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| February 14, 2012 News |
| EKN Fast Five with Nick Neri - New Tony Kart Racing Team Official Driver |
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 | Nick Neri will join Tony Kart Racing Team for the WSK Masters Sarno event in March
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
At the start of each racing calendar, all of the European factory teams take the opportunity to announce their official driver roster for the upcoming season. This year, in particular, it has been somewhat of a ‘silly season’ with a number of high-profile drivers moving to different brands. One noticeable addition to the Tony Kart Racing Team roster for 2012 is American Nick Neri. The reigning United States Rotax Grand Nationals and Superkarts! USA SuperNationals S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto champion was confirmed as a member of the prestigious Italian manufacturer's factory team for KZ competition.
Neri, of Palmetto, Florida, turned 16 this past in December and is among the most decorated drivers in recent years. In addition to his regional successes, he has also earned four Florida Winter Tour championships and two WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series titles. Neri is the only United States driver to win the Mini Max, Junior Max and Senior Max National Championships, in 2006, 2009 and 2011, respectively. In 2010, Neri became the first American Junior driver to score a heat race win at the Rotax Grand Finals and is tied the highest finishing position for an American at the event - 5th - with Timmy Megenbier from 2004.
Thus far in 2012, Neri has faired well on-track. Nick leads the competitive Rotax Senior division at the Florida Winter Tour. He competed this past weekend in his first KZ event, placing second in the opening feature race. Kicking off the Florida Karting Championship Series in Homestead last month, Neri scored three victories (Rotax Senior, TaG, Stock Moto). Nick is currently competing in the Skip Barber Winter Series in Florida where he sits second in the series point standings.
We caught up with this fast-paced kid just before he competed this weekend in Homestead for the Formula Kart Weekend of the Florida Winter Tour.
eKartingNews.com: When did talks about racing with Tony Kart Racing Team for 2012 start?
Nick Neri: After my performance at the 2011 SKUSA Super Nationals, Tony Kart approached me about traveling to Italy to do a race in the KZ category.
EKN: What were your first thoughts when it was confirmed that you would be racing with the squad?
NN: When I heard I was going to be able to race with the Factory Tony Kart Team, I was very excited and I still can’t wait to absorb all the knowledge everyone at Tony Kart has to offer.
EKN: Your shifterkart racing experience has been limited to regional action and your victory at the SKUSA SuperNationals in S2. What have you been doing to prepare for KZ competition in Europe?
NN: I have continued to practice in the Stock Moto and thanks to Tony Kart and Andre Martins I am racing in the Open Shifter class at the Florida Winter Tour.
EKN: Right now, what are your current plans for 2012 in Europe?
NN: I plan on going over to Italy in March to race in Sarno for the WSK Masters Series. Dependant on my performance decides whether or not I go back to race again.
EKN: You’ve started out the year strong and you are also competing in Skip Barber currently. What are your plans for racing in the United States this season?
NN: For 2012, my plans are to continue racing in the Florida Karting Championship Series, as well as compete in the North Florida Rotax Series, Ocala Gran Prix Local Series, and the US Rotax Grand Nationals. |
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