2019 ROK Fest Biloxi: Qualifying report
Drivers find their spots on grid in the Mississippi heat.
The first official day came on Friday for the 2019 ROK Festival Biloxi, where drivers were met with 90 degree heat and humidity that put their conditioning to the test. With each driver looking to win a coveted ticket to the ultra-competitive and extravagant ROK Superfinal in Italy later this year in October or to the second annual ROK The Rio at the end of the same month, a lot was on the line for drivers to perform.
Shifter ROK
Danny Formal (Leading Edge / Formula K) continues to dominate qualifying in Shifter ROK this season with another pole position with a time of 55.756. Canadian Davide Greco (PSL / Birel ART) fell short by less than a tenth of a second to slot in second just ahead of his teammate Mathias Ramirez. Jimmy Cabrera (AKT / Kosmic) and Pierce Baldus (Tanda / Formua K) rounded out the top five.
Senior ROK
It was a very impressive run by Floridian Axel Cabera (AKT / Kosmic) in Senior ROK, posting a time of 57.462 — more than two tenths clear of Diego Ramos (HR / Tony Kart) in second. Florida Winter Tour Champion, Christian Brooks (Orsolon / Tony Kart), found the inside of row two, followed by Nicholas Hornbostel (REM / Kosmic) and Colby Dubato (Leading Edge / Ricciardo).
Junior ROK
A pair of REM entrants led the way in Junior ROK qualifying with Canadian Dale Curran on top with a time of 58.395, beating out teammate and Floridian Joey Atanasio. Luca Mars (Speed Concepts / Tony Kart) looks to have found his way, qualifying third, which was his best result of the five timed sessions ran so far. Jeremy Fletcher (Zanella / Tony Kart) qualified fourth and Evan Hagberg (REM / Tony Kart) gave REM a third driver inside the top five.
Mini ROK
It was a Supertune USA led Mini ROK qualifying session with the top three karts all belonging to the Indianapolis operation. Enzo Deligny, Kai Sorensen, and Anderson Leonard all ran within 9-thousandths of one another with Deligny winning out with a time of 1:03.590. Liam Flanigan (Tanda / Praga) was a tenth back in fourth, followed by Carlos Hernandez (AM / Exprit).
Shifter ROK Master
Ryan Kinnear (PGR / Ricciardo) and Peter Liciardi (TB Kart USA) locked in the front row of Shifter ROK Master. Juan Ignacio Perez (HR / Tony Kart) and Rod Clinard (CRG Nordam) made up the second row, followed by Florida Winter Tour Champion Victor Jimenez in fifth.
Full Results: Shifter ROK Master
Master ROK
Danilo Ramalho (HR / Tony Kart) conquered the Master ROK qualifying by nearly 7-tenths with a run of 58.782 over new father of twins, Ariel Castro (AM / Exprit). Californian Vatche Tatikian (PRG / Ricciardo) joined the ROK Cup USA group for the first time, clocking in third. Timothy Meyer (Leading Edge / Kosmic) and Curtis Terry (Kosmic) filled out the remaining top five.
Micro ROK
Carson Weinberg (Nitro) and Kai Johnson (AKT / Energy) distanced themselves from the Micro ROK field in qualifying with a gap of more than 1-second over Salvador Dellaveccia (AM Racing) in third. Oliver Wheldon (JC Karting / Kosmic) and Derek Wargo (Dew / Energy) rounded out the top five.
Junior 100cc
Tanner Garvin (Zanella / Tony Kart) had himself a day in qualifying in the Junior 100cc division, outpacing the competition by nearly 6-tenths. Granger Perra (OTK), Chloe Chambers (MDR / Kosmic), and Camryn Reed (Team Felon / OTK) will all look to work together to catch Garvin in the heats.
LO206 Senior
Alexander Searle (MGM / Kart City) has made the transition into Senior LO206 a breeze after running Junior throughout the Winter Tour, posting fast time of 1:07.843 over Dylan Amundsen (DP Racing / MGM). Chamion of the 2019 Winter Tour, Zachary Linsell (MGM), slotted in third ahead of Elmer Edmonson Jr. (MGM) and Macon Moore (Moore / Ionic).
Full Results: LO206 Senior/Junior
LO206 Junior
With both LO206 categories combined in qualifying, Junior driver Camryn Reed led the entire group with a time of 1:07.726 for Team Felon. Granger Perra (Kosmic) — running double duty — sits outside of row one ahead of Braxden Tregre (Outlaw / Comet Eagle). Ayden Guilbeau (APG / Ionic) and Brant Boada (Blackspeed / OTK) fill out the final two spots inside the top five.
