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| July 12, 2012 |
| Driver News: NFRMC Comes to a Close for Alex and Mikey Hornborg |
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 | Mikey (Left) had to overcome troubles to score a tenth place result while Alex (Right) shows his sportsmanship post race
(Photo: Alex Hornborg Racing) |
After successful Florida Winter Tour (FWT) and Florida Karting Championship Series (FKCS), Alex and Mikey Hornborg would look to round out the North Florida Rotax Max Challenge (NFRMC) program on a high note and gain momentum into one of their biggest events of the year. Looking forward to the 2012 United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals, the Hornborgs completed their final Florida event and gained the necessary punches to make the trip to the national event in early August.
Arriving at the Ocala Gran Prix facility early to take advantage of pre-event testing, both Alex and Mikey Hornborg would enter Saturday's finale event with high hopes. Alex, who would see action in the talent-laden Rotax Junior field, while Mikey Hornborg would do battle in the Rotax Mini Max category.
With morning warm-up complete, it was on to the all-important qualifying session to set the grid for the prefinal later that day. Alex would flex his muscles in the timed session as he went on to score the second quickest lap and claim an outside front row starting position. Mikey, who suffered a broken arm earlier in the year due to a racing incident, would run in the top five for most of the five minute qualifying run but would fall to seventh by session end. Forced to start from inside row four, Mikey would look to advance forward for a better starting spot in the main event.
The prefinal battle would go well for Alex as he held station throughout the heat. Maintaining his position, the elder Hornborg would give himself a shot at the day's overall victory with a front row starting spot. The same could not be said for Mikey. After a battle with championship caliber drivers, Mikey was involved in an incident that would bend his chassis and force him to retire from the heat.
Starting near the tail of the field in Saturday's main event, Mikey would work on race craft and gain passing experience as he tried to advance forward. In long finals that will simulate the United States Rotax Grand Nationals race distance, Mikey gained several spots to claim another top ten result.
In one of the most exciting races of the weekend, Alex and a fellow Tony Kart driver would battle hard all the way to the checkered flag. Showing his patience, Alex ran the majority of the thirty lap final in the second position before making a bid for the lead. In dramatic last lap fashion, Alex would drag race the eventual race winner to the line, missing out on the top spot by a very slim margin.
"This was a great way to end the North Florida Rotax program," expressed Alex. "I am looking forward to getting on track in South Bend and hope that I will be able to challenge for the race win and podium results."
Mikey added, "I have had some good and bad luck this season, and today was one of those bad luck kind of days. I am happy I was able to move forward in the main event, but was hoping for a better result at the end of the day.
Alex and Mikey Hornborg will now begin preparations for the United States Rotax Grand Nationals in three weeks time. Taking place at the tricky Jet Karting facility of Michiana Raceway Park in northern Indiana, the duo will complete the necessary testing leading up to the event before taking their shot at the national championships and accompanying Team USA berths.
For more information on Team Hornborg Racing, please contact Mike Hornborg at 813.220.5993 or via e-mail to MikeHornborg@Verizon.net |
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