With four podium results to their credit heading into the finale round of the 2013 Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), Team Koene USA was able to score the team's maiden victory at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida. Taking on the TaG Cadet class, team driver Michael d'Orlando was able to secure not only his first ever FWT victory, but also the team's first in their very short existence having only been together for a total of five event weekends.
"It is a great feeling to get the team's first victory," explained Koene USA's Mike Maurini. "It shows that hard work, quality equipment and proper coaching can lead to great results. It only took three event weekends to get our first podium and five event weekends to get our first win. We are looking forward to the remainder of the 2013 season. Congratulations to Michael d'Orlando on his first national victory."
Coming off of two podium results from the February rounds at the Homestead Karting Complex, d'Orlando started his final Formula Kart weekend with yet another second place podium position in Saturday's final. Sunday saw d'Orlando put his Team Koene USA entry on pole for the day's final, after winning a heat race and showing he had the speed to win.
Holding onto the point through the opening complex of corners at the Ocala facility, d'Orlando was able to break away quickly from his rivals in the final. With the second place driver slowly reeling him in, the Team Koene USA member would fall to second but stay on the bumper of the leader. Making a smart and calculated pass, d'Orlando went back into the lead. Continuing to battle for the top spot, d'Orlando finally made a pass stick as he cruised to the victory for Team Koene USA, the first FWT victory for the driver and the first for the team in their short three month existence.
Michael d'Orlando was also able secure Team Koene USA with the Vice-Championship title in the ultra-competitive TaG Cadet category, showcasing the strength of the team's philosophy of focusing on performance to obtain consistent, strong results.
Younger brother Nicholas d'Orlando was also able to show progress, as the fellow Team Koene USA member finished with a solid top-ten finish in Sunday's final.
Team Koene USA will now focus on the final rounds of the Rotax portion of the 2013 FWT schedule this weekend in Ocala. Looking to use momentum gained from this past weekend, as well as a podium result from Homestead, the team and drivers will be gunning for more podiums and race wins as the FWT wraps. Koene USA will also continue to provide trackside sales for OTK, Tony Kart, MG, Mojo, Rotax and Alpinestars products.
For more information on Koene USA and their online store, please visit www.KoeneUSA.com or contact company representatives at 317.270.8723 or via e-mail to Info@KoeneUSA.com.
For information on press releases or other media services offered by Race Tech Development, please contact Mike Maurini via e-mail at Info@RaceTechDevelopment.com or 317.270.8723. Race Tech Development can also be found on Twitter at @RaceTechDvlp as well as Facebook at their Race Tech Development Fan Page.
