Two wins in two weekends helped Santiago Orioli earn Driver of the Month for March 2024 (Photo: EKN)

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.

Orioli grabbed victory in his first SKUSA Pro Tour weekend with the Sunday win at the WinterNationals (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The class of 2024 in the Micro divisions includes a lot of new names to the events and the sport in general. With a solid group of drivers graduating up to the Mini ranks from last year, a talented crop of drivers has filled the void to be battling for podium and victories over the first quarter of the season. One of the many drivers to stand out thus far is Santiago Orioli.

Despite karting for five years already, the 10-year-old did not make his name known until making his USPKS debut at the Carolina Grand Prix in October 2023. Santiago’s father Bruno was already working with drivers at the local, regional and national level. Working with Landon Buher, Bruno began a relationship with MPG Motorsports that has continued since – coming on board to work full time with the team’s Cadet drivers.

“We got to know Santiago as he came with his father and served as the translator,” stated Billy Vincent of MPG Motorsports. “After spending time with us, we convinced Bruno to have Santiago race with us at the SKUSA Winter Series this January. Santi did incredible and it helped our other Micro drivers raise their game. He’s such a great kid on and off the track. His parents love that he’s getting to enjoy the many experiences within our team, on and off the track.”

Santiago began the 2024 season with a runner-up performance in the opening weekend of the SKUSA Winter Series and followed up with a second-place result at the Florida Winter Tour the following weekend at the AMR Homestead-Miami Motorplex presented by MG Tires. He ended up finishing second in the SKUSA Winter Series standings. In his second FWT event, Orioli placed fifth in the main event.

Santiago closed out the Florida Winter Tour with victory in Orlando (Photo: AG Digital Content)

March began with a trip to the Orlando Kart Center in Florida for the first stop of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour with the 2024 WinterNationals. Orioli began the weekend qualifying second for Round One before going on to win the Prefinal. He led the first 10 laps of the Final before he was shuffled back to third – where he would finish to land on the podium at his SKUSA Pro Tour debut. Santiago once again qualified second to begin Round Two action, missing out the fast time by 60 thousandths. An issue at the start of the Prefinal dropped him out of the top-10 before he fought back to 10th. Orioli made quick work to get back into the top-five once the Final started and was fourth by lap four. By the halfway point, he began knifing his way to the front and was leading on lap 11. From there, Santiago posted fast laps of the race, driving away to a three-second advantage at the checkered flag to claim his first SKUSA Pro Tour triumph.

The following weekend was the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour finale in Orlando. Orioli opened the event with fast time in qualifying, clearing the field by over two tenths of a second. He managed to finish second, third and second in the heat races to start the Prefinal from the outside of the front row. A last lap move gave Santiago the win to secure the pole position for the Final. That was all he needed, going wire-to-wire in the 14-lap race to claim his first FWT victory. The win put him second in the championship standings.

Orioli was among the top contenders at the recent USPKS Texas Grand Prix, missing out on his first series victory by 35 thousandths at the line losing to Miguel Suarez. Santiago will be joining MPG Motorsports at the Stars Championship Series opener and continue competing at the SKUSA Pro Tour and United States Pro Kart Series championships.

March 2024 EKN Driver of the Month – Santiago Orioli

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Bio

Born: 8/16/2013 – Venezuela
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Parents: Bruno and Aixa Orioli
Siblings: Fernando
Height/Weight: 35lbs / 4’6”

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kart Republic
Engine/Engine Builder: Woltjer and AM Engines
Sponsors: MPG Motorsports / Orioli Kart Performance
Series You Compete In: SKUSA, ROK Cup USA, USPKS, Stars Championship Series, Sunshine State Karting Challenge, Orlando Cup
Years Karting: 5 years
How did you get started in karting? I am the fourth generation of the Orioli in the world of motorsports
What has been the high point in your racing career? January 2024
What are your goals in racing? Trace the perfect path until you reach the goal
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Pilot with determination, what I start I finish
Funniest moment at the race track? Make the scissors (laughing)

Likes

Favorite Track: Speedsportz Racing Park – New Caney, Texas
Favorite form of professional motorsports: F1
Favorite karting driver: Matheus Morgatto
Favorite professional driver: Lewis Hamilton
Favorite website: Instagram and TikTok
Favorite movie: The Fast and the Furious
Favorite actor/actress: Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite music/group: Imagine Dragons
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Beach / Soccer
Favorite food: Pizza, Pasta

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Study and train for the next race
What are your goals outside of karting? Succeed in everything we attempt
What app or game do you play right now? Gran Turismo
What type of street car would you like to drive? Ferrari
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? The injustice
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Practice. Like any skill, improving kart driving requires constant practice. I spend time perfecting my techniques and learning the intricacies of the different tracks. Analyze my performance after each session.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The adrenaline and competitiveness that running at high speed generates.

March 2024 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Diego Ardiles: SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals – 3 Wins (X30 Junior x2 / KA100 Junior) / Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (VLR Junior)

– Scott Barnes: SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals – 1 Win (Master Shifter) / Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (ROK Shifter Masters)

– Nixx Eggleston: Challenge of the Americas – 1 Win (100cc Junior) / US Trophy West Series – 2 Wins (Junior MAX)

– Ethan Lampe: California ProKart Challenge – 1 Win (KA100 Senior)

– Jaxon Porter: US Trophy West Series – 2 Wins (Mini MAX)

– Daniel Ramirez: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (60cc Cadet)

– Lourenco Varela: SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals – 1 Win (Mini Swift) / Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (Mini ROK)

– Jesus Vasquez Jr.: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 1 Win (KA100 Senior)

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