Jordan Taylor Jordan also made his Rolex Series debut in a Porsche at this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. (LAT photo) » More Photos

“I think everybody has to start in karting, and Stars of Karting is definitely the most competitive karting in North America and the best place to make a start,” Ricky Taylor said. “It’s got a long history, a lot of competition, different classes, and I think it’s just a great starting place. The whole karting thing really taught me about car control and what it takes to do well, and pass, and race, in general. It’s that foundation and learning the basics of racing there that has helped me so much.”

“It was a great formula to start my career,” Jordan Taylor said. “Basically, you start from the basics as a Cadet, and it teaches you all the fundamentals to make your way to the top class of karting. And then, that championship pushes you into the next system, which is Skip Barber or another small formula. So I think Stars of Karting is a great starting position on the ladder for young drivers. It’s definitely the most competitive championship in North America for karting. It brings teams and drivers from all over the world and they go to the best facilities in America. More than any other championship, it has more drivers and the level of the drivers is so much higher. The experience was priceless.”

Another youngster, 14-year-old Spencer Pigot, is in his fourth year of racing in the Stars of Karting series. He has driven his SunTrust-sponsored kart to four wins and five other podium finishes in the last two years in both Stars of Karting and World Karting Association competition.

Like the Taylor brothers who are paving the way up the racing ladder that lies ahead, Pigot is a proud supporter of the Stars of Karting series and has his sites set firmly on reaching the top levels of the sport.

“I think it’s a really good series. It’s all the best karters in North America. I think it’s the most competitive series in the country,” said Pigot, who won the WKA National Championship in 2006. “I think it’s the most organized series and it’s just grown and grown and has gotten good sponsors like Snap-On and SunTrust and they’ve liked what they’ve seen, as well. Some day, I’d like to race Indy cars or, obviously, Grand-Am would be really cool, too. I think the Stars of Karting is a great place to learn what I’m going to need to get to the next level.”

While it’s no secret most young karters like Pigot have aspirations to drive open-wheel someday, Ricky Taylor would advise at least some of them to recognize the future that lies ahead in a series like the Rolex Series.

“It seems like everybody wants to go open wheel,” he said. “But they’re forgetting about Grand-Am and the Rolex Series and how quickly it’s growing, and I think a lot of people could have a future there.”

Jordan Taylor echoes those sentiments as he considers his future.

“I’m really happy with where I’ve gotten so far,” Jordan Taylor said. “From here, I’d definitely like to keep racing prototypes and, hopefully, do at least some of the things my dad has done. I’d love to do Le Mans and all the major endurance races in sports cars, and my main goal is the top prototype championship.”

Those who know these young gentlemen most certainly will not doubt their ability to reach their goals.

-Laz Denes