PR: Goodwood Kartways FWT Ocala Report

PR By: Goodwood Kartways

The winning ways continued for Goodwood Kartways at the Florida Winter Tour a week ago as its second trip of the season led to three more wins and six more podiums. Zachary Claman DeMelo was on the podium in Rotax Senior, Joshua Cunha doubled in Micro-Max and Luis Schiavo dominated for the second-straight event in both DD2 Masters and Rotax Masters. Goodwood Kartways now has nine wins and sixteen podiums from its 2014 Winter Tour effort, and is on the cusp of having its first qualified driver for the 2014 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.

Looking to secure his second trip to the biggest event in Rotax racing, Schiavo swept DD2 Masters from qualifying to Final both days and nearly did the same in Rotax Masters where after a going perfect on Saturday, he was just the Final away on Sunday when he retired with a spark plug failure. The DD2 effort created a 95-point advantage heading to the final event, but the veteran racer certainly isn’t looking too far forward.

Joshua Cunha scored a double-podium result at Ocala Gran Prix (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)

“It takes a lot of concentration not to think ahead to the best karting event in the world,” Schiavo admitted after another fantastic weekend. “We are just thrilled to be so close to qualifying for the Grand Finals among competitors of such a high level. We were a little down by being so close to achieving the perfect weekend in two classes after the spark plug failed, but we are absolutely satisfied with the results!”

Once again optimizing an Intrepid/HRS package, Schiavo was firmly in control from Friday onward, and believes he can challenge once again in Orlando at the final round of the championship.

“I have run there before and I believe we can fight for the front there too,” Schiavo said. “I have such good mechanics in Juan and Martin, known in the team as The Bull and The Donkey, and they put a lot of effort to giving me a perfect kart. We’ll try our best again, and hopefully it will be good enough to seal the deal.”

Another Intrepid driver on the cusp of sealing a deal is Joshua Cunha after the young Canadian followed a fourth-place result at Homestead with second on Saturday at Ocala and a charge from last on the grid to third on Sunday. Victory can’t be far away for the sophomore racer, and when it comes it won’t be a surprise inside the team.

Schiavo has the point lead in Rotax Masters and DD2 Masters (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com)

“I’m very happy and impressed with Joshua’s progress so far in 2014,” said Team Manager Marco Di Leo. “He’s very smooth and has the dedication it takes to succeed at the highest levels, as he’s showing. He came through the Goodwood Kartways Arrive-and-Drive racing program and was a standout from the beginning. Kudos to him and the entire Mega Racing Team for giving Joshua what he needs to work his way to the front. He continues to improve lap after lap at the FWT and there is no doubt the experience gained will pay huge dividends when the snow finally melts north of the border.”

Australian Lochie Hughes was nearly on the podium for Goodwood Kartways as well, with fourth-place results coming in both Ocala race weekends. Consistently at the front beginning in TaG Cadet, he started Saturday P27 before finishing eighth, and Sunday P20 before finishing fourth in Mini-Max. He actually charged to podium position early in the Final start, only to be hit from behind and knocked back to sixth. By the time he worked back forward to fourth, podium positions were no longer possible.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Lochie and the ESD group,” Di Leo continued when speaking of the young charges under the tent. “This year at SuperNats when Lochie topped the time charts I knew he was a star. He just missed the podium now in Homestead and Ocala, but I have a feeling Lochie will conquer in Orlando. He certainly has great support as he looks to work his Praga to its first FWT win.”

Zachary Claman DeMelo was almost a third Goodwood Kartways driver to produce a double podium as after finishing third on Saturday he fought at the front all day long on Sunday before

crossing sixth after a wild final lap. The reigning Canadian National Champion now sits third in the Rotax Senior Championship and second in TaG Senior classification with one event left to run.

The 2014 FWT resumes March 14-16 at Orlando Kart Center, with a Formula Kart weekend preceding the third and final round of the Rotax Max Challenge. Goodwood Kartways, Canadian importer of both Intrepid and Praga racing karts, can assist you with all your racing needs there and beyond. To enquire about dealer network opportunities, please contact Team Manager marco@goodwoodkartways.com and visit goodwoodkartways.com.

Goodwood Kartways Team Results – FWT, Ocala Gran Prix

Rotax DD2 Masters
Luis Schiavo – 1st, 1st – Championship Leader

Rotax Masters
Luis Schiavo – 1st, 9th – Championship Leader

Rotax DD2
Wilson Hurtado – 14th, 10th
Nicolas Garzon – 13th, 16th

Rotax Senior
Zach Claman DeMelo – 3rd, 6th

Rotax Mini-Max
Lochie Hughes – 8th, 4th
Sean Bolger – 44th, 43rd

Rotax Micro-Max
Joshua Cunha – 2nd, 3rd

TaG Senior
Zach Claman DeMelo – 6th, 6th

TaG Cadet
Lochie Hughes – 8th, 4th
Sean Bolger – 19th, 12th

*Team Facts: Goodwood Kartways is in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, where drivers can progress from turning rental kart laps to world championships. The Goodwood Kartways race team annually represents the facility at National and International Championships like the Florida Winter Tour, Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, Canadian National Championships and SKUSA SuperNationals.

It has also had drivers contest the Pan-American Rotax Max Challenge, the World Karting Association Manufacturer’s Cup, the Rotax European Championship, the Rotax International Open Championship and the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. Goodwood Kartways operates in conjunction with Intrepid S.r.l. in Verona, Praga Kart, HRS Racing Engines, IMAF Racing Seats and Vega Tires.