#RaceLife Spotlight: Alexander Kardashian

PINE SPRINGS, MN - This week's WKA #RaceLife Spotlight racer just started at Purdue University and has been racing karts for 12 years! Alexander Kardashian is 18 years old and races in the Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series.  He was also a National Champion in 2015.  His favorite driver is Max Verstappen and loves coming to WKA races because of all the competitive racers who attend.  Alexander plans to graduate from Purdue with an Engineering degree and wants to use his degree by becoming an engineer in the motorsports industry, preferably on a racing team.  Read more about Alexander below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?        

"I used to live in Pine Springs, Minnesota (a suburb of Twin cities), but I have just moved to Purdue University. Boiler up!"

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING? 

"I am currently in my twelfth year of racing."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"My dad has always enjoyed racing and since he couldn’t do it when he was young, he let me try it at a track near our home.  I loved it and still do."         

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? 

"My favorite moment in racing is when I am coming up to a passing zone on someone’s bumper and I get to dive inside for the lead."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? 

"I am going to be an Engineering Major at Purdue University.." 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS? 

"I get in to the kart from driver’s left and then retighten my helmet."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?  

"Right now, Max Verstappen."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"PittRace in Wampum, Pennsylvania because it’s a fast track, with super-fast chicanes, elevation changes, and lots of technical corners." 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES? 

"I love the stiff competition that shows up to race."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?  

"I love to work-out and play cards.  I also help my dad run our business, AMK Race Products."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?    

"I want to be an engineer in the automotive industry…preferably with a racing team."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"I have a lot of seat time playing F1 2016 and have a top 50 time at 5 different tracks in the time trials of that game."

#RaceLife Spotlight: Colin Neal

PEEBLES, OH - Our next #RaceLife Spotlight racer will most likely be packing up this afternoon to make it to New Castle Motorsports Park this weekend for the Manufacturer's Cup race. Colin Neal is 15 years old and has been racing karts for the past 4 years.  His favorite F1 driver is Lewis Hamilton and Colin hopes to one day follow in his footsteps in becoming a professional racer. Even more impressive than Colin's aspirations is his attitude! Seeing that Colin's favorite race track is NCMP, it would be fair to say that we can anticipate a good result from him this weekend. Read more about Colin Neal below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?        

"I live in Peebles, Ohio."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING? 

"I have been racing for 4 years."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"I had always seen karting in ads and videos and really wanted to get into it. My dad eventually took me to an indoor karting track. He started showing me the lines and etc. I picked up on it pretty quickly. At that point, my dad thought that karting was something we should get into. We started at the local level and soon moved on to the regional and national levels of karting."         

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? 

"My favorite part of racing is when the kart setup, driving and everything clicks. Winning isn’t so bad either."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? 

"My goal in racing is to eventually get into professional car racing."   

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS? 

"I usually say a quick prayer before I take track."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?  

"My favorite racer would have to be F1 driver Lewis Hamilton."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"My favorite track would have to be Newcastle Motorsports Park." 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES? 

"My favorite part about WKA racing is that most of the people involved in the series are nice genuine people."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?  

"Besides racing I play basketball."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?    

"I would like to move up the motorsports ladder and hopefully become a professional driver of some sort. As of now I would like to go into motorsports engineering as a second option."

#RaceLife Spotlight: Sam Hinds

WESTFIELD, IN - Hot off of the Indy500 race weekend, this week's WKA #RaceLife Spotlight features Sam Hinds who hopes to one day win the Indy500. However, Sam's short term goal is to win a WKA championship!  The #71 Manufacturer's Cup racer not only races, but also runs cross country track where he qualified for the Junior Olympics, plays baseball and basketball (as #71).  Originally, Sam was to race Jr dragsters but because of the age restrictions, immediately jumped into a sprint kart seat. Read more about Sam Hinds, below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?        

"I live in Westfield, Indiana. Westfield is located about 30 minutes north of Indianapolis."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING? 

"I have been racing for 7 seasons. I started racing kid karts at 5 years old at Newcastle Motorsports park."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"Originally, we were going to race Jr dragsters, but couldn’t until I turned 8. At the time, my uncle did timing and scoring for the KRA series at NCMP and suggested we come watch a race.   Realizing I could start racing at 5, we bought a kart that evening."         

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? 

"My favorite part of racing is traveling to different tracks. I also enjoy the competition level and satisfaction of doing well."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? 

"My short term goal is winning a WKA championship.  My long term goal is racing in Indy car and winning the indy 500."   

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS? 

"I say a little prayer to God to keep me safe and give me the strength to stay positive."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?  

"Josef Newgarden.  I got to hang with him for a little after he and Mark DismoreSr. won Robopong."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"I have two favorites; NewCastle Motorsports Park and Jacksonville." 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES? 

"I get to test my abilities against some of the toughest competition in karting.   Also everyone at WKA is so nice and I get to hang out with friends."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?  

"I love sports,   I run cross country, track,  play baseball and basketball.  It can be tough juggling sports with racing but we do the best we can.  I also enjoy riding my bike and playing outdoors and of course video games."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?    

"I want to race indy when I grow up, If I don’t get to race I want to work in the racing industry,  I want to design and build racing cars, or go into engineering."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"Last Fall I qualified and competed in the National Junior Olympics for Cross Country in Birmingham, Alabama. I ran against 410 of the best runners."

CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO BE TAKEN TO SAM'S WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE:

#RaceLife Spotlight: Aryton Grim

GROVE CITY, OH - This week we turn the spotlight to a WKA racer who started racing when he was only 4 years old and he hasn't stopped racing ever since.  Aryton Grim, who's favorite racer just so happens to be the famous Aryton Senna, has a great attitude and is always happy to be at the track with his friends.  And this kid has ambitions too! He wants to become an Indy car dirver one day and have a Bugatti, 6 kids, and a mansion in Florida!  Read more about the ambitious 7 year old, Aryton Grim, below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? 

"I am from Grove City, Ohio."
 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

"I have been racing for three and a half years."
 

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"My dad bought me a go kart for my 4th birthday."
 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"Winning and have fun!"
 

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"To become an Indy Car Driver."
 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"Ayrton Senna." (Of course)
 

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"Daytona International Speedway."
 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES?

"Winning, having fun, going fast and seeing my friends"

WHICH WKA RACE SERIES DO YOU RACE?

"I race the Manufacturer's Cup Series."
 

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?

"I go to school."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

" I want to be an indy car driver, have 6 kids, live in a mansion with my family in Florida and have a Bugatti."
 

#RaceLife Spotlight: Tahlon Yockel

ELIZABETH, PA - This week, we are featuring a WKA racer who started racing in the rental kart league at our next Manufacturer's Cup stop--- PittRace. Tahlon Yockel's goal is to win a national championship and it seems as though he is off to a great start as he qualified for pole position at Daytona.  When he is not racing, Tahlon enjoys running track and boxing! Read more about this 15 year old talent below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? 

"I am from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania."
 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING? 

"My first race was May of 2015 at PittRace."
 

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"My dad races cars and at Pitt they had rental karts.  I begged my mom to let me drive them and she did.  The kart director noticed that I was fast and asked me if I ever thought of racing.  I told my dad and he came down to watch me drive the kart.  I did a couple of kart rental league races and did well and LOVED it!  My dad and I drove to New York to buy a used kart.  No one knew of the brand.  It was prehistoric. I raced that kart for a couple of club races at PittRace and did pretty decent."
 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? 

"My favorite part of racing is the competition in the sport and the adrenaline of the race."
 

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? 

"My main goal is to win a national title and have fun doing it.  I am also looking forward to racing sport cars and getting my pro license within the next two years."
 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS? 

"I always check my gas cap and fist pump my dad before the line us up."
 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER? 

"My favorite racer is Valentino Rossi.  He is the baddest."
 

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE? 

"My favorite track is PittRace because it’s my home track and it’s where I started and also it is a very technical track layout."
 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES? 

"I like going to the races and seeing all of my friends that I haven’t seen in awhile.  I also like the competition in my class.  The faster the drivers, the better it is.  You can’t get any fastest driving against slower competition."

WHICH WKA RACE SERIES DO YOU RACE?

"I race the Manufacturer's Cup Series."
 

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE? 

"I run track and I box."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

 "I want race cars at the highest level I can and I am considering going to school for welding."
 

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? 

"My first pole position at a national was this year at Daytona."

#RaceLife Spotlight: John Scavuzzo

OVERLAND PARK, KS - This week we are featuring someone who has 51 years of kart racing under his belt and a whole multi-generational team of family members who race as well.  John Scavuzzo is 69 years old and has 9 Scavuzzo's on his race team.  His 4 sons; Santo 45, Richard, 43, Johnny, 41, Steve, 38, his son-in-law Brandon, 38, his 2 grandsons; Joe, 18, Gianni, 14, and the newest addition to the team is Mia, 12.  His 3rd grandson Jonathan, 20 is on a temporary leave from karting, as he is serving in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa Japan.  For John, karting is not just a passion----it is a bond that keeps his family close. Read on to learn more about John and the amazing Scavuzzo family.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: 

"We all live in Overland Park Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.  Located in the midwest it makes it very easy to race in 4 different divisions coast to coast.  This year we have 12 races scheduled with our first at Laguna Seca (west coast).  Our 6th race at Mid Ohio, (north), then number 8 is V.I.R. (east coast) then finishing up home in Topeka Kansas at Heartland Park.  Each year we try to add 1 new track that the Scavuzzo team have never raced.  Over the years we've added 24 different road courses which makes for a very challenging and exciting season."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

" I started racing with a local club in 1967 and my 4 sons in 1985."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"The boys got us back into racing after we took a vacation in Destin Florida.  We had a place on the beach so we were in the water every day but one.  That particular day it was cloudy and a little chilly.  So we elected to go across the street to the amusement park and spend the day on a small go-kart track.  It started to sprinkle just enough to make it slick.  The rest I am sure you can relate.  They had so much fun on that wet track that they asked if they could get into enduro racing.  That's all I needed to hear.  When we got back to K.C. that Saturday I called an old racing buddy, Darrell Crowell and asked him if he had any of his old racing gear left over from when we use to race each other.  He said he would check.  That next Sunday morning I looked out my window and saw a pickup truck parked in my driveway with a guy sleeping in the front seat.  It was Darrell.  He said, "Take all this crap and send me a check for what you think it's worth.  So we started off with 1 kart, 2 motors, one of them being a B-bomb, starter, clutch, pipes and a lot of extras. The rest is history.      ."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"My favorite part of racing is the competition with each other on the team.  All 6 of the older boy's, (4 sons, 1 son-in-law and 1 grandson) all compete in the same class, control spec 1 & 2.  As far as the 6 are concerned, they are the only ones out there.  We keep our own points standing with just our team.  Bragging rights last all winter. "

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"The competitive racing in some form helps us in the competitive forms of business.  The Scavuzzo family has 3 companies that compete in the food industry.  We have to be at the top of our game when your involved in a commodity that is consumed every day.  The saying " 2nd place is the first loser " holds true in our business."

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

"My only pre-race ritual is I and me alone will start everyone on the team in each race, that's 6 in each class."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"Michael Schumacher is my favorite."

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY?

"Racing has brought our whole family very close together."

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To watch some of the Scavuzzo family's cool race videos, click the buttons below.

#RaceLife Spotlight: Isabella Robusto

FT. MILL, SC - This week we are featuring Miss Isabella Robusto for the #RaceLife Spotlight! She is a very talented driver who races multiple karting classes, Bandoleros and Legend cars.  She will also be featured at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Auto Fair this Thursday from 2 - 6 p.m for the WOMEN IN RACING Exhibit highlighting the NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS. She'll have a Go-Kart and her Legend car on display all weekend but will only be signing Hero Cards on Thursday.  If you are in the area over the weekend, come support her!

Check out Isabella's talent in multiple disciplines in the video below and read her interview.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: 

"I live in Ft. Mill, South Carolina."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

"I have been racing for 6 years."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"My Dad first got me into racing with my Grandfather taking me to watch many types of racing."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"My favorite part is being one of the only girls and getting to pass the boys."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"One of my goals is to race NASCAR or any other type of professional racing."

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

"No."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"I like both Brad Keselowski and Emerson Fittipaldi."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"AMP in Atlanta, Georgia"

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES?

"That there are lots of karts and competition."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?

"I like to ride my bike, play with friends, have fun with my brother, Will.  And play the flute."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"I have a twin brother, Will, who is an hour and a half younger than me."

Click the button below to read more about Isabella's racing.

#RaceLife Spotlight: Cole Peschang

SOUTH BELOIT, ILL - This week, we are featuring a WKA racer who not only races in sprint 2 and 4 cycle karts, but races on asphalt and dirt ovals as well! Cole Peschang is a 3rd generation racer who has been racing for 5 years now.  He has a great attitude both off track and when it comes to racing, which shines in how he treats his competitors with respect.  We asked Cole some questions about his #RaceLife, so here is a little peak into what racing is like for him.

Jr Animal Lite and other classes WKA race at AMP on 917/16

Here is Cole doing what he does best at a WKA race this past year at Atlanta Motorsports Park.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: 

"I live in South Beloit, Illinois for now.  But I want to move South soon to race more often."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

"2017 will be my 5th year."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"I am a 3rd generation racer, picking up from where my Dad and Grandpa left off."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"I love the Road Racing because of the high speeds, but I also like Sprint Racing because of the strategy and competition."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"To race SKUSA and to get a race car soon."

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

"I tell my competitors, 'Good luck,' and wish them a safe race.  Then I fist bump my Mom, Dad and Grandpa."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"Josh Bilicki and John Force in Drag racing."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"For Sprint tracks, US Air Raceway in Shawano, WI.  For Road Racing, Atlanta Motorsports Park and Daytona."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES?

"The hospitality from everyone."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?

"I am a driver, coach and mechanic."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"I race Sprint 2 and 4 cycle karts, I race asphalt and dirt ovals.  My record is 172 wins out of 229 races.  I've had Lucas Oil, MAVTV, Protect The Harvest, Champion Sparkplus, GoPro Cameras, and Competitive Edge Racing Software as sponsors since 2013."

 

Click the button below to check out Cole's website for more details and contact info: 

#RaceLife Spotlight: Gray Leadbetter

Meet: Gray Leadbetter

MORGANTON, NC - If you have met Gray, you can attest to her dedication, athleticism, and passion for racing.  She has raced motocross, karts, and will be on a plane to Sweden to train in a Global Rally Cross Supercar Lite this month. We caught up with her just after she raced the 2nd round of the Winter Cup in Jacksonville, Florida to get the scoop on her #RaceLife. 

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: 

"I live in Morganton, NC."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

"I have raced dirt bikes since I was 4 and go karts since I was 9 or 10."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"When I was 2 I got an electric 4 wheeler and kept rolling it onto myself so my dad decided to get me a dirt bike, so I raced dirt bikes. Then when I was 7, I broke my shoulder and couldn't race for a year. A year or so later I got back on a bike and started racing. When I was about 10 I started racing go karts and fell in love."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"The excitement and also going fast."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"When I turn 14 I really want to race global rally cross (GRC) and other types of races on 4 wheels."

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

"Right before I go on track I like to sit in my kart and think about the race while 

no one talks to me."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"My favorite racer is Patrick Sandel because he races GRC."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"Probably Wisconsin or GoPro Motorplex."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES?

"I like that everyone is very nice and helpful."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?

"I like to go on hikes and also like to swim."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

"I want to race GRC (Global Rally Cross), open wheel or NASCAR. I also like to bake and I started my own YouTube baking channel, Its called 'Sifting Gears.'"

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"I have 2 older sisters, 2 cats, and 1 dog."

Check out Gray's website for more details and contact info: http://grayleadbetter.com/