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| December 19, 2011 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Austin Schimmel - November 2011 |
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 | Austin Schimmel scored the S5 Junior Stock Moto main event victory at SuperNats to clinch the Pro Tour title
(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.
There is no better feeling then locking up the season championship with a victory in the final event. Putting it all on the line to secure the title is probably the most rewarding feeling you can have after showing the passion and dedication needed to become a champion. At the SKUSA SuperNationals XV, that spotlight was on S5 Junior Stock Moto driver Austin Schimmel as he locked up the Pro Tour title with the big victory in Las Vegas, earning him the Driver of the Month status for November.
Entering the SuperNats second in the championship chase, trailing Alex Tartaglia by 30 points, Schimmel needed to outrun his rival each and every session to have a chance at the title. Schimmel just missed out on his first chance to score points in qualifying as he was edged out by Miguel Lopez for the pole position by 0.019 seconds. The outside row one start for the heat races was the perfect position for Schimmel, driving to one win and two second place runs to earn the pole position for SuperSunday. With Tartaglia scoring points in only one heat race, the pressure was on both to place high in the main event.
Schimmel grabbed the holeshot to lead the opening lap of the 20-lap event. Lopez, who had led for much of the week, overtook the position on lap two. The duo ran nose to tail until Schimmel returned to the point on lap 10. Lopez kept the pressure on, keeping Schimmel honest until Ryan Rudolph joined the mix. Rudolph took over the second position and become the lead challenger, forcing Schimmel to perform at his best with zero mistakes. Rudolph challenge up to the final few feet but Schimmel was able to get to the line by 0.072 seconds, scoring his first SuperNationals win and securing the Pro Tour title.
For 2012, Schimmel will likely make the jump to the S2 Semi-Pro category, leaving his #1 plate behind in S5 - similar to what 2010 champion Daniel Langon did (SuperNats victory, Pro Tour champion, advance to S2). He will concentrate on doing well at the Pro Tour events next year, along with a number of one-off races around the country in addition to testing a Silver Crown car.
 | Austin Schimmel - EKN Driver of the Month - November 2011
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
November 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - Austin Schimmel
Bio
Born: July 6, 1996
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Parents: Michael and Julia Schimmel
Siblings: My sister, Sara
Height/Weight: 150 lbs 6 Foot 1inch
Education: High School
Job: No
Racing Resume
Chassis: GP
Engine/Engine Builder: SRS Motors/Honda
Sponsors: GP Italy, GP West, SRS motors
Series You Compete In: SKUSA Pro Tour, SKUSA Mountain Region, Mile High Challenge
Years Karting: 6
How did you get started in karting? One of my dad's friends got us into it
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the SKUSASuperNationals, and Pro Tour championship
What are your goals in racing? Drive some type of a racecar when I am older for a living.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Clean, smooth, and sometimes aggressive
Funniest moment at the race track? My dad attempting to talk, and ending up choking on steak
Likes
Favorite Track: Shawano
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Red Bull Racing (F1)
Favorite karting driver: Daniel Bray
Favorite professional driver: Sebastian Vettel
Favorite website: Youtube!
Favorite movie: Forest Gump
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite music/group: System of a down or Skrillex
Favorite vacation/activity spot: My aunt's lake house in Indiana
Favorite food: Meat
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Anything involving music, lacrosse, or call of duty
What are your goals outside of karting? Get an education
What type of street car do you drive? N/A
What type of street car would you like to drive? 2006 Wrx Sti
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? When people don't know what they are talking about
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Less politics, more racing
What is your favorite aspect about the sport of karting? It's the purest form of motorsports
November Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Phillip Orcic: SKUSA SuperNationals XV - TaG Senior winner
- Kyle Hathcox: SKUSA Pro Tour - S2 Champion
- Nick Neri: SKUSA SuperNationals XV - S2 winner
- Bonnier Moulton: SKUSA SuperNationals XV - S4 winner
- Jimmy McNeil: SKUSA SuperNationals XV - G1 winner and S4 Pro Tour champion |
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