SSC East Team Review: Ocala Stars of Karting

press release 

SSC East had another very strong outing at the opening round of the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series event at the Ocala Gran Prix facility just north of Orlando, Florida. Looking to get the season started off right, SSC East drivers and tuners were prepped and ready for the big event.

Above: Gary Carlton

Competing in the headline Intercontinental C (ICC) division was two-time defending national champion Gary Carlton, rookie pilot Arie Ouimet and sophomore driver Alex Manglass. As expected, Carlton led the trio of SSC East competitors as he was fast in each and every session. In qualifying, Carlton sat in the pits and waited until the very end to turn his flying lap and steal the pole position. Through the heat races, Carlton was dominant leading every single lap, taking three victories and the pole position for both feature events.

Looking to start his march towards a third national title, Carlton lead the first feature only to retire midway through the event with a stuck powerplant, leaving him dejected but determined to make up for it in final two. After another terrific start, the California resident led every single lap to take the checkers ahead of some of the country’s best.

Looking to gain experience in ICC in ’08, Ouimet would consistently run inside the top ten. Looking to challenge for a top five result, the young Arie had an eighth place finish in feature one but failed to finish the second final after being shoved off the circuit and through a pool of water that had gathered on the side of the track.

Manglass, who partnered with tuner Joe White Jr., ran fast and consistent laps throughout the weekend. With the goal to make progress and complete every race lap, Manglass did just that and is looking forward to the next event.

Above: Jarvis Gennari

Junior Intercontinental A (JICA) pilot Jarvis Gennari struggled through Friday’s practice sessions but turned up the wick when it mattered on Saturday and Sunday. The talented Floridian pilot and reigning JICA national champion powered through the field to claim a second and third place podium results and left the first event in a familiar spot, on top the point standings.

A fantastic weekend for SSC East’s racing team.  The National ICC Champion shows his domination.  The National JICA Champion shows his never give up attitude. An ICC rookie nipping on the heels of the big boys and a sophomore driver teaming with one of the sports legends and making a run for ‘08. SSC East would like to thank all of its drivers for great results as well as their tuners Diego Val Verde, Tom Buckley, Joe White Jr. and Enzo Chiovitti Jr.

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