Teen speeds past pro at Daytona fundraiser in Millville

Millville NJ (February 17, 2010) -

There's a new top driver at New Jersey Motorsports Park. And he's only 15 years old.The park held its annual Daytona 500 fundraiser party Sunday. Participants enjoyed a buffet lunch, watched the race on a big screen and got a chance to race against professional Grand-Am driver David Donohue on a simulator that let competitors experience what the Daytona International Speedway course is like.Donohue, a member of the Millville park's Drivers Club, won last year's 24 Hours of Daytona Grand-Am race.During last year's Daytona 500 fundraiser, he beat all challengers on the simulator. But this time, his best lap of 1:46.164 was bested by 15-year-old Kyle Knight, who drove his lap less than 1.5 seconds faster.Donohue, who competes with the Brumos Porsche racing team, said he's only driven the simulator a few times. He a good sport about the competition and the good-natured ribbing he took from the participants."It's all just for fun," Donohue said. "If they want to try it for real, let them."Knight, a resident of Jamison, Pa., has had some experience with simulators but was humble about his victory."If he had more practice time with the simulator he would have done better," Knight said of Donohue before acknowledging he probably would tell a few of his friends about his accomplishment.The top 10 finishers in the simulator will face last year's top 10 in a karting race this spring at the park's F1 New Jersey track.Park spokesman Don Fauerbach said more than 100 people came to the park Sunday to watch the NASCAR race on television.Proceed will benefit the park's Green Flag Committee, which has donated $5,000 to local charities in each of the past two years.The park raised more than $3,000 at last year's Daytona event, and Fauerbach said organizers hoped to match that amount Sunday. Every time there was a caution flag during the race, spectators donated money into a helmet that was passed around.

Daily Journal Feb. 15th 2010