Vicki O'Connor scholarship announced

LYN ST. JAMES DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF CHAMP CAR ATLANTIC'S VICKI O'CONNOR

O'Connor instrumental in open-wheel driver development

INDIANAPOLIS (July 27, 2007) -- The Champ Car World Series in collaboration with Lyn St. James announced yesterday, at the Women in the Winner's Circle luncheon, the inception of the Champ Car Vicki O'Connor scholarship. The scholarship, named in honor of the Managing Director of the Cooper Tires Presents The Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, will be awarded to a female driver who will have the chance to attend the Lyn St. James Driver Development Program this November.

"We wanted to honor Vicki's success in the world of racing," said Lyn St. James. "She has been such a leader and inspiration to all of women in motorsports by her dedication and professionalism and she has given so much to racing. Honoring her with this scholarship is a way for the racing world to say thank you for all she has done, not just for women in racing but for all of motorsport."

O'Connor is in her 22nd year at the helm of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship this season. As part of the 34-year-old series, which is known as the premier open-wheel development series in North America, O'Connor has helped develop the careers of some of the most talented drivers in all of motorsports, including Graham Rahal, Jacques Villeneuve, Simon Pagenaud, Patrick Carpentier, Alex Tagliani and female drivers Danica Patrick and Katherine Legge.

"I was extremely honored and surprised by the announcement that a scholarship has been named after me," O'Connor said. "I have been fortunate to be associated with many talented women throughout my career in motorsports, including Lyn, and many of these women have also been integral in the tremendous success of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship over the years. It would be terrific if the woman who wins this year's scholarship eventually finds her way to Atlantic."

The Lyn St. James Driver Development Program focuses on, not only the driving of race cars, but on career and life enhancing areas such as mental and physical preparation and readiness, specialized fitness training, public speaking and media training, seminars on the business of racing and chassis set-up and vehicle dynamics. The program is designed to provide young race car drivers with the necessary tools to prepare a career in motorsports.

-credit: ccws