The Skip Barber Racing School, the Official Racing School of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Mazda Road to Indy, has trained and developed racing talent for almost four decades, but in five days, it will open a whole new window of opportunity. 33 talented but as yet largely unknown drivers with dreams of a pro racing future will converge on Sebring International Raceway for the first annual Skip Barber IndyCar Academy shootout.
The winner of the shootout competition will receive a sponsored ride in either the 2013 summer or winter Skip Barber Regional Race Series presented by Mazda, with the opportunity to climb the Mazda Road to Indy ladder to the IZOD IndyCar Series.
Over the next few days, we will introduce you to all the contenders for this exciting new program.
Meet the 2012 Skip Barber IndyCar Academy Finalists, Part 2:
Andre Gomes
Age: 25
Hometown: Nashua, New Hampshire
Occupation: Computer Technician
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: December 17th, 1987, the day I was born.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: Not if I don't make a lot of money doing something else first, I know racing is very expensive. If I am good enough, this competition is the only way I can get my name out there and become a pro.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family.
A: I fix computers for a living and terrorize my family in my Miata driving around town and it needs to stop. I need a racing career. I'm married to a wonderful wife and we enjoy our time together.......except on the road.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: What a great birthday gift! This after I was called on my mom's birthday to be informed that I was in the pool of 60 drivers. And the competition starts on my dad's birthday. How cool is that?
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: Vettel – I'd learn as much as I could about how he drives, prepares for races, and the workings of the racing world.
Andrew Baxter
Age: 23
Hometown: Rumsor, New Jersey
Occupation: Student, Self-employed
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: Most babies go to sleep with teddy bears and blankets, but I went to sleep with a toy car in each hand.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: I want to take racing as far as I can go.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family.
A: I am a business major in college and also currently working on a couple start up business projects.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: Could not believe my great fortune.
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: I would be Stirling Moss so that I could drive the 300slr in the Mille Miglia.
Brandon Pratt
Age: 26
Hometown: Milford, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Air National Guard
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: As a baby, my first words were "dar dar", which was my way of saying car. I was always obsessed with cars and racing. As a child I played a PlayStation demo with Formula 1 97 on it and was from then on hooked on Formula 1 racing.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: No, I didn't. When I was younger, I didn't have the money to go kart racing or to a racing school and thought it was out of reach. After serving six years in the Air Force and saving money, I decided that I was going to try and achieve my dreams. I was a little discouraged after realizing that most drivers start when they're kids, but figured you shouldn't put an expiration date on your goals.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family. 
A: I'm a full-time student at Rutgers majoring in Labor Studies and Human Resources. I live with my girlfriend in New Jersey and I'm also a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard. I'm a Staff Sergeant at the 177th Fighter Wing working as a Munitions Systems Specialist.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: I was extremely happy when I found out that I made the first cut, but knew that they were still eliminating it down to 33 people, so I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: Ayrton Senna in 1988 driving the McLaren MP4/4. Senna to me is the greatest racer in the world and the 1200 horse power turbo Honda V6 MP4/4 was the coolest F1 car.
Cody King
Age: 21
Hometown: Clarklake, Michigan
Occupation: Visalus Sciences Promotor
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: When I was 4 years old growing up around Pat Patrick and Roger Penske. I live five minutes from Michigan International Speedway. My dad would take me to the track in the morning and we would watch practice or hang around the garage all day. Mr. Patrick is like a grandpa to me and at the time my dad worked for Roger Penske, so as a little boy I never knew who to root for; I remember Mr. Patrick would always take my Penske Racing hat off and put on a Patrick Racing hat. After those experiences and growing up around the track I always knew that I wanted to do something along the lines of racing, and my dream has always been to become a driver.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: I've played hockey all my life and still play hockey at a very competitive level so growing up I always thought I would go pro in hockey, but ever since this program I have thought otherwise as this is my number one goal. I never thought in a million years that I could go pro in driving, but life is a long journey and you never know what will unfold if you keep trying.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family. 
A: I live in Clarklake, in Southern Michigan. In the summer when I'm not working I'm on the lake all day long either wake boarding, skiing, or just hanging out. Clarklake is a unique place as it is a place where your friends become your family and it is my favorite place in the world. I work for Visalus Sciences, which is a health nutrition multi-level marketing company that sells nutritional shakes. I usually work from home or at school. I attend The University of Michigan, and I am currently getting a degree in business, I am sophomore at U of M and play Div. 1 ACHA hockey for them as well.
My father is Chris King and my mother is Cara King, who always work with me in Visalus. I have a younger sister named Caroline King who lives in Chicago while attending DePaul University. My grandparents are Dr. Larry Jennings, Caroline Jennings, and Richard Surbrook. I love spending time with them all as I live with Grandpa and Grandma Jennings at the lake and play a lot of golf with my Grandpa Surbrook. My grandma, Connie Surbrook just recently passed away while we were on a family vacation in Northern Michigan and she always was a joy to have around and told me to follow my dreams. I try to enjoy life every day because life is such a gift and is so fragile.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: My first thought that ran through my mind was an instant relief. I had been waiting for quite some time and for a while thought that maybe it wasn't meant to be. But after getting that phone call I had an instant sigh of relief and really got excited to get motivated again to get ready to drive.
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: The pro racecar driver I would be for a day is Helio Castroneves. The reason being is not only is Helio a great driver and champion but he is so good with people off the track and I feel that I can relate to that as I love spending time with people. I also feel that Helio is a very humble person and lives life with such a joy and passion. I also strive for that passion and humbleness, no matter what you are doing. Helio got his chance to drive with Team Penske after the passing of Greg Moore, which was a terrible accident, but Helio took the opportunity that was presented to him and made the best of it. I to believe all you need in life is one chance and your dreams can come true. That's why for one day I would be Helio Castroneves.
Connor Clifford
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Occupation: Bartender, Server
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: Growing up, I was always passionate about fast cars, as if I was born with it. This obsession led to my discovery of endurance road racing which I immediately became obsessed with. I grew up with older brothers whom nurtured supported my love of fast cars, but my obsession with racing developed on its own. I remember being twelve years old, waking up at 7am to watch Formula 1 races; my family always thought this obsession was just a phase. I made an attempt with my best friend in high school to purchase a racing kart so we could kick-start both our racing careers. We soon found out that two 16 year old kids with no financial backing except for our after school jobs and meager allowances from household chores could never finance our racing dreams. We purchased a used kart in pretty rough condition and ran out of money within the first month of driving. From that point on, the only way I could get my racing fix was through simulation video games and online competition with the rest of the world.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: Yes, in 2011 I earned my spot in Nissan's GT Academy at Silverstone in the UK. I was one of the top 16 in the US at gran turismo and it earned me a shot at making a career in racing. Unfortunately, on the first day of the competition I received a phone call from my brother back home that my father had been killed. I found myself in an impossible situation and had to pull out of the competition so I could be with my family. I was told I would be invited back for the 2012 GT Academy, but unfortunately that fell through and was deemed ineligible to even compete in the time trials to earn my way back to Silverstone. I can't express how much that hurt when they told me I would not be invited back, even if I proved to be the fastest in the country. I then was informed about Skip Barber's IndyCar Academy and absolutely had to go for it. I can't imagine other candidates being more motivated to win than I am.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family. 
A: I start work at around 5 p.m. and usually leave around 1 a.m. It's a different life and a different schedule the most, but it's tons of fun and the pressure/stress of everything involved can be intoxicating.
I spent three years in Boulder, Colo., attending the University of Colorado. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun, but was too young and naive to grasp just what a great school and what a great opportunity/privileged I was in the middle of. My third year I lost interest in my major and my grades plummeted. I ended up leaving Colorado and moving back home. I spent a year or two working, then went back to school with the idea of boosting my GPA and transferring to the best possible school I could get into. I was at Holy Cross in South Bend when I got into Nissan's GT Academy.
Long story short, I'm currently not in school. I have the GPA and credentials needed to get back into a University, but I chose not to pursue that after being told I was to be invited back to England in 2012.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: Thank God – it's about time! I felt I showed the instructors I had some talent and that my pace was very competitive for someone with little to no experience in a racecar. Every day that passed in between the 3-day school and that phone call was hard to deal with. I found myself over analyzing and second guessing everything I did while in Wisconsin. Once I received the call, it was if a weight was taken off my shoulders.
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: Sebastian Vettel. While I'm a Fernado Alonso fan, watching that Red Bull behave around a racetrack is amazing, I can't imagine what an epic experience it would be to drive that car at pace around one of the world's premier racing circuits.
Corey Wright
Age: 20
Hometown: West Green, Georgia
Occupation: Student
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: I have loved cars since my first memories and cars and racing go hand in hand.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: Not at all. I have never even thought that something like this would be possible for me. Just the fact that I am being considered for this is exciting. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be chosen
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family.
A: I am a student at SGC in Douglas,Ga in pursuit of Pharmacy School. I work weekends at our local vets office and weekdays at our local hospital pharmacy part time.I live with my parents and sister on our family's tree farm.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: I thought it was a joke. I left the racing school thinking that there was no way I was even going to be considered, so it was a shock to get that phone call
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for 1 day, who would it be and why?
A: Ken Block. I have always had a thing for rally. Ken is someone I feel like I can relate to. He seems to be a down-to-earth business man / racecar driver that is not bothered by what people think
D
avid Alpert
Age: 24
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Occupation: Web Consultant/Student
Q: When did your passion for racing begin?
A: I believe my passion for racing has always been part of my DNA. From the moment I could form some syllables to pronounce the word "car" – and it was among my first words – I've been addicted to anything that makes noise and moves. When my dad got me a dirt bike for Christmas in1996, it fully kicked in that I felt most at home pulling away from whatever or whoever was behind me...and hopefully pulling away quickly. Since then my love for motorsport has only grown deeper.
Q: Did you ever think you would have the chance to go pro?
A: Yes. I believe if not now, then it would be later on when I am financially capable to form a team and go racing at a serious level. The most amazing part about this IndyCar Academy is it allows guys like myself, the ones who always thought, "Hey, I could actually do that," a place to start. Up until now my only real options were to buy a car or cart and finance myself through the ranks. I am so happy that this program was put together by Skip Barber and I can't wait to see the talent it pushes up that otherwise would never have had an opportunity to go for it.
Q: Describe your everyday life: job, school, family. 
A: Everyday life for me consists of waking up Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for class. I am a full-time college student approaching the end of my junior year. I am studying human communication with an emphasis in marketing and PR. When I am not studying or in class, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. On the family front, I am the oldest of two siblings. My sister is 22 and my brother is 16. We are all very close thanks to our mom's dedication to family and friendship within that family unit. For income, I build and maintain websites for local businesses. I also like to help them save money and improve their systems and operations through new technologies.
Beyond that, my hobbies include photography and filming (working on a short right now), documentaries, playing guitar, and the occasional trip to our local autocross with friends.
Q: What was your first thought when you were contacted by a Skip Barber Racing School instructor to say you were in the running?
A: The best word to describe the feeling was elation and after that came relief. I want more than anything to be able to look at myself in the mirror and know that I will no longer have to say, "What if I was fast enough and consistent enough – what if I could have really achieve my childhood dream."
Finally, I have to say, this opportunity is such a change of pace for the racing world that I want to see it succeed whether I am the right person for the spot, or not. "
Q: If you could be any pro racecar driver in the world for one day, who would it be and why?
A: Walter Rohrl. He was an exciting driver to watch. My second choice would have to be Senna. But Walter Rohrl was just a beast behind the steering wheel of anything you could put him in. Rally, road racing...didn't matter. I equate him to the Swiss Army Knife of racing drivers. "