Entering the second round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, the TB Kart USA contingent continues to grow in size. Adding additional drivers between rounds one and two, the Florida based outfit will bring twelve hungry competitors across five classes, with six of those drivers entering the ROK Shifter divisions. Looking to build off their results from January events, TB Kart USA will take on the Ocala Gran Prix facility this coming weekend.
“Typically, teams decrease in size and entry numbers drop as a series wears on,” expressed TB Kart USA Farshad Bagheri. “The last month has been opposite for us as we have grown and added some depth to our driver lineup. Our results from Pompano Beach were good, but we are definitely aiming for more coming to a track that we have had much success at in the past.”
The ROK Shifter Senior class will feature perennial frontrunner and second place podium winner from round one Austin Garrison. Joining the team in early January, Garrison used the first event to get up to speed and improved throughout the weekend to stand on the podium steps. Zachary Hollingshead will join Garrison in the premier gearbox category and will look to use his wealth of track knowledge to his advantage in Ocala.
The ROK Shifter Master class will feature a quartet of drivers including Farshad Bagheri, Chris Gannon, Pete Licciardi and Rene Martinelli. Licciardi was one of the drivers to beat at round one, as a trio of solid heat races that saw him in the top-three gave him a shot at the victory before an issue in the prefinal took him out of contention from a front row starting position. Looking for redemption in Ocala, Licciardi will wear his heart on his sleeve as he aims to climb to the top of the podium. Fellow TB Kart USA driver and teammate Rene Martinelli scored a fourth place finish in round one but is a sure bet for the podium in Ocala. Showing speed and pace on the temporary circuit, Martinelli will be pushing hard to set himself up for a position to claim the series title in March. Bagheri, who was the biggest mover in round one’s main event, hopes to improve on his tenth place result. Feeling as if his prefinal result hindered his chances at a good finish, Bagheri will look to remain more consistent throughout the complete weekend in Ocala. Chris Gannon will make his 2020 Florida Winter Tour debut this weekend and work with three teammates and five shifter kart drivers in total.
The Briggs 206 Senior class will feature three TB Kart USA drivers as Andrew Burley, Jed Perkins and Jorge Ruiz will do battle. While Burley missed the first round of the campaign, Perkins was near the front of the field securing a fifth place result in his main event. Ruiz battled hard in the top-15 but some misfortune in the final relegated him down the running order. Look for the trio of TB Kart USA drivers to work together and find their way to the pointy end of the grid.
Collin Warren, fresh of his top-ten result from round one, will be back with TB Kart USA and fighting for results in the ROK Senior category. Always a threat in Florida, Warren is another driver that has loads of laps at Ocala that will play into his advantage.
Steve Miller and Anastasia Markovic will bring their talents to the Mini Swift class as both drivers will make their series debut this season.
Bagheri continued, “Just as we did in round one, TB Kart USA will be the home for Mike Doty Racing and their competitors. With twelve of our own and at least three from them, our paddock space will be a busy place in Ocala.”
If you are attending the event and would like to check out the TB Kart line of products, stop by the TB Kart USA tent to inquire about their race chassis, team and rental karts.
For more information on TB Kart USA, how to become a dealer or their national level race team, please contact Farshad Bagheri at 727.204.7633 or via email to FBagheri@TBKartUSA.com. TB Kart USA can also be reached online at www.TBKartUSA.com or by searching TB Kart USA on the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media platforms.
Photo: Canadian Karting News