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Highlands Today

The Thrill of Racing

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

The Sprint Kart Race on Saturday had plenty of close racing action that required quick reflexes and driving ability.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: May 18, 2008

SEBRING –– There was plenty of racing action on Saturday, and it wasn't just on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit.

The 4th Karting Sprint Race was held at the Sebring International Raceway Autocross pad, with International Motorsports Academy hosting the event.

Drivers of all ages and gender from across the state gathered at the Academy, which opened for business at Sebring Raceway in February.

The drivers competed in several classes, with different powered karts, depending on their age and ability.

"We train young drivers from five-years-old up to adults," said International Motorsports Academy owner Sebastian Sauriol. "We started this venture in Punta Gorda in 2005 and now we're here at Sebring International Raceway. "We're growing and our core group of racers have followed us, but Sebring is a great name in racing and the central location allows us to tap in to the Orlando market.

"It's a unique curriculum and every driver goes through training before they're allowed to get on the track."

IMA offers an arrive and drive package that includes all the driver gear and provides a kart for racing.

The arrive and drive package costs as low as $175 and includes training, practice time on the pad and three races.

"We provide everything the driver needs," said Sauriol, who has extensive professional driving experience. "We want to make it easy to drive, because once you get behind the wheel of one of these karts, it's hard to stop.

"There is something about racing that gets in your blood."

Steven Mays, from Arcadia, discovered that racing was a lot more fun than playing other sports.

"I love racing because you go really fast," the 10-year-old Mays said. "I used to play baseball and took karate, but I started racing two years ago and it's a lot more fun. "It's kind of dangerous, but I wear my protective gear and I race here and at the track over in Charlotte.

"I love racing and this is something I would like to keep doing."

The karts are gas-powered and the faster models can approach speeds up to 75 miles per hour.

The smaller karts use four-stroke engines that go about 50 miles per hour and races are held twice a month on the demanding track.

"This is a very technical track with seven turns," said Sauriol, who operates the IMA with his wife Jennifer, who does the timing of the races. "It's fairly wide, pretty fast and you carry a lot of speed around."

The drivers compete for track position just like the professional drivers on television and sometimes things don't go as planned.

Meri Littlefield, a 15-year-old racer from Sebring, spun out during her sprint race.

"This is my third race and I'm learning each time I compete," said the Sebring High student. "I've wanted to race since I was little and now I'm getting a chance. "My friends and I come out and race and have a blast and we try to help each other get better."

Littlefield, who was a cheerleader and plays softball, says there is no comparison to racing.

"Racing is ten times more fun," she said. "It's kind of dangerous, but that's what makes it so exciting."

Saturday's results saw Olivier Bellanger win the Cadet Class, while Sasha Brun-Wibeauz finished first in the Easy Kart 60.

Brandon Luckwaldt won the Junior Tag, Colin Warren finished first in the Junior MIni Maz, and Timothy Bambu won the Tag race.

Ralf Trebing captured the Senior Tag +35 and the IMA Heavyweight, Dennis Trebing won the IMA Lightweight and Artis Radebaugh won the IMA Lightweight +35 event.

The next event on the IMA schedule is a two-hour endurance race on Saturday, June 14, with registration at 8 a.m.

The first race starts at 9 a.m.

For more information you can go on the web at www.Ima racing.com or contact Sauriol at 941-726-1722.

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