The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving will be the judge as they host their first-ever Bondurant Driver Search - a two-day shootout October 4-5, 2010, focused on media interaction, sponsor interviews and various driving exercises in Corvettes and Formula Mazdas on two different race tracks. Bondurant has partnered with Championship Karting International to launch the program and help draw participants from the karting community. The winner of the Driver Search will be awarded the grand prize: a full-season free ride in the 2011 Bondurant Championship Race Series.
"Our inaugural Championship Race Series has been a great success, bringing everyone from top-level karters to club drivers interested in vintage racing out to tear up the track at our world-class facility," said Alan Rudolph, series director, Bondurant Championship Race Series. "We are committed to helping up-and-coming drivers further their racing careers, and we are thrilled to launch this competition that gives drivers an opportunity to showcase their skills and win a spot in the 2011 Bondurant Championship Race season."
In addition to the grand prize awarded to the Driver Search winner, Bondurant will sweeten the pot with additional prizes. The runner-up will receive one free race series weekend plus 15% off the entire race season. The third place finisher in the shootout will be able to apply their Driver Search participation fee toward a race series weekend as well as receive a 15% discount on the entire race season.
"Partnering with the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving makes great sense for our company. It is a proven fact that karting produces some of the best motorsports drivers in the world, and Championship Karting International is honored to give our karting drivers a chance to move up the ladder to such a professional organization as Bondurant," said Kevin Williams, CKI Director of Operations.
Bondurant launched their Championship Race Series, which is sanctioned by ASA Racing, in September 2009. The series awards prize packages that include a test day and race weekend in a World Speed Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda, a test day in the Finlay Motorsports Daytona Prototype car, and additional driver management services from Finlay Motorsports.
With four races to go in the 2009-2010 Bondurant Championship Race Series, driver Jamie Slone holds a narrow points lead over his nearest competitors Neil Alberico and Alan McCallum. The next race weekend takes place April 30-May 2 at Bondurant's East Track. For race recaps and action-packed video footage, visit http://bondurant.com/championship-race-series and clicking on Race News and Highlights.
Cost to participate in the 2011 Driver Search is $1,500 - just half the cost of a 2-Day Formula Racing Course at Bondurant - and the search is limited to 20 drivers selected by the School. To participate, drivers must be 15-19 years old and have successfully completed the Bondurant School's 4-Day Grand Prix Road Racing course, 2-Day Advanced Formula Car Racing Course or submit a qualified racing resume. The deadline to apply for the Driver Search is July 15, 2010 and the field will be selected by July 31. For additional requirements or to sign up for the driver search, contact Alan Rudolph at 800.842.RACE (7223).