Alexander Vanchev enters the weekend among the top Junior drivers in both categories (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.

One of the top teams in the United States karting is Rolison Performance Group. Over the last decade, the team has helped to produce some of the top drivers in the sport. The four-time winner of the USPKS Geo Cup team championship honor has helped guide the Junior careers for Caleb Gafrarar, Ernesto Rivera and Diego Ardiles. Next on the list is Florida driver Alexander Vanchev, who joined the team in late 2024. Winning in his team debut at ROK Vegas, Vanchev is among the top Junior drivers for the 2025 season.

Vanchev crossed the scales three times as a winner at the SKUSA Winter Series finale (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Vanchev opened up the season with a victory at the SKUSA Winter Series January weekend in the KA100 Junior division, while also recording two top five results in X30 Junior. Returning to the Orlando Kart Center on February 7-9 for the final two rounds of the championship, Vanchev stepped up in both categories.

Vanchev became the third different winner in the X30 Junior class over the first three rounds of the series by taking the victory in Round Three. After placing second in the Prefinal, Vanchev slipped back to sixth at the start of the Final. He worked his way back forward, taking over the lead on lap 11. The following circuit, the race was stopped for an incident bringing out the red flag. The race was called and Vanchev named the winner.

The following day, Vanchev came up from fifth in qualifying to win the Prefinal for Round Four. Alexander fought with Canadian Edward Kennedy during the main event. Vanchev led the majority of the race, earning a second straight victory to clinch the series championship.

Vanchev was able to extend his win streak to two in the KA100 Junior class after victory in Round Three. Alexander set fast time in qualifying but just missed out on the Prefinal win. After some early fighting, Edward Kennedy became the leaders as Vanchev fought off a group to hold the second spot. Vanchev was able to run down Kennedy with drafting help from Brazilian Theo Salomao. On lap 16, Vanchev took the lead and was able to get away, driving to his second class victory.

The action on Sunday for Round Four in KA100 Junior was very dramatic with victory and championship on the line. Heading into the day, both Vanchev and Salomao had different scenarios to earn the class title. Vanchev missed out on top time in qualifying a Prefinal win while Salomao earned maximum points heading into the Final. Vanchev needed to finish fourth or better with Salomao needing a combination of things to steal the crown. Vanchev was running third until getting pushed back to fourth late in the race. Salomao went on to take the win and with Vanchev fourth, put them in a tie for points in the best three of four format. The two wins by Vanchev was the tie breaking, giving the Florida driver a second title on the weekend.

The following weekend, Vanchev joined RPG in Orlando once again for the second round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. Vanchev swept the opening round in January in the ROK VLR Junior division. He returned at the top of the charts in qualifying before going on to win the opening two heat races. Vanchev slipped to fifth in the third heat but maintained the pole position for the Prefinal where he would take the win. In the Final, Vanchev and Kennedy fought for the top spot along with Canadian Cole Medeiros. Vanchev secured the top spot on lap 16, holding on the final four laps to claim a second straight victory.

Alexander added a third place result in the ROK GP Junior class to go with his runner-up from Round Two. He enters the series finale, set for March 20-23 at the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas as the championship leader in ROK VLR Junior and sitting fourth in the ROK GP Junior standings.

February 2025 EKN Driver of the Month – Alexander Vanchev

(Photo: CKN – Cody Schindel)

Bio

Born (date): August 4, 2010
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Parents: Lachezar Vanchev and Teodora Karagueorguieva
Siblings: Svetoslav Karagueorguiev
Height/Weight: 5’ 6” / 120 lbs
Education (School/Grade): 9th grade, American Heritage Schools Plantation

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kosmic/OTK
Engine/Engine Builder: AVP/BBS
Sponsors: DHL, Southern Law Center, RPG
Series You Compete In: SuperKarts! USA, USPKS, Stars Championship Series, ROK Cup USA
Years Karting: 4
How did you get started in karting? I built up a love for Formula 1 and the adrenaline of racing and my parents took me to AMR Homestead to try out motorsports.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the X30 Junior and KA100 Junior championships in Orlando for the SKUSA Winter Series.
What are your goals in racing? Drive in a Formula 1 race
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive but smooth
Funniest moment at the race track? Racing rental karts with friends

Likes

Favorite Track: South Garda Karting
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Alexander Vanchev
Favorite professional driver: Charles Leclerc
Favorite website: Geogessr
Favorite movie: Wolf of Wall Street
Favorite actor/actress: Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite music/group: House music
Favorite vacation/activity spot: South of France
Favorite food: Pasta

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? School
What are your goals outside of karting? Become a real estate developer
What app or game do you play right now? iRacing, Kart Racing Pro, Call of Duty
What type of street car would you like to drive? Mercedes AMG GT63
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Having to explain that karting isn’t just turning a steering wheel and going in circles.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Implementation of equal engines and karts as well as more leniency on penalties.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Purest form of motorsport, driver is the most important factor.

February 2025 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Michael Avansino: Challenge of the Americas – Senior Shifter Double Winner

– Phil De La O: RMC USA West – Masters MAX Double Winner

– Enzo DiGennaro: Rotax Winter Trophy – 1 win (Mini MAX) / SKUSA Winter Series – 1 win (Mini Swift)

– Scott Falcone: Challenge of the Americas – 100cc Masters Double Winner

– Jayden Francisco: Florida Winter Tour – 1 win (ROK Mini) / RMC USA West – 1 win (Micro MAX)

– Oliver Hodgson: Challenge of the Americas – 100cc Senior Double Winner

– Cole Medeiros: Florida Winter Tour – 1 win (ROK GP Junior) / RMC USA West – 1 win (Junior MAX)

– Diego Ramos: Rotax Winter Trophy – Senior MAX Double Winner / Florida Winter Tour – 1 win (ROK VLR Senior)

– Joe Turney: SKUSA Winter Series – 2 wins (Pro X30)

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