An Olympic gold medalist is among the drivers who will participate in the Skip Barber Racing School INDYCAR Academy on Jan. 25-27 at Sebring International Raceway.
Tyler Clary, who claimed the Olympic title in swimming at the 2012 London Games, is among the field of 33 drivers that also includes students, U.S. military personnel, salesmen and doctors. They are vying for a sponsored ride in either the 2013 summer or winter Skip Barber Regional Race Series presented by Mazda and the opportunity to climb the Mazda Road to Indy ladder.
Clary qualified for the INDYCAR Academy after he participated in the Skip Barber Formula Car Racing School after visiting IZOD IndyCar Series races last summer. Finalists applied for the Academy after graduating from a three-day Skip Barber Formula Car Racing School. All have no professional racing or karting experience.
The Skip Barber Racing School, which was named the Official Racing School of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Mazda Road to Indy last year, has trained and developed racing talent for almost four decades.
"Skip Barber Racing School is committed to continuing to be the launching pad for many of the world's top drivers and the Skip Barber Racing School INDYCAR Academy is another tremendous opportunity to discover those drivers who will be the next generation of the best of the best," said Michael Culver, CEO, Skip Barber Racing School.
"INDYCAR stars Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco and Michael Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Josef Newgarden and Bryan Herta have all benefited from Skip Barber Racing School programs, and the Skip Barber Racing School INDYCAR Academy is another chance for those who desire to race professionally to achieve their goals based on merit, not money."
The 33 finalists selected from 84 applicants, in alphabetical order by first name (hometown, occupation, age):
• Aaron Gravelle, San Francisco, Marketing, 24
• Aaron Walker, Philadelphia, Landlord, 22
• Adam Diamond, Atlanta, Project Manager, 24
• Alan Baker, Vancouver, British Columbia, Computer Consultant, 51
• Andre Gomes, Nashua, N.H., Computer Technician, 25
• Andrew Baxter, Runsom, N.J., Student, 23
• Brandon Pratt, Milford, Pa., Air National Guard, 26
• Cody King, Clarkalke, Mich., Sciences Promoter, 21
• Connor Clifford, Chicago, Bartender, 25
• Corey Wright, West Green, Ga., Student, 20
• David Alpert, Naples, Fla., Web Consultant/Student, 24
• David Matlock, Springfield, Mo., Emergency Physician, 33
• Doug Peterman, Bend, Ore., Student, 21
• James Allard, Hoosick, N.Y., IT Specialist, 27
• Jaime Colmenares, San Francisco, Senior Manager, 39
• Jarrett Overstreet, Roanoke, Va., Student, 17
• Javier Cantu-Lucero, Seattle, Kart Track Operator, 20
• John Howe, Grass Lake, Mich., Test Driver, 24
• Joshua Lenhard, Las Vegas, Single Father/Data Entry, 25
• Justin Finkle, Delmar, N.Y., Gemologist, 30
• Kevin Woods, Newark, Calif., 41
• Mac Wolff, Katy, Texas, New Homes Sales, 23
• Matthew Donmoyer, Aurora, Colo., Field Engineer, 24
• Matthew Ivanhoe, Greenwich, Conn., Internet Entrepenuer, 25
• Matthew Wilkes, Chapel Hill, N.C. Student, 21
• Max Hanratty, Hartland, Wisc., Student, 19
• Michael Wu, Woodbridge, Va., Software Engineer, 27
• Michai Stephens, Evanston, Ill., Construction, 20
• Reza Kianersi, Fresno, Calif., Engine Tuner, 29
• Sabastian Cedeno, Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador, Floor Specialist, 24
• Todd Soukup, Chicago, Mechanical Engineer, 29
• Tyler Clary, Riverside, Calif., Professional Swimmer, 23
• Wolfgang Obergin, Ukiah, Calif., Construction, 22
To find out how you, too, could become a candidate for the next INDYCAR Academy, visit http://www.skipbarber.com/promotions.asp#promo25 for more details, including a special discount for those registering by February 1, 2013.