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| May 17, 2012 News |
| GoRotax.com Driver of the Month Presented by eKartingNews.com - April 2012 - Austin and John McCusker |
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Thanks to the new partnership between MAXSpeed Group and eKartingNews.com, a monthly program has been devised to promote outstanding drivers in the Rotax Max Challenge. The new program - GoRotax.com Driver of the Month presented by eKartingNews.com - is based off a similar program the leading karting website offers each month, focused on the United States ‘Rotaxians’. Each month, the staff at MAXSpeed and EKN will determine one driver to profile who promotes Rotax and karting in general in a positive fashion, along with standing out on-track. Each driver’s accomplishments will be highlighted, in addition to getting to know the Driver of the Month.
A regional that has continued to grow in number of racers for the last few seasons has been the Northeast Rotax Max Challenge. With 50 members last year, the program has already surpassed that number after the opening weekend of the 2012 season. Two of the six drivers to lead the United States Rotax Max Challenge National Point Standings came from the Northeast, with a host of others placing inside the top-10. Looking to move inside the top-10 this season is a pair of brothers - Austin and John McCusker. Both earned victories at the opening rounds of the series at Oakland Valley Race Park on April 28-29. They each have been selected as the GoRotax.com Driver of the Month presented by eKartingNews.com for April 2012.
Austin finished last season 16th in the USRMC standings, racing in the Junior Max division while placing 2nd in the Northeast championship chase. Austin began the opening round of the two-race weekend qualifying second in the 14-kart field behind Max Nikolof, missing out on the pole position by 31-thousandths of a second. The heat race was all Austin as he drove away to 3.2-second win in 14 laps to start P1 for the main event. Going wire-to-wire, McCusker scored the victory to complete round one by a half-second margin. Sunday was a sweep for Austin. He would earn the pole position in qualifying by over two-tenths, earned the heat win by over two seconds, and drove away to nine-second victory in the main event.
John raced the Senior Max last season, placing 22nd in the USRMC standings while ending up third in the regional point classifications. John kicked off the weekend placing second in qualifying for round one. After leading the opening two laps of the heat race, McCusker relinquished the top spot and settled to finish second. Engaged in a great battle for the main event win with defending series champ Andrew Sherry until he retired on lap 11. This allowed John to cruise away for an 11-second victory. The next day, John nearly scored the pole position, missing out by 82-thousandths to sit off-pole for the heat race. After a tough heat race, he bounced back to finish third in the main event.
GoRotax.com Driver of the Month Presented by eKartingNews.com
April 2012 - Austin McCusker
 | | GoRotax.com Driver of the Month - April 2012 - Austin McCusker |
Bio
Born: January 18, 1998
Hometown: Glen Head, NY
Parents: Jeff and Marisa McCusker
Siblings: John and Meagan
Height/Weight: 5’3” / 127lbs
Education: North Shore Middle School (8th Grade)
Job: None
Racing Resume
Chassis: Haase
Engine Service Center: AKR
Sponsors: Dot Works, Freem, Mom and Dad
United States Rotax Max Challenge Home Series: Northeast Rotax Max Challenge
Years Karting: 7
How did you get started in karting? My dad raced a car and my brother and I got karts. We have kept doing it ever since.
What has been the high point in your racing career? 2009 Mini Max champion, 2nd in Junior Rotax championship, winning multiple club championships and placing top-10s in Florida Winter Tour Rotax weekends
What are your goals in racing? To race in a professional racing series and it can be my job.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Calm and aggressive, depending on the situation.
2011 Accomplishments: 2nd in Junior Rotax championship, running top-10 at the Rotax Grand Nationals at Miller Motorsports Park, 3rd in New Jersey Sprint Series Komet Junior Heavy and 5th in New Jersey Sprint Series Komet Junior Lite.
Likes
Favorite Track: Miller Motorsports Park
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula One
Favorite karting driver: Mike Doty
Favorite professional driver: Kimi Raikkonen
Favorite website: Youtube.com or eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Tower Heist
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite music/group: Rap
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Florida
Favorite food: Chicken
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Play basketball, hang out with friends, go to school and relax
What are your goals outside of karting? Go to collage and do something with karts or cars
What type of street car do you drive? Can’t Drive Yet
What type of street car would you like to drive? Aston Martin V12 Vantage
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? When someone races dirty and someone tells the driver to hit you off the track
What is your favorite aspect about racing in the Rotax Max Challenge program? The competition is great and is a well ran series. I would like to also thank Mike Doty and Caleb Loniewski for the help with the kart and everything else.
GoRotax.com Driver of the Month Presented by eKartingNews.com
April 2012 - John McCusker
 | | GoRotax.com Driver of the Month - April 2012 - John McCusker |
Bio
Born: May, 8, 1995
Hometown: Glen Head, NY
Parents: Marisa & Jeff
Siblings: Austin & Meagan
Height/Weight: 5’7” / 170lbs
Education: North Shore High School (Junior)
Job: Dot Works & President of Freem USA
Racing Resume
Chassis: Haase
Engine Service Center: AKR
Sponsors: Freem USA, Dot Works, Mom & Dad
United States Rotax Max Challenge Home Series: Northeast Rotax Max Challenge
Years Karting: 7
How did you get started in karting? Grew up watching dad race all over and grew a passion for the sport. Soon enough on my 9th birthday my parents got me my first cadet kart.
What has been the high point in your racing career? My racing career is going good right now and I hope to keep climbing, in both karts and cars.
What are your goals in racing? My goals are to be the best driver I can be and every race I part take in to give it 100%. I will work as hard as I can to hopefully some day make a living in racing.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth and Aggressive
2011 Accomplishments: New York State Champion, New Jersey Sprint Series Champion, 3rd Place in Man Cup at Daytona.
Likes
Favorite Track: Jacksonville
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula One
Favorite karting driver: Mike Doty
Favorite professional driver: Fernando Alonso
Favorite website: eKartingNews and Freem USA
Favorite movie: Men In Black
Favorite actor/actress: Will Smith
Favorite music/group: Rock & Rap
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Boca Grande, FL
Favorite food: Sandwiches
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? School Work, Training
What are your goals outside of karting? Get a good education and be a successful in business and engineering.
What type of street car do you drive? Looking For a Truck
What type of street car would you like to drive? Either a Nissan GTR or Noble M600
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Lying
What is your favorite aspect about racing in the Rotax Max Challenge program? Good Program, Big Fields, Competitive, Well Run. i would like make it known i couldn't have done it without Mike Doty, Caleb Loniewski, Marisa and Jeff and the rest my family. |
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