Laura Hayes - Formula Jr 80 Shifter, Jr Superbox

Sponsors:
Team MMI, Phil Hayes Inc (PHI), R&B Koi, Voris Investment Properties (VIP)

About Laura:
Laura is a 14 year old student at Kerr Middle School in Elk Grove Ca where she maintains an "A" average. Coming from a racing family (her mom and dad met at a race track during competition between their respective families) Laura became exposed to racing at an early age. She soon developed an interest in racing and, after learning her early idol Jeff Gordon started racing in Northern California as a child, decided she also wanted to try the sport.

Racing Accomplishments:
Laura started driving quartermidgets (1/4 size midget race cars running on both asphalt and dirt oval tracks) at the age of 8 and drove them through her 12th year. During that time she amassed 10 local, state and regional titles and won the prestigious Winter Nationals along with other special event titles. Multiple podium finishes at national events coupled with numerous victories and track records, including two Ernie Bose world records, capped her quartermidget career.

With a basis in the fundamentals of racing established in quartermidgets, Laura began looking for new challenges and growth experiences. Karting proved to be the medium for this growth.XXAttracted to TeamMMI by their courteous track side service, MMI provided the support necessary to transition Laura into competitive karting.

In 2003 Laura began racing in the Jr Sportsman class, driving an MMI Birel AR30 with Woltjer power. In her first year she narrowly missed winning the championship at the Davis track, completing the year with a must win finish in the final race of the series. At the Stockton club she received a most improved driver recognition award. At the end of 2003 Laura completed her 80 shifter licensing requirements driving an MMI Birel CQ31 with stock power.

2004 sees Laura racing in both the Jr Superbox and Jr Formula 80 shifter classes in the IKF Region 11 series. She is also running the Jr 80 in the Stockton Club series and at Infinion Raceway in the Jim Russell Karting Championship Series. The Jr Superbox is the familiar AR30 chassis, again with Woltjer power. For the Jr 80, Laura is running a new TeamMMI RK2 Rocket Chassis with Woltjer engines. The Rocket chassis seems to suit Laura as in just a short time she has begun to run at the front of what is a very tight and competitive field of Jr 80's in Region 11/northern California.

Laura's dedication and skill extend beyond the cockpit as she not only help's prepare her karts and the family tow vehicles prior to race day, but also is intimately involved in the data acquistion and chassis and engine tuning aspects on race day. Her ability to communicate what the kart is doing has proved to be a very valuable talent that she continues to hone.

What does the future hold?
Laura's long term goal is to become a professional race driver. Right now she is gathering the experience to achieve that goal. Flexibility and real world racing experience will be the keys to open whatever doors may come her way, be it in open wheel formula cars, caged midgets or sprints or fendered "stock cars". The road course racing experiences of karting and the positive team related experiences gained working with TeamMMI will prove invaluable in achieving this goal. Education will also be a major part of Laura's future with planned studies in engineering and mechanics.

Other Hobbies:
Laura enjoys music and plays trumpet in her school's concert and jazz bands. Electric guitar lessons are in her immediate future to further her musical growth. An avid basketball fan, Laura follows the local Sacramento Kings NBA team, attending games whenever possible. As might be expected, she follows numerous forms of racing including Nextel Cup and Formula 1; Laura also enjoys playing video game versions of these racing series.