MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Court Vernon spent the day testing with World Speed at the team’s headquarters at Infineon Raceway. Vernon was one of World Speed’s Rising Star Award winners for 2009.
“Court did a great job all day, and that wasn’t easy as the conditions were not optimal,” stated World Speed Team Manager John Olsen. “He showed up having spent time on the iRacing Star Mazda simulator which was helpful, and then he took the input we gave him and turned it into results on track which was impressive. Court really showed some excellent car control, and we think he could be a contender in the Star Mazda series.”
“I really learned a lot as the day progressed,” stated Vernon. “I think that testing in the rain was advantageous and that it will help me in the upcoming season.”
Court Vernon comes from a family of established race car drivers. Court’s grandfather, Harry Vernon, found success in the NASCAR circuit during the 1950’s. His father was also a successful kart racer.
At a young age Court decided to follow in their footsteps and just five years after first getting behind the wheel of a Kart, he’s already recorded dozens of wins in local, regional and even national competitions. In 2008 Vernon won the Skip Barber Eastern Race Series Championship, and in 2009 finished 2nd in the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda.
The World Speed Motorsports Rising Star Awards have been helping young racers move up the open wheel racing ladder for years. Some past Rising Star Award winners include Scott Speed, Michael McDowell, Brad Coleman, Joey Hand, Cole Whitt, Alan Scuito, Joel Miller, and Conor Daly. Many of these drivers have gone on to win in upper level open wheel, stock car, and sports car races all over the world.