen results with lap times to run at the front of the field. Joining Askew and Fittipaldi in the Rotax Junior class will be Alex Hornborg, Angus Hunt, Alex Keyes and Karl Weber.

Pietro’s younger brother Enzo Fittipaldi along with Sebastian Sierra and Justin Gordon will do battle in the Rotax Mini Max division. While Sierra scored a solid third place result on Saturday, he failed to make the main event on Sunday due to an on track incident. Sierra will look to rebound in Palm Beach to get himself back in the hunt for the championship. Both Fittipaldi and Gordon continued to show improvement throughout the race weekend at the challenging Orlando circuit and will look to score top ten results at the second round in the program.

Rotax Masters pilot Jason Bell scored a pair of solid results and a pole position in Orlando

Mathias Ramirez will be OGP’s lone driver in the Micro Max class as he looks to battle for race wins. After scoring a top five result in Sunday’s action at the opening round, Ramirez tallied enough points to currently sit eighth in the race for the championship. Looking forward to the Palm Beach International Raceway round, Ramirez will look to take try and sweep the weekend’s action

With 16 drivers under the Ocala Gran Prix program, the past and future success and experience of these drivers is invaluable. From Florida Winter Tour champions to national champions, Ocala Gran Prix looks to add strong results this round and make a run at several series championships.

With a strong team of drivers, a tuning crew second to none has been assembled. With mechanics from all over the world, the OGP squad employs more than 275 years of experience and knowledge to ensure success to their drivers.

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

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development
Photo courtesy of: Autosports Media

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

Announcements, Newsletter