2014 Skip Barber Karts to Cars Scholarship champion crowned

The 18th Annual Karts to Cars Scholarship Shootout concluded yesterday at Sebring International Raceway, where some of the top karters from around the world competed for more than $65,000 in scholarship Prizes.

The winners for 2014 Karts to Cars Scholarship Shootout are as follows:

• : First place earning a full season in the 2014-'15 Skip Barber Winter or Summer Series valued at $40,000 credits.
• : Second Place earning a $15,000 Scholarship for use in the Skip Barber Race Series
• : Third Place earning a $10,000 Scholarship for use in the Skip Barber Race Series

Fifteen year old Brandon Eves from Gahanna, Ohio also garnered the fastest lap time of the week in the last session of the event.

"This year's field of karters showcased a level of camaraderie, drive and talent that was top notch," said Race Series Coordinator Jeff Lail. "This group has joined an illustrious group of past participants and will have the opportunity to develop their skills in our time-tested Race Series. This is why we are here – supporting racers as they pursue their motorsports dreams and this event was a testament to that. "

In addition to being able to compete in the Skip Barber Race Series, the winners also earned additional prizes from third party sponsors. De La Calle was awarded the RACER magazine "Top Gun Award" and will be featured in a future issue of the publication.

All three racers also won scholarships from RaceCraft1 for a comprehensive evaluation. RaceCraft1 specializes in formal instruction and driver development for professional racers and engineers, developing-youth drivers, and motorsports enthusiasts through a professional training program.

The Skip Barber Winter Series will kick off in two weeks at Road Atlanta, where some of the 2014 Karts to Cars Scholarship competitors will put what they have learned in the Shootout to the test and look at securing a spot in the 2015 Championship Scholarship Shootout.

The Karts to Cars Scholarship Shootout takes place every fall and is the single most important event for karters transitioning into racecars. Past winners of Shootout awards include A.J. Allmendinger, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ricky Taylor, Jonathan Goring, and Joel Miller. The Shootout is a critical component of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development ladder – the fully integrated motorsports ladder comprised of the Skip Barber Racing School Summer and Winter Series, USF2000, and Pro Mazda.