STREET/RACE Issue 1, Winter 2016 | Page 72

200-MPH TEEN It’s not every day a 13 year old slides behind the wheel of a car to take it for a spin, never mind behind the wheel of a $1.5 million supercar like the Bugatti Veyron. But Steven Aghakhani is no ordinary teen. 72 STREETRACE By Daniel Schenkelberg After beginning his racing career at age 7 in go karts near his Southern California home, Aghakhani was already quicker than his instructor within a couple of years. Recognizing a natural hunger in his son for speed and driving, Armik Aghakhani, a former racer and avid car collector, began preparing him for the move to full-size sports car racing. Steven began training under the tutelage of 2013 Formula Drift Champion Michael Essa and also has teamed up with U.S. Racetronics as they mentor him in becoming a PHOTOS: DANIEL SCHENKELBERG STEVEN AGHAKHANI BLASTS BUGATTI THROUGH DOUBLE-CENTURY MARK