John Karasaki

Hometown: Portland, OR

Age: 39

Family: Married - One son

Credit Card balance: Less after every race weekend.

Occupation: Occupation Senior Program/Project Manager

A decade of DE days, then some Spec Miata drivers (Ken Sutherland and John Portello) showed up at an Audi Club day and carved up turbo quattro cars with 3x the horsepower.

How long I've been racing: Since January '03

Favorite driver: Andrew Fernandez (NOT!). Actually Hans Stuck. Those guys with old Group B rally training are amazing. I also like Audi drivers Michael Galati and Randy Probst. Both great guys. I did some fast laps (the fastest I've been in my SM by about a second) with Probst on my tail during last Novermber's (2003) Audi club day.

What I like best about racing miatas: Close, fast racing in incredible handling sedans. It's less work to drive these things fast.

What other miata driver I most want to beat: Brian Clemens when he returns. Besides being a friend, he is a very consistent driver. Watch him on a cart or autocross track. The only thing standing between him and the podium is $$ for a top car.

Crew: Wife Liesl and son Rhys.

Sponsor: Rhys's college fund.