RACE: Schultz wins SCCA rookie of the year award

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Veteran kart racer and winner of many karting championships, Jim Schultz, of Philadelphia, PA moved up to Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition last year and was voted SCCA's Rookie of The Year. The Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year Award, which is presented to the SCCA's most outstanding rookie driver, was awarded to Schultz at the SCCA's Annual Awards Banquet in Denver, Colorado. During his first year of SCCA road course competition Schultz captured the Northeast Division Driving Championship and finished second at the SCCA National Runoffs.

"My 18-years in karting played a major part in helping me to adapt so quickly to the faster SCCA road courses and racing at a higher level of competition.

Having no prior racing experience on the major road racing courses and no prior driving experience in his Formula 500 race car hardly slowed Schultz on his way to the 2000 Divisional Championship as he accumulated four national wins, to go along with a second and a fourth place finished. Schultz also completed every lap of every race he entered.

When presented the Rookie of the Year Award Schultz recognized his sponsors and equipment suppliers; Al JR's Auto Body, Grand Products, HI-Tech Performance Clutches, Hoosier Tires, MRC Racing Components, Quadrini Racing Enterprises, Red Line Synthetic Oil and Sunoco Race Fuels. He also thanked Verizon for coming on board and supporting him during the 2001 campaign.

This year Schultz with again focus on qualifying for the Olympics of Amateur Racing, the SCCA National Runoffs where he hopes to improve on his Silver Medal performance at the 2000 Runoffs. Only the top ten drivers in points from eight SCCA Divisions receive invitations to the National Runoffs held every September. To qualify for the 2001 Runoffs Schultz will compete in SCCA National races on legendary road courses at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, WV on April 8th , Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH June 3rd and Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, PA August 4-5. The SCCA National Runoffs scheduled for September 21-23 will be telecast live on the Speedvision Network.

Jim shares his karting and racing knowledge every January during a karting seminar presented at the Pennzoil Motorsports Show in Ft. Washington, PA.

-Schultz Racing