ANTHONY GANGI JR. MOVES INTO THE TOP FIVE IN MINI ROK POINTS
Anthony Gangi Jr., a member of the GT7 Motorsports kart racing team, endured an up and down weekend as he we worked through mechanical problems and was caught up in another marshalling error. The multi-time champion headed into the weekend looking to make a move in the championship points tally and secure his position in the title fight. Anthony Jr. worked throughout the weekend with tuners Chris Perez and Gary Willis, as the trio looked to hit the podium for the first time in the FWT Mini Rok class. Needing to make passes in every session, Gangi Jr. continued to charge forward every lap as he circulated the challenging permanent parking lot circuit.
"We didn't have the kind of weekend we had hoped. Our engine builder had a baby and wasn't able to make it to the track. Mom and baby are great and that's the important thing for sure. Moments like that put karting into perspective. I have five kids and understand the importance of family for sure," comments Anthony Gangi Sr., GT7 Motorsports Team Principal. "We struggled a bit to give Anthony Jr. the kart he needed. On Saturday he drove brilliant in the final to sit in fourth waiting to make the last lap pass. The flagman forgot the two-to-go and the one-to-go signals. He just put out the checkerd flag and took Anthony out of a possible third place."
Despite some the challenges, Gangi Jr. was able to muster some incredible speed on a track he likes very much. In Saturday warm up it was Gangi Jr. going seventh quick followed up by a poor 12th place in qualifying. The prefinal was much better for the former FWT Micro Max Champion as he hit the stripe in third place making moves throughout the race. Gangi Jr. made a brilliant start to the final getting right into the mix on lap one. Anthony Jr. was able to run in fourth in the closing stages waiting to make his move on the final lap. The checkered flag came out with no final lap indication presented to the field, leaving Gangi Jr. to settle for fourth.
On Sunday Gangi Jr. would go fourth quickest in qualifying as he looked to make up for the previous day's disappointment. Anthony Jr. used that solid qualifying effort to take third in the prefinal and give himself an inside row two starting spot. A perfect start in the final had Gangi Jr. jump into the second spot off the lights, right on the bumper of the leader as he able to avoid a spinning kart. As Gangi Jr. pushed the lead kart down the back straight he lost power and would fade back into the field. Anthony Jr. was able to keep going and held on for 16th place at the close of the race. Even with all the difficulties over the weekend, Gangi Jr. was able to move up into fourth place in the overall Mini Rok standings.
"It was a really tough weekend for sure. First I want to congratulate Mike (Ramirez) on the new baby. That's so cool. We really missed him," comments Gangi Jr. "We just can't seem to catch a break in this class. The Tony Kart Cadet is great, my tuner Chris (Perez) is working hard and I have really enjoyed working with Gary (Willis). We just need some luck. I am excited to be back in the Mini Max this weekend. I love the Homestead track and I know we can do well."
Anthony Jr. will return to Florida Winter Tour action this weekend at the Homestead Karting Complex. Anthony Jr. returns to Mini Max, while fellow GT7 Motorsports team driver Dylan Tavella continues his run in Micro Max.
