US Trophy Final Winner – Davin Roberts named EKN Driver of Month
September 20, 2024 by EKN – David Cole.
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 big race of the season for all Rotax drivers in the United States is the US Trophy Final, held on August 23-25 at the New Castle Motorsports Park. The Junior MAX category featured 18 drivers representing three different countries, all racing to earn a ticket to the 2024 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, scheduled for October 19-26 in Sarno, Italy. Among the drivers was the US Trophy East champion Davin Roberts.
Roberts was able to secure the championship in Junior MAX at the US Trophy East program, however, was not awarded a ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals. Only three tickets were offered by Race Rotax to champions in the Senior, Masters and Mini MAX. Of the 18 drivers in the field at the US Trophy Final, all but Canadian Antonie Lemieux were racing for the lone ticket up for grabs with victory on the weekend in New Castle.
The event began for Roberts by qualifying third overall, just 11 thousandths off top qualifier Isaac Malcuit with Nixx Eggleston in second. Two heat races followed, with Roberts advancing to lead the opening moto. He would be shuffled down late in the race, ending up finishing fifth. It was a similar performance in the second heat, working up into the lead by the halfway point. Roberts was shuffled out of the lead, only this time working up to second on the final lap.
Those two results placed Roberts third on the grid for the Super Heat race that would set the grid for the Final. He fell back to fifth early in the race and tried to fight back but ended up crossing the line fifth to start the main event from inside row three.
The lead group for the start of the Final included several drivers, led by Nixx Eggleston. Roberts worked his way forward patiently and was in the lead on lap nine. Eggleston was shuffled back to third behind Japan driver Ryusei Sawada as Roberts led. Eggleston went back to the lead by lap 12 with Roberts holding onto the second spot. The two were able to break away in the closing laps, with Roberts locked on the bumper of Eggleston. As the white flag waved, Roberts was not close enough to make a move early in the lap. Coming to the final four corners, Roberts pushed deep into the tech barn corner and went even further into the left hand ‘grid’ turn. He caught Eggleston off guard and secured the apex. Exiting the corner with the lead, Roberts drove through the final two corners to the checkered flag, securing victory and the ticket to the 2024 Rotax Grand Finals.
The victory at the US Trophy Final built momentum for Roberts. The following weekend, he went on to win the IAME USA Grand National Championship event in the X30 Junior division. This past weekend, Roberts dominated the action in the OK-N Junior class for the Stars Championship Series finale. The victory at Trackhouse, his second of the year, helped Davin to secure the series championship.
Davin is set to continue the September momentum into the United States Pro Kart Series finale, set for September 27-29 at the New Castle Motorsports Park. He sits fourth in the KA100 Junior standings and eighth in the X30 Junior championship chase. Then it will be preparing to join his Team USA teammates in Sarno, Italy at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli on October 19-26.
August 2024 EKN Driver of the Month – Davin Roberts
Bio
Born: June 14, 2012
Hometown: Mooresville, NC
Parents: Nathan & Ashley Roberts
Siblings: None
Height/Weight: 5’-9” / 115lbs
Education (School/Grade): Abeka Homeschool / 6th
Chassis: OTK
Engine/Engine Builder: Rotax (Fox Racing Engines)
Sponsors: My Mom and Dad
Series You Compete In: Rotax Max Challenge, USPKS, Stars Championship Series, Trackhouse Karting Challenge
Years Karting: 5
How did you get started in karting? I was racing quarter midgets and dirt oval mini Outlaws when my parents surprised me with a trip to GoPro Motorplex where Nitro Kart was hosting an arrive and drive. I was able to test a mini swift and I was hooked. Within a month, we had sold off all five quarter midgets and my dirt sprint to go kart racing.
What has been the high point in your racing career? It has been a series of events, Winning the US Rotax finals and ticket to Sarno, then the next week winning the IAME USA Grand National Championship, and then winning the OK-N Junior final round to become the 1st ever US OK-N Junior champion.
What are your goals in racing? I am working to becoming a professional sports car racer, and I have no plan “B”… My hope is to one day race a Lamborghini.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Calculative, and precisely aggressive.
Funniest moment at the race track? Pulling up to the grid on slicks while my toughest competitors were in rain suits and had rain tires mount with the track is pretty much dry, and knowing I made the call to go on slicks.
Likes
Favorite Track: NOLA Motorsports Park
Favorite form of professional motorsports: GT3 Racing
Favorite karting driver: Myself
Favorite professional driver: Kyle Larson
Favorite website: YouTube
Favorite movie: Ford Vs Ferrari
Favorite actor/actress: Matt Damon
Favorite music/group: Imagine Dragons
Favorite vacation/activity spot: What’s a Vacation? / The Racetrack?
Favorite food: Mexican Food
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? School, Run, Practice on the Simulator, Speed Cubing, and Fishing
What are your goals outside of karting? Maintain good grades in school improve my cubing skills, go fishing more often.
What app or game do you play right now? Flight Tracker, and I-Racing
What type of street car would you like to drive? Lamborghini Aventador
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People that walk around barefooted outdoors.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Let us race more like Europe does, Limit the number of practice tires, and figure out a way of bringing in more sponsorship money in for talented drivers.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? When I am able to go head to head with the best drivers in racing with the largest fields!
