SANDY, Utah -- Rookie junior driver Austin Versteeg wrapped up his first series in the ultra-competitive Rotax Junior ranks at this past weekend's Formula Kart Productions Florida Winter Tour (FWT). Taking to the Ocala Gran Prix facility in central Florida for the series finale, Versteeg ended his FWT campaign with two strong top-15 results. In a class of nearly 50 competitors, including world and national champions, Versteeg and his PSL Karting team have made strides in his first year at the junior level. With Versteeg earning his 2011 Florida Winter Tour Mini Max championship at the same circuit last year, the rising talent earned his best results of the three round, six race series.

Taking to the technical, 6/10-mile layout on Friday for the two qualifying sessions, Versteeg cracked into the top-ten in both. Laying down a lap of 36.837 in the first, which set Sunday's grid, the 12-year-old Sandy, Utah resident clocked 36.938 in the late-afternoon session for Saturday's competition. Both times would put Versteeg ninth on the grid for the weekend's wheel-to-wheel action.

Saturday would see the PSL/CRG pilot move up one position during the 18-lap prefinal race, as Versteeg laid down quick lap times to stay near the front of the pack. Dropping back slightly in the final, Versteeg ended his day with a 14th place finish.

Back on track for the final day of the 2012 Florida Winter Tour, Versteeg would fall from his inside fifth row starting position to 19th after a racy prefinal. The final however would see Versteeg improve his position by six places, moving up into 12th to complete his Florida Winter Tour with two top-15 final results. Placing 20th in the overall Rotax Junior championship standings, Versteeg will be a threat to take the 2013 title.

Versteeg will now turn his attention to the final round of the 2012 Gatorz Challenge of the Americas series. Once again crisscrossing the country, Versteeg will next head back to the west coast to the CalSpeed Karting Center in Fontana, California. Currently third in the overall Rotax Junior championship on the strength of three podium finishes to date, Versteeg will vie for the overall title as well as the corresponding trip to the 2012 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.

Versteeg will continue to utilize off weekends for testing and training at the brand new Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the newest and largest track in North America, the Nola Motorsports Park will offer full Rotax/CRG support for Versteeg as he continues to build his strength and race craft to challenge in the junior ranks in 2012.

Austin races with the generous support of PSL Karting / CRG, ULV race gear, Activa Technology and Nola Motorsports Park. For more information on Austin Versteeg, please visit www.AustinVersteeg.com.