The 2013 season has closed, and with that, come the annual final standings of the eKartingNews.com United States Rotax Driver Rankings. In cooperation with the MAXSpeed Group, EKN utilizes the USRMC National Point Standings program and combined with the ‘Driver Rankings’ system to formulate the top drivers from the season. Back in May, the program was outlined in a May 1 article with the system structure and the events to be included in the EKN US Rotax Driver Rankings.

The EKN United States Rotax Driver Rankings tabulates the best six results for each USRMC driver in each of the six Rotax categories, using a weighted point system that increases based on event participation. Now that the season is completed, EKN is happy to highlight the top-10 drivers in each category, while also recognizing the #1 driver in each class heading into the 2014 season.

Mini Max
It was a growth of 17% in the Mini Max category from last year, as the second youngest group of racers expanded over the 100 driver mark in 2013. Six USRMC programs are represented in the top-10, with the Burger King program sporting three drivers. Just 51 points separate the top-10, three of which are returning drivers (Robb, Ramirez, and Brueckner) – with an average finish of 1.47 when factoring the best six from all 10 pilots. The Mini Max top-10 also includes the second half of two sets of brothers, as the d’Orlando and Verhagen brothers all land in the top-10 for the Micro and Mini Max divisions.

Sting Ray Robb

1. Sting Ray Robb
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
USRMC: Can-Am
Points: 5562
Born: September 3, 2001
Chassis: Tony Kart and Kosmic
Engine Service Center: Red Apple Racing / Black Racing Engines
Sponsors: Red Apple Marketplace, BBR Karting
Years Karting: 6
Favorite Track: Pat’s Acres Racing Complex, Musselman Honda Circuit, NOLA
2013 Accomplishments: Champion – Rotax Challenge of the Americas, Champion – Can-Am Karting Challenge, Runner-up – Pan American Challenge, 3rd – SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Cadet
2014 Goals: To qualify for Rotax Grand Finals on Team USA in Junior Max

Max Hewitt

2. Max Hewitt
Hometown: Houston, Texas
USRMC: Burger King
Points: 5555
Age: 12
Chassis: AM Chassis
Engine Service Center: AM Racing Engines
Sponsors: N/A
Years Karting: 6
Favorite Track: N/A
2013 Accomplishments: Champion – Texas ProKart Challenge TaG Cadet, Vice Champion – Texas ProKart Challenge Mini Max
2014 Goals: Become successful in Junior Max and S5

Michael d’Orlando

4. Michael d’Orlando
Hometown: Hartsdale, New York
USRMC: Northeast
Points: 5540
Age: 11
Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine Service Center: KoeneUSA
Sponsors: Lane Office, The Graphic Department, Oakland Valley Race Park, Integrity Consulting Group
Years Karting: 6
Favorite Track: GoPro Motorplex
2013 Accomplishments: Champion – US Rotax Grand Nationals, Champion – New York Mini Max, Vice Champion – Florida Winter Tour TaG Cadet, 10th – SKUSA SuperNationals TaG Cadet, Mini Max Rotax Grand Finals Invitational Qualifier
2014 Goals: Race for wins, prepare and develop skills to move up into Junior categories, be a better racer on and off the track

Mathias Ramirez

5. Mathias Ramirez
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
USRMC: North Florida
Points: 5539
Born: March 10, 2002
Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine Service Center: Ocala Grand Prix
Sponsors: Ocala Gran Prix
Years Karting: 8
Favorite Track: NOLA Motorsports Park
2013 Accomplishments: 3rd – Florida Winter Tour Mini Max, Champion – Florida Karting Championship Series Mini Max, Champion – North Florida Rotax Challenge, 7th – Mini Max Rotax Grand Finals Invitational
2014 Goals: Win Florida Winter Tour TaG Junior championship, win Florida Karting Championship Series Rotax Junior, win North Florida Rotax Challenge championship, win US Rotax Grand Nationals in Junior Max, and do my best in my first year in shifter.

Horatio Fitz-Simon

6. Horatio Fitz-Simon
Hometown: Pleasanton, California
USRMC: Red Line Oil Karting
Points: 5535
Born: January 1, 2000
Chassis: CRG
Engine Service Center: Relentless Motorsports
Sponsors: Exact10.com, Mom
Years Karting: 3
Favorite Track: Musselman Honda Circuit
2013 Accomplishments: Champion – Red Line Oil Karting Championship, Vice Champion – Rotax Challenge of the Americas
2014 Goals: Moving up to Junior, win Rotax championship races, hope to race in Europe

Neil Verhagen

7. Neil Verhagen
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina
USRMC: GoPro Motorplex
Points: 5527
Age: 12
Chassis: Arrow
Engine Service Center: KartSport North America
Sponsors: KartSport North America
Years Karting: 4
Favorite Track: GoPro Motorplex
2013 Accomplishments: Champion – GoPro Rotax Challenge Mini Max
2014 Goals: Moving up to Junior Max, hope to win GoPro Rotax Challenge Junior Max championship, hope to be on the podium at the US Rotax Grand Nationals

Trenton Sparks

8. Trenton Sparks
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
USRMC: Can-Am
Points: 5524
Born: March 2, 2002
Chassis: FA Kart
Engine Service Center: Tru Tech Racing Engines
Sponsors: Phil Giebler Racing, E Motorsports, Physicians Network Billing Service
Years Karting: 2
Favorite Track: Pat’s Acres Racing Complex and Greg Moore Raceway
2013 Accomplishments: Vice Champion – Can-Am Karting Challenge, Mini Max Rotax Grand Finals Invitational Qualifier, Vice Champion – SKUSA Pro Tour TaG Cadet, Vice Champion – California ProKart Challenge TaG Cadet, 9th – SKUSA SuperNationals TaG Cadet
2014 Goals: Continue to learn and improve driving skills, have a competitive year in TaG Junior

Parker Chase

9. Parker Chase
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
USRMC: Burger King
Points: 5519
Age: 12
Chassis: CRG
Engine Service Center: Chase Racing
Sponsors: Enertech Resources, LLC and Chase Racing
Years Karting: 3
Favorite Track: GoPro Motorplex
2013 Accomplishments: 9th – US Rotax Grand Nationals, Champion – Texas ProKart Challenge Mini Max, Mini Max Rotax Grand Finals Invitational Qualifier
2014 Goals: To follow up a strong 2013 with a strong 2014

2013 United States Rotax Driver Rankings – Mini Max