Daily Report by ROK Cup USA
Photos by: Canadian Karting News
From Around the Paddock
With the first quarter of the 2021 karting season coming to a close, ROK Cup Promotions is set to conclude their annual ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour this weekend. Taking place at the always pristine Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida, champions will be crowned and ROK Cup Superfinal and ROK Vegas tickets will be awarded in all ten ROK branded classes. Coming off a difficult year where ROK Cup Promotions did the impossible (wink, wink), 2021 has started off on a positive note as the momentum continues to roll for the ROK program. With the addition of a new regional series, the renewal of a West Coast series and record numbers in ROK’s partner series, the Challenge of the Americas, ROK Cup officials are pleased with the overwhelming success in such a short period of time.
Direction Change
Running at the same venue as round two in February, the most noticeable change for ROKKERS is the direction for the third and final round. Running the traditional counterclockwise direction, competitors will have an abundance of left-hand corners to deal with, a complete opposite of the right handers they had to conquer a month ago. A long and fast turn one always leads for some excitement as the double file rolling starts will be forced to slow down and merge single file before they enter turn three or risk a loss of momentum, or worse, with a hungry field of drivers. The always exciting showcase corner in front of the Ocala Gran Prix mechanics stand will be the final passing opportunity for this weekend’s event and we can bet that some races, and possible championships, will be won and lost in ‘The Showcase’.
Championship Points Battles
Not one championship in the ten offered classes has been won entering round three as the ROK Cup USA points structure rewards consistency and winning as the series progresses. With a base set of points available for January’s event at Isle Casino, 33% more points were offered for February’s race in Ocala while an additional 33% more is on the line this weekend. With the chance to earn 66% more points for a win in March than in January, anything is possible at Ocala Gran Prix.
Chuck Yoder Returns
After a serious bout with the COVID-19 virus, veteran Race Director Chuck Yoder is deemed fit, ready and has made the trek south to Ocala Gran Prix. Missing the first two rounds of the popular winter program, the entire ROK Cup USA is excited, happy and thankful to have Chuck back on the headset and with us for the event weekend.
ROK Fest? ROK the RIO? ROK Vegas?
Never underestimate the determination of the ROK Cup Promotions staff to better the program for year-to-year and the same is set to happen in 2021. With the 2020 ROK Fest events taking place at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway and Sonoma Raceway, 2021’s ROK Fest events will be announced in the very near future. Doing the impossible and running the premier event on the North American ROK calendar last November in Las Vegas, the annual and growing event is confirmed for 2021 with details to be communicated very soon. #WereInToo
Media Packages Available
While travel restrictions have hindered a lot of international travel, CanadianKartingNews.com and ROK Cup USA Official Photographer Cody Schindel has made the trip south to the Sunshine State. Teaming up with RTD Media and Management’s Mike Maurini, the pair are offering the CKN/RTD Media Package for any ROKKER at the final round of the Florida Winter Tour. With CKN and RTD both trackside, please see Cody and/or Mike to organize your Media Package or contact them HERE.
Stay tuned to the ROK Cup USA social media pages for news, information, photos, results and daily reports from the second round of the Florida Winter Tour at Ocala Gran Prix.