Driver Database News

Gabby Chaves (5th in the American Driver Ranking) did something no one else has ever done in Formula BMW Americas history. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find anyone who has pulled off this feat in any racing series anywhere in the world. Gabby Chaves finished on the podium in every one of the 14 races in the 2009 season. A fitting way to bring the series, which has been dropped by BMW, to closure.

The dual Columbian, American citizen completed the accomplishment with another runner up finish, his second at Mosport, after starting once again in the second spot.

“I think that’s what gave me the championship,” Chaves said stating the obvious. “I did really well in the opening races, and then stayed consistent with seconds and thirds, five races in a row. Then at Lime Rock, I think that’s what got the championship with a win and a second that gave me a gap followed by two wins at Road American which clinched it.”

Read the entire article at American Driver Ranking:
Mosport Coverage: Day Three, Part One Chaves Achieves FBMW History

Road America is a track where drivers have long gone to make their names, and this weekend was no different.

Young Colombian-American racer Gabby Chaves won the 2009 Formula BMW Americas Championship with two race wins on Sunday at Road America to seal the title with two rounds of racing yet to run. The victories and title-clinching performance confirmed young Chaves as a star of the future for the karting graduate, who raced his way to the podium in every round of the 12-race Formula BMW Americas season to date.

“It has been our consistency and our ability to be there at the end that has won this championship,” Chaves said. “You have to have some luck to win a championship, but we have put ourselves in position to score big points in every race and that is what a champion does. I am very happy to have been a part of the Formula BMW Americas series this year and am excited to have won the title.”

The title is the newest line on an already burgeoning racing resume for the Café do Colombia-sponsored racer, who was a tennis prodigy by the age of 10 before a chance trip in a kart changed his career trajectory forever. A successful career in karting led to the chance to race his way to a Skip Barber scholarship in Formula car competition, where he at one point enjoyed a 17-race undefeated streak of competition.

His performance in the Skip Barber National Championship then paved the way for his move up to Formula BMW Americas, which is the North American-centric chapter of the global competition formula that has spawned the careers of several current Formula One stars.

“For me to race in Formula BMW was an amazing opportunity and I want to thank Café de Colombia for being such fantastic supporters for me and my career,” said Chaves. “I am very happy that we were able to make the most of this opportunity and I hope that it continues to lead to more good things happening in my career.

Chaves, who set a record as the youngest-ever race winner in Formula BMW competition world wide with his first victory at the age of 15, set another new mark this weekend as no Formula BMW Champion has taken the season-ending honors at only 16 years old.

His record of performance is awe-inspiring, amassing five wins, six runner-up results, and one third place finish. His season has been marked by not just consistency, but also speed, as underlined by the eight different track records he has set.

The performance has gained a lot of attention for the youngster, who has also been invited to participate in the Singapore round of Formula One competition by racing in the Formula BMW event in support of the Grand Prix on September 26.

Gabby Chaves Achievements:

CHAMPION-2009 Formula BMW Americas
Skip Barber National Championship -2008 five races, 3 victories, one 3rd and one 4th place finishes. (Had to withdraw  after leading  the championship to compete in the BMW pacific series)
UNDEFEATED CHAMPION  2007-2008 SKIP BARBER SOUTHERN REGIONAL SERIES ( 10 races , 10 victories)
RUNNER-UP 2007 SKIP BARBER EASTERN REGIONAL SERIES
WINNER 2007 COLOMBIAN GRAND PRIX FORMULA RENAULT 2000
WINNER 2006 SKIP BARBER ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP SHOOT-OUT
WINNER 2008 FLORIDA WINTERTOUR NATIONAL KARTING SERIES (ROTAX JUNIOR CLASS)   Ocala Grand Prix March/24/2008
CHAMPION 2006 HOMESTEAD FL SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP EASYKART 60
3RD PLACE  2006 EASY KART GRAND NATIONALS  100 cc.
CHAMPION 2006 FLORIDA WINTER TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP/ ROTAX MINIMAX
2ND PLACE 2006 CRG GRAND NATIONAL NORTH CAROLINA /CADET CLASS
CHAMPION 2006 STARS OF KARTING NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP/ CADET CLASS
CHAMPION 2006 ROTAX EAST COAST DIVISION / ROTAX MINIMAX
2ND PLACE 2006 ROTAX GRAND NATIONALS / ROTAX MINIMAX
7TH PLACE 2006 EASY KART WORLD FINALS JESOLO, ITALY/ EASY KART 100 cc.
CHAMPION 2005 FLORIDA ROTAX CHALLENGE / ROTAX MINIMAX
4th PLACE   2005  EASY KART WORLD FINALS PARMA,  ITALY/ EASY KART 100 cc.
CHAMPION 2005 EASY KART GRAND NATIONAL / EASY KART 60 cc.
CHAMPION 2005 HOMESTEAD, FL SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP/ EASY KART 60 cc.

Every athlete, regardless of their idiosyncrasy, has a defining moment in life that draws them to their sport. A spark, if you will, that says, “I want to do this, I’m good at this.”. That moment came for Australian race driver James Kovacic at a very young age. James had been watching the go kart drivers run laps at Forrester’s Beach for a few years before he was able to get behind the wheel himself. Despite repeated attempts to drive the karts, James was turned down and told, “You aren’t tall enough.”. Eventually, when James was 8 years old, he was given the chance to get behind the wheel of a go kart. No, it wasn’t a racing kart, it was a rental kart. At the time, it didn’t matter because James just wanted to drive. He had finally attained the proper height requirement to participate, but he was still too short to reach the pedals and to see over the steering wheel. The track attendants at Forrester’s Beach Go Kart solved that problem by placing six cushions underneath the youngster.

Read the interview at Junior Open Wheel Talent:
Driver Profile: James Kovacic