November 26, 2023
Introducing Mini MAX Grand Finals competitors, Gage Korn, Matteo Quinto and Oliver Warner who will compete for their respective countries. Oliver will join Team GBR while Gage and Matteo will join Team USA in Bahrain at the Rotax Grand Finals. Oliver earned his spot thanks to his victory at the US Trophy Final event, while Gage took second place the US Trophy Final. Matteo had a great year where he took the US Trophy West Championship and then finished as the highest placing ‘Reserved’ driver at the US Trophy Final to earn his spot on Team USA.
Oliver Warner
Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?
OW This is just my second full year karting. Passion ignited by watching dad I think
Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?
OW My first time on track in a Honda cadet kart , being really scared . Seems like a long time ago now 🙄
Q Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?
OW I think it is great representing your country and will feel different than normal . Also be great to meet all the drivers and families from around the world especially my new USA friends!
Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?
OW Mum dad little sister older sister older brother and their partners so a big family affair
Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership with them special?
OW Lewis Hall – is not just my mechanic he is my mentor and friend . The last person I speak to before going out and the first person I speak to when coming in . He is amazing . I’ve realised last few months how important and special that relationship can be.
Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?
OW N/A
Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?
OW From Kent , South East England
Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?
OW I went to Bahrain before with my dad and brother to watch F1 so am super excited to be driving here . Looking forward to nice weather
Q Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.
OW I play the piano
Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?
OW Not really . Fist pump with dad normally unless I’m in a rush
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Gage Korn
Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?
GK This is my 8th year racing. I wanted to start racing by my dad. My earliest memories are watching my dad race. I got a kid kart for my second birthday and I kept practicing until I was 5 and old enough to race.
Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?
GK One of my favorite memorable moments is when I won my first race. It was my second year in kid karts racing in the Colorado Karting Tour. I don’t remember to much about what actually happened but I came out with the win. My whole family was so excited. My dad hugged me so hard I couldn’t breathe. I can’t wait to drive at one of the best karting tracks in the world again.
Q Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?
GK I also love meeting other people from across the world. I also can’t wait to better my craft against some of the best drivers in the world
Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?
GK My mom, dad, and my brother, as well as my mentor Race Liberante who will also be racing in the DD2 class, along with his girlfriend Alexis. Also My Mechanic Devin-Smith-Harden.
Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership with them special?
GK Devin-Smith-Harden. Our Partnership is special to say the least. We are like brothers and together we have won 3 Grand Finals Tickets and this year he can finally come with us to hopefully win!
Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?
GK I have been to two other Grand Finals before in 2021, and 2022. Bahrain 2021 was a wild one to say the least. I was top 10 fastest all weekend long made a bad mistake on qualifying and was in a pretty bad position to say the least. I made my way up all the way through the heats and was starting 13th in the final. I made it up to 7-8th on the first lap. as we went up the big sweeping right hander on the first lap a fellow driver cut the curb and flipped over me wrecking us both. I fell to 30th and made my way up to 18th.
Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?
Denver, Colorado – A very long flight!
Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?
GK I went there in 2021 when Covid was still a big thing. We couldn’t experienced all the great things about the Grand Finals and also Bahrain. I can’t wait to go back!
Q Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.
GK I also play Ice Hockey
Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?
GK Before the final in 2021 I listened to music and then got crashed. And I have not listened to music before a race since then
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Matteo Quinto
Q Karting Journey: How many years have you been karting, and what ignited your passion for this sport?
MQ I have been karting for 6 years and started in kid kart. My dad ignited the passion for racing as when I was in kid kart we practiced almost every day and I just fell in love with it.
Q Early Days: Can you share a memorable moment from when you first started karting and what motivated you to pursue it further?
MQ One memory is when I won my first ever race. It was in the karting club CKT and I was racing a Micro Rotax in Grand Junction Motorspeedway. What pursued me to go further is that I won a ticket to go to Charlotte. After I got the ticket I kept winning and just kept going.
Q Grand Finals Aspirations: Beyond winning, what personal goals or experiences are you hoping to gain from competing at the RMC Grand Finals?
MQ I am hoping to gain to compete against the best in the world and be the best in the world.
Q Companions: Who will be accompanying you to Bahrain to support you during the event?
MQ My Dad and Daniel Bordogna.
Q Mechanic Marvel: Could you introduce us to your mechanic and tell us what makes your partnership with them special?
MQ Daniel has been supporting us for 5 years with the best engines and he has attended many races with me to help me get better. He more a friend to me.
Q Previous Grand Finals: If you’ve attended the Grand Finals before, could you share a memorable experience from a past event?
MQ NA
Q From Where: Which part of the country will you be traveling from to participate in the Grand Finals?
MQ Denver, Colorado
Q Bahrain Excitement: Is this is your first time visiting Bahrain? What are you most looking forward to exploring or experiencing in the host country?
MQ It is my first time in Bahrain and we are looking forward to see there culture and what they do over there
Q Hidden Gem: Share an interesting fact or a unique talent about yourself that many people may not know.
MQ A unique talent is that I have the ability to pass people very well and making split second decisions
Q Pre-Race Ritual: Do you have any special pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before hitting the track?
MQ I have to have my helmet on before we get to the grid.
