The Formula Automobile Racing Association (FARA) hit the track at Homestead Miami Speedway recently with the first in a series of races going into 2013. FARA sponsored the Inaugural International 500K Road Race to the gratitude of thousands of fans who watched 50 professional racing teams from all over the world compete on a picture-perfect day.
President Tico Almeida founded 7-yearold FARA to bring together international professionals and gentleman racers, primarily from Latin America, to showcase their talent in South Florida.
“As a former professional international racer and promoter I understand the formula to create a spectacular event for the public to enjoy,” Almeida said. “Miami is the gateway to Latin America and we have had great representation from the Americas at our events as well as racers from the United States like Jeff Segal, Dave Heinz and Bill Lester.”
The overall winner of the 500K was Shane Lewis of the American Le Mans Series. After sealing his victory at the Homestead Miami Speedway 500K, Lewis went on to win the first endurance race of the 2013 season, the Dunlop 24-Hour Race in Dubai.
“We had a beautiful and memorable 500K event to get the season started,” Almeida said. “We couldn’t have made it happen without major sponsor Kendall Hyundai.”
Steve Gutstein, general manager of Kendall Hyundai, and his team were out on race day welcoming guests and assisting with logistics. The 2-year-old community- oriented dealership invited honorary guest and young cancer survivor 7-yearold Evangeline Nieves of Cutler Bay and her family.
“We were proud to be FARA’s main sponsor and look forward to future events,” Gutstein said. “The most memorable part of the day for me was seeing the smiles on Evangeline and her sister Antonella’s faces. What makes FARA different from your traditional racing associations is they really promote a familyfriendly atmosphere.”
The Nieves family took the first lap in one of the two Kendall Hyundai Pace Cars on site, the 2013 Genesis Coupe two-door Sports Car Track Model six-cylinder with more than 300 horsepower. The Veloster Sensation three-door non hatchback also was on the track for the opening race day series.
FARA assistant director Alberto de las Casas said the racing season began firing on all cylinders and it only will get more entertaining as the tours continue at Homestead Miami Speedway.
“The Winter Tour Race is coming up now on Feb. 23 and 24,” de las Casas said. “It is the PANAM GP Series where we will have 20 Formula 3 cars from Latin America as they begin their championship in the U.S. and then go on to Central America, Mexico, and South America.”
For more information on FARA events visit www.farausa.com.
