MARCH 14, 2005, Willow Springs International Raceway -- This year's field for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, April 9th in conjunction with the TGPLB, trained at Willow Springs International Raceway these past two weeks. Spirits were high and the competitive juices were flowing as this year's participants went through the intense four-day training process to prepare for the big race. Danny McKeever and his FAST LANE team led the instruction and covered everything from proper seating position to cornering techniques to flags and passing.
"It can be extremely challenging to get a group like this and prepare each and every one of them to go racing," explains McKeever. "But we make that extra effort to work with each participant to not only reach, but to exceed their personal limits and have fun. It's our job to make them look good."
All of the Celebrities and Pros will get their first look at the 1.97-mile Long Beach course at the annual Press Day function. The FAST LANE staff will get this one day to bring these drivers "up to speed" on running a Street Circuit, where (unlike Willow Springs), the track is surrounded by cement walls and barriers. The race itself will take place on April 9th where we will see first hand who will be able to claim the race win and bragging rights until next year!!
“Pros” Ryan Arciero and Rys Millen had a blast racing around in their race-prepared Celicas
Olympic swimmer, Aaron Pearsol and 2004 Race Champion, Chris McDonald observe Meat Loaf's line off the skid pad.
Danny McKeever shares "speed secrets" with Olympian Aaron Peirsol and NBA icon Karl Malone.
The class of 2005 takes instruction before they go out on track at Willow Springs
Dan McKeever explains cornering techniques to Patrick Dempsey
Olympic swimmers, Aaron Pearsol and Amanda Beard, bring their competitive spirit to the race track.
Retired NBA basketball star Karl Malone takes a little break between lapping sessions
Extreme Makeover, Home Edition’s Paige Hemmis with media as she gears up for “practice starts”
Toyota dealer, Mike Sullivan, knows a thing or two about his Celica race car
