Looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, young kart racer Rocco Simone is looking to make a name for himself in North American karting. Competing locally in Ontario, Canada, Simone is now gaining experience across North America, specifically in the ROK Cup USA promoted Florida Winter Tour. Scoring a top-ten result in his first career ROK Cup USA event, the youngest driver of the family is eager to get back in the seat this coming weekend at Ocala Gran Prix.
“Rocco is doing great. He has progressed so much in the past year that it is hard to believe that he is so young,” explained Anthony Simone, who is an accomplished IMSA LMP2 and NASCAR Pinty Series driver as well as a business owner himself. “I have to keep telling myself that he is still a kid and still learning, but we are enjoying the family time together, and I am confident that the competition in these winter months will set him up for increased success in the summer back home.”
Competing with the Goodwood Kartways outfit aboard an Intrepid chassis during round one in January, Rocco Simone is looking to follow in the footsteps of his dad. A former multi-time World Karting Association National Champion, Canadian Karting Champion and with countless race wins and podium results throughout his career, Anthony is not only the dad of young Rocco, but the sponsor, driver coach and mechanic. Having a vested interest in the sport of karting and helping drivers advance up the ladder as he did, Anthony is the co-owner of a new Canadian karting operation, New Speed Motorsports.
Heading to Ocala Gran Prix, the Simone family is confident that Rocco can improve on his round one results. Improving his race pace and decreasing the time to the leaders in each passing session, the young Canadian was classified eighth after the first main event of the year, a result that left him and his dad wanting more.
Simone continued, “It was Rocco’s first Florida Winter Tour event, first temporary circuit and first race of 2020 so I thought he did great. We have been to Ocala already and completed two days of testing so I believe he will perform much better. We are looking forward to finishing out the winter season down south and returning back home to start the Canadian karting season.”
Rocco Simone will hit the track this Thursday for unofficial practice. Friday will be the home of official practice, qualifying and the first of three heat races. Saturday will house heat race two, three and the prefinal before the main events on Sunday. Stay tuned to the ROK Cup USA website or app to follow all the live timing.
For more information on Rocco Simone and New Speed Motorsports, please contact Anthony Simone at 905-716-3797 or via email to Asimone.nsm@gmail.com.
Photos: New Speed Motorsports