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| August 08, 2011 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Cory Milne - July 2011 |
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 | Milne bagged both feature wins in S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto at the SKUSA SummerNationals in Colorado
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
Thanks to the resurgence of the Superkarts! Pro Tour, shifterkart racing is building itself back to a popular option in the sport of karting. A number of young drivers have already used the SKUSA ladder system to propel themselves from the Junior ranks, to Semi-Pro and the top levels in the sport. Among those drivers climbing that ladder is Colorado’s Cory Milne as he scored both feature wins at the SKUSA Pro Tour Mothers® SummerNationals - helping him to earn the EKN July Driver of the Month for 2011.
Milne began karting at just five years old and worked up the Junior karting ladder until he reached the 80cc shifterkart category. Getting some years under his belt shifting gears, Milne moved into the Senior level of the Stock Moto category in 2008. From there, he learned what he could before hooking up with Aluminos at the end of 2010. Recording his best finish at the SKUSA SuperNationals that year (10th), the combination was the right choice.
Mid-July, Milne entered the second stop of the Pro Tour with a best finish of sixth at the SpringNationals. Looking for more competing at a familiar track and posting a podium finish at last year’s SummerNationals in Wisconsin, Milne began the Saturday round with the fourth fastest lap in the qualifying session. Through the first heat race, Milne drove to a second place finish and repeated the feat in heat two behind Aluminos teammate and Pro Tour point leader Kyle Hathcox. At the start of the main event, Milne fell back to third as they went through the opening lap. He quickly regained the spot and by lap four, drove by Hathcox for the lead in turn nine. Though Hathcox challenged in the final lap, Milne was able to fight him off and score his first Pro Tour victory.
The following day, Milne began where he started Saturday’s action with a fourth place run in the qualifying session. Milne however took himself to the front of the field early on in heat one and drove away to the win. At the start of heat two, Milne was shuffled back to the third spot as the lights went out to begin the race. Quickly into the second position, Milne challenge leader Arie Luyendyk Jr. - son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and a former Indy Lights driver. By lap four, Milne completed a pass for the lead through turn five and drove off for the win. A great start to begin the 20-lap main event, Milne was trailed by Luyendyk and rising star Nicky Freytag. Lap after lap, Milne set the pace to keep the challengers at bay. Despite heavy pressure from Luyendyk in the closing laps, Milne held on to score his second victory of the weekend.
Cory’s plans for the rest of 2011 will be to focus on preparing for the SKUSA SuperNationals in November. Testing weekly and hitting the SKUSA Mountain Region events in Colorado, Milne will be ready to challenge for the S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto Pro Tour championship.
 | Cory Milne - EKN Driver of the Month - July 2011
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
July 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - Cory Milne
Bio
Born: 1/5/1993
Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Parents: Brian and Raelene Milne, Jenny Foster
Siblings: Derek
Height/Weight: 5’10”/135lbs
Education: Senior at Ralston Valley High School
Job: Clerk at King Soopers
Racing Resume
Chassis: GP Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: Stock Honda/Aluminos’ George Tavares
Sponsors: Tagger Design, Progressive PCs Inc., MIR and Aluminos
Series You Compete In: SKUSA Pro Tour, Racing the Rockies
Years Karting: 13
How did you get started in karting? My dad bought me a kart at 5 years old
What has been the high point in your racing career? Back to Back wins at the Summer Nationals 2011 in Grand Junction, Colorado
What are your goals in racing? My goals in racing would to become a paid professional driver for a notable team
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth and Aggressive
Funniest moment at the race track? Every moment with the Aluminos team is a hilarious one. We work hard and have fun together.
Likes
Favorite Track: USAIR in Shawano, WI
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1 or V8 Super cars
Favorite karting driver: Tom Dyer
Favorite professional driver: Lewis Hamilton
Favorite website: Iracing.com
Favorite movie: Captain America
Favorite actor/actress: Zach Galifianakis
Favorite music/group: Rock
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Nice, France and Venice, Italy
Favorite food: anything really just no sushi
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Work at Kings and exercise
What are your goals outside of karting? Go to college and become a petroleum engineer
What type of street car do you drive? 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
What type of street car would you like to drive? Lexus LFA
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Dirty equipment
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Karting needs to have a large sponsor to give back to the competitors. It would be cool if there was a ladder system with ties to car racing world such as IRL or NASCAR so karters can move up to become real racecar drivers.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Tight competition and close racing at high speeds
July Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Courtney Atkinson: WKA Road Racing Series - 3 wins (PP Can Medium, PP Can Sprint, Yamaha Sportsman Medium - largest class of the weekend)
- Sam Beasley: WKA Man. Cup/Rotax Grand Nationals - 4 wins/runner-up (second straight year)
- Jacob Donald: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series - 1 win, two podium finishes in Junior
- Jimmy McNeil: SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals - S4 Two-time winner (four straight)
- Nick Neri: United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals - Senior Champ (first year)
- Dalton Sargeant: United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals - Junior Champ (first year)
- Aaron Snyder: WKA Road Racing Series - 4 wins (2 each in Spec 125 TaG and TaG) |
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