Canadian standout earns two podiums in Orlando.
Stouffville, Ontario – Canadian karter Mike Vincec made a splash in his debut with powerhouse operation, Team PSL Karting, at the opening round of the Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT) at the Orlando Kart Center in mid-January in the Rotax DD2 class.
Michael Vincec scored two podium appearances during the opening rounds of the 2011 Florida Winter Tour in Orlando (Photo by: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media Group)
Scoring solid results all weekend, the 2007 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals Team Canada member was never outside the top-five in any official on-track session.
“Being the new member of the team it was great working with everyone at PSL Karting in Orlando. The team atmosphere was unbelievable with everyone gearing up for the first event of the Florida Winter Tour,” commented Vincec following the opening event in Orlando. “PSL Karting/CRG provided us with great equipment throughout the weekend and the battles on track were intense.”
After qualifying in the wet on Friday, Vincec managed a fifth place starting position for Saturday’s racing action, but then took it up a notch scoring the pole position during Sunday’s qualifying effort. After a successful drive in the prefinal to second and also setting the fastest lap of the race, engines issues plagued Vincec in the final on Saturday. Matching his prefinal result, the talent from Stouffville, Ontario nabbed the second step on the blocks, earning his first podium result for 2011.
Sunday would see Vincec start on pole for the day’s prefinal, crossing the stripe in the same position and setting up an inside first row starting position for the final. Losing the lead early in the race, Vincec fought throughout the 20 lap main, slicing and dicing looking for a way back to the lead. With his PSL CRG chassis dialed in, Vincec managed to score the fastest lap of the race. However, after a last ditch effort to take the lead on the last lap, the 2008 eKartingNews.com Driver of the Year came up just short and would have to settle for another second place finish.
Vincec heads into the second round of the Florida Winter Tour February 25-27, 2011 at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida, with a solid second place in the overall DD2 championship points standings. A mere 40 points out of first place, the up-and-coming motorsports star is in fine form towards ensuring a place on Team Canada for the 2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
“I'm really excited and can't wait for round 2. After the first round I know the racing will only get more fierce but with the support of PSL Karting/CRG we're hoping to improve even more and continue to fight for the top spot on the podium,” continued Mike. “WIth some luck and the great equipment PSL Karting/CRG provides us were aiming for the win and the championship this season.”
For more information about Mike Vincec, visit his website http://mikevincec.com
About Mike Vincec:
Michael Vincec was the 2008 Snap-On Stars of Karting National ICC Champion. He also raced select events in 2008 for the CRG Racing Team in Europe going on to being named the 2008 eKartingNews.com Driver of the Year. In 2007, Vincec represented Team Canada at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Al Ain, UAE. In 2006, Vincec was the Canadian National ICC Champion. He is also a 6-time Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship class champion and the only driver in the series history to win three championships in one season in three different classes.
