Colin Fleming - "One bright and busy star in racing!" NORTH HILLS CA - Colin Fleming, one of the brightest new prospects on the motorsports scene, has a full plate of racing for the winter 2001-02. From his 'Stars of Tomorrow' Champ Car test, his first Formula Dodge race and victory, to the Skip Barber Karting Scholarship win, Colin is making his presence known. CART "Stars of Tomorrow" Champ Car Test The spoils of his victorious season in the Rotax class of the CART "Stars of Tomorrow" were bestowed upon 17-year old Fleming at the Firebird International Raceway on December 10 in Phoenix, Arizona when he took control of a Team Rahal Champ Car on the Arizona road course and quickly showed the talent that has scored him multiple national karting championships. Colin was understandably amazed by the experience. "This car just has incredible power, both under acceleration and under braking. And it's incredible how well the Lola handles." Colin, as well as the other three drivers at the test were not only impressive on the track but in working with one of the top teams in racing. "These drivers did an excellent job," remarked Bill Vandesandt, Team Coordinator. "Being on a real race track really brought it home for them; those are concrete walls out there after all. But they were quick to get up to speed and there's no doubt that this type of experience will benefit their careers. They've now worked with a professional race team, they have an idea of what will be expected of them." As expected, Colin had the wide-eyed wonder of any 17-year old after driving a 900 horsepower racing machine, but he also displayed the quiet determination of a young man who expects to be doing this on a regular basis. "I know, as I've shown in karting, once I get the chance in a car I can be as fast or faster than anybody." Colin Makes First Formula Car Race Appearance, with Spectacular Results Just days after his Team Rahal Champ Car test, Colin Fleming blew the sidepods off the field of seasoned veterans to take the victory in his first car race, the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Western Series event at the 1.51 mile road/oval track at Phoenix International Raceway on December 15-16, 2001. "Although I took the three-day Barber course, this was my first time in the R/T 2000's. I had to adapt quickly, as many of the racers had lots of miles in these cars. Considering I've driven a Champ Car and won my first car race, Arizona has been very good to me." Fleming wins Barber-CART scholarship To top off his incredible winter racing season, Colin walked away from the Skip Barber Karting scholarship with a fully paid ride in the 2002 Formula Dodge National Championship presented by RACER. The scholarship, valued at $50,000, will allow Fleming and three other karters to contest the 12-round series. Fleming was chosen from the group of 16 North American karters by virtue of a competition held on January 3-4 at Sebring International Raceway. The panel of Skip Barber judges were watching not only on-track speed, but off track composure. "I felt I had performed well over the past two days, however I was still a little nervous when they were announcing the names. When I was the first one called I was incredibly excited, this is by far the biggest step in my career so far and I hope to join some of the very famous names that have come out of the Skip Barber stable." The National Championship begins in March at the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in California. Still Karting After All These Years All this time in formula cars does not mean the end of Colin's tenure in karts, as he plans to make a full assault on the NAKA/CART "Stars of Tomorrow" in 2002 as a factory driver under the Paul Tracy Karting Team banner in the new 125cc shifter ICC class. "I've been driving karts since I was 9 years old. The car control learned there is invaluable. Also, karting is finally growing to a prominence where the competition and exposure make it important to continue driving at this stage in my career. As drivers such as Schumacher, Barron, and Gidley have shown, it keeps you fresh, keeps you sharp."