The 2015 ROK Cup USA Series Concludes Round Two

(May 26, 2015)—Round 2 of the ROK Cup USA showed to be a weekend full of great competition and diverse racing teams from across the world.

The three-day event had over 90 racers and their teams in attendance. The weekend officially started with timed-practice after the lunch time hour on Friday afternoon. Each class started getting acquainted with the physically demanding track at Homestead Karting. Preparing for the weekend events, it was apparent that each racer came with one goal in mind, to take the top podium in their respective classes.

The racing schedule started bright and early on Saturday morning with the MINI ROK class taking the track first. With a demanding schedule composed of two practices, qualifying and three heats, the racers all kicked off the morning showing true strength and endurance. Ending the day for Round 2 with the MICRO ROK class, all participants and family’s got to take some time and enjoy time off the track as well. ROK Cup USA threw a lunch party that could not be beat. With catered lunch by Olive Garden for all attendees, water activities and a blow up ball race, everyone was able to refresh and celebrate a great day on the track.

Sunday’s racing continued to test each driver’s determination.  The schedule for the final day of round two consisted of a practice and pre-final and final. The double-checkered flag was waved for every class along with the launch of fireworks, as the drivers crossed the finish line.

The large 21 driver MINI ROK class completed 14 laps at the Homestead Karting track and showcased their sportsmanship and athleticism, always competing hard on track and congratulating and shaking hands when the day was done. With just a 0.071 gap between him and the driver just behind him, Lachlan DeFrancesco battled and went home with the top podium for his class.  Alessandro Famularo from Venezuela took second place and Reece Gold from the United States came away with third.

With 18 outstanding athletes, Anthony Gangi Jr. walked away with the top spot for the second time this series. Mathias Ramirez followed behind him with a 3.339 gap and Tyler Gonzalez rounded out the top three after 18 laps for the final round in their class.

In the Senior ROK class, there proved to be a lot of girl power in Round 2 this weekend. Keeping a gap of 1.122 between her and the second position, Morgan Healey from the Ocala Gran Prix team walked away with first place. Followed by Luis Jose Forteza in second and Sasha Brun-Wibaux from Checkered Motorsports in third.  Master ROK, Gonzalo Aponte came away with first place again in Round 2, with Raul Casta and Daniel Rieger taking second and third accordingly.

Our Shifter classes hit the track with 16 drivers this weekend. With great determination and focus, Shifter Senior Austin Garrison and Christian Lall Dass dominated and walked away with the top two spots of first and second. Nicholas Hargraves placed third with a 19.522 gap.

The Shifter Master class crowned a new winner in Round 2, Chris Gannon with TBKart.  Tom Hankinson followed close behind and took the second place finish with Farshad Bagheri rounding out the top three for their class.

 The road to the ROK Cup International Finals in Italy will continue for Round three of the ROK Cup USA on June 27-28 in Palm Beach.  You don’t want to miss any of the action and the series first ever night race for round three, more handmade Italian trophies specially made for the ROK Cup USA and more.

For more information about the race results or to follow upcoming race events live, please visit www.rokcupusa.com or email usa@rokcup.com.

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