It was a trip out west to the Utah Motorsports Campus this past weekend for Canadian karting standout Anthony Martella as he took on the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) SpringNationals. Joining the Speed Concepts Racing program for all events south of the border, Martella was back in a familiar position and close to the front of the field.
Competing in a pair of Junior divisions, Martella saw action in both KA100 Junior and X30 Junior, with his best finishes coming in the X30 category. Saturday started off with an eighth-place qualifying effort, but the day was highlighted by a drive to third on route to the fastest lap of the race. Starting on the inside of row two for the main event, the young Canadian battled for the lead and was in a podium position, before late-race contact forced him to the sidelines.
Returning to the track Sunday and knowing he had the speed to compete, it was a day of steady progression for Martella. After a fifth-place qualifying effort, it was another drive to third in the prefinal. Looking to earn a podium result and not have a repeat of the day prior, Martella did just that, crossing the stripe in second and scoring a SKUSA Pro Tour podium finish.
“I am very happy with the speed and progress in the X30 class,” explained Martella. “I think we deserved the win on Saturday, or at least a podium, but I was able to get redemption Sunday. I feel good and look forward to the next IAME event to see what we can do.”
On the KA100 Junior side of his program, Martella battled in talent-filled field of more than thirty drivers. Saturday saw a disappointing qualifying effort overcome by a solid drive in the prefinal moving from 17th on the grid and into the sixth position. Dashed by a penalty post-race, Martella started the main event from the outside of row six in P12, and once again proved his driving prowess gaining six positions to earn a sixth-place result. Sunday proved to be a much better performance in qualifying to score the fifth fastest time of the session, but racing luck would not be on his side as a 14th place finish in the prefinal was improved upon slightly in the main event to 12th.
Martella added, “Thank you to the SKUSA and Utah Motorsports Park staff for an awesome event and thank you to Speed Concepts Racing and Speed Lab Racing Engines for all the help. A huge shoutout to NIN Transport for the continued efforts to allow me to compete at the highest level.”
Next up for Anthony Martella will be a trip to the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix this weekend to support his F1600 team Britain West Motorsports before returning back to the United States and New Castle Motorsports Park for the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS) Indiana Grand Prix next weekend.
Stay tuned for more news from Anthony Martella and Martella Motorsports in the very near future.
For more information on Anthony Martella and Martella Motorsports, please contact Tony Martella via email at Tony@SkilledLabourOfCanada.com or by phone to 647.564.0874.
Photos: On Track Promotions