DRIVER OF THE YEAR   2007

Anyone remember  what it was like, as a child, sitting in the front seat of the family car, for the first time.  That was a real thrill. Remember your first bicycle? What a thrill.  How fast will it go?  Then you said to your friend, I will race you. Did you win?

All of us have a little bit of racer in us. Some carry the dream thru their whole life and get to live the dream.

One in this room has nurtured that dream and deserves our applause for an outstanding season. 

But first:

1979 was the start of  road racing adventure, and for 10 years he worked and sweated in Showroom Stock.

1989 was his first year in  a S20000, twelve years went by with a Cendiv crown finally in 02 and “03.

With a new car in 2005, and a great crew, was on the podium in each race – this was the warmup:

This year:  1^st at the Shootout National

                   4th at Gingerman

                    1^st  at May Blackhawk National with his 1^st pole

                              And a new track record

                   1^st at June Sprints

                   July Cat National: On the Pole led every lap to finish 1^st  even taking the flag from his rival Bart Wolf with a last lap dash. Here he won the coveted Victoria Secrets Award – which I profess ignorance.

This clinched the Cendiv Points race.

It is this 2007 season that brings to light what success is- this is the accomplishment that makes Driver of the Year.

At the Runoffs, this driver went out on Test Day, and two days later, he was running at the track record and figured he was ready for Qualifying.  He ran equal to his best time on the first day.  Day 2 was even better, 3^rd on the Grid.

It wasn’t all roses – he got a flat on Day 3 from debris.  By the end of Qualifying he was [posted 3^rd on the Grid for the race, his personal best.

Race Day: check weather – go over checklist – calm down – get to grid  - Pace Lap – is that oil on the on track from 1 thru 4

Well our driver was running with the leaders,  turning the same times.  At the end the leaders spin, but just get going and it’s a sprint down the straight.  Our driver comes in 4^th, but definitely will be there next year to  be on the podium. 

To triumph all season, and win the respect of all the others in his class, says it all.

Why we award Michael Bautz,  S2000 Champion of  Cendiv, Driver of the Year.