|
 |
|
 |
| October 25, 2012 News |
| GoRotax.com Driver of the Month Presented by eKartingNews.com - September 2012 - Ashley Rogero |
| |
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.
When the season began, Ashley Rogero had two goals for the year - WKA Manufacturers Cup Series championship and to be a member of Team USA for the Rotax Grand Finals. The now 15-year old accomplished the first goal on the September 14-16 weekend at the WKA series finale, securing her championship. The following week, she traveled to Englewood, Colorado for the Pan American Challenge Championship event on September 20-23 to complete her objectives. That Sunday, she did just that by winning the Junior Max main event and securing her ticket to the 2012 Rotax Grand Finals in Portugal. Her performance helped her to be named as the GoRotax.com Driver of the Month for September 2012.
 | | Rogero and her dad traveled old school, with the kart in the back of the truck to the Pan American Challenge event |
Back in 2010, Rogero was awarded a spot on Team USA thanks to her performance at one of her favorite tracks - New Castle Motorsports Park. Making one of her first starts in the Junior ranks after running the Cadet categories throughout the season, she laid down a fourth place finish against a stout field. With the way the tickets were awarded, her finish scored a ticket to the 2010 Rotax Grand Finals, held at La Conca International Circuit in Italy to become the first female driver to compete for Team USA in the Junior Max category. A member of six drivers in the category for the Red, White and Blue, Rogero finished up as the fourth ranked driver on the team, but did not qualify for the main event.
Rogero’s quest to return to the Rotax Grand Finals began early this season, contesting the Florida Winter Tour. The three-month battle ended with Rogero on top of the podium at the series finale in Ocala, scoring her one and only victory in the program on the year. She completed the championship in the fourth position, unable to obtain the ticket. Next up was the Rotax Grand Nationals in South Bend, Indiana where she began as one of the top contenders. Trouble in wet qualifying put her behind, but great drives in the heat races placed her further up the order in the Prefinal. Unfortunately, a crash took her out of the race but her never quit attitude saw her drive from 33rd to 11th in the main event.
The final chance came with the Pan American Challenge Championship event at The Track at Centennial in Englewood, Colorado with drivers from North America to South America competing for just one ticket. One feature that stood out for Rogero’s attempt on the weekend was the ‘old school’ feel to it. Ashley and her father Jim loaded up the kart in the pick-up truck, making the trip from Indiana where they just finished up the WKA season and drove roughly 1,100 miles to the Denver area. Having never competed at the facility before, practice time was a must and she quickly adapted, qualifying seventh. After a tough opening heat race, she bounced back to finish fifth and second in the remaining qualifying races to end up fifth for the start of the Prefinal. Rogero was on fire in the Prefinal, driving her way forward and into the lead with fast laps of the race to score the win and pole position for the main event. After relinquishing the lead early, she took back the point on lap four and from there, drove on to take the victory by three seconds in convincing fashion. Scoring the title gave Rogero the ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals, set for the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal on November 25-December 1. eKartingNews.com will have complete Trackside Live coverage from the other side of the big pond, keeping all the Ashley Rogero fans and the rest of Team USA up to date.
GoRotax.com Driver of the Month Presented by eKartingNews.com
September 2012 - Ashley Rogero
 | GoRotax.com Driver of the Month - September 2012 - Ashley Rogero
(Photo: Ken Johnson - studio52.us) |
Bio
Born: October 7, 1997
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Parents: Jim & Tammy Rogero
Siblings: Abbey Rogero
Height/Weight: 5’6” / 130lbs.
Education: 9th grade
Job: N/A
Racing Resume
Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine Service Center: Ocala Gran Prix
Sponsors: Ocala Gran Prix, Comet Kart Sales, Orlando Kart Center, Advanced Automotive
United States Rotax Max Challenge Home Series: North Florida
Years Karting: 9
How did you get started in karting? My dad has been in racing his whole life
What has been the high point in your racing career? Representing Team USA in Italy for the Rotax Grand Finals in 2010
What are your goals in racing? Become some sort of famous race car driver
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth, aggressive, determined
2012 Accomplishments: Pan American Challenge champion, Florida Winter Tour - Rotax Junior race winner, WKA Manufacturers Cup Series champion, 2-time FKCS champion
Likes
Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park, Pittsburgh International Race Complex
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR
Favorite karting driver: Gary Carlton, Alex Speed
Favorite professional driver: Ayrton Senna, Dan Wheldon
Favorite website: Facebook
Favorite movie: Senna
Favorite actor/actress: Channing Tatum
Favorite music/group: Anything
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Indiana with family
Favorite food: Chicken
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Hang out with friends, long board, school
What are your goals outside of karting? To become a successful racecar driver
What type of street car do you drive? N/A
What type of street car would you like to drive? BMW
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who don’t tell the truth
What is your favorite aspect about racing in the Rotax Max Challenge program? I love the competition and the close racing |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
