06-07-05
THE RED BULL DRIVER SEARCH ANNOUNCES THE 2005 CHRIS ECONOMAKI JUNIOR JOURNALISM AWARD HONOREES
New York City New York — Racing is not for everyone. Rather than experience the awe-inspiring speed, the physically exhausting G-forces, and pure adrenaline rush of piloting an 850 horsepower Formula 1 car firsthand, some enthusiasts would rather just dream about it. Still others prefer to write about it—to share and communicate the thrill and excitement of F1.
Three young writers will soon have a lot to communicate as they will be honored as recipients of the 2005 Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award and will be guests of the Red Bull Driver Search at the United States Grand Prix later this month.
Just as the Red Bull Driver Search seeks to fill the void of American presence at the pinnacle of motorsport—Formula 1—the Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award was created to recognize talent of another variety: excellence in the reportage of motorsport.
Chris Economaki, the Dean of Motorsports Journalism, participated in the selection of the three finalists from among the many submitted entries. This year’s honorees in alphabetical order are Kyle Connelly, Tony DiZinno and Greg Wood, and each will receive a prestigious trophy, and a trip for two to the United States Grand Prix race weekend in Indianapolis 17-19 June, 2005. These aspiring journalists come from diverse backgrounds and locales, and each has a unique story to tell.
Kyle Connelly, 17, from Shelby Township, MI, wrote a two-page spread in his high school newspaper detailing the Red Bull Driver Search, as well as articles about the technical side of Formula 1, past American drivers, and the amazing talent of Scott Speed, a Driver Search alumni and current Red Bull Junior Team member.
This honor is particularly special to Connelly, who struggled with pen and pad in the past but enrolled in special classes to improve his writing. His efforts have been rewarded. Not only will he been honored with the Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award, but next year will become the Editor-in-Chief of his school paper, the Utica High School Arrow.
Despite his youthful 15 years, Tony DiZinno from Glendale, AZ already has nine years of racing fandom under his belt. For the past few years, he has been writing about racing, but has had difficulty focusing this talent until he heard about the Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award. This challenge led him to write about Red Bull Driver Search, and his article was ultimately published on automobilemag.com, the online version of the venerable Automobile Magazine.
Greg Woods, 16, hails from Newton, IA. He learned of the Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award through his mother’s work colleague, himself an avid F1 fan. In addition to writing an article for his school paper, the Newton Senior High School Cardinal Chronicle, Woods was interviewed for a local radio station’s “Inside Racing in Central Iowa” program. He provided an in-depth review of the Red Bull Driver Search and demonstrated a thorough knowledge of Formula 1, despite living in what he describes as a “NASCAR” town. Woods’ wants to become an F1 journalist, and receiving this honor will certainly put him on the right path to realizing his goal.
Woods along with Connelly and DiZinno, have each gained valuable experience in this endeavor. They have each displayed exemplary writing and reporting skill, maturity in their thought process, and show great potential for a future in the field of motorsport journalism.
Chris Economaki Junior Journalism Award: www.maxim-online.com/jja or Red Bull Driver Search Website: www.redbulldriversearch.com.
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