Manhasset High School student Ben Auriemma has been selected as one of six amateur racecar drivers who will vie for the 25th Team USA Scholarship at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Auriemma, 16, was the youngest racer to qualify for the scholarship and competed Monday at the raceway’s infield course using a FR1600 car provided by Allen Berg Racing School.
The shootout consisted of races, various interviews and a writing sample and was judged by racing professionals, trainers and writers. The top two drivers are selected for the scholarship. Results will not be available until next week.
“I’m extremely grateful to such an accomplished and varied panel of judges for joining us, and to the Auto Club Speedway for helping stage this event,” said Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw. “We have another fine crop of youngsters, all of whom would represent the program well. We face a tough task in selecting just two winners.”
Efforts to reach Auriemma were unavailing.
In an interview with the Manhasset Times in early May, Auriemma said he has been driving go-karts since he was able to walk and progressed onto racecars on the Skip Barber racing circuit. He won Rookie of the Year honors for his age group with Skip Barber earlier this year.
“I think racing has made me an all-around better kid,” Auriemma said at the time. “I’ve found something I love to do, something I can look forward to if things aren’t going well. I’ve learned about hard work and how to sell myself and my abilities. I know what to do if I get into a bad situation. I’m always aware of my surroundings. I don’t even have to think about it.”
The Team USA Scholarship was established in 1990 and includes previous winners Bryan Herta, Buddy Rice, Spencer Pigot and Matthew Brabham.
The two racers selected will represent the scholarship program this fall at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy in Silverstone, England.
“Our business is based around introducing new drivers to motor sports and improving driver performance,” said Berg, himself a former Formula 1 racer. “The Team USA Scholarship has a distinctive 20-plus-year record of selecting the best drivers in the country, many of whom have gone on to successful professional racing careers. We are of course delighted to participate in the Team USA Scholarship shootout once again this year and be part of the selection process.”
