Racetrack Begins Mentorship Program

Thunderhill Raceway apparently believes in the "buddy system".

The race track in Kyle has launched a new mentorship program that pairs veteran drivers with less experienced ones.  THR Owner Mary Ann Naumann hopes the program helps drivers feel more comfortable at the track.  She plans on pairing all 15 drivers in the TSRS Allison Legacy Series with a Late Model Series mentor.

"These drivers are already serious," said Naumann.  "Then they get this driver with a little more experience in bigger type cars and it's exciting because these kids are wanting to learn."

Jake Kruger, a seasoned 15 year old driver from Bastrop, is currently showing 12 year old Jake Wright the ropes.  Wright has been racing since he was five, but is new to the Allison Legacy Series.

"I'm definitely lucky," said Wright. "I know he's a good driver and he'll teach me a lot of things.  He taught me how the line works here and how to shift and all that because I'm new."

Kruger - the 2008 TSRS Rookie of the Year - seems to be getting a lot out of the new partnership as well.

"I've been racing a long time," Kruger said.  "It's always nice to go out there and share what I know with little kids to get them going!  Racing's one big family.  We're all here to help each other.  There are some rivalries, but in the end we're just a big family."

For more on Thunderhill Raceway: www.thunderhillraceway.com