Fort Lauderdale, Florida – It was another month that featured a pair of national-level events in Florida as Team Benik took on both the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Winter Series and ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. Taking on the AMR Homestead Miami Motorplex in Homestead first, the Florida-based outfit traveled to Loxahatchee for the second round of the Florida Winter Tour where they earned podium finishes and top-ten results on both occasions.
Leading the way for Team Benik was Kai Johnson who won Saturday’s third SKUSA Winter Series race of 2023 and crossed the line sixth on Sunday during race four to close the popular winter karting program on a high. Troy Ferguson had a tough run-on Saturday that saw him classified in 17th but rebounded Sunday to cross the line 11th, narrowly missing out on a drive that would have netted him a top-ten result. The third driver, Royce Vega failed to complete the full race distance Saturday due to contact but also had an unforgettable drive Sunday to cross the line 12th, gaining 16 positions in the main event and being named the Biggest Mover in the Mini Swift final. Racing on a Benik chassis, Marco Romero improved on his difficult result Saturday which saw him relegated to 21st after showing speed to race in the top-ten, to cross line P8 on Sunday. It was a solid day for Team Benik during the final round of the SKUSA Winter Series having all team drivers finish in the top-12.
“It was a good weekend for the team,” explained Nick Mitchell. “When you don’t get the results you think you deserve on Saturday, it is a great feeling to come back Sunday and have all three drivers improve to earn their best finishes of the weekend in the final round of the series. Congrats to Kai on the win, another one to add to his and Team Benik’s resume in 2023.”
With no time off, it was a quick turnaround and up the coast of Florida to Loxahatchee, Florida, and the Piquet Entertainment & Race Park for the second round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. With only two drivers flying the Team Benik colors out of the official race team program, Kai Johnson and Royce Vega would both close their weekend in the top-ten with Johnson on the podium in third and Vega crossing the line sixth.
Mitchell continued, “Kai was in position to battle for the win throughout the heat races, prefinal and main event but just found himself in the wrong spot at the wrong time when it counted. The Benik chassis has proven its speed on MG Tires and LeVanto Tires and can be a winner each time on track. Royce struggled to start the weekend but never gave up. He continued to work hard putting the effort in on and off the track and was rewarded with a P6 finish as well as the fastest lap in the main event. Congrats to both drivers on deserving results over a challenging weekend of racing.”
Next up for Team Benik will be a trip to the Orlando Kart Center where they will compete in their three next events. Kicking off with the Southern Grand Prix and the United States Pro Kart Series, Team Benik will then do battle in the final round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour before beginning their quest for race wins and national championships at the 2023 SKUSA Pro Tour.
Looking to add drivers to their program for the 2023 season, Team Benik has opportunities available.
Are you are interested in being part of Team Benik? For more information on the BENIK Kart or Team BENIK, please contact Nick Mitchell via e-mail to Info@Benik-Kart.com
or by phone at 561.348.4406. To keep up to date with news, photos, results, and information on Team Benik, please follow them on social media by searching ‘Team Benik’.
