ERIC FILGUEIRAS
Eric Filgueiras was born in Cocoa Beach, Florida on January 21, 1994 even as a small boy he has always had an interest with toy cars and things he could ride on. At the age of 3 his father took him to a Target Store where Target- Chip Ganassi had a car on display, he was allowed to sit in the cart and it was extremely hard to get him out of it. His dad took him to the Cart races at Homestead Miami Speedway where he met some race car drivers such as Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi, Mario and Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Chip Ganassi. Even at this early stage he was mesmerized with the cars, the track and all the excitement that surrounded the event.
That same year he would sit and watch any kind of racing events and took interest in car racing, sprint cars, dirt bike racing anything with wheels! And has a passion for Hot Wheel Cars. The following year they went back to Spring Training where he met and started talking to Jimmy Vasser, who allowed him to sit in his actual cart. Al Unser Jr. and Mario Andretti told him and his father that if he liked it that a go kart was the way to start. At the age of four years and 8 months his father purchased a Top kart with a 50cc Comer engine that could do about 35 miles per hour. He started practicing at Homestead Miami Speedway parking lot and advanced to go kart tracks and local club races and became a member of World Karting Association. His first year of racing he received second place in the Florida Championship series that was held in Sarasota, Florida. He also won the local club series in Miami for his division.
The local channel 10 did a segment on go karts and interviewed him about how race car drives start racing karts at a young age He also did a spot for Digital Cafe where they highlighted him taking off in his cart, he even had a small speaking role!
Eric has really blossomed over the years, his driving skills are safe, his lines are smooth and he is very smart on the racetrack. He has now captured numerous trophies and was 2000 & 2001 Kid Kart Champion of the George Kugler Manufacturers Cup Series included National and Regional events. At each event he has either Won or placed second. He has inducted in Race Rock Supercharge Cafe in Orlando Florida, were he had the kart, uniform and National trophies in display for the world to see, He was among the great racers of CART, NASCAR, INDY, MOTORCYCLE and N.H.R.A drivers in till the place closed down after 11 years in business. Now the same display is in the lobby of Homestead-Miami Speedway for anyone that visits the offices of the speedway. He also has a display on a McDonalds in West Palm Beach Florida.
He has captured the interest of many people in the racing world; He is driving a Jr Rotax and Easykart 100cc. This class is ages 13-15. Miami Channel 4 did an exclusive documentary on Eric that showed how a young child is developing into a future racecar driver, which aired Saturday June 16, 2000 and was again shown on Sunday June 17, 2000 with Jim Barry on the sports segment. Eric also has appeared in the WKA magazine on his wins and also been Pitts advertisements, He has also been is the Florida Today and local area newspaper he is very photogenic and has the racer's charisma for attracting the media towards him.
Eric has Won 4 National Titles 3 Regionals and 1 Grand National in different classes and he had 33 consecutive podiums in 2 ½ years.
Eric will be on a CRG KT1 from SSC East/ F1 Boston in his new Rotax Jr Kart the rest of the sponsors are Ocean Potion, Impact racing (a Bill Simpson company), Easykart of America, Alfano & MG Tires (Wagner and Luis), Ribtect (Robby), NGK plugs, Paul Booth with Performance Drink and Homestead-Miami Speedway as product sponsors which has really helped out, Here is a young man that wants to be an open wheel Indy & Grand-Am, Koni or Nascar driver, this is his goal and his dream. Imagine a young boy who already knows what he wants to do with his life!
And were proud to call him our son and you will be too!