Novato teen Novich (and Rotax Racer) driving for success on Volkswagen Jetta tour

While many of his peers were playing tag, eating bugs, or doing other things 10-year-olds do, Novato's Andrew Novich was busy falling in love.

"One day, when I think was about 10, a couple of buddies and I were bored, and we decided we should build a go-kart," Novich said. "We went online and found an old go-kart frame. It was like a little kit. Once we built it, we were riding around the street, and, because of all the noise it made, our neighbors didn't like it too much, so Infineon Raceway was the natural choice because it was closest track. We went there once, and I've basically been going back ever since, almost every weekend."

He had his first race there a few months later and quickly became a racing enthusiast. After spending the next few years running go-karts, Novich decided to make the move up to racing real cars and was selected to race in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, a single make racing series that attracts drivers from all across the country. The series features 10 races that will take the 16-year-old from New Jersey to Utah and beyond.

Though it will be a big step up, Novich's coach Gord Bentley believes that his pupil's maturity will guide him to a successful season and an exciting future.

"I've coached thousands of drivers, and with 16-year olds you always deal with the parents," Bentley said. "Andrew is the first one who phoned me up himself, and dealt with everything. He had it all organized, which was very, very impressive. He is definitely one of the most mature 16-year-olds I've ever met. There's many drivers out there with lots of talent but don't have the smarts, and Andrew has both. I have a lot of hope for Andrew."

Through the first four races of the season, Andrew picked up a pair of 10th-place finishes, and a 15th and a 25th, which places him 15th out of 25 - not bad for a driver who is just making the jump from go-karts to full-size cars.

"Car racing and karting are two very different worlds," Bentley said. "If you try to bring the karting mentality into car racing you will struggle, but he is learning to separate the two."

As serious as Novich is about racing, he approaches classwork with the same dedication. Though he spends countless hours on the track and on driving simulators, Novich has found time to earn a 4.5 grad-point average from Petaluma's St. Vincent High.

"I just try to apply the same focus that I have in my racing to my schoolwork," Novich said. "When you get to the track, you know exactly what you have to do. It's a fairly rigid set of rules to achieve what you want. It's the same thing with school. As long as you do you your work, apply yourself, pay attention in class, and take good notes, you are going to do well in the class."

Though he hopes to become a professional driver, Novich knows that he needs a backup plan, and his coach remembers a time where he showed his dedication to his studies.

"One of the things that impressed me the most about him, happened while we all getting ready for a race," Bentley said. "In between sessions, he sat in the hospitality tent where everyone was socializing and studied for his finals. He's very smart, and I don't say that about a lot 16-year-old drivers I work with. Andrew has his fun and we all have a great time together, but he also has a very serious side to him."

While auto racing seems like a truly individual sports, the humble driver, maintains that working with his teammates has been the most special part of his young career.

"Driving for a team has been the best thing that has ever happened to me in racing," Novich said. "Just working with teammates and sharing notes, it's the sort of teamwork and camaraderie that you get when you are hanging out every weekend with your teammates. Working with others has really helpful, even at school, because it has helped me get along with people better."

While the cars, the tracks, and the teammates will change, Novich's strength of character, tireless effort and love for auto racing will not. And, though the road will be windy, you can bet that he will race it straight, fast and with everything he's got.

JETTA RACING

Novato's Andrew Novich is a driver on the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series.

The series: All the drivers run identical Jettas, running on TDI clean diesel. There are 25 drivers in the series. The winner for each race receives $1,000. After four races, 17-year old Timmy Megenbier of Melrose Park, Ill. is the leader with 140 points. Novich is in 15th with 35.

Next race: July 26 at the Autobahn Country Club in Chicago.

Daniel Alvarez/Marin IJ

Posted on June 25, 2009 7:32 AM