Danilo Estrela wins Skip Barber Champion Shootout

One year after capturing the top prize at the annual Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out, MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Danilo Estrela made it two in a row by taking the top prize at Skip Barber Racing School’s first Champion’s Shoot-out, held recently at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The young Brazilian bested six other young drivers to earn a fully funded ride in an upcoming Skip Barber Race Series championship.

Estrela and six other eligible drivers participated in four days of on and off track activities including seminars hosted by SPEED Formula One commentator Bob Varsha, IZOD IndyCar Series driver Townsend Bell, motorsports journalist and Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw, Formula One veteran Derek Daly and MAZDASPEED Communications Officer Dean Case.

“Last year was my first full season racing cars so it was a great learning experience for me”, said Estrela after the award announcement. “I want to thank Skip Barber Racing School and MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development for this second opportunity.”

After winning last year’s Karting Scholarship Shoot-out, Estrela finished sixth in the 2011 Skip Barber National Championship, picking up four podium finishes including a win at the season finale at Lime Rock Park. Estrela will use this year’s scholarship to race in the Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Winter Series in preparation for a potential run in the 2012 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.

“I am working on some potential sponsorship opportunities for next year but right now my focus is on the Skip Barber Race Series. I can’t wait to take the momentum of earning this scholarship into the race season.”


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