Podium result for Team Benik at ROK the Rio

The second annual ROK Cup USA ROK the RIO took place this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada and Team BENIK drivers showed great speed over the four-day event. Taking place on the temporary circuit adjacent to the RIO All-Suite Hotel & Casino, the Florida based program left Sin City with multiple heat race wins, a pole position starting spot in the main event and a solid podium result on Championship Saturday.

"We had a great weekend but some bad luck during Saturday's main events," explained Nick Mitchell. "Three of our drivers across the Micro and Mini classes started in the top-six with all having a shot to win. Unfortunately, at times, the racing gods are not on your side and a pair of them were forced to the sidelines early in their main events."

Enzo Vidmontiene won two of his four heat races and managed to secure the ever-elusive pole position for the weekend's Vortex Micro ROK main event. Battling at the front of the field and biding his time before making his move, Vidmontiene had a chain failure while battling at the front. A sure lock for a podium result, if not the Micro ROK Championship designation, the BENIK driver could only sit on the sidelines and wonder what could have been.

Fellow Micro ROK competitor and BENIK teammate Carson Weinberg proved his front of the field presence on Championship Saturday driving forward to claim a podium result en route to the fastest lap of the race. Commencing his main event from the outside of row three, the youngest of the two Weinberg drivers avoided on track contact, kept his nose clean and was able to celebrate on the ROK the RIO podium after finishing in the second position.

Mitchell continued, "Both Enzo and Carson drove great all weekend. They both battled at the front of the field and they both could have won the race. Congrats to both of them on a solid weekend and the momentum they have built as we head into 2020."

Cameron Weinberg battled in the talent filled Vortex Mini ROK class and was immediately on pace from the first session. Commencing Saturday on the outside of the front row after consistently running in the top-three in all of his heat races, Cameron was moved into a barrier on lap one, ruining any chance of a victory or a podium finish.

Mitchell added, "Disappointing for Cameron and us as a team. Cameron was able to go up against some of the top Mini ROK drivers in Las Vegas and to be taken out of the race on the first lap is a disappointment. The motivation after this event is even greater so we have already shifted our focus and moved on."

Stay tuned for more news coming out of Team BENIK.

For more information on the BENIK Kart, or Team BENIK program, please contact Nick Mitchell via e-mail to [email protected] or by phone at 561.348.4406.