Alex Speed Joins Ocala Gran Prix

press release

With a full resume of race wins, championships and national titles, Californian Alex Speed starts a new chapter in his motorsports career in 2011. Making the trek cross-country to his new home in Ocala, Florida, Speed will join the Ocala Gran Prix race team and shop operations and look to help develop the Honda shifter package in the state of Florida.

Aspeed
Above: Alex Speed joins Ocala Gran Prix on a full-time basis as he relocates to central Florida
pic - Autosports Media Group

"I am really excited to have Alex join the OGP team on a full-time basis," expressed Ocala Gran Prix President Jorge Arellano. "Though Alex did work for the team at the 2011 Florida Winter Tour for Nick Neri, he has now become a member of the family and will be at the shop on a regular basis."

Not only has Speed stood on the top of the podium at some of the biggest events in North America, he has also tuned for race winning drivers such as Gary Carlton in 2006. claiming the Stars of Karting Intercontinental C (ICC) National Championship and Neri in 2011, claiming the United States Grand National title in the Rotax Senior class.

After spending 2007 in Europe with his older brother, Formula One pilot Scott Speed, before he made his move to NASCAR, Alex returned to the driver's seat in 2008 claiming the Superkarts! USA Pro Kart Challenge TaG Senior Championship, the Rock Island Grand Prix King of the Streets title as well as the Stars of Karting season finale race win.

2009 was another year of championships for the kid from California as he mastered the Florida Winter Tour program taking the Pro Shifter and KF2 championships. Later that season, Speed went on to claim race wins in the Championship Karting International program in Norman, Oklahoma and Fontana, California.

"2010 was my last full year of racing," stated Alex Speed. "I have since stepped out of the seat to help develop younger drivers. I like to get behind the wheel when I can, but as for a full assault on a national championship, I don't think that will happen, but I am also not ruling it out."

2010 was one of Alex Speed's best karting years as he was unbeatable in nearly every series he entered. Early in the year, Speed claimed the Championship Karting International Winter Cup title in the KF2 class. Taking home four main event wins in six events, Speed never finished off the podium. Showing his true diversity, Alex traded in his single speed KF2 package for a six speed Stock Moto shifter kart where his true heart is and in a flash, Speed won a few of the biggest races of the year. Taking home the Superkarts! USA Summer Nationals crown in the S1/Stock Moto class, Speed went on to the SuperNationals, the Super Bowl of karting, and claimed the SuperPro/Stock Moto race wins. Competing against some of the world's best, Speed rose to the forefront.

2011 and beyond will see one chapter close and another open for Speed as he moves to Central Florida. Becoming one of the point men for Ocala Gran Prix, Speed will be in the shop and with the race team on a daily basis and with the help of new boss Jorge Arellano, will begin to develop a shifter program in the state of Florida.

Speed continued, "Shifter karts are my passion and I like the speed and technical aspect of the six speed machines. Jorge had expressed interest in a shifter series in Florida and I knew that I needed to be there and help him with it. With the Stock Honda package gaining popularity on the west coast, we will look to begin the inception of the program in Florida in 2012."

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