Beautiful weather welcomed everyone to Ocala Gran Prix for Saturday’s competition of the 2014 Florida Winter Tour. It was round three of the sixth race championship setting the official halfway point and helping display some of the championship favourites.
In the headline Rotax DD2 division drivers from around the world are taking action this weekend in Ocala with no less than seven countries represented with many very well decorated drivers.
On Saturday it was all Paolo de Conto (KMS/Birel), as the Italian driver was uncontested in the Prefinal before a bit more challenging of a Final.
De Conto got out to an early lead, but American Nick Neri (OGP/TonyKart) muscled his way to the front only a couple laps in. With the lead group now five karts strong, Neri had his hands full of de Conto as well as another Italian, Alessandro Bressan (J3 Competition/TonyKart) while Daniel Formal (PSL/CRG) and Jonathan Kotyk (OGP/TonyKart) were also in the mix.
Returning the lead by halfway, De Conto brought Bressan with him sending Neri back to third and from there De Conto was able to create a gap and then maintain it all the way to finish. Bressan held on and take second while Neri settled for third.
Fred Woodley (Maranello) had a great drive to finish sixth with fellow Canadian Jeff Kingsley (PSL/CRG) two spots back in eighth.
On Sunday, Neri will start from the pole-position.