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Stand out from the rest of your class in a Skip Barber School and you could find yourself on the path to Indy. ready and waiting Introducing the initial candidates for the new Skip Barber IndyCar Academy

Following the announcement of its was the joy – or pure shock – in my wife’s that kids can look up to and know that partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series SKIP BARBER voice when I called to tell her.” they can make it happen, too,” he says. INDYCAR ACADEMY to create the Skip Barber IndyCar Pennsylvania native Justin Herman The Skip Barber Racing School aims to Academy, Skip Barber Racing School FIRST GROUP OF remembers the excitement he help more individuals like Justin, Scott recently announced the first group of CANDIDATES: experienced when he heard about the and Ryan, who have the racing bug but accepted candidates – their first step on • Justin Herman Academy. “It is a fairly new dream of may have thought they’d realized it too the road to the racing career of their • Ryan Soucy mine,” says Herman of racing aspirations. dreams – based on recommendations • Scott Pepe “I was stationed in Germany for two years from the school’s instructors. (BELOW) and driving on the autobahn as fast as I “I was stationed in Germany...and After taking his school in April, Ryan • Adam Stump could made me love speed. After going to driving on the autobahn as fast Soucy, a 34-year-old from Connecticut, • Daniel Bloom a few races in 2010, it all clicked for me.” as I could made me love speed” was confident about his performance but • Adam Thyse Scott Pepe, a candidate from New had to play the waiting game. • Ramin Rafatpanah Jersey, recollects how he got started: “A Justin Herman “Three weeks went by and I was friend of mine sent me the press release absolutely crushed to not get the call,” (announcing the Skip Barber IndyCar late, to get another shot at a racing career. recalls Soucy. “Finally, I reached the point Academy) and I immediately got on the The Academy is open to outstanding of acceptance where a day could pass phone and scheduled my school.” prospects who lack a background in when I wouldn’t think about it…then I got As Pepe looks into what is possible professional racing or karting. a message on my cell from the lead with his subsequent acceptance into the Think you’ve got what it takes to join instructor. When he nonchalantly Academy program, he beams with them? Call the Skip Barber Racing School informed me of my recommendation, I enthusiasm. “I really hope to make it to at (800) 221-1131. could have floated away! Almost better the shootout and to be a household name Debbie Ebalobo

RALLYING POINT

America’s Chris Duplessis finished sixth in the WRC Courtesy WRC Academy division at the in Greece. It was his second start this season in the special class that’s run at selected WRC events and is intended to groom the next generation of World Rally Champions.

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