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| March 01, 2013 |
| Driver News: Michael Benyahia Earns a Podium Finish in Rotax Mini Max Florida Winter Tour |
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 | Michael Benyahia (100) fought hard for his much deserved podium result
(Photo: michaelbenyahia.com) |
Taking to his favorite karting circuit for rounds three and four of the prestigious Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT), 12-year-old Michael Benyahia earned an impressive second place podium result in the racy Rotax Mini Max category. With the Homestead-Miami Speedway in the background, Benyahia proved to be a force to be reckoned with at the Homestead Karting Complex, 7/10-mile permanent parking lot facility located in sunny South Florida. As a privateer going up against huge North American teams, the up and coming karting star battled wheel-to-wheel with some of the country's best before earning his podium result.
Working with tuner and driver coach Jesus Rios, Benyahia would start official competition on Friday for two qualifying sessions. These all-important times would set grids for the wheel-to-wheel action to come. The morning session saw a lightning-quick Benyahia put his Tecno kart off pole for Sunday's racing action. Back on track later that afternoon, the rising talent clocked fifth quick against a tough class of 37 international competitors.
Starting off the with the 12-lap prefinal on Saturday, Benyahia would move up from fifth to fourth to start his day off right. Showing he had the speed and talent to run at the front, the second year Mini Max pilot's day would end with some back luck during the final. A broken chain ended Benyahia's day early, as the Doral, Florida resident went out of contention on lap nine with his mechanical failure.
Back on track for a fresh day on Sunday, Benyahia was engaged in a tight battle during the prefinal race. Coming home third, the Tecno pilot would line up on the preferred inside line of row two for the day's final event. When the lights went out for the start of the race, Benyahia quickly slotted into the second place. Taking over the point on lap five as the leader went wide, Benyahia held his position until being passed two laps later. Staying on the bumper of the leader for the remaining laps, Benyahia would cross the stripe a mere 0.168 seconds behind the race winner. Earning his first ever podium finish in the ultra-competitive Florida Winter Tour action, Benyahia would be honored at podium presentations with the second place FWT Palm trophy.
"Michael is a fast driver, he always qualifies in the top-five," explained Benyahia's father, Karim Benyahia. "He is also a very constant driver. He can drive five laps in a row with exactly the same time on his MyChron. I am so proud of his accomplishments this past weekend in Homestead. He is proving to be a strong force in the Mini Max class."
Benyahia will wrap up the 2013 Florida Winter Tour at the Ocala Gran Prix March 22-24. He would like to thank his tuner and driver coach Jesus Rios, Ariel Castro of AM Engines and Dade Christian School.
For more information on Michael Benyahia please email ben@ccmcellular.com or visit him online at http://www.michaelbenyahia.com |
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