19 Year old Kyle DeSouza is a racer’s racer. He’s dedicated and humble yet there’s an underlying confidence and aggresiveness in his tone that says “I can conquer this” and establish himself as a contender wherever he turns a wheel.
He’s been behind the wheel in organized competition since age 14.A native of Fairhaven Massachusetts,he considers Seekonk (MA) Speedway his home track. The famed Cement Palace has produced many a successful racer. The competition is tough and so are the drivers that call the track home..
Kyle was an immediate success. A Rookie of the Year title, second in the season long point standings and two trips to victory lane highlighted his first season in the track’s Mini Cup division. Senior Mini Cup was next, and another win and Rookie of the Year title followed..
The trend continued when Kyle moved up to full size racers, winning a feauture and Rookie of the Year award in the track’s Sport Truck Division, Yet another step up to the track’s ACT- style Late Models followed, where he beat the veterans to win the track’s Mid-Season Championship and scored a batch of top fives along the way.
The DeSouza Motorsports team took a big leap in 2011, choosing to compete on the Northeast’s fastest full fender racing series, The Pro All Stars. It’s racing that’s dominated by veterans like Ben Rowe, Johnny Clark, Cassius Clark and Mike Rowe. Those drivers have hundreds of wins between them and many years of experience on the tracks where the series competes, but DeSouza wasn’t daunted by the task that lay before him.
Why move from the comfortable confines of Seekonk Speedway to a tour where you would visit so many tracks for the very first time? His answer is that of a true racer.
“Tougher competition and the opportunity to learn from the best,” says Kyle. “I had a solid season in the ACT- style late model and I was encouraged to tackle PASS and see how we would stack up against the stiff competition there.. From a driver’s standpoint the new tracks every week and the longer races have made me a better driver,” says DeSouza.
DeSouza’ Motorsports set two goals as they entered the 2011 season; the PASS North Rookie of the Year title and a top ten finish in series points. As the year winds down DeSouza is in contention for the rookie crown and sits eighth in the point standings, just seven markers out of sixth, with three top ten finishes in thirteen starts. That’s a remarkable record in a series that ‘s seen eighty-one drivers compete throughout the year.
While the team has chassis and set up help from several veterans, it’s usually just Kyle and his Dad Eric at the track. Along with Realtor Jeff Alaire, The senior DeSouza’s Maverick Investment Technologies is the primary sponsor on the 88, and he’s the driving force behind the team.. “My Dad has worked very hard to get us where we need to be, both in life and as a race team,” says the younger DeSouza,” I’m so thankful for every opportunity he’s given me , both as a racer and a person. I don’t know what I’d do without him!”
When asked about a driver that he looks up to and tries to emulate, DeSouzas answer might surprise you. It’s not a NASCAR star, or an athlete that’s found fame outside the short track ranks. He points to a five time PASS North Champion as his greatest racing influence.
“I would say Johnny Clark, not just because he dominates and wins almost everytime the 54 leaves the garage, but the way he carries himself in the pits and his quiet confidence.. The fact that he shows up there for one thing and thats to get it done and win that trophy. He’s taken the time to answer every question I”ve asked, and thats a big deal for a rookie.”
When the PASS North season is complete the DeSouzas hope to take on more new challenges , traveling to Florida and Tennessee to tackle more new asphalt. 2012 will see them back on the PASS track looking for their first win.
In the world of racing it’s tough to predict the future but Kyle DeSouza has the drive, the attitude, and the tools he needs to succeed, and that’s more than half the battle.