After many days of testing this week in Homestead, Florida, it was finally race day for the 2014 Florida Winter Tour. Friday’s qualifying sessions set the grids for todays pre finals, setting up for a great day of action at Homestead-Miami Speedway under sunny skies and warm temperatures.
The depth in the Rotax Senior class is stunning this weekend, with drivers from around the world representing many manufacturers all giving their best for victory.
The prefinal saw American Oliver Askew (OGP/TonyKart) sneak away early from pole sitter Ed Brand (Goodwood/Intrepid) of the UK. While Askew checked out, Brand would fall victim to fellow countryman Jordan Lennox (PSL/CRG) while American Kyle Kirkwood (OGP/TonyKart) and Jamaican Thomas Issa (J3/Kosmic) rounded out the top-five.
The Final was a thriller in the early stages, especially turn one where Lamb and Askew collided before even getting to the apex, but no harm was done and Lennox exited corner one with the lead. But it didn’t take Askew long to return to the top spot, making his move on lap three and he brought Kirkwood with him, with Brand also sneaking by Lennox.
The front four ran even through the mid stage of the race until Brand worked his way past Kirkwood for second. Doing everything he could to inch closer to Askew, Brand eventually ran out of steam and with five to go Lennox moved back to second. With a struggling clutch, Lennox closed the gap but it wasn’t enough and Askew scored the victory ahead of Lennox, Brand and Kirkwood.
American AJ Meyers (TonyKart) enjoyed a great drive to finish fifth, with Issa sixth, Dan Roeper (BN/TonyKart) seventh, Italian Alessandro Bressan (J3/Kosmic) eighth, Roger Ralston (FA Kart) ninth and Canadian Steven Szigeti (SH Racing/FA Kart) coming all the way from 32nd to finish tenth.
Zachary Claman DeMelo (Goodwood/Intrepid) was eleventh, Ben Cooper (KMS/Birel) sixteenth, Christophe Paquet (PSL/CRG) eighteenth, Johnny Flute (Mosport/Kosmic) 20th, while Zacharie Scalzo (KGK/TonyKart) and Marco Di Leo (Goodwood/Intrepid) were DNFs.
