| BREAKING NEWS
09-17-2007
MONTICELLO - Drew Kimberl couldn't stop smiling for almost
an hour after his stunning victory at the Easy Kart Grand
National. Brett Thompson waited eagerly to find out if
he would be the second local driver to win a berth to
the World Championships next month.
(click for larger image)
It was an emotional and suspenseful Sunday afternoon
when the results were declared official at the Monticello
Karting and Motor Club. Thompson of Tallahassee and Kimberl
of Monticello will represent the United States in their
respective classes against the rest of the world in Italy.
The local national champions were crowned just 18 months
after elite kart racing found a home in Monticello.
“It says a lot for the track (and) our local competitors,”
said Tim Phipps, one of the track's owners. “It
says a lot for the level of karting in Monticello where
there has been nothing before. If you could have felt
the excitement in the pit today when Drew won that race,
it made it all worth while.”
Kimberl brought his grandfather to tears when he crossed
the finish line first in the Easy 60 class for drivers
8 to 12 years old.
“I was happy,” said Cecil Hightower, who
this past spring bought the first kart for his grandson.
(click for larger image)
While Kimberl savored his victory, Thompson's kart was
dismantled by Easy Kart inspectors. Every winning kart
goes through the same scrutiny, but it seemingly was unbearable
for Thompson.
About 30 minutes later, he was cleared as national champion
of the 125 Heavy Class after edging out defending champion
Manuel Vilalobos of Miami.
“Whoa,” Thompson said, shaking hands with
just about everyone near him.
“This is the pinnacle of it for me to go to Italy
and race in the world finals,” said Thompson, who
hedged on predicting his chances of winning in Italy.
“Who knows how I'm going to do there, but the opportunity
is fantastic. I'm just going to do the best I can.”
The biggest surprise was Kimberl. He started sixth and
moved ahead of Bobby Stevens from South Florida with two
laps remaining in the 16-lap race. His average lap was
51 mph and he won in a time of 18 minutes, 11.56 seconds.
“Once I got (the lead), I wasn't going to give
it up,” Kimberl said. “I hit my marks. I just
knew I was going to get up to the front.”
The trip to Italy will be his first time taking a flight.
His grandfather said he never doubted that this would
be the weekend that Kimberl punched his ticket.
“When he gets under pressure, he performs better,”
Hightower said. “Today, we were very sure we had
the guy to beat. He is just a natural. A lot of people
keep telling me he has a lot of talent and all we have
to do is keep carrying him forward.”
Hightower and his son, Trey, worked the weekend as pit
crew for Kimberl. His uncle provided emotional support,
too.
“I try to help him and guide him the best I can,”
Trey Hightower said. “Since I've started him, he's
been as happy if he came in dead-last as if he'd come
in first. He's never thrown a fit. Whenever he's been
wrecked, he never cried. He's always been very calm.”
Source: Tallahassee
Democrat |
