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| February 07, 2011 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Scott Falcone - January 2011 |
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 | Scott Falcone took a victory at both the Challenge of the Americas and Florida Winter Tour in Rotax Masters
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
The winter months for racers can be some of the toughest times of the season. For those in Colorado, they receive more than their share of snow compared to many others (except maybe this season thanks to Snowpocalypse). With the ‘winter’ karting programs in full effect beginning in January in the warmer states, drivers are able to escape and get their karting fix while also compete against some of the top drivers in the country. Rotax Masters driver Scott Falcone took advantage of two programs, 2000 miles apart in back-to-back weekends, coming away with victory at both to help him earn the January 2011 Driver of the Month.
Falcone kicked off his back-to-back weekends with the opening round of the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association facility in Arizona over the January 14-16 weekend. For the opening day, Falcone put his Arrow on the pole and was leading the Prefinal until his rear bumper detached. Starting the main event from 12th, Falcone was the quickest kart on the track and drove up to finish second. On Sunday, Falcone was second to Saturday winner Bill Kann through qualifying and the Prefinal. The two battled lap after lap during the feature with Falcone able to emerge the victor for his second win at the facility in two years.
Falcone then made the 2000-mile trip to Orlando, Florida for the opening round of the Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max Challenge program the following weekend for the second half of the back-to-back journey. Making his first trip to the Orlando Kart Center, he had to learn the track and adjust to the new three-day format of the program (Friday-Qualify, Saturday-Round 1, Sunday-Round 2). Falcone qualified for round two action fourth in wet conditions and moved up one spot the next time out to set the field for round one action.
Under sunny skies, Saturday completed the round one action with the Prefinal and Final. Falcone drove to second from his fourth grid position in the heat race to line up on the front row for the final. After an opening lap skirmish, Falcone remained in the second spot, chasing down Scott Roberts. Lap 7, Falcone took over the lead and was able to hold off a late charge by Patricio Larrea to earn the victory. Round two Prefinal began with Falcone losing a couple spots at the start but he would retain those positions back before the checkered flag to remain third heading into the main event. Gaining the second spot after the opening circuit of the feature, Falcone trailed Brent Harper throughout the 16-lap event. The gap varied but in the end, Falcone settled for the second spot.
Entering February, Falcone leads the Florida Winter Tour Rotax Masters championship standings while he currently sits second in the Challenge of the Americas Rotax Masters standings, one point out of first.
 | Scott Falcone - EKN Driver of the Month - January 2011
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
January 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - Scott Falcone
Bio
Born: New Jersey
Hometown: Lone Tree, CO
Marital Status: Married to Dena Falcone - love of my life!
Children: Ashley (14) & Chase (7)
Height/Weight: 5' 10'' - 195lbs.
Education: Colorado State University - Construction Management
Occupation: Self employed - S.F., Inc.
Racing Resume
Chassis: Arrow
Engine/Engine Builder: Rotax - FTK-Billet-BR-KS
Sponsors: SF, Inc - FCH
Series You Compete In: Racing The Rockies - Gatorz Challenge of the Americas - Florida Winter Tour - Los Angeles Kart Club
Years Karting: 4 - 2nd year nationally
How did you get started in karting? Took my company to the The Track at Centennial for some fun and the next day I bought a GP from AJ Noud
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the last Gatorz race and FWT race in January 2011
What are your goals in racing? Win Rotax Grand Nationals and SKUSA SuperNationals as a Master
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? LOL! It was Dozer, but Eric Jones has changed my driving style and its work in progress so it's yet to be determined.
Funniest moment at the race track? I will call it stupidest! I went out with my Iphone in my pocket and when I put my kart on the stand it's was hanging between the floor pan and chassis. It was cut in half, literally, from dragging on the track. I took into the store for warranty and you had to see the ladies face. Classic!
Likes
Favorite Track: I love to drive so I find some good in every one of them
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Karting
Favorite karting driver: Tabor Duncan
Favorite professional driver: Michael Schumacher - the ‘Jordan’ of racing
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Gladiator
Favorite actor/actress: Russell Crowe / Meryl Streep
Favorite music/group: U2/Sting
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Cabo
Favorite food: Sushi
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Hang with my family and friends, work and work out
What are your goals outside of karting? Live strong, long, and healthy
What type of street car do you drive? Mercedes
What type of street car would you like to drive? SSC Ultimate Aero TT
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Younger drivers running in the Masters class! 25-30 and older something like that! If you can't make weight in senior, go on diet, your young. Some of the younger drivers are great and some shouldn't be driving. With all do respect. I have a family to feed and a job on Monday, this is my passion and addiction, not my career. Most of us master guys do it for fun and to hang with our friends at the track.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Make our tracks the safest they can be at every level on every track at every race. Give back to the drivers. More of the sponsorship money needs to go to the drivers. More cash payouts and prizes. This would bring more incentive to enter these races.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The rush! The connection to the kart, driver, and mechanic. The people! Seeing the country from ¾'' of off the ground at high speeds. Karting speaks for its self. One word, AWESOME!
January Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Dore Chaponick: Florida Winter Tour Rotax Orlando - 2 Junior wins
- Daniel Formal: Florida Winter Tour Rotax Orlando - 1 Senior win (Sunday sweep), 1 runner-up
- Robert Wickens: Florida Winter Tour Rotax Orlando - 2 DD2 wins
- Stepanova Nekeel: Challenge of the Americas - 2 Senior wins
- Parker Thompson: Challenge of the Americas - 2 Junior wins |
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