Skip Barber Racing School crowns Two New Champions

Luke Gabin Wins 2013 Skip Barber Racing School Karting Scholarship Shootout & Michai Stephens Wins 2013 Skip Barber Racing School IndyCar Academy

Luke Gabin, 19, from Perth, Casuarina, Australia was crowned the Champion of the 2013 Skip Barber Racing School Karting Scholarship Shootout. Luke's globe trotting trip was well-worth the effort as he can now count himself as the 17th Champion to join the ranks of elite racers like Ryan Hunter-Reay, AJ Allmendinger, Josef Newgarden, Conor De Phillippi, Spencer Pigot, and Conor Daly - who in their early days of racing all competed for the highly coveted prize.

"The shootout has been the highlight of my Motorsports career and I am extremely glad I have been given this opportunity by Skip Barber Racing School and my parents. It was a steep learning curve, but taking feedback from experienced instructors and applying it was very rewarding. The shootout was extremely competitive and I'm looking forward to competing in a season of Skip Barber," said Gabin.

As in every year since it's inception, the champion of the Karting Shootout will win a full season in the Skip Barber Racing School 2013-2014 Winter Race Series or Summer Race series, which leadsto the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy. Skip Barber Racing School is the official racing school of INDYCAR.

"On behalf of the instructors and team at Skip Barber Racing School, I would like to congratulate Luke on his performance in the 2013 Karting Shootout. Luke came out on top of a very impressive field of racers, and we look forward to working with him in 2014 as he continues on the path to achieve his goals in professional racing." says Michael Culver, CEO of Skip Barber Racing School.

Gabin developed a feel for the Skip Barber Formula 2000 cars and posted consitent session averages and earned the highest instructor score from the group.

Joining Gabin, Michai Stephens, 22, from Evanston, Ill., emerged as this year's IndyCar Academy Shootout champion beating 32 other drivers from around the world at the second annual Skip Barber IndyCar Academy Shootout at Sebring International Raceway.

Stephens, who was a participant in last year's IndyCar Academy Shootout showcased his development as a driver. He earned the fastest lap time and lowest average time in six of the eight sessions. Stephens also wins a sponsored ride in the Skip Barber Winter Race Series or Summer Race Series in 2014 which leads to the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy. Skip Barber Racing School is the official racing school of INDYCAR.

"Michai's triumphant return to compete in the 2nd Annual IndyCar Academy showed determination and spirit. He clearly has the commitment and resolve to start a career in motorsports. The entire Skip Barber Racing School team looks forward to working with Michai in 2014 and helping him get to the next level in racing" said Michael Culver, CEO of Skip Barber Racing School.

2013 Skip Barber Racing School Karting Scholarship Shootout Final standings:(Driver name, shootout points, award*)

1st Place - Luke Gabin, 221.4, A full season in the Skip Barber Racing School 2012-2013 Winter Race Series or Summer Race series2nd Place - Olivier Cote, 206.30, $25,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship3rd Place - Brennen Harrington, 196, $20,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship4th Place - Daniel Langon, 188.8, $15,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship5th Place - Kondrad Czaczyk, 184.8, $10,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship6. Skylar Dunning , 170.17. Nolan Ryan, 168.38. Travis Lowe, 1649. Jonathan Sugianto, 164.810.Nathan Laverdure, 154.711. Scott Huffaker, 151.612. Mike Gutenberger, 137.713. Christian Brooks, 134.714. Whitney Stevenson, 113.815. Jonathan de Matta, 113.416. Jackie Ding17. Sabre Cook18. Garrett Dixon19. Jenna Johnson20. Mahatru Krishnamuthy21. Austin Mack

2013 Skip Barber Racing School IndyCar Academy Shootout Final standings:(Driver name, shootout points, award*)

1st Place - Michai Stephens, 288.3, A full season in the Skip Barber Racing School 2012-2013 Winter Race Series or Summer Race series2nd Place - Harry Steenbakkers, 260, $25,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship3rd Place - Max Dignan, 226.1, $20,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship4th Place - Eric Sidebotham, 225.6, $15,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship5th Place - Nicolas Bakker, 202.9, $10,000 in Skip Barber Race Series Scholarship6. Lawrence Richard , 201.97. Blake Yoworski, 196.48. David Osborne, 163.89. Matt Widner, 159.510.Ronald Castillo, 156.411. JEremy Anderson, 151.812. Charlie Powell, 149.413. Ian Green, 142.614. Keith Ori, 140.315. Andres Sanchez, 128.516. Sam LeAair17. Greg Barns Jr.18. Kaleb Hinton19. Clint Scherb20. Nick Contessa21. Juan Moncada

22. Jaime Colmenares23. Jeff Antley24. Patrick Hingston25. Wilson Yang26. Brandon Lederer27. Logan Wolfe28. Alex Petrov29. Seth Garner30. Dennis Diiori31. Stephan Palma32. William Nozodze

The drivers can redeem their scholarships in the Skip Barber Racing School 2013-2014 Winter Race Series or Summer Race series. The Winter Series begins at Road Atlanta, November 14-17, 2013.

*All scholarships funds are spread out over each race event throughout the course of the 2014 season, and cannot be applied to only a few select events. Prizes are non-transferrable and the awards are subject to event rules, available on our website.


Related Motorsport Articles

84,521 articles