Daniel Formal Is The USA Senior Rotax Champion
Tweetpress release
Heading into the United States Rotax Grand Nationals, Floridian pilot Daniel Formal had two very important goals. First and foremost, the young talent wanted to represent his country at the Rotax Grand Finals later this year and secondly, he wanted to claim another national championship. When the weeklong event came to a close on Saturday afternoon, Formal had completed both of his goals as he took the checkers to stand atop the podium and will now be a member of a strong Team USA program.
Above: Daniel Formal dominated the Rotax Senior ranks to claim another national championship
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Cody Schindel/CanadianKartingNews.com
"I was really looking forward to this event and was doing everything possible to ensure I succeeded," expressed Formal. "Testing on track, training in the gym and mentally preparing myself for this event, I knew that I would have the chance to take the win. I cannot thank my team and supporters for all they have done for me and my next goal is to provide the United States with their first Rotax Grand Finals world title."
Progressing nicely through the unofficial test days leading up to the event, Daniel Formal would be one that everyone would have on their radar. Showing speed to run at the front of the field in dry weather action, Formal would show his wet weather skills when official qualifying would take place on Thursday morning. With qualifying setting the grid for the three heat race flight format, Formal would need a special effort to ensure an up-front starting spot and his chance at Rotax Grand Nationals glory.
After turning the second quickest time in the rain soaked qualifying session, it was onto the three heat races where Formal would start on the front row. Looking for consistent results, Formal started off the heat races with a strong victory by more than three seconds on his closest rival. Heat race two would be Formal's only blunder on the weekend as a second place result would have the talented 16-year-old gunning for more throughout the rest of the weekend.
Back on track for heat race three on Friday afternoon, Formal would once again show his winning ways taking the victory by just less than a second. With solid and consistent results, the Advanced Karting / Tony Kart driver would line up for the prefinal on championship Saturday from the pole position.
With rain coming through the area in the overnight and morning hours, the Rotax Senior drivers would compete in wet weather action yet again. Known for his superior skills in slick conditions, Formal took his fight to the rest of the senior field as he drove to an unheard of ten-second victory. Unchallenged throughout the race, Formal would claim the elusive pole position for the main event and would begin his quest for a Team USA berth from inside the front row.
Taking the fight to the talent-filled Rotax Senior field, Daniel Formal quickly went to the point and never looked back. Turning lap times slightly quicker than his competitors, Formal began to open a gap as the track had dried and drivers were back on dry weather Mojo tires. Again unchallenged in the 26-lap final, Formal went on to take the race win, national championship and Team USA berth by 1.693 seconds.
Formal continued, "I have experience at the Rotax World Finals and feel with that and how I have grown as a person, I realistically can challenge for the win. I can't wait to get to Portugal."
Daniel Formal will now travel back to Florida and begin his move to the Orlando area where he will begin university. Located only minutes from the Orlando Kart Center, Formal will also open a racing school for drivers of all levels. More information will be forthcoming in a future press release.
Daniel Formal would like to thank his 2012 partners including: Tony Kart, Samsung of Brazil, RPT Auto Sales Orlando, Best Brazil Orlando, Sargeant Motorsports, Helio Rodrigues, Advanced Karting. A special thanks also goes out to the Sargeant family for all of their help and support as well as Daniel from Sargeant Motorsports for the incredible Rotax power.