Tyler Thomas: Florida Witner Tour Rnd 2 Review

press release

Looking to prepare for the Snap-on Stars of Karting National championship, Oklahoma resident Tyler Thomas competed in the second round of Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour in both the TaG Junior and KF3 divisions. Competing on the newly resurfaced Homestead Karting Complex, Thomas would shoot for podium results in both classes.

After arriving to Miami, Florida late on Thursday evening, Thomas would look to get up to speed with his fellow competitors on Friday’s official practice day, some of whom had been on track all week. Looking good in the first session, Thomas injured his neck in session two and would compete the rest of the weekend in pain. In what can only be described as strained muscles, Thomas soldiered on with the help of medication and ice after each and every session to continue through the race weekend.

With his focus on the TaG Junior class, the Ocala Gran Prix Vortex powered KF3 kart was parked for the remainder of Friday and half of Saturday to try and save the junior driver’s neck strength. Using the kart for half of each session to test changes in chassis setup, Thomas continually got quicker in his first weekend behind the wheel of the KF3.

Saturday’s TaG Junior final could only be described as one of the best races of the weekend with Thomas in the middle of the action. The 12-year-old started the main event in the 11th position but exited the first corner in fifth and quickly made a move for fourth. Looking like a seasoned veteran, Thomas moved into second place and stalked the leader for the next 14 laps. An epic battle then ensued as the top four were nose to tail for the final five laps battling hard for the race win. When the dust had settled and the checkered flag flew, Thomas crossed the stripe in the fourth position.

“I’m really happy with the result considering how bad my neck is hurting me,” stated Thomas after the event. “I am using other muscles in my body to compensate for my neck. These two results keep me in the hunt for the championship as we go to the next event in Ocala.”

Looking to improve on Sunday, Thomas qualified his Woltjer Racing Engines powered Top Kart in the seventh position and would finish in the same result in the heat race. Look to move forward in the final, Thomas moved into the sixth position early in the event and ran lap times comparable to the leaders. The junior pilot was one of the fastest karts on the track in the latter half of the race but was unable to advance forward.

Home