After receiving invitations from a number of Fran-Am teams, 14-year-old karting sensation Brad Coleman has elected to sign with World Speed Motorsports. Located at Infineon Raceway in California’s wine country, the World Speed team will prepare the Houston, Texas native to compete in the 2003 West Coast Fran-Am 1600 Championships, and ultimately the Fran-Am 1600 Series Championships at the end of the season. Coleman first tested with World Speed at Button Willow Raceway in December, impressing all of those in attendance, including Fran-Am race veteran and driver coach Michael McDowell; “I was a little surprised to see a 14-year-old kid jump in a Fran-Am race car for the first time and do so well. His final times were only a tenth or two off of mine and I was one of the Top 3 drivers in the series last year!”
World Speed President Telo Stewart said “Brad is the youngest driver I have ever put in a race car and by far the youngest I have ever signed to a professional contract. He has the skills, work ethic, and personality to be that young American driver we all want to send to F1 someday. I have complete confidence in what he will be able to accomplish this season and in his career.” When asked about the Fran-Am 1600 car, young Coleman stated, “I felt one with the car from the moment I sat in the seat. The car has a great feel and the team helped me get up to speed quickly. I am really excited about being a part of the World Speed team and contesting the Fran-Am series this season.”
Both Coleman and Junior National Champion Alan Sciuto were awarded their test with World Speed at the SKUSA Super National Karting Championships in Las Vegas in November. The Fran-Am Series announced late in 2002 that they would allow 14-year-old drivers to compete in the1600 Series beginning in 2003, and World Speed is committed to signing the best young drivers available. “It is our goal to become the premium team for developing the best young drivers that the United States has to offer,” said Stewart. “We are proud to have a quality young man like Brad leading the way in our young driver program and expect to have him up front this year. He truly is one of America’s young open-wheel hopefuls.”