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In our first episode for season two we chat with Luca Mars.  As you'll read below, Luca is an accomplished racer and he is only a sophomore in high school!

Connect with Luca on Instagram & Facebook.

Luca talks about his recent announcement to race in the Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2022 and he's participating in the third edition of the HPD in the Acura GT3 for 2022.  He is just coming off a successful season in IMSA MX-5 Cup.  We talk being at the track and how karting can be the start to it all.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities with Luca contact Brett Mars at 412-310-0980

Special thanks to Dan Scholosser for helping to arrange this interview.  Anyone wanting to get into karting or get better at karting needs to connect with Dan. 

Luca's Racing Resume:
Karting History:
2012: Started karting in the Pitt Race Karting Series winning Kid Kart and Rookie Championships first two seasons. 

2014: Began Regional and National racing winning 26 of 31 races and scoring Championships with Pitt Race Karting Series, Great Lakes Sprint Series, USPKS and WKA. 

2015: Moved up to the Mini ranks continuing success with wins and Championships in Rotax US Nationals, Florida Winter Tour, USPKS, SKUSA Pro Tour, Rok Cup USA and WKA. 

2018: Granted the opportunity to move to Junior ranks a year early and produced results quickly winning Rok Cup USA, Florida Winter Tour, Rotax US Finals and SKUSA Winter Tour Championships. 

2020: Granted the opportunity to move to Senior early and in a single year of competition ranked First in the US with an average finishing position of 3.43 in major races with Seconds in Florida Winter Tour, SKUSA Winter Series and Pro Tour Championships. 

International Opportunities:
Earned invitations to represent Team USA at the Rok World Finals in Lonato, Italy 3 times with a best finish of 4th. 

Earned invitations to represent Team USA at the Rotax Grand Finals in Italy (2), Brazil and Portugal 4 times with a best finish of 6th. Have the unique distinction as the only American driver to achieve this at the Mini, Junior and Senior levels. 

Earned an invitation to be the sole Team USA representative at the CIK/FIA Academy Trophy Series in 2019 finishing 6th and 8th at events in Germany and Italy before an injury prevented competing in the Final event. 

Competed in additional International Events with the German DKM Kart Series and Italian ACI Karting Championship CIK Series with best finishes of 5th and 4th respectively.

2020 Car Racing Details: Lucas Oil School: 

Sebring Short Track & New Jersey Motorsports Park Thunderbolt – 2 Day Schools 

F2000 Testing Program – John Walko Racing:
Carolina Motorsports Park, Roebling Road, Pitt Race, Nelson Ledges – Private and Open Testing 

Formula Race Productions – F2000 Championship Series – John Walko Racing: Mid-Ohio (P2), Pitt Race (P2/P3), Road Atlanta 

SCCA Hoosier Super Tour – Formula Continental – John Walko Racing: Pitt Race (P2/P2) 

Great Lakes Championship Series – Formula Continental – John Walko Racing: 

Pitt Race (P1/P1) 

USF2000 – Testing:
Arms-Up Motorsports/Greg Borland - Road Ame

Thanks for listening and taking an interest in growing grassroots racing. The Late To Grid podcast shares the stories and inspiration that help listeners along their motorsports journey.

Find all episodes on the Atomic Autosports website.