| Audrey Staton Kart driver Audrey Staton has only been racing since 2005, but she has done much in a very short amount of time. Her first year was plagued with nothing but mechanical problems but with determination and a show of remarkable driving skills Audrey still managed a 5th place spot in points by years end. 2006 was a far better year for young 16 year old Audrey where she posted 3 wins, one 2nd place and two 3rd place finishes as well as several top ten spots in her KT 100 kart. But 2007 is where Audrey really showed what she was made of behind the wheel. Audrey drove for Mach 1 Kart USA in the Rotax/TaG series in a 125cc kart. It was at this level where Audrey ran in a field of drivers that had 10 plus years experience to only her 2, but she was up to the challenge. In the 7 races Audrey ran in the Rotax series, she had 5 podium finishes and was 3rd overall in the points. In fact, when it came down to determining the top 3 drivers there was only a 5 point difference between 1st and 3rd. It was not easy for Audrey to actually get in the drivers seat. While her family was big on racing and her dad raced motocross when he was younger, Audrey’s parents did not want to see their daughter racing in what they deemed such a rough sport. But this did not crush the passion Audrey had for racing, a passion developed when she was only 5. It seems racing was in her blood and Audrey was determined to find her way to the track. When Audrey was 13 she just about gave up on her dream of racing, but her family was big fans of F1 racing and when the series came back to the USA in June of 2004 they all went to Indianapolis MotorSpeedway to watch all the action. Then over the next several weekends Audrey and her family started going to Mid-Ohio to watch other types of auto racing events, and every weekend they passed by a booth that had a kart team and they were looking for drivers for a kart endurance race. When her Dad stopped to talk to those folks Audrey’s passion was re-kindled and a few short weeks later they were at the CKRA (Championship Kart Racing) where Audrey made her first test run and got bit by the racing bug. As luck would have it, they came upon a complete kart package where a young girl just got out of racing and the rest is history. Audrey has set her goals high and plans on running some races in the Nationals for 2008 and possibly taking home the National Kart Championship. Her future plans also include more testing in race cars. At the end of the 2006 season Audrey made a test run in a Spec Miata and was told by the owner of the car that she has the potential to go pro. Audrey’s dream is to one day run full time in F1. All of this from a girl who at one point wanted to race motocross. Here at Behind the Wall we have no doubt Audrey will not only race in F1 one day, but will have many podium finishes as well. You can read more about Audrey on her web site. |
