Skip Barber released their 2009 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-Out entry list today at the PRI show in Orlando, Florida. The list is comprised of 37 drivers.
The shoot-out will take place on December 27-30, 2009 at Sebring International Raceway. The entrants will be competing for $255,000 worth of seat time in various Skip Barber Racing Series. The top prize, presented by the MazdaSPEED Development Ladder and the FIA Motorsport Safety Development Fund, will be a pair of fully-funded rides in the 2010 Skip Barber National Championship. A fully-funded ride in the SBN championship is valued at approximately $52,000.
As noted above, their will be 37 drivers in attendance for this year’s shoot-out. The entry numbers are down in comparison to years past, but I suppose that was to be expected considering the current economic climate.
Last year, I wrote a piece about the number of drivers who are 15 years of age or younger and competing for the prestigious Skip Barber Karting Scholarship. It seems the average age of the entrants continues to drop every year as competitors are getting younger and younger. Last year there were ten drivers who were 15 years of age or younger in the shoot-out. This year, there are thirteen drivers who are 15 years of age or younger.
Here is a closer look at some actual numbers…
Percentage of Drivers Age 15 or Younger
2009- 35.14% (13 drivers) with the youngest being 13 years of age.
2008- 20.00% (10 drivers) with the youngest being 13 years of age.
2007- 29.41% (15 drivers) with the youngest being 12 years of age.
2006- 24.49% (12 drivers) with the youngest being 13 years of age.
2005- 17.02% (8 drivers) with the youngest being 13 years of age.
As noted last season, with these stats, it’s impossible to argue against the fact that drivers are attempting to move from karts to cars at a younger age every year. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… It’s great to see these young drivers gaining experience in cars but it’s a shame to see so many rushed into cars. A drivers karting years are so important to their overall development as a race car driver that pushing kids into cars at such a young age can be detrimental to their overall success.
I know that a lot of these drivers will continue karting along with their car programs… which is great to see. The more seat time the better whether it be in cars or karts, but it’s always great to see drivers diversifying their skills.
Make the jump to see the full 2009 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-Out Entry List…
[More]