Now that the winter karting season has come to a close, Speed Concepts Racing is jumping into action for the remainder of the national level programs in 2019. Competing at the United States Pro Kart Series event this weekend at Ocala Gran Prix (OGP), the elite karting operation will welcome another new face to the multi-championship winning team in Junior driver Jace Parks.
“There is no time off in karting anymore,” explained Mike Speed. “From one race to another and one series to the next, it is perpetual motion for us. A lot of our Mini drivers have moved to Junior, and they will be joined by Jace this weekend. Jace is a tremendous driver, and aboard an OTK chassis and with our driver development and advancement program, he and the rest of the Junior drivers will continue to thrive.”
Jace Park joins Speed Concepts Racing with much success. As a Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour race winner in 2018, the talented and fierce competitor was the Vice Champion in the overall series title chase as well as claimed a podium result at the annual SKUSA SuperNationals.
“I would like to say thank you to Jim Russell Jr. for the driver coaching and development the last three years,” explained Jace Park. “I wouldn’t have had the success and be the driver I am today without your support. Also, thank you to my mom and dad for giving me the opportunity to race. Additionally, thank you to Mike and Alex Speed and the whole Speed Concepts Racing team for the opportunity to be part of their winning team.”
While Luca Mars and Justin Arseneau will not attend the event this weekend due to prior obligations with the 2019 Karting Academy Trophy, Speed Concepts Racing will still enter five drivers in the Junior division. Joining Park will be Superkarts! USA Winter Series winner Luke Lange and Kyffin Simpson, who will take part in both X30 Junior and KA100 Junior. Long time Speed Concepts Racing drivers but Junior rookies Noah Baker and Paul Bocuse will also make their 2019 USPKS debuts this weekend in Ocala after showing great speed and poise in their transition to Junior.
Speed continued, “To have five junior drivers in our program is a lot, but to have five drivers that can win on any given weekend is a lot, and challenging. We work hard to make sure that each and every one of our drivers has the equipment they need to win, and we let them battle it out on track. As long as they don’t get into it with one another and we have the opportunity to win and podium, then we have completed our job.”
Ayden Ingratta, fresh off of his best Florida Winter Tour result of the season, will be back with Speed Concepts in Ocala in the Mini Swift division. Looking to continue with his improving results, the young Canadian is anxious and hungry to get back behind the wheel.
X30 Masters will see the always-fast Scott Roberts fly the SCR flag. Always a threat for race wins in every series of competition, Roberts and Speed Concepts Racing are aiming for the top step of the podium this weekend.
With official practice beginning on Friday, wheel-to-wheel competition will take place on Saturday and Sunday as two separate race days will take place to kick off the 2019 United States Pro Kart Series.
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Photo: Jason Park