Diego Ramos claimed his first SKUSA Pro Tour Pro X30 victory at the SummerNationals (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 2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SummerNationals at the New Castle Motorsports Park was a historic weekend from all different angles. The championship deciding weekend became memorable and career defining for PSL Karting driver Diego Ramos. The Brazilian piloted his Birelart machines to three wins overall on the weekend, including a sweep and championship clinching two days in KA100 Senior while earning his career first Pro X30 triumph to close out the action in New Castle, Indiana.

Ramos swept the weekend action in KA100 Senior to claim his first career SKUSA Pro Tour championship (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Ramos focused his schedule around the SKUSA Pro Tour in 2025, competing in both KA100 Senior and Pro X30. Thanks to a victory at the WinterNationals, Ramos entered the SummerNationals with the championship lead in what we thought would be a great battle for the championship. Diego had other ideas when action began with the Birelart driver posting a 1:11.406 lap in qualifying to clear the 48 driver field. He ran away from the field in the 8-lap Prefinal to win by over four seconds. The main event was a wire-to-wire performance, pressured late by Florida driver Collin Lloyd. Ramos secured his second victory of the season by nearly one-second. The near maximum day in points, missing out on fast lap of the race, helped Diego to clinch the championship one round early.

With the championship locked up, Ramos entered Sunday with the ‘no lift’ mentality. A 1:11.567 lap in qualifying secure fast time of the session. The Prefinal was cut short due to a red flag situation but was a similar result with Ramos leading the way ahead of Lloyd in second. No one could have scripted out the Final as it unfolded. Ramos was challenged early on by Lloyd and Zach Claman DeMelo before the skies opened and the rain came down. On dry tires, the KA100 Senior field fought the conditions and each other. Eventually, Ramos was joined up front by Round One winner Oliver Hodgson and Spanish driver Ruben Moya. Over the final three laps, the trio fought for the top spot while trying to stay on track. Multiple attempts by Moya in the scoreboard corner failed, and Ramos escaped with the lead and victory for his third of the season.

Much like the KA category, Ramos was the driver to beat in the Pro X30 division, with weather keeping him from a sweep on the weekend. Diego stamped his authority in qualifying for Saturday with a 1:07.989 lap for fast time. He led the 35 driver field to the green flag in the Prefinal. It began on a dry track and ended with heavy rain falling. The Pros handled the conditions as well as they could on dry tires. Ramos led the first four laps before going off track. He fell down the order to 17th and eventually finished 12th. Diego knifed his way forward in the 15-lap main event, reaching the third spot to claim his first podium of the season.

Ramos began where he left off on Sunday with another top qualifier honor, this time with a 1:08.009 lap. The day belonged to him, recording a sweep of the action. The Prefinal win advantage was over three seconds after eight laps. It was a wire-to-wire performance in the Final, winning the 15-lap event by over five seconds. The victory is the first Pro X30 triumph of his career.

A busy close to the season for Ramos includes him heading north of the border with PSL Karting to the Canadian Karting Championships at Mosport Karting Centre this weekend. Competing at the RMC US Trophy Final at New Castle this October along with ROK Vegas and SKUSA SuperNationals 28 in November closes out the 2025 season.

July 2025 EKN Driver of the Month – Diego Ramos

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Born: Brazil
Hometown: Sao Paulo
Marital Status: Single
Height/Weight: 5’4” / 117lbs.
Occupation: Driver and Coach

Racing Resume

Chassis: Birelart
Engine/Engine Builder: Speedlab (X30), Switch (KA100) and PSL (Rotax)
Sponsors: PSL Karting
Series You Compete In: SKUSA Winter Series, SKUSA Pro Tour, Florida Winter Tour, Rotax Winter Trophy
Years Karting: 15
How did you get started in karting? It all started quite by chance. A friend of my father’s, Elias Azevedo, invited me to try go-karting at an indoor track. I ended up doing really well, enjoyed it a lot, and from that moment on, I was hooked. That’s how my journey in karting began.
What has been the high point in your racing career? When I drove cars in Brazil and I think right now that I can do what I love and get paid.
What are your goals in racing? I’m always striving to improve my skills, support the drivers I coach, and, of course, win races for the team.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive but also smart

Likes

Favorite Track: Interlagos (car track)
Favorite form of professional motorsports: karting
Favorite karting driver: Gaetano Di Mauro (brazilian)
Favorite professional driver: Ayrton Senna
Favorite website: Iracing.com
Favorite movie: A forja

Favorite actor/actress: Paul Walker
Favorite music/group: Electro and gospel
Favorite vacation/activity spot: A place with a beach where I can relax. I also enjoy going to Brazil.
Favorite food: Beef Stroganoff (Brazilian food)

The Real Deal

What are your goals outside of karting? Grow as a person and be successful.
What type of street car do you drive? Honda, really economical lol.
What type of street car would you like to drive? Porsche 911 GT3 RS
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who only complain, and when I can’t perform well at something I’m doing
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? I believe karting could be improved by making it more accessible for young drivers through lower costs and better sponsorship opportunities. We also need more media coverage to showcase the sport and attract new fans, as well as stronger development programs to help talented drivers progress to higher levels of motorsport.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? What I love most about karting is the pure competition and the constant challenge to push myself to the limit and of course, the winning feeling.

July 2025 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Gage Bailey: Texas Sprint Racing Series – KA100 Junior Winner

– Danny Formal: SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 1 Win (Pro Shifter)

– Austin Garrison: SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 1 Win (Pro X30)

– Christopher McKeithan: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 206 Senior Winner

– Jordon Musser: Stars Championship Series – 1 Win / SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 2 Wins (Master Shifter)

– Travis Pettit: Stars Championship Series – 1 Win (KA Junior) / SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

– Landon Skinner: Texas Sprint Racing Series – KA100 Senior Winner

– Brody Stoffle: Texas Sprint Racing Series – Micro Swift Winner / SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 1 Win (Micro Swift)

– Ashton Woon: SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – 1 Win (X30 Junior)

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