David Kudrave

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Kudrave and his father would annually journey from their family home to the now defunct Ontario Motor Speedway where they would watch racing legends like Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, and others compete. He has described this experience by saying "Those drivers were thrill-seekers and I knew then that I wanted to get into it.[1]" This led Kudrave to begin racing at just 12 years old. He attended the Jim Russell British School of Motor Racing at 15 years old, lying about his age in order to be eligible for the program, but still beating the older attendees in most of the races that he participated in. He began competing in a racing series sponsored by Russell after finishing the program and then moved up to the Formula Ford Circuit, a class generally regarded as the most competitive amateur open-wheel class in the nation. Kudrave also attended the University of Southern California, majoring in Economics.

In 1985, Kudrave officially became a professional open-wheel race car driver by moving up to the Super Vee Series, which features cars with 200 horsepower engines. Just one year after he entered the series, he finished the season in sixth place. In 1987 he won three races, one pole position, and led for more laps and miles than any other competitor. He finished the series in second, just 20 points behind series champion Scott Atchinson.[2] His worst race finish that year was fourth place, and he was voted the series "Most Improved Driver". That year Kudrave was publicly praised by then Formula One driver Dan Gurney, who said "He's talented, no doubt about it."

• David Kudrave at CB Richard Ellis