OTTAWA, ON – Ottawaʼs own Harry Steenbakkers is about to embark on an exciting adventure. Fresh off his first place victory at the Skip Barber Formula Series at Lime Rock Park this past weekend, the talented 15-year-old has caught the attention of the prestigious Skip Barber racing school, earning a coveted invitation to fill one of 33 spots in the upcoming Skip Barber IndyCar Academy Shootout (ICA).
The three day competition starts November 6 at Floridaʼs legendary Sebring International Raceway.
The Grade 10 student at Ottawaʼs Ashbury College will be the youngest participant in the history of the ICA, a competition featuring aspiring racing talents from across North America.
“I am really excited to be invited to take part in the Skip Barber IndyCar Academy Shootout,” said Steenbakkers. “We got the call from their head office in Braselton, Georgia one day while I was heading home from school. I learned so much about racing this summer from the fantastic instructors at Skip Barber and Iʼm really looking forward to having the opportunity to show what I can do against the other invitees, at Sebring.”
The top three drivers at the ICA will receive scholarship funds to compete in the Skip Barber National Series in 2014.
The ʻSkippy Nationalsʼ are recognized as a significant stepping-stone leading to USF2000 and beyond for aspiring race car drivers. “This is really a fantastic opportunity for someone my age to be invited to drive in these really fun race cars and compete at some of the best tracks in eastern North America, all before I can get my driverʼs license!” said Steenbakkers.
Steenbakkers continued, “Iʼ m hoping to do well at Sebring and maybe get noticed, which will get me closer to my dream of being a race car driver. I met the winner of last yearʼs ICA, Andres Gomes, and he is a great guy and a super ambassador for the Skip Barber Racing School and racing in general. Iʼd like to follow in his footsteps.”
To prepare for the ICA at Sebring, Steenbakkers raced this past weekend at Connecticut’s Lime Rock in order to hone his skills behind the wheel of the 2.0 litre, 132 horsepower, single-seat Formula Skip Barber car. In the final race of the weekend, Steenbakkers, starting in eighth position, worked his way up to first place, passing frontrunners Jonathan Surak and Fabrizzio Famularo for the win.
For more information on Harry Steenbakkers and Steenbakkers Racing, visit www.SteenbakkersRacing.com.
Contact: Marc Steenbakkers, info@steenbakkersracing.com 613 -797-1882
Additional Information:
Skip Barber Press Release – http://skipbarber.com/scholarship-programs/
Skip Barber IndyCar Academy – http://www.skipbarber.com/IndyCar%20Academy.asp
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcsoQx0AxaY
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CalabogieMotorsportsPark
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