“Years of experience and success will be taught by multi-time karting champions”
Formed by 2015 SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) SuperNationals, Fikse Wheels Pro Tour champion and multi-time Rotax MAX Challenge race winner and Team USA member Louie Pagano, Elite Drivers Academy has been born. Focused on three-day race schools at three prominent tracks around the country, Elite Drivers Academy will employ the services of several high profile championship-winning competitors to train the future champions of the sport.
“The Elite Drivers Academy is something that I have had on my mind and been trying to put together for almost a year now,” explained Pagano. “Karting has been good to me and I want to help the next stars of our sport. I have been fortunate to race with some of the best teams, engine builders and tuners in the sport and I would like to be a mentor for the up and coming drivers. I looked up to several in the sport, and I feel this is a way that I can help grow karting all while making a living.”
With school programs taking place at three different locations across the country, the first Elite Drivers Academy program will commence at the NOLA Motorsports Park facility in New Orleans, Louisiana with other venues being announced in the near future. Registration for the first ever Elite Drivers Academy class is now open and will take place April 1-3, 2016 with limited space available.
Elite Drivers Academy students will receive both in-class and on-track instruction with a mid-day break and premium catered lunch. The first day, students will learn how to properly analyze a new circuit, assess the proper driving line and braking points as well as kart control, throttle application and control and more.
Pagano continued, “Our driver training courses start in the classroom, with an explanation of kart racing basics and techniques including drive line, braking points, kart control, and vehicle dynamics. After this portion is complete each driver will head out to the track with one of our experienced instructors. The first session will consist of lead-follow exercises where the instructor will show you the line, then follow you to check your progress. Later, sessions will be observed by an instructor on the sidelines as you show off the day’s work. After each session our instructors will go over any notes, and explain lines and vehicle dynamics concepts in further depth.”
Day three of the Elite Drivers Academy will see drivers have the opportunity to learn proper passing techniques, race craft, data analysis as well as driver fitness and nutrition.
Focused on improving the skill set by any driver, Pagano also hopes that drivers, families and teams will take advantage of this program to help prepare competitors for upcoming events.
“I am confident that with the instructors in place, we will greatly reduce the learn time of any competitor at the current track thus providing more testing opportunities on race weekends,” explained Pagano. “After drivers complete the three-day school at NOLA, I feel that they will be ready to compete in the opening round of the US Open at the same facility later that month.”
Drivers interested are encouraged to contact Pagano at 805.501.9081 or via e-mail to EliteDriversAcademy@gmail.com.
