In 1992 while vacationing in the South of France, Rocco’s parents made plans to attend the Grand Prix of Monaco. During the race they were overwhelmed by the excitement of the fans, especially the passionate Italian fans cheering for Ferrari. Feeling the passion, Rocco’s parents bought him a red Ferrari racing suit. When they returned home to Germany and dressed Rocco in the suit he looked great. Later that year Rocco received an electric Ferrari car for Christmas, which he lived out of for years. The seed was planted and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 1994, at the age of 5, Rocco moved from Germany to America with his parents who took military assignments in the Washington D.C. area. Throughout the 90s Rocco’s interest in F1 became evident. Rocco was constantly consumed with playing F1 video games, watching the F1 races on TV and he was persistent in letting his parents know his desire to drive karts. However, there was no venue for Rocco to race karts in the D.C. area and he would have to remain patient for his first kart drive. In the interim, Rocco attended the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis on September 24th, 2000. On that historic day Rocco knew he wanted to become a professional driver – an F1 pilot.

It wasn’t until February 23rd, 2002, at the age of 12, that Rocco would experience his first kart drive. His dream became reality when he attended the Woodbridge Kart Club’s Novice School at AllSports Grand Prix. Rocco immediately displayed his natural ability. Taking instruction from professional driver Will Langhorn, Rocco went on to win several races that day against both novice and experienced drivers. Rocco found a mentor in the facility’s owner and former European Le Mans driver Francois Duret. Under Francois’ tutelage Rocco would spend his weekends racing and honing his driving skills.

In August 2002 Rocco attended Jim Hall’s Kart Racing School in Ventura, California. He displayed natural talent and learned ability and won races against teens and adults. The instructors were very impressed and on the first day they asked Rocco to stay after class to gave him additional one-on-one instruction. Rocco didn’t let them down and posted a fast track time that was well within the times of the seasoned instructors.

A passionate driver who is intent on building upon his natural talents and developing his driving skills, Rocco spends weekends, vacations and holidays racing at AllSports Grand Prix and when visiting with his father at SpeedRing in Santa Clara, California. Receiving support from family, friends and school faculty Rocco is focused and in pursuit of his mission to become the first American driver, since Mario Andretti in 1978, to win the Formula 1 World Championship.

On April 10th, 2004 Rocco qualified in 1st Place for the Red Bull Driver Search and advanced to the June 7th, 2004 finals at SpeedRing. The best is yet to come . . .