Enzo Vidmontiene doubled up in the win column at the USPKS Carolina Grand Prix (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.

The month of May is one of the most coveted in motorsports with the running of the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 all on Memorial Day weekend. For karting, the big one was the United States Pro Kart Series Carolina Grand Prix at the Trackhouse Motorplex. The Mooresville, North Carolina facility welcomed over 250 entries, including an event high 66-drivers in KA100 Junior and season high 32 for X30 Junior. Standing at the top of the podium for both main events in his career first double win weekend was Trinity Karting Group’s Enzo Vidmontiene.

Vidmontiene won his third straight USPKS KA100 Junior feature and awarded the win in X30 Junior (Photo: EKN)

Enzo – the 2021 SKUSA SuperNationals Mini Swift winner – is now in his third season as a Junior driver. Vidmontiene entered the ‘Race City USA’ event with a two-race win streak in the KA100 Junior division, coming off the win at the season opener in Texas. It was a difficult start, placing 15th in the qualifying session Friday afternoon. He would start from row four in all three heat races.

The opening heat was a drive up to second from seventh before driving to the victory in the second heat race. A wild start dropped down to 19th in the opening lap for the third and final heat race. Vidmontiene was able to regain 10 spots in 10 laps to finish ninth. The results promoted him up to seventh on the starting grid for the main event.

The Final for KA100 Junior was a wild battle early on featuring several drivers. Enzo was among the group, and he worked his way forward to take over the lead on lap nine. He was able to lead the way, losing the spot for one lap before reclaiming the spot with two laps to go. Battling behind him allowed Vidmontiene to break away, securing the victory and his third straight dating back to the series finale at Trackhouse in 2023.

It was a weekend of redemption in the X30 Junior class after a DNS in Texas for the USPKS opener due to a mechanical issue. Qualifying was a similar performance to KA100 Junior, sitting ninth after the timed session. The opening moto was a six position gain to end up third. The second heat race was one position better, climbing up to the second spot after 12 laps. After gaining positions early in the final heat, Vidmontiene was shuffled back battling with a deflating tire to finish 10th. Those results promoted Enzo up to the fourth spot to start the Final.

Vidmontiene was quick to jump to the front of the 22-lap main event. He assumed the lead on lap two, showing the way for three circuits before shuffling began for the top spot. Once things settled down after the halfway point, Vidmontiene had secured the second spot, trailing leader Turner Brown by a few seconds. Running fast laps of the race, Enzo was able to cut into the advantage some but not enough to cross the line second. A pushback bumper penalty removed the win from Brown, handing the victory to Vidmontiene. It was the first win in USPKS competition in the X30 Junior class for Enzo.

The 14-year-old will head into the next stop for USPKS, the Wisconsin Grand Prix at the Mill-Rite Raceway in Dousman, Wisconsin at the end of June leading the KA100 Junior championship by 115 points. The DNF in Texas puts Enzo eighth in the X30 Junior championship standings after two rounds. Up next for the Trinity Karting Group / Kart Republic driver is Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals, set for June 14-16 at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati in Batavia, Ohio.

May 2024 EKN Driver of the Month – Enzo Vidmontiene

(Photo: Studio52.us)

Bio

Born: 3/17/2010
Hometown: Saint Cloud, Florida
Parents: Jonas and Andressa
Siblings: Nicole
Height/Weight: 5’7” / 120lbs
Education (School/Grade): Harmony High School / 9th

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kart Republic
Engine/Engine Builder: KA and X30 / BN engines
Sponsors: Kart Republic, KartSport North America, Trinity Karting Group, Kart Class, America Parts
Series You Compete In: USPKS, SKUSA, Stars Championship Series, and SSKC
Years Karting: 8
How did you get started in karting? My dad, and racing movies
What has been the high point in your racing career? 2021 in mini I won absolutely everything
What are your goals in racing? Being a professional racing driver that people can look up to
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Patient, aggressive, and smart
Funniest moment at the race track? Being with my goofy friends

Likes

Favorite Track: Utah Motorsports Campus
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Open wheel
Favorite karting driver: Joe Turney
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: Don’t have one
Favorite movie: not a movie but my favorite series is Stranger Things
Favorite actor/actress: Don’t have one, I like so many
Favorite music/group: Hip Hop/Rap
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Theme Parks
Favorite food: Pasta

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Go to theme parks, help my dad, hangout with my friends, and play video games
What are your goals outside of karting? Have fun!
What app or game do you play right now? Call of Duty, Kart Racing Pro, and more
What type of street car would you like to drive? Porsche 911 GT3
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People that just annoy me for no reason, and school
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Take out bumper penalty
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The adrenaline, going fast, going over curbs, the fun, and the competition!

May 2024 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Jaiden Beckman: Ignite Challenge Gateway – 4 Wins (Ignite 100 x2 / Ignite Senior x2)

– Gage Korn: Race Rotax US Trophy West Series – 2 Wins (Junior MAX)

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

– Brandon Lemke: Route 66 Sprint Series – 1 Win (KA100 Senior)

– Owen Lloyd: CKNA South Daytona – 2 Wins (Senior Heavy)

– David Ybarra: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

– Conner Wick: Padholder Super Cup Series – 2 Wins (Shifter Light)

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