Formula Vee Driver, Kim Madrid, Leads the Points Race in VARA
- 19 Sept 2012
Beginning her racing career in 1997, Madrid jumped on board with the Vintage Auto Racing Association (VARA) in 2004, where she would begin a stint racing in the Formula Vee cars. To date, the driver is still running in the same class, and has performed well, to say the least. In fact, she is leading the points race thus far in the 2012 season. "This year has been very close races," recalled Madrid. "Wins by like .019 of a second ahead of Bob Hale." When asked if there was one race this season in particular that she found of utmost importance the driver continued, "I finally won the 'Victory Lane Formula Vee Challenge' race. I have always gotten second place, but this year, I drove like a crazy woman and pulled it off. It was for over-all in the vintage class, and first in my class."
"There are four classes," she continued. FV, FV1, FV2, and FV3. I run in the largest group, FV1. Our class is a spec class, so all of the Vees (cars) are pretty much the same. My Vee is a 1972 Caldwell D-13. We all run a 1200 cubic-inch VW engine with the stock manifold, along with the original 28 PCI carburetor. The Vees may not be the fastest race cars out there, but we always put on the best show; especially my competition, Bob Hatie and my son, Chris Quinteros." When asked what separated her from her competitors, Madrid said, "Number one is that I am a woman, and I am very competitive. I am usually a front-runner, unless something mechanical happens. Also, my Vee is Hot pink, and I wear a pink Mohawk." Speaking of mechanical issues, not only has Kim Madrid made a name for herself in the Formula Vee world, but she also is a pretty good hand at turning wrenches. "I do most of my own mechanical work," shared Madrid. "My engine builder is Quixote-Dietmar Bauerle. He is the best. He kind of took me under his wing and taught me a lot." With a good understanding of the mechanics of combustible engines, Kim Madrid is aware of the importance of keeping her race car perfectly maintained. That in mind, she is a strong advocate of using K&N products to keep her engine free of debris. "Maintenance is the key to having 2 DNF's in the past five years," she explained. "I am always making sure that my car is fully prepped to my ability. I use the K&N air and oil filters, along with the breather filters," continued Madrid. "K&N products are awesome; especially their air filters. One time I was racing out at Chuckwalla Raceway, and the sand was blowing so bad that you could not see twenty feet in front of you. When I removed my air filter, there was no sand or dirt in my carburetor at all." Referring to her satisfaction with the outcome of the 2012 season thus far, Kim Madrid said, "I seem to better my times at each track, when I thought I was already at the max I could go." Looking ahead she continued, "In April, 2013, my son and I are going to be participating in the 50th birthday Party of Formula Vee. This event will be at Roebling Road in Georgia. We are going as a mother/son team (the only mother/son team scheduled to attend the event). This is a SCCA sanctioned event, and there will be over one-hundred-fifty formula Vees. Dietmar, our engine builder is going also. My son, Chris, and I will be towing the Vees back there. I am thrilled that we were even asked to participate in this event."
When asked what draws her back to racing year after year, the driver said, "I love the rush! Each race is thirty-minutes or more, and it is like nothing else exists except for winning that race. It is my escape from reality! I think that since I have now earned the respect of all drivers on the track that makes me feel real good also." In closing Kim Madrid said, "My team is my family, and if I did not have them backing me one-hundred-percent, I would never be where I am today. My husband knows how important racing is to me, and never puts restrictions on me. My fans can expect me to keep racing as long as possible and winning, or at least putting on a great show of wheel-to-wheel racing." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
