eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month: April 2023 – Aiden Levy
Alonso Kart driver becomes second ever to double up in KA100 Senior at SKUSA WinterNationals
Aiden Levy doubled up in KA100 Senior at the SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
The first third of the 2023 season has shown how competitive karting is in North America, with several first-time winners at different programs across the continent during the winter months. The month of April is the transition from those winter championships to the core season programs where drivers elevate their status and begin the chase toward major titles. The KA100 Senior division continues to show it takes speed, talent, smart race craft and sometimes a little luck to come away with a win, let alone two. Becoming only the second driver in Superkarts! USA Pro Tour WinterNationals history to double up in the win column, Aiden Levy has been named the EKN Driver of the Month for April 2023.
Levy was part of the 28-driver field at the SKUSA WinterNationals held on April 1-2 at the Orlando Kart Center in Florida. The just recently turned 18-year-old driver from North Carolina set the pace in the opening round qualifying session, posting a 56.073 lap time to clear the field by over a tenth. He led the field through the opening lap of the Prefinal until a spin cost him valuable positions, dropping him to 25th in the order. He fought back up to 14th after the 12-lap race was concluded. Starting from row seven, Levy negotiated his way up to the seventh spot by the halfway point of the 22-lap race. Fighting ahead of him allowed Levy to continue moving forward and into the lead by lap 20. Defensive driving brought other drivers into the mix on the final circuit. Levy fell to second and then retook the top spot with a few corners remaining. In the final corner, Senior rookie Fernando Luque threw a ‘Hail Mary’ lunge into the apex and came out the leader to claim the on-track win. A pushback bumper penalty dropped Luque to seventh, thus promoting Levy to the top step of the podium for his first SKUSA Pro Tour victory.
Sunday for Round Two was all Levy, once again beginning with a fast lap in qualifying. A 56.148-lap secured the top qualifier honor by nearly three tenths over the field. That pace continued into the 12-lap Prefinal, leading each circuit to a five-second advantage while recording the quickest lap of the race. In the Final, Levy was one of only four drivers to dip into the 56-second lap time during the 20-lap race. He went unchallenged to stamp his presence for the SKUSA Pro Tour championship by earning the sweep on the day, taking the main event victory by over three seconds.
Levy closed out the month of April with a trip to Speedsportz Racing Park for the United States Pro Kart Series Texas Grand Prix. Levy was unable to get a solid lap in qualifying, just inside the top-20. He fought forward in the three heat races, placing sixth, sixth and seventh to put himself ninth on the grid for the Final. He was among the pack racing for the second spot during the 20-lap run, placing sixth to put him second spot in the early championship chase. The month of May started out with victory as well, as Levy defended his home turf with a win in KA Stars for the Stars Championship Series Night Fight.
Next on the docket for Levy is the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals, set for June 9-11 at the Utah Motorsports Campus. Aiden heads to the Erda, Utah facility as the championship leader coming off his two wins, leading by 84 points ahead of Josh Campbell. He will continue to follow both the SKSUA and USPKS programs for 2023 along with other one-off events.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
April 2023 EKN Driver of the Month – Aiden Levy
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)
Bio
Born: March 1st, 2005
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Parents: Jeff and Ami Levy
Siblings: Cole and Ethan
Height/Weight: 5’11” / 140 pounds
Education: 12th grade
Job: None
Racing Resume
Chassis: Kart Republic / Alonso Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: BBS Race Engine Development
Sponsors/Supporters: KartSport North America / Martin Pierce Motorsports
Series You Compete In: United States Pro Kart Series, Superkarts! USA, Stars Championship Series
Years Karting: 5
How did you get started in karting? My mother signed me up for an indoor karting camp at Andretti’s in Georgia and I began racing rental karts after that. A year later, Xander Clements and Darrin Tebbe sold me my first kart and equipment.
What has been the high point in your racing career? My first national win at SKUSA Homestead in January.
What are your goals in racing? To continue improving and having fun, along with passing on what I’ve learned to the next generation of karters.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth and relaxed but aggressive.
Funniest moment at the race track? After my most recent win at Stars, watching my mechanic Danny May celebrate by transforming himself into a pirate.
Likes
Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park (Ski jump configuration)
Favorite form of professional motorsports: IndyCar
Favorite karting driver: Phil Arscott
Favorite professional driver: Connor De Phillipi
Favorite website: YouTube
Favorite movie: Ready Player One
Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell
Favorite music/group: 21 Pilots
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Family Trip to Hawaii
Favorite food: Malone’s Sticky Buns in Ocean City, NJ
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Workout at PitFit, go to school, play golf, and hangout with my friends at the lake.
What are your goals outside of karting? To continue being a hard worker and enjoying life.
What type of street car do you drive? Volkswagen Golf GTI
What type of street car would you like to drive? BMW M5
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People that complain constantly and make excuses.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? More informational resources as new people enter the sport or move up levels. Not coming from a motorsport background, it was difficult to navigate the journey in the beginning. Also, more respect between drivers and less politics.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Being able to race wheel to wheel with other drivers. Meeting and racing new people from around the country and hanging out with the Nachtmann’s and crew after a Trackhouse race. Also being able to spend quality time with my dad.
April 2023 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:
– Christopher Mann: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (Masters 100cc)
– Helio Meza: USPKS Texas Grand Prix – 1 Win (KA100 Senior)
– Steven Miller: SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals – 2 Wins (KA100 Junior)
– Hunter Pickett: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (ROK Shifter)
– Ernesto Rivera: USPKS Texas Grand Prix – 2 Wins (X30 Junior / KA100 Junior)
– Joe Turney: USPKS Texas Grand Prix – 1 Win (X30 Pro)
