INTRODUCING - KERSTIN SMUTNY

Bothell, Washington (August 07 2008) – Kerstin Smutny might not be a household name yet but the 18-year-old from Bothell, Washington is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow North West racing drivers, Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne, in making it into the professional ranks of North American motorsport.

Currently steering the #9 Atkinson Racing entry in the 2008 Washington Midget Racing Association (WMRA) Championship, Smutny has a burgeoning open-wheel racing pedigree having already sampled the likes of Formula Renault, Star Mazda and Indy Lights equipment.

In advance of her next WMRA event, Kerstin took time out from her schedule to download a few details on her career to-date and where she hopes to head as her on-track adventures progress.

Q: How did you get started in motorsport?

Kerstin Smutny (KS): “My Dad’s always been a huge race fan and almost from birth he’d take me to the ‘Molson Indy’ in Vancouver until it ended a couple of years back. Growing up I tried all the usual girly things like dancing and gymnastics but when I was seven we saw some Quarter Midget racing going on at a State Fair and thought it looked like fun. I subsequently ended up trying one of the Quarter Midget’s and to be honest we haven’t looked back since.”

Q: You’re currently competing in WMRA Midget’s – what led you to compete in that series?

KS: “I was ultimately targeting a move into the Indy Lights Series (Indy Car’s official feeder series) this season but once we realized that probably wasn’t going to happen we started exploring some other options. I knew a few drivers who’d switched to Midget’s and thought I’d give it a go and secured my first test in January. We ended up going with a locally-based team as they were stepping up to the series and we felt it was the right path for this season.”

Q: How are things developing in your rookie year?

KS: “Things are going well. When I started out it was quite a steep learning curve for me but now that I’m competitive it’s a lot of fun. I’m sitting fourth in the points right now with eight races remaining so I’m fairly pleased with the progress made this year.”

Q: You’ve also raced in open-wheel formula competition, reaching the podium in the Formula TR Pro Series. Was that a good experience and would you be keen to return to formula race cars?

KS: “I think it’s a shame that the Formula TR Pro Series isn’t happening this season as I thought it was a great category to compete in. It was a really good experience for me developing my skills behind the wheel of a Formula Renault 1.6-litre race car. I really enjoy formula car racing, probably due to all the races I went to with my Dad!”

Q: Can you explain a little more about your involvement in the Lyn St James Women in the Winners Circle program?

KS: “I went through the Lyn St James Driver Development program in Phoenix in 2006 and I was subsequently selected as one of the scholarship winners. My association has continued as I went back to help out with the program last November and again as recently as March. By keeping in contact with Lyn I became aware of the Women in the Winners Circle program and that then led to the opportunity to race in Portland a couple of weeks ago.”

Q: As you point out, that association led to a ride recently in the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Series in Portland. How did you get on and would you be keen to sample the series again?

KS: “It was definitely a lot of fun. It was my first time racing a closed-wheel race car and I loved just how close the racing actually was out on-track. I’ve competed in Portland before so I knew the circuit and for sure I’d enjoy another opportunity to race in the MX-5 Cup Series. It was a fun weekend and I always enjoy the opportunity to race close to home.”

Q: For your age you’ve already experienced a wide variety of race cars – which stand out and why?

KS: “Definitely all the formula race cars. In particular I loved testing the Star Mazda and Indy Lights cars when I sampled them in Canada at the Dunnville Autodrome. They were a lot of fun but in general, I relish any opportunity to run in open-wheel race cars.”

Q: Looking ahead, where do you see your career headed over the next few years?

KS: “I really want to get back into road racing if possible. With our current budget I’m interested in the VW Jetta TDI Cup or the Mazda MX-5 Series, but I’m eagerly looking for partners to work with in order to race at the highest level possible. I’m keen to do well, raise more interest in my career then put a run together to be able to compete in something like the Indy Lights Series in the future. Ultimately I’d like to be a professional racing driver so you certainly can’t close-down any potential opportunities but I’ve always held the IndyCar Series as a long term goal.”

Q: How do you fill your spare time when you’re not busy testing or racing?

KS: “I enjoy working out at the gym with my trainer and I’m also concentrating on going to community college in the Fall. It’s hard to study full-time when you’re working on a racing career so this way I’ll be able to work at my own pace and combine my studies with my on-track activities.”

Q: The North West has produced several famous racing names, including the likes of NASCAR stars Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne. Do you have a favorite and have you had the chance to work with any leading names?

KS: “Well if I had to pick a favorite I’d probably say Kasey Kahne. I know he’s been pretty active in the community and at some of the local dirt track ovals but I’m not necessarily a huge NASCAR fan. I haven’t had the chance to work with any big names yet but obviously that’s something I’m hoping to address as I build my own career.”