Daily Report by ROK Cup USA
Photos: Canadian Karting News
From Around the Paddock
ROKKERS hit the track today for day one of practice for the 2020 ROK Cup USA ROK the RIO. With chamber of commerce weather, and 307 confirmed entries, teams and drivers began to fine tune their equipment for the all-important qualifying session tomorrow. A change in the schedule will see the normal Thursday heat race moved to Friday providing teams and drivers with two days of heat races before Sunday’s main event to crown this year’s ROK the RIO Champions. With 2020 being a little different for everyone, it is the same in the paddock with no spectators, masks and social distancing, but everyone is doing their part to help stop the spread.
Kart Pass App
The introduction of the Kart Pass App was a welcome site to competitors upon check-in as virtually no line was ever formed in the quick and easy process. With health screens done prior to check-in, everyone on site would go through a temperature check and hand in a self-assessment form before being granted access to the property.
With registration, pit passes and even the signing of waivers completed through the Kart Pass App, a virtually touchless check-in process was done. Scanning of a QR code to confirm each person on the property along with the handing out of registration packets was met with ease.
“We are very pleased with the process and how everything worked in the debut event for the Kart Pass app,” explained Pit Pay’s Frank Bolter. “We have a few minor tweaks to make before the Florida Winter Tour and should have a polished product for all the ROK Cup USA participants.”
Oliver Askew Returns to Karting
Trading in his IndyCar for a Trackmagic Vortex ROK powered Shifterkart, Oliver Askew returned to karting to compete in the ROK Shifter category. Not having competed in an organized event for quite some time, Askew took the day to get accustomed to his new ride as he readies for his chance to stand atop the ROK the RIO podium.
Cold Weather Coming
While the next few days look nice, the ROK Cup USA paddock is hoping the weekend forecast is not true. With temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s throughout the week, tuners may have their hands full on championship Sunday with forecasted temps dropping to the mid-50s.
Masks and Social Distancing
With most of the world donning masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is mandatory at ROK the RIO and ROK Cup USA teams and competitors are cooperating. Understanding that an event may not have been possible without all the hard work behind the scenes, ROKKERs are masked up and helping to stop the spread.
Shifter, Shifter, Shifter
75 ROK Shifter drivers will take to the track over the ROK the RIO event with forty-eight in Senior Shifter ROK after a pair of cancellations and twenty-seven in Shifter Master ROK.
With three on track sessions on Thursday, drivers will see a pair of practice sessions in the morning before the OMP Pole Position Awards will be awarded to the fastest driver in each of the qualifying sessions in the afternoon.
