Coming off of their most successful season to date, the Maranello North America karting team is set to open their 2015 racing season in the sunshine state as part of the Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max Challenge in Homestead, Florida. After a short off-season, the team from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has their eyes set on the top of the podium at the prestigious winter series that draws talented drivers from around the world.
With Prime Power Racing Engines, Maranello North America will field a team of seven drivers across three categories to compete at the Homestead-Miami Speedway circuit in the southern region of Florida. These drivers consist of a mix of team regulars, plus a few professional car racers who are getting back into their karting roots.
Leading the way in the headline Rotax DD2 category, three drivers will fly the Maranello red and black in what should be a race for the history books as the class is full of talent. Fresh off of his fourth place finish at the Rotax Grand Finals in Spain Fred Woodley is joined by DTM racer Robert Wickens and Formula Renault driver Luke Chudleigh. Chudleigh is a graduate of the Prime Management program and is making his DD2 debut while Wickens is a familiar face to help develop drivers in the current program.
Just as impressive is the Maranello lineup in the Rotax DD2 Masters class as 3-time Canadian Champion Stuart Clark is joined by Olympian figure skater Elvis Stojko, who made the switch the Maranello last October. Both drivers will be podium threats and the late addition of 2014 Rotax Grand Finals Champion Mikko Laine of Finland gives Maranello an excellent chance with three proven talents in the class in Homestead.
American Formula 3 driver Gustavo Menezes was scheduled to join Maranello North America in Homestead, however a last minute call to compete in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona means he will not compete this weekend. In addition to the Maranello drivers, Prime Power will provide trackside support for Mini-Max racer Ryan MacDermid, the 2014 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship Vice-Champion.
To prepare for the event, a handful of the Maranello North America drivers dropped into the Orlando Karting Center for a material shakedown and pre-race test. Everything went well and all seven drivers are anxious to get on track in Homestead.
Trevor Wickens, Maranello North America Team Manager:
“After a short off season, Maranello North America is looking towards big things in the 2015 season with our strongest line up to date. We’ve put in hundreds of hours preparing for the Florida Winter Tour we are excited to hit the track.”
Interested in joining Maranello North America? Arrive and Drive opportunities and Prime Power Racing Engines are available. Contact Trevor Wickens by email today, trevorwickens@gmail.com.
