Raphael Matos took the Formula Dodge National Championship Shootout to secure a funded seat for the 2003 season after outperforming seven other racers at Sebring International Raceway.

source: CART.com

The young Brazilian, who hopes someday to take the Champ Car World Series title like his hero Christiano da Matta, outpaced all rivals in every session of the intensive two-day event. Matos has only been in the United States for eight months, but is very clear in his goals as a racer.

"I will do the Formula Dodge National Championship next year, and hopefully I can then move up to the Barber Dodge Pro Series after that, and then on up into Atlantics and then Champ Cars," said an excited Matos.

Matos raced go-karts for eight years in his native Brazil, and then moved up into Formula Ford and Formula Vauxhall Junior competition, proving his worth along the way by taking the Winter Championship last season. The CART Ladder System, with a clear structure for upward movement for the drivers along with the opportunity to receive backing along the way, was a leading factor in his decision to head to the States.

"I decided to come up to the United States because I had heard about the CART ladder system, and I thought that was my best chance to make it," he said. "I don't come from a family that has a lot of money, but I want to become a professional race car driver, and I think this Skip Barber system is my best chance to do that. Winning here makes me feel like I made the right decision, since now I am in the system, and have the chance to prove myself and move up the ladder."