Wednesday, December 08, 2010 Seminars and Wet Practice on Day Two of Skip Barber Karting Shootout On the first day of the 14th Annual Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shootout, drivers learned important information regarding every day driving and highway safety, followed by some sessions on the skid pad and autocross at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The morning of day two was focused on media training, the business of motorsport and the overall package of a driver.

Barbara Burns, Chief Executive Officer of BurnsGroup Unlimited, was the first to present, giving the young aspiring drivers vital information they will need to know in order to deal with the media as their careers continue. Karters took notes as Ms. Burns discussed the importance of media to a sport such as racing, and explained to the young drivers the various types of media and expected behavior they will encounter in their careers. She concluded her presentation with a question and answer panel with Speed Channel personality Bob Varsha and Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw and MAZDASPEED Communications Officer Dean Case. Karters enjoyed the relaxed yet professional atmosphere of the panel, feeling comfortable to ask any questions. When Ms. Burns asked the young audience if they had any questions on how to use social media, Varsha, Shaw and Case were the first to race their hands, which resulted in some chuckles from the karters.

Barbara Burns giving helpful media training

Dean Case was next to present, encouraging the karters to become “students of the sport.” Case educated karters on the history of the ladder system as well as the significance it plays on their careers today. Though this presentation, karters received tips on business proposals, resources available, and how to effectively communicate to sponsors. He also gave parents tips on how to support their child’s career without being overbearing or doing the paperwork for them.

Finally, Derek Daly of the Derek Daly Academy stepped up to present. With his deep history in motorsports, including racing in Formula One, Derek was able to provide the karters with incredibly vital information based on his own success and failure in racing. Drivers and parents can use the information he provided to properly recognize faults and strong points in order to become stronger athletes mentally, emotionally and physically.

Derek Daly of Derek Daly Academy speaking to the young drivers

After a lunch break, the karters were finally able to strap into the Formula Skip Barber race cars and head out on track. Group One was able to have a try session, but the rain clouds rolled in for the rest of the groups, testing their ability to run in wet conditions.

After a lunch break, the karters were finally able to strap into the Formula Skip Barber race cars and head out on track. Group One was able to have a try session, but the rain clouds rolled in for the rest of the groups, testing their ability to run in wet conditions.

Instructor Randy Buck holding a drivers meeting before practice

Results for Group 1 Session 1
Saturday, December 4, 2010
1. Sebastian Ordonez
2. Tristan Nunez
3. Kyle Kaiser
4. Trent Hindman
5. Danilo Estrela
6. Ian Costa
7. Mason Marotta
8. Zachary Silver
9. Franco Aragones
10. Jack Mitchell

Results for Group 2 Session 1
1. Kenton Koch
2. Nicolas Costa
3. Shawn Sharkey
4. Neil Alberico
5. Aaron Telitz
6. Jason Wolfe
7. Colin Thompson
8. Logan Downing
9. Dillon Kranz
10. Devin Jones
11. Gregory Evans
12. RC Enerson

Results for Group 3 Session 1
1. Remo Ruscitti
2. Sam Beasley
3. Patrick Gallagher
4. Kule Kuntze
5. Shinya Michimi
6. Mark Draghicescu
7. Alec Udell
8. Stefan Rzadinski
9. Nichoilas Latifi
10. Michael Grijalva
11. Jake Edison
12. Andrew Hobbs
13. Courtney Atkinson

Results for Group 4 Session 1
1. Scott Hargrove
2. Garett Griest
3. Jorge Cevallos
4. Austin Self
5. Greg Muender
6. Sarah Montgomery
7. Sabre Cook
8. Nick Arrotta
9. Nova Brown

Sebastian Ordonez in the Corkscrew

As the event continues, stay up to date on all the action by visiting www.twitter.com/SkipBarberNatl. Through twitter, LIVE photos and updates will be available throughout the entire event, keeping followers, fans and sponsors more involved and informed than before.