Jimmy Heavlow’s “Birthday Present” Takes Him To Skip Barber School
Feb 12, 2008
GALENA, MD. – World Karting Association Triple Crown Winner Jimmy Heavlow got a huge (and pleasant) surprise when he made his acceptance speech recently at Kart World in Hickory, N.C. He found out on the stage that he would be the recipient of the Skip Barber Racing School’s special scholarship for the year.
“I was clueless,” admitted the young WKA six-time national champion recently. “I just found out the night of the banquet. Buddy Long told me right after I did my speech for the Triple Crown.”
“This is going to be the biggest car I’ve driven,” said Heavlow. “I don’t really know what to expect,” he added. “My mother wanted me to take this as soon as possible, so I’m doing the February school at Homestead. It’s on my birthday!” Jimmy noted. “I’m excited!”
“You can’t learn too much about racing,” he commented. “I want to learn more car control – it’ll just make me a better racer all around.”
In addition to his Triple Crown in WKA racing and an undefeated season in Maryland state WKA racing, Heavlow locked up the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Winter Heat championship in the Young Lions category for Legends Cars. Heavlow had an unbeatable points lead with two weeks left in the eight-race winter series on both oval and road course tracks.
Heavlow is being helped in his career by training from Future Stars in Racing Academy. The Academy helps prepare young drivers for success outside the car in public speaking; sponsor presentations; working with the media and behavior on and off the track. Future Stars in Racing is the exclusive driver development partner with the ASA Late Model Series. The Academy features a staff with decades of experience in all aspects of motorsports. To learn more about Jimmy Heavlow and the Academy, go to www.futurestarsinracing.com.
The Skip Barber school Heavlow will be attending is a three-day racing school at Homestead-Miami Speedway’s 2.21-mile, 12-turn road course. SBRS utilizes their own open-wheeled racers weighing in at 1100 pounds and powered by 2.0-liter sixteen-valve four cylinder engines making 150 hp with a top speed of about 130 mph. While that sounds like a fairly tame car, it’s more than adequate for the task of teaching aspiring road racers. With the intent more to teach car control than generating absolute speed, the cars provide a solid platform for instruction.
