KARTING: Grid Set for Stars of Tomorrow Series Opener
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 14, 2001
Young Talents Claim Top Honors for MOMO Grand Prix
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Close competition and a deep talent pool underscored qualifying for the opening round of the Stars of Tomorrow Championship at the Las Vegas Karting Center, in Las Vegas, Nev., today, as the grid was set for the third annual MOMO Grand Prix.
Scott Speed’s impressive drive in the Pro 125 Shifter class earned the 18-year-old native of Manteca, Calif., the pole for Sunday’s 30-lap challenge. Driving for the JM Racing/Swedetech team, Speed edged out 17-year-old local Matt Jaskol, of the Paul Tracy Karting stable, and Darren Elliott of Canyon County, Calif.
The Rotax-Max 125 (non-shifter) class was lead by 17-year-old Colin Fleming, of North Hills, Calif. Separated by 0.048 seconds, the Pitts/SSC Racing driver squeezed past Jaskol – who will compete in both events – to claim pole for the 30-lap race. Rounding out the top three was 2000 CART Toyota Atlantic champion Buddy Rice. The Phoenix native mounted a strong challenge to claim the third starting position, just 0.092 seconds behind Jaskol.
Drivers in the Stars of Tomorrow four-race championship founded by Champ Car veteran driver Bryan Herta and partner Hollis Brown, are vying for an unprecedented prize package which includes a Skip Barber Three Day Racing School; a test in the Team Rahal Champ Car; a full season of competition in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Championship for the Pro 125 Shifter class winner; and $40,000 in cash prizes.
Joe Heitzler, CART President and CEO, was on hand to witness the close competition in person.
“I really appreciate Joe coming out to see the event and take a first-hand look at karting,” said Herta. “This shows CART’s commitment to growing karting as a ladder system to Champ Cars. I am confident that CART is going to take a more visible role in the feeder systems into the series.”
The one-hour Speedvision feature on the inaugural Stars of Tomorrow challenge which aired this weekend can also be seen at 3:00 pm ET on May 14 and 1:00 pm ET on May 28.
Text provided by Hollis Brown
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery .