Johnny Johnson

2019 FWT Miami 1: Jimenez cruises in Shifter ROK Master

Nearest rival breaks at the start, opening up clear track for the RPG driver's massive win.

Victor Jimenez Shifter ROK Master 2019 Florida Winter Tour Miami Round 1
Victor Jimenez. Photo: Johnny Johnson / Kart360

From start to finish, Victor Jimenez (RPG / OTK) controlled the race in Shifter ROK Master, driving to a three-second victory that honestly felt even more comfortable than that. After a disappointing end at ROK The Rio last November, Jimenez bounced back in a big way to take a comfortable lead in the category's championship.

Drama unfolded immediately in the Shifter ROK Masters Final when Patrick-Otto Madsen (Ansa Motorsports / Zanardi), Jimenez's nearest rival, had gearbox issues as soon as he stepped on the gas. A gaggle of karts went swerving in every direction to avoid a major collision as Madsen's kart came to rest about 20 yards from the starting line. The pole sitter on Friday found his race was over as soon as it started.

Luis Schiavo (Goodwood / Intrepid) made it through the melee and came out the other side in second, matching his best result of the weekend when it counted the most. Daniel Dibos (IC Motorsports / OTK) and Patrick Licciardi (Team Midway / FA Kart) fought closely for third with Dibos getting the better of the two. Rene Martinelli (TB Kart USA) launched into the air to start the race during a chain of events that were set off by Madsen's false start, but kept going to finish fifth, setting the second fastest lap of the race.