RACE 101 kicks off third year announcing diverse group of students; New ‘Premier Driver’ to be named at inaugural Gala Awards Dinner

January 10, 2012, DENVER, NORTH CAROLINA – The inaugural RACE 101 Gala  Awards Dinner in February will feature graduation ceremonies for the class of 2011 along with the introduction of the 2012 class. Graduates are eager to learn who earned the vacant ride in the school’s Howe super late model with the title of Premier Driver.

Thirteen students completed the course in 2011, and they are being replaced by 18 eager racers from five states and two Canadian provinces.

“The selection process was harder this year than ever,” said RACE 101 co-founder and instructor Tony Blanchard. “We had more applicants than last year, and the overall quality of their resumes is impressive.”

RACE 101 welcomes its oldest student yet as 28-year-old Scott Wylie from Blasdell, New York, accepted his scholarship offer, and four female racers make this year’s group more diverse than years past.

“This will definitely be a competitive group,” said co-founder and instructor Anna Marie Strawhand. “We’ve all met online, and their enthusiasm to get started is overwhelming. I look forward to meeting them at our February class.”

The second weekend in February marks the first time two full classes converge. New students will spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday learning while graduating students will arrive Saturday for the Gala Dinner and Graduation.

“We want an event that celebrates what we are,” said co-founder and instructor Adam Ross. “Our goal is for every class to network together. The program is one year, but we have made life-long friends. We’re so proud of the racers we’ve had the opportunity to work with. We’re excited for this event.”

The Gala Dinner will showcase various award recipients, and it will also feature a surprise announcement or two.

 “We welcome anyone interested in knowing more about the program to attend the Gala Dinner,” said Blanchard. “Tickets are $25, and you can find information at race101.net. Tickets are only available in advance.”

Graduating students include: Daniel Alvarez - Chappells, South Carolina; Brandon Atkinson – Statesville, North Carolina; Sulo Burbank – Gorham, Maine; Sarah Cornett-Ching – Summerland, British Columbia; Mike Mahaney – King Ferry, New York; Bryce Malcolm – Simpsonville, South Carolina; Anthony Perez – Suffolk, Virginia; Shayne Pierce – Welland, Ontario; Derek Robbie – Bellingham, Massachusetts; Trevor Sanborn - Limerick, ME; Tommy Stilphen- Kennebunk, ME; Jerry Tunney – Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania; and Luke Whitteker – Iroquois, Ontario.

The new class features: Shane Billings – Carleton Place, Ontario; Jordan Gahan – Fredericton, New Brunswick; Ian Isringhausen – Mooresville, North Carolina; Trey Jarrell – Martinsville, Virginia; Kase Kallenbach – Charlotte, North Carolina; Katelyn Kane – Syracuse, New York; Zach Knowles -  Mooresville, North Carolina; Kameron Kocarik – Fonthill, Ontario; Austin Kochenash – Danielsville, Pennsylvania; John Lowinski – Milford, Massachusetts; Garrett Marchant – Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; Ryan Morris – Honeybrook, Pennsylvania; Tabatha Murphy – Prescott, Ontario; Casey Pierce – Lenoir, North Carolina; Steven Shaw – Merlin, Ontario; Caley Weese – Carrying Place, Ontario; April Wilson – Joyceville, Ontario; and Scott Wylie – Blasdell, New York.

The Gala Dinner and Graduation will be streamed live online at www.race101.net , and the ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th.

For more information on RACE 101 or Gala tickets visit www.race101.net . Information on our students can be found on the website. For interview or ticket requests, or for any information not found on the website please send inquiries to pr101@race101.net .

Photo: The Class of 2011 poses in front of the RACE 101 Shop/School during classes held last November, in Denver ,NC. This class will be graduating on February 11^th 2012 at The RACE 101 Gala Awards Dinner. The event will be streamed live via Race101.net  that evening and showcase various award recipients, including the naming of the Premier Driver, as well as introduce the new students. (Photo By Pam Russ)