SACRAMENTO, CA (January 17, 2012) – The annual talent search known as The Shoot-Out always sorts out the top talented young drivers from across the nation.  Making the Shoot-Out is an honor in itself. Winning the Shoot-Out and earning a spot in Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program, along with big sponsorship dollars, is the goal.

In the previous year’s Shoot-Out 14 of the 933 drivers that applied made the cut. This year only 9 super talented young drivers won spots from the 965 applicants for the RSWC program and Star Racing Supply sponsorship dollars. “We had slightly more apply for 2012, however we were simply more selective in this year’s Shoot-Out,” stated RSWC Owner Ron Sutton.

With the driver search complete, nine new talented drivers coming from all over the US will join the returning 11 drivers from last year’s RSWC driver roster. These 20 drivers, each with $6,000 to $25,000 of sponsorship dollars from Star Racing Supply, will train and race with the RSWC driver development program with the goal of working their way up the ladder to professional stock car careers. Each driver stood out uniquely and drove impressively in the Shoot-Out to earn a position in the RSWC program.(...)
Read the rest of Molly Helmuth Selected for Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle

© Administrator for Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: evergreen speedway, molly helmuth, ron sutton's winner's circle, star racing supply

Hi there! This is my first blog with Female Racing News, and I could not be more excited to be on board to share my stories and to keep you updated on my racing career! I am about to put you in the passenger seat as I continue my ride in the racing world. First I would like to introduce myself to you and get you up to date on where I have been and where I am heading with my racing career.

So I’ll take you through my career by the years…

2002-2007 Quarter Midgets

I got my start in racing in Quarter Midgets at the age of twelve. After watching my younger brother race for a year, I could not sit on the sidelines any longer. I jumped into a car and got off to a quick start, winning my first seven races. I had great success in Quarter Midgets, ending my six year career with six championships, 60+ feature wins, and three track records.(...)
Read the rest of Welcome to FRN’s Newest Blogger Jessica Bean!

© Jessica Bean for Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ford focus, jessica bean, kenyon midget, Open Wheel, quarter midget, usac, ussa

Today was the on track driver training for the shootout. As I thought, I was in the first group, which wasn’t bad at all because I was thankful enough to run while the track was still dry! The weather man predicted that the rain would start to come around 4:00 and they were right! The morning was very chilly, however my suit made me a lot warmer. We had a short meeting about how the day was going to run and then we split up into groups (modifieds and midgets) for a track walk. We then learned how to operate the cars and took one lap around the pits to get used to the hand clutch. I thought it was pretty easy, it’s different, but easy. I started my session around 11:45 and ended around 2:30. We had five separate sessions, each twenty laps long. Each of the individual sessions were to progress your understanding in the car control, line and to show overall “what you got”. I was ready to go! There was some miscommunication which made me a little shaky and tense, finally I took a step back and relaxed and drove my line, getting quicker and quicker each session. We had to make a few adjustments to the car due to mechanical issues, but the Ron Sutton team knows how these cars work and with that knowledge, got the car fixed and sent me right back out again. After all of my sessions I took a break to get some lunch and to watch the other drivers. The weather started to cave in and started pouring, The drivers were pulled off the track, loaded the pit carts and cars up and locked the trailer. Tomorrow the rest of the drivers will be finishing, if the weather holds up.(...)
Read the rest of Ron Sutton’s Winner Circle Shootout Day: 2

© Molly Helmuth for Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: molly helmuth, Ron Sutton's Winner Circle Shootout Day

Ron Sutton’s Winner Circle Shoot-out is a driver development program. Ron searches for young talented drivers in racing to show their dedication and help develop drivers to peruse a career in NASCAR.

Last night I flew from Seattle to Sacramento and arrived at the hotel room around midnight. Once I finally fell asleep I woke up to my dad snoring, I couldn’t take it anymore, therefore I pulled out my iPod and listened to it on shuffle for the rest of the night. I woke up around 7:00 AM excited to reunite with Ron Sutton, the crew and meet other drivers. Once I picked up some breakfast from the hotels lobby we headed out to Bill Mcanally’s race shop. I was greeted with a big hug from Susan Kinnicutt, the Star Racing Supply Store Manager and a whisper in my ear “I am so glad you’re back.” I replied “It’s good to be back.” As you walk into this spotless Race facility with all the different K&N race cars, trophies, banners and all the different spare parts, everyones eyes lit up. I introduced myself to some of the drivers, coming from all different areas such as, Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, Indianapolis, Mexico, Oklahoma etc. After the tour we headed out to Ron Sutton’s shop, we were a little late due to our GPS so I felt a little awkward as I walked out of the car, all eyes were staring at me. Ron stopped in mid sentence to greet me “Hi Molly, how are you?” We took a tour of his shop and got situated in our cars, which we will be driving tomorrow. The cars we are driving are Ford Focus Midgets, they had to switch the seat out of my car because I am too small. I have a strong feeling that I will be first up tomorrow, which is fine, however I like to watch other drivers and get in the racing mindset.(...)
Read the rest of Ron Sutton’s Winner Circle Shootout: Day 1

© Molly Helmuth for Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: molly helmuth, ron sutton

Taylor Ferns, 15, snagged the 2011 USAC Regional Midget Champion title Oct. 15 to continue as the winningest female feature driver in United States Auto Club history.

She won’t get her driver’s license for another three months, but last weekend, Taylor Ferns proved you don’t need a piece of plastic to know how to drive.

At 15 years old, Ferns is the 2011 USAC Regional Midget Champion and the winningest female feature driver in United States Auto Club history.

“I’m really, really, excited about (the RMC championship),” Ferns said. “My team has worked so hard for this. We started off with good luck, then got a string of bad luck, but we were able to turn around and come back in our favor. I’m really excited we could pull it off.”

A Shelby Township resident, Ferns is a sophomore at Lutheran High School North who, when she is not studying to maintain her straight-A average, eats, sleeps and breathes racing.

“Racing is my No. 1 top priority,” Ferns said. “I’m very, very determined and competitive. I love all the competitive energy around me. Buckling in, and putting on the helmet I feel at home. That’s what I love about racing the most.”

Ferns had a 143-point lead heading into the final weekend of the USAC Mopar D1 Midget Series season, and a fifth-place finish in the Alex Pruett Memorial series finale at the Toledo Speedway Oct. 15 wrapped up the series and crowned Ferns the 2011 USAC Regional Midget Champion.

But this title is only the beginning for Ferns.(...)
Read the rest of Taylor Ferns Roars Away with USAC Regional Midget Championship

© Administrator for Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: taylor ferns, usac