2022 ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour – Tropicana Field – Round 2 – Thursday Report

Daily Report by ROK Cup USA
Photos by: Canadian Karting News

The second round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour is upon us and much like the professionals of the sport will race on a temporary circuit in St. Petersburg next weekend, ROKKERS are doing so this weekend. On a Thursday that featured four rounds of practice for every class, tomorrow will see a pair of warmup sessions, prior to qualifying and the first wheel-to-wheel action of the weekend. Be sure to stay tuned to the ROK Cup USA social media pages for news, information, photos, and results from the event weekend

From Around the Paddock

Return to Tropicana Field
Almost two years since ROK Cup Promotions debuted at the Tropicana Field back in 2020, the 2022 edition of the Florida Winter Tour returns to the temporary circuit. One week prior to the NTT INDYCAR Series season opening race, St. Petersburg, Florida is buzzing with the stars of tomorrow this weekend, before the stars of today next week. In the eleven-corner layout in the main parking lot of Tropicana Field, ROKKERS will be put to the test as bumps and pavement seams are causing issues to some drivers. A racy layout in 2022 has been altered slightly to avoid some of the bumpier sections, but if practice is any indication, wheel-to-wheel action will continue to be fierce and should be an intense weekend of competition

More than 225 Entries
The Briggs & Stratton 206 classes were always planned to not be on the schedule for the February round, but entries continued to pile in all the way until the first kart hit the track this morning. Cresting the 200 mark by Tuesday, more than 225 competitors have checked in for the weekend as practice got underway this morning. The biggest class for round two is the ROK Junior class with a total of 35 competitors who will all be aiming to survive the three heat races and prefinal to give them a shot to top the podium on Sunday.

Live Stream
The Kart Chaser program continues to gain momentum at major karting events in North America as the talented team will be on site again this weekend producing coverage from Friday’s qualifying session through the final checkered flag on Sunday. While qualifying and the heat races can be viewed for free on the Kart Chaser YouTube channel, a small $10 YouTube Premium Fee will be required to watch Sunday’s main events.

Covid Testing On-Site
With a major increase in international participation in round two, ROK Cup USA will once again offer Covid-19 testing on site. Setup and ready to test Friday throughout the weekend, ROKKERS do not need to undergo stress in finding a location. While karts circulate the track, Covid testing can be found in the paddock offering both Rapid and PCR testing services.

Photo Packages Available
CanadianKartingNews.com and ROK Cup USA Official Photographer Cody Schindel will again be offering Photo Packages for each round of the Florida Winter Tour. Please see Cody trackside to organize your Photo Package or order 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 2022 Florida Winter Tour at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.