many drivers who began kart racing eventually moved on to success in larger vehicles - this stepping system was the case for carioca racer nelson piquet and ayrton senna.

ayrton senna is considered one of the best formula one racers of all time, with three world championship victories - he tragically lost his life may 1st 1994 in a formula one race in italy - he is considered a brazilian hero across the nation.

nelson piquet, born nelson soutomaior in 1952, was sent to high school in california to pursue a tennis career, where he developed an interest in motor racing - upon returning to to brazil piquet began racing karts using his mother's surname so his parents would not know what he was doing.