Christian Bird Wins TFT Up and Comer Award
information provided by Team Full Throttle, 704.664.1755

An influential driver development program based in Mooresville, NC, has named 16-year-old Colorado racecar driver Christian Bird as its "Up-and-Comer" award recipient for the 2009 season.

Team Full Throttle, the only driver development program with a direct pipeline to the NASCAR community, signed Bird as one of its racing talents last summer. Just six months later, organization CEO Tom Baker selected the high school sophomore to receive the honor at TFT's year-end awards banquet.

"The Up-and-Comer Award represents a first-year TFT racer who not only demonstrated outstanding performance on the track, but also excelled within the program and displayed the necessary dedication to his craft to position himself for future success," Baker said. "Christian is leading his team's marketing efforts, excelling within our curriculum, and showing tremendous initiative and work ethic in his racing and in the classroom."

Bird said he was honored to receive the award, which he equated to winning a Rookie of the Year title in a racing series. "I've been utilizing all the tools and training that Team Full Throttle has to offer to their maximum - the books, the coaching calls, and all the resources. This was like an achievement award for the things I've done at TFT."

While Christian has been honing marketable skills like focus, leadership and communication with Coach Baker's guidance, he's also been building an impressive racing resume. After winning two state championships in TAG karts and advancing to shifter karts in 2009, Bird ran his first Legends car race last weekend on the road course of the renown Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was heading for a top-ten finish before a mechanical problem ended his strong run. "The Legends car was really fun. It was definitely the most fun I've ever had in a racecar and I would like to thank Kyle Beattie Racing for the opportunity."

Bird will continue to run Legends cars this year in the Southeast, while still competing in go-karts in Colorado for A.J. Noud and Rocky Mountain Wood Source. Like many young drivers moving up the racing ranks, he has his sights set on NASCAR, where he would like to follow in the footsteps of his favorite driver, four-time Cup Champion Jeff Gordon. "I like his driving style because it's smooth and calm. I also like the way he carries himself off the track. I really strive to model that behavior."

As Team Full Throttle's 2009 Up-and-Comer award winner, Bird seems well-equipped to follow in his NASCAR idol's footsteps. "Christian has what we look for in a racer - the type of drive and mental focus that facilitates growth and success," said Coach Baker. "We're proud to have him in the program and we look forward to strong future with him."


About Christian Bird

Christian Bird is a 15-year-old racer from Grand Junction, Colorado. Currently racing G.P. Race Karts for A.J. Noud and Rocky Mountain Kartworks with support from Woodforce in two different series, Christian will also be racing Legends Cars in the Southeast in 2010.

Christian is a member of the Team Full Throttle NASCAR Driver Development Program, and represented by Team Full Throttle LLC of Mooresville, N.C. Visit his website at http://www.christianbirdracing.com.

Team Full Throttle

Team Full Throttle is a Mooresville, N.C., based personal development program that specializes in all areas of personal and professional development, including leadership, teamwork, and communications as well as marketing, promotion, and on-track driving skills. TFT's Motorsports program currently comprises over 30 racers who reside and race in all regions of the country.