Red Bull Driver Search Comes to Jim Russell Karting

SONOMA, Calif.--Aug. 4, 2003--The future stars of Formula 1 racing will converge on the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway, August 12, for the Red Bull Driver Search regional finals.

The 28 fastest young kart drivers in the West, ages 16-19, will compete for three spots in the semi-finals to be held in Sebring, Fla., in September. The ultimate goal: to earn a spot on the Red Bull-sponsored junior team competing in European formula championships in 2004.

Of the 28 drivers competing, eight are from Northern California - four from the San Francisco Bay Area. Fifteen are from Washington, four are from Idaho, and one is from Oregon. Four of the Northern California drivers are students of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

Another former Jim Russell student - Indy champion Danny Sullivan - will preside over the event. Each driver will have the opportunity to meet Sullivan.

About the Red Bull Driver Search

The 2003 Red Bull Driver Search program aims to discover and support highly talented young drivers already in racing, as well as the "diamond in the rough," lacking the knowledge and contacts needed to embark on a career in racing. The long-term goal is to have a steady group of 4 to 6 American drivers racing in Europe, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World Championship.

Two of the four winners in last year's Red Bull Driver Search were graduates of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

About Jim Russell Racing Drivers School

The Jim Russell International Karting Center operates under the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The center offers courses for Cadet Karting (ages 8-12), Sprint Karting and Shifter Karting, in addition to an "arrive-and-drive" competitive racing series.

For more than four decades, the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School has been dedicated to teaching true racing techniques to professional drivers and people looking for the experience of a lifetime. The school offers open-wheel racing, karting, high performance driving, defensive driving, arrive-and-drive championship series and group adventures. The school, based in Sonoma, Calif., is located at Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point Raceway), known as the best teaching track in the country.