A new year and a new racing season would all happen in the same week for Ayden Ingratta as the Speed Concepts Racing driver took on the X30 Junior field at the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Winter Series this past weekend. With the first two rounds of the growing program taking place at the AMR Motorplex, Ingratta showed great pace as he contested at the front of the field leaving the weekend with a second-place result in the talent filled X30 Junior field.
After a disappointing qualifying effort that saw the multi-time race winner from 2021 stuck back in the eleventh position, Ingratta put his head down in the prefinal and main events to move forward. Leveling up three positions in the first wheel-to-wheel action on the weekend, Ingratta utilized his Speed Lab Racing Engines power and Redspeed chassis to finish eighth en route to the fastest lap of the race. In similar fashion during the main event, Ingratta once again advanced forward, this time to finish third on the unofficial results sheets.
“It was a good race, and I was battling for the lead on the last lap,” explained Ingratta. “I always want to win, and I went for it but was unsuccessful. Following the race, I was unfortunately disqualified for avoidable contact and relegated down the running order. Not something that I totally agree with, but something that I will accept and move on to tomorrow.”
Back to the track on Sunday, Ingratta once again proved his prowess as he turned the third fastest lap in the qualifying session and went on to take the prefinal win in dominant fashion. Still upset about the official’s decision during yesterday’s main event, Ingratta was determined to flex his muscles and show he has what it takes to be on the podium. Starting from the inside of the front row, the Canadian jumped out to the early lead and looked to be on his way to victory until the AMR Motorplex began to dry. With his lap time slowing as he looked to hang on to the lead, Ingratta eventually crossed the line in the second position to earn his first podium result of the year.
Ingratta added, “We salvaged a good finish in the end and can shift our focus to the next race which is next week.”
Next up for Ayden Ingratta will be the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour this coming weekend. Taking place at the Isle Casino in Pompano Beach, Florida, Ingratta will enter the talent filled ROK Junior as well as VLR Junior classes as he doubles up on his chances to win and looks to continue the momentum from his last ROK event which produced a victory at the prestigious ROK Vegas event last November.
For more information on Ayden Ingratta, please contact RTD Media & Management at 317.270.8723 or via email to Mike@RTD-Media.com.
Photos: Studio 52 – Ken Johnson