Kyle Kirkwood - 2015 Florida Winter Tour RMC champion (Photo: Florida Karting Photos)

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.

Kirkwood began the month wrapping up a five-win streak at the FWT Rok Cup USA program (Photo: Florida Karting Photos)

The month of March was a busy one, with the Winter programs completing their championship chases. A number of drivers stood out the past three months, especially ending the short stretch on a strong note, earning victories and championships to set up for a well-built summer run, or secure their position at one of the world championships later in 2015. Among them is second-year Senior driver Kyle Kirkwood, as the 16-year-old doubled up in Florida Winter Tour championships. The Ocala Gran Prix / Tony Kart driver swept the Rok Cup USA series main events over the past three months, and secured the Rotax Max Challenge championship the following weekend at the OGP facility in Ocala, Florida.

The only blemishes on his record in the Rok Cup USA portion of the FWT was in qualifying and one Prefinal. Kirkwood was among the quick drivers in qualifying, but only recorded one pole position in the five rounds, that coming in Round Four. The only Prefinal not with Kirkwood taking the checkered flag first was in opening race, placing third to Brazilian Andre Nicastro and Christian Munoz. The championship event a few weeks ago began with OGP drivers going 1-2, as Kirkwood was second to Morgan Healey by 24 thousandths of a second. Kyle went on to win all three heat races to secure the pole position for the Prefinal Sunday morning. Kirkwood and Healey went 1-2 in the 18-lap race, securing the front row for the main event. Kyle led all 24 laps of the Final to go five for five in the Rok Cup program, earning the championship and securing a ticket to the Rok Cup International Final.

A drive to third at the FWT Rotax finale clinched the title and Team USA bid (Photo: Florida Karting Photos)

The following weekend switched gears to the Rotax Max Challenge program, where Kirkwood was in a heated title chase with former OGP teammate Oliver Askew. Both Kirkwood and Askew were among those earning a spot in the Super Pole session after qualifying in the top-six. They would end the green-white-checkered session 1-2, with Kirkwood posting a lap two tenths quicker. After two wins in the opening heat races, the third went backwards, as he fell to tenth in the order due to a carburetor issue. Despite the struggles, Kirkwood gained enough points to remain on the pole position for the main event. That led to a wire-to-wire win in the 20-lap Prefinal with Askew on his bumper at the checkered flag. The Final was a heavyweight match, thanks to the dueling between Askew and Kirkwood for every position possible, and a lead pack looking to claim victory at the championship event. Kirkwood remained glued to the bumper of Askew, knowing one spot was not enough for his former teammate to steal the championship away. Canadian Steven Szigeti escaped with the victory, with Askew second and Kyle third. That finish, combined with one win and two runner-up results in Homestead and Orlando gave Kirkwood the championship by 29 points. It is the second time for Kirkwood to earn a spot on Team USA to compete at the Rotax Grand Finals, this being the first as a Senior Max driver.

The Jupiter, Florida driver is preparing for a transition to formula cars, having already one race under his belt at the Formula F1600 Formula F Championship Winter Exhibition in February at his home track of Palm Beach International Raceway. Kirkwood is now focused on the 2015 championship season, which begins April 10-12 at the famed Road Atlanta facility in Georgia. Kirkwood will continue to keep to his karting roots, preparing for the United States Rotax Grand Nationals in August for a chance to earn his first national championship, and represent the USA at the two world championships.

March 2015 EKN Driver of the Month – Kyle Kirkwood

2015 FWT Rok Cup USA champion – Kyle Kirkwood (Photo: Florida Karting Photos)

Bio

Born: Jupiter, Florida (16 years old)
Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
Parents: Cam Kirkwood/Peggy Kirkwood
Siblings: Cameron Kirkwood(18), Robert Kirkwood(23)
Height/Weight: 5’9” / 130lbs
Education: Homeschooled, 10th grade
Job: Ocala Gran Prix driver

Racing Resume

Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: Roatx, Rok, Honda all by Ocala Gran Prix
Sponsors: Ocala Gran Prix
Series You Compete In: Florida Winter Tour, Rok Cup USA, OGP Club Races
Years Karting: 11
How did you get started in karting? Through my father’s friend Court Vernon when I was 4 with my 2 brothers. I was the only one that continued on racing between the three of us.
What has been the high point in your racing career? So far this year with my first Rotax FWT championship
What are your goals in racing? To make a career out of it, and to keep progressing with my driving.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth, Consistent, and aggressive when needed.
Funniest moment at the race track? Every day when Nate Grindell.

Likes

Favorite Track: NOLA Motorsports Park
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Alex Speed
Favorite professional driver: Rubens Barrichello
Favorite website: Google
Favorite movie: Step brothers
Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell
Favorite music/group: Edm/kaskade
Favorite vacation/activity spot: West end, Bahamas
Favorite food: Sushi

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Surf, and Freedive
What are your goals outside of karting? To go to college and obtain a business and marketing degree.
What type of street car do you drive? Subaru
What type of street car would you like to drive? Pagani
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? When people are going 10 mph in the left/hov lane
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? To me I think there are way too many series in the US currently and I believe if that can be fixed and series come together we’ll see bigger numbers of drivers and more competition at those series and with that the industry should be able to grow.
What areyour favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The amount of competitiveness and respect from all the drivers

March 2015 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Sebastian Alvarez: Rotax Challenge of the Americas Mini Max champion, Florida Winter Tour Mini Max champion (January 2015 Driver of the Month)

– Eduardo Dieter: Florida Winter Tour Rok Cup – Masters Rok champion (5 straight wins)

– Richard Heistand: Florida Winter Tour Rok Cup – Rok Shifter Masters champion (5 straight wins)

– Diego LaRoque: Rotax Challenge of the Americas – Micro Max champion (6 straight wins)

– AJ Myers: Florida Pro Kart Series IAME Senior champion, Florida Winter Tour Rok Cup Shifter champion (earn ticket to both IAME International Final and Rok Cup International Final)

– Leonardo Nienkotter: Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max Challenge – Masters Max champion (5 straight wins)

– Mathias Ramierz: Florida Winter Tour – Junior Rok Champion, Junior Max Vice-Champion (earn ticket to both Rok Cup International Final and Rotax Grand Finals)

– Sting Ray Robb: Rotax Challenge of the Americas Junior Max champion, Florida Winter Tour Junior Max champion (February 2015 Driver of the Month)

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