Joey Licata's impressive weekend at CalSpeed earned him the first-ever EKN Top Gun Award.

The new EKN Top Gun program will select one driver during each IKF Region 7 Southwestern Super Series weekend, determined by a panel looking for a standout performance, whether it´s a dominant win or a come-from-the-back drive, as hard work and dedication will be noted. Each Top Gun winner will be profiled on EKN in the weeks following the event, introducing his standout pilot to the nation´s karting community.

Over the past two seasons, the IKF Region 7 series has produced some great racing in the junior categories. It fact, it´s become a hotbed for future stars. With fields averaging 20 entries or more, the competition is fierce and close from the Kid Karts to the quick Jr. Super Sportsmans. One of the drivers who graduated from this tough group into the aggressive senior ranks this season is Joey Licata Jr., the first EKN Top Gun winner.

During the opening weekend of the IKF Region 7 Southwestern Super Series, Licata made his Senior debut with two big victories and a runner-up finish. On Saturday, he swept the TaG Light category over a strong field. In HPV 3, Licata put himself in the lead during the final, poised for a last lap battle with Michael Varela, which saw him finish a close second. On Sunday, he would again battle for a victory, but this time against fellow rookie senior Jacob Neal. After hounding Neal in every corner during the final lap, Licata made an impressive move to score the victory.

Licata began karting in 2000 and quickly adapted to the sport. Running at the Willow Springs Kart Club, Joey became a regular at the front of the field, earning many victories and championships at the facility. Over the past few years, Licata has been running mostly regional programs, along with selected Stars of Karting events, where is put in many excellent drives in the JICA category.

For 2007, Licata is looking to score as many wins and championships as possible, while also preparing for the IKF Grand National Championships in June, which will take place at the Buttonwillow (CA) karting facility. While not in the karting seat Licata will be running in the West Coast Pro Truck series, where he will be running for the Rookie of the Year and points championships. As far as the IKF Region 7 program is concerned, this month´s Top Gun has proven himself as a true championship contender from the get-go.

Driver Profile::
Name: Joey Licata Jr.
Born: 7-31-91
Height: 5´9"
Weight: 135 lbs
Years Racing: 7 years
Current Sponsors: TNR Kartsports (Biesse), Throttle Racing Products, MLP Imaging, Motorex, RLV, Cheri Burchiere

Career Stats:
100+ podium finishes and 60+ wins
?03 Stars of Karting West Junior-1 Regional Champion
?04 WSKC Junior Superbox Champion
?05 WSKC Junior Superbox Champion
?05 WKA West Formula Y Junior Champion
?06 WKA West Junior Superbox Champion
?06 WKA West HPV Junior Lite Champion
?06 WSKC Junior Superbox Champion
?06 WKA Grand National HPV Junior Lite Champion
?06 IKF Grand National Junior Sportsman Champion
´07 Kart Sport Grand Prix Champion

Visit my website at: www.joeylicataracing.com