After a very successful 2012 karting season, Ogden USA and host of talented and experienced drivers kicked off their 2013 season in fine form. Starting at the Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) for the annual Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), Ogden USA supplied potent Rotax power plants to drivers in search for race wins and they did not disappoint scoring multiple victories and podiums as the prestigious series got underway.
Taking to the track for the Formula Kart weekend, three Ogden USA powered drivers would flex their muscles en route to podium results. TaG Junior and Team MDD driver Juan Manuel Correa topped the blocks in Sunday’s wheel-to-wheel action after scoring a solid second place finish on Saturday. Fellow junior pilot Jack Weprin would make it two Ogden powered drivers on the podium on Sunday with a third place effort, as he used the weekend to focus on Rotax competition that would take place the following week. Attacking the TaG Senior ranks, Roger Ralston claimed a third place finish on Saturday and improved on Sunday to come home second and score double podiums on the weekend.
“Ogden engines really performed well throughout the first rounds of the Florida Winter Tour,” explained Paul Howard. “The PBIR facility is a definite motor track and we proved that we had the power to run at the front of the field and challenge for race wins and podiums throughout the event.”
Back to the same PBIR facility one week later, Ogden USA powered drivers would take on the Rotax Max Challenge classes and come home with similar podium results. Leading the way with a pair of victories in a stout field of 56 Rotax Junior competitors, Jack Weprin dominated the weekend topping nearly every on track session. Coming from the last chance qualifying race on Sunday, Weprin powered his way through the field to take the double victory and commanding lead in the overall points battle.
Fellow Rotax Junior pilots Juan Manuel Correa and Sebastian Coulson would make runs into the top ten as Correa made it an Ogden one- two finish on Saturday coming home second. Coulson battled hard throughout the weekend and was awarded with a sixth place effort on Sunday.
Over the double race weekend, Ogden USA powered drivers would claim five top ten results in a stacked field of Rotax Senior drivers. Leading the way on Saturday was Brit pilot Luke Varley as he took the top honors whale Japanese star Tadasuke Makino would come home fourth. Nicholas Morales Fajardo would garner a seventh place run on Saturday but catapult forward on Sunday to take the third and final step on the podium. Luke Varley added a fifth place result on Sunday to Saturday’s incredible victory.
Rotax Masters pilot Jason Bell would add to Ogden USA’s podium efforts. Improving throughout the weekend, Bell would stand on the podium on Sunday coming home third.
With a few weeks off before the next round of the Florida Winter Tour, Ogden USA will continue to develop motor packages and add drivers to their existing line up. With engines leases available for the Florida Winter Tour as well as the Rotax Pan American Challenge and the United States Rotax Grand Nationals, interested parties are urged to contact Ogden USA as soon as possible.
For more information on Ogden Racing Engines USA, please visit them online at www.OgdenUSA.com or contact engine builder Paul Howard at 317.225.6199 or Jay Howard via e-mail at Jay@OgdenUSA.com.
