The 2025 SCCA Hoosier Super Tour opener at Sebring International Raceway delivered a weekend of intense competition in the Spec Miata class (SM), with 15-year-old Ethan Goulart, the reigning SM National Champion, leading the way with a dominant double-win performance. Goulart’s stellar showing, in the face of fierce competition, marked a promising start to his season and further solidified his place as one of the brightest young talents in motorsports.
Qualifying was a nail-biter, with the top four drivers separated by mere hundredths of a second. Five-time SM National Champion Preston Pardus claimed pole position with a time of 2:34.073, while Frankie Barroso was just .016 behind with a lap of 2:34.086. The Goulart father/son duo—Elivan and Ethan—both posted identical lap times of 2:34.917, reminiscent of their performances at the 2024 SCCA National Championship, where they also had identical qualifying times. Since Elivan set his lap first, he was placed in third, with Ethan directly behind in fourth. The close times underscored the razor-thin margins separating the top competitors, setting up a weekend of thrilling racing.
The 50-car field made it through the first few corners cleanly, offering breathtaking visuals for the thousands watching the SCCA YouTube livestream, with drivers going nearly four-wide in some sections. The competitive depth of the Spec Miata field was on full display throughout the weekend, with every driver—whether a front-runner or not—finding someone to battle. For the entire field, the Sebring weekend was a chance to race and have fun, providing an incredible spectacle. Unfortunately for Frankie Barroso, technical issues forced him to retire on the opening lap, marking the end of his race early. At the front, Ethan, Elivan, and Preston fought fiercely for the lead, exchanging positions throughout the race in a tight battle that came down to the final lap. In a dramatic finish, Ethan narrowly crossed the finish line in front of his father by the blink of an eye to take the win, while Preston was just behind to secure third after a hard-fought race.
Sunday’s race began with the same high-energy atmosphere, with the top four drivers once again battling for the lead. However, with just five laps remaining, the race took a dramatic turn when the leaders had to make last-second evasive maneuvers to avoid a stalled car entering Turn 15. By the time they exited Turn 16, Preston had fallen a few positions back, while Frankie Barroso surged into second and Ethan emerging the leader, with Elivan staying right on their tails in third. A safety car was deployed, and the race ultimately finished under caution, which was a disappointment after such an entertaining battle.
Ethan’s second win of the weekend capped off a perfect season opener, while Barroso’s strong recovery secured him second place. Elivan Goulart earned his second podium of the weekend with a consistent performance in third.
The weekend at Sebring showcased the competitive depth of the Spec Miata field, with veterans like Pardus, newcomers like Barroso, and the Goularts all providing spectacular racing action. Despite Sunday’s race ending under caution, the weekend served as a thrilling start to the 2025 season. With Goulart’s double win, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting and closely contested year in Spec Miata racing.
