GETTING OFF TO A FAST START : INDY CAR ENTHUSIAST SHAN GROFF HAS BIG HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.Byline: Eric Sondheimer Daily News Deputy Sports Editor Noun 1. sports editor - the newspaper editor responsible for sports news newspaper editor - the editor of a newspaper Maybe it's the fun of getting splattered splat·ter v. splat·tered, splat·ter·ing, splat·ters v.tr. To spatter (something), especially to soil with splashes of liquid. v.intr. with oil. Maybe it's the thrill of experiencing pure speed and acceleration. Maybe it's the excitement of matching his driving skills against the best. Whatever the reason, Shan Groff cherishes every second of his life in the racing business. At only 18, he's moving full speed ahead as he seeks to race Indy Cars one day. On April 14, Groff will be the youngest driver competing in the Indy Lights The Indy Lights was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for CART from 1986 to 2001. Founded in 1986 as the American Racing Series (ARS), the series was renamed Indy Lights in 1991. race at the Long Beach Grand Prix
The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is the premier circuit in the Champ Car World Series. It is an open-wheel race held on a temporary road course in Long Beach, California. . ``I've been waiting for this,'' he said. ``I finally got a chance.'' Two years ago, Groff received his General Equivalency Diploma and left Cleveland High School in Reseda during his junior year to focus on racing full-time. As the cousin of Indy Car racers Mike and Robbie Groff, Shanhas known racing was in his blood since he was old enough to walk. ``I've pretty much grown up around it,'' he said. ``It's something I've always dreamed of. It's a hobby I've grown to love and enjoy. It's the career I want to do for the rest of my life.'' He started racing go-karts at Saugus Speedway as a 13-year-old. He won the Grand National championship in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of at 15. In recent years, he has raced Mazdas in the Russell Pro Series and Opels in the European Series. Then Team Leisy-McCormack Racing signed him to race its Indy Lights car. It's a big step up and a challenge for which Groff believes he's ready. ``Not too many people get to race this class at age 18,'' he said. ``I know I have the ability. I have the talent. I've done nothing but get physically and mentally prepared for this the last two years.'' Car owner Jack McCormack said he was impressed after seeing Groff test the car for the first time last week in Willow Springs. ``Shan is a young fellow, but he's very mature in his way of thinking and the way he handles himself,'' he said. ``He's never been in a car this big with this much horsepower. He went out and put on 100 miles and he's already faster than probably 10 of the guys running now. He knows what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. and isn't flustered flus·ter tr. & intr.v. flus·tered, flus·ter·ing, flus·ters To make or become nervous or upset. n. A state of agitation, confusion, or excitement. when he gets out of the car.'' Groff, 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds, has never taken over a car that runs so fast. All the Indy Lights are identical flat-bottomed Lola T93-20 race cars powered by non-turbocharged V-6 engines that race up to 185 mph. Groff's car is scheduled to compete in only three races on the 12-event Indy Lights tour, with the rest of the time spent on testing. Next year, he'll compete full-time as a rookie with a new car. ``Driving at those speeds is really hard and getting used to it all comes with testing,'' he said. ``It's a bigger car than I've ever driven. It's a lot heavier, a lot more horsepower, and getting used to it is a big factor.'' Groff knows there will be ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits ahead, but he's committed to succeeding in the sport. ``All my life, I've been waiting for this chance,'' he said, ``and it's finally coming round.'' THE GROFF FILE Age: 18. Residence: Reseda. Racing achievements: Grand National champion in karting karting Driving and racing miniature, skeleton-frame, rear-engine automobiles called karts or GoKarts. The sport originated in the U.S. in the 1950s after the first kart had been assembled from unwanted lawn-mower parts. (1993); Russell Pro Series Rookie of the Year Rookie of the Year may refer to:
Family connection: Cousin of Indy Car drivers Mike and Robbie Groff. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box Photo: Shan Groff, 18, of Reseda will be the youngestracer competing in the Indy Lights race at the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 14. Tom Mendoza / Daily News Box: THE GROFF FILE (see text) |
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