Orlando, FL November
14, 2022 - Coming off a record
turnout of "ROKKERs" at the 2022 ROK
Vegas and the Return
to the RIO, ROK Cup USA is excited
to announce a leadership change beginning with the 25th
annual Florida Winter Tour in January. Longtime
series director, Garett Potter, expressed his interest to pursue other career paths that would
allow him more time at home with his family. Honoring Potter's wishes, OTK and
ROK Cup USA are excited to announce long-time karter Mike Burrell as the new
Director of ROK Cup USA Operations.
Potter has been with ROK Cup USA since January 2017 and has built
the events, competition, and Vortex brand into
one of the most popular platforms in the United States. Under Potter's watch,
the ROK Cup USA program has grown with a variety
of permanent and temporary circuits
including the ROK the Rio in Las Vegas, the Florida Winter Tour,
and ROK Fest East and West events. Potter has also assembled one of the top
crews of karting officials in the nation, all of whom will be returning in 2023
if they so desire.
"November
1998 when it all started for me, coming from the motorcycle road race world
never did I think purchasing a go kart would lead me here." It has been a whirlwind few seasons with a COVID
ROK Vegas event that nobody thought could happen and the growth of the
program through the past few years in both the United States and Canada, but in
the wake of the biggest ROK Vegas event ever, it's time to shift my focus on
life to spend more time with family, and additional motorsports projects as
well as just a change
of pace in life and a decrease in overall stress.
I leave with a huge sense of pride in what
my team and I have been able to do
I couldn't have done without
several important people, and I say
thank you to them."
Potter continued, "A huge thank you to Ursula Ustariz who has done more
for ROK Cup in North America than anybody even knows, she is
the glue that holds everything together, my sidekick and right-hand man Robbie
Poupart for his hard work both in the forefront and behind the scenes, Chuck
Yoder, Dave Davies, Rob Yardley and the entire ROK CUP team. Thank you to Andy
Seesemann for the support to tackle the Western half of the United States and
to Richard Boake for the help to really kickstart the Canadian program.
Both of you are karting
legends. A big thank
you to Mike and Elena Maurini from RTD Media for the continuous met deadlines and the
countless hours of work you guys do as well. To Mr.
Robazzi with
Vortex Italy and ROK Cup without his vision there would have been no ROK Cup
North America. Mario Pazos from Vortex for trusting me to take the brand and
run. Thank you, Fernanda, Alessandro, all the OTK
Kart USA and Vortex USA staff. Lastly
and most important my wife Becky for all the support and our kids for
understanding all the long days and time away. To all the racers, dealers and teams thank you for all the
always showing up. ROK Cup USA is here because of you, and I hope to
see you all at a track somewhere soon."
Stepping away
from the program two months before the annual Florida Winter Tour commences,
OTK and ROK Cup USA will introduce a new Director
of Operations to follow in the footsteps
of Garrett. Mike Burrell brings a variety of karting,
motorsports, and professional experience to the ROK Cup program.
Burrell was
editor of National Kart News magazine between 2004-2011. He is most recently
known for producing karting events
for USAC at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Elkhart Grand Prix between 2017-2022. Burrell was an OTK
dealer between 2010-2012 in the Indianapolis area.
"This is an
exciting opportunity to work with OTK again! I'm looking forward to making ROK
Cup USA events the best balance of fun and competition in the United
States karting scene. Garett, OTK, and the whole ROK team have done a great job
over the past few years. This series is on a solid foundation; I don't need to
re-invent the wheel', just keep polishing it."
Burrell continued, "Garett and I will be working
together throughout the remainder of the year to assure ROK Cup USA's leadership change is
as seamless as possible. When competitors arrive in Florida for the 25th
Florida Winter Tour in January, our goal is for them to feel as welcomed and
comfortable as when they left Las Vegas."
Regarding the
transition, Luis Ruibal, of OTK USA said, "This is a moment of mixed feelings
to me. Both Garett and Mike are guys that I met right after starting my
previous job in karting; some 20+ years ago. With each, I developed
a respect and relationship that I highly
rate. I wish Garett all the best in whatever path he chooses to take and I'm
pretty sure we'll see each other soon at the track. I welcome Mike personally
and on behalf of the OTK Kart family; we look forward to the future "
2023 Rok Cup USA events will kick off with the 25th anniversary of the Florida Winter
Tour on January
19-22, 2023. Details will be announced soon, but the "Serious Fun" FWT has built a reputation on is
sure to return. For more information and registration, visit www.rokcupusa.com.