The World Speed Motorsports Rising Star Awards have been helping young racers move up the open wheel racing ladder for years. In the past the award was presented to talented up and coming racers, and included a free test with WSM.
This year four racers have been awarded a free test day with World Speed and one of those drivers will be selected to receive a full scholarship in the 2014 Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear. The complete season is being funded by VMB Driver Development.
“For over 20 years we’ve been developing young drivers, and graduating them into the upper levels of racing,” stated WSM President Telo Stewart. “This is the first year in our history that we will be able to provide a full season to a deserving racer. We are looking forward to working with VMB and the selected driver in 2014.”
Each finalist will be scored on driving ability, technical feedback, and communication with the WSM/VMB. Staff from World Speed Inc will discuss the merits of each driver, and provide a complete a complete report on all four drivers to VMB Driver Development. VMB will then select the 2014 Rising Star Award overall winner. The testing will be held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on March 3rd. The FCC presented by Goodyear season opener is March 15th-16th at Sonoma Raceway in California.
This year’s finalists:
Jaden Conwright Age: 14 Newark, CA
Racing career highlights:
2008 – Rookie of the Year, Quarter Midgets of America
2008 – 2nd Place Quarter Midget Racing Association Championship
2009 – 2nd Place, Jim Russell Cadet Karting Championship
2010 – 1st Place, Jim Russell Cadet Karting Championship
2011 – 1st Place KPV-2, Red Line Oil Karting Championship
2012 – 1st Place Rotax Max Junior 2-Cycle National Championship, IKF
2012 – 2st Place Rotax Max Junior Championship IKF
2013 – 1st Place Jr. Tag Championship
2013 – 2nd Place overall in the Simraceway 4-Hour Enduro
2013 – 2nd Place VIP Kart Championship, Go-Kart Racer
2013 – 2nd Place Jr. Rotax, Red Line Oil Karting Championship
Keyvan Andres Age: 13 Miami, Florida
Racing career highlights:
2013 – Multiple podiums, and wins in Skip Barber Summer Series
2014 – Leading the Skip Barber Winter Championship – 6 wins in 6 races
Jake Pipal Age: 16 Oakdale, CA
Racing career highlights:
Third generation SCCA
Won first karting championship at 12 years of age
2012 WKU Jr. Clone Championship
2013 SFR SCCA Formula Vee Champion
Nathan Washam Age: 16 Pleasanton, CA
Racing career highlights:
Quarter midget champion by the age of 9
Rookie of the year and Champion first year in Karts
Started Sprint Car competition in 2011 & won his first feature in 2012
2013 race winner in non-winged Sprints, and led championship
2013 fastest lap in USAC 410 Sprint Series, finished in the top ten overall