Savannah Rickli just seems to be one of those trying to figure it out. She is taking honors physics at Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton.

Her lab partner Cody Jackson described Savannah as an average 16 year old.

"Pretty typical," he said. "Sit here, take notes all day, go to do labs, take tests."

Savannah, just like most teens, got her learner's permit at 15 and her driver's license at 16, which was less than a year ago.

When most teens her age are just trying to feel comfortable driving, she does something a little unexpected for her age on the weekends.

Savannah is a race car driver.

"I want to win the Indy 500," she said.

Knowing what she wants and actually taking steps to get there is what separates Savannah from many her age.

The teen has been driving go carts since she was 7 years old. She considers racing her job. That is on top of high school and another part-time job she does several days a week to make money.

She took honors physics to help with her racing career.

"Momentum and traction and friction, I'm kind of like, 'Oh, figuring out kind of how my car works, how it helps me to go faster.' In some ways, it's made me a better driver," Savannah said.

9NEWS caught up with her at the High Plains Raceway in Byers.

This year, Savannah is racing a 2003 Mini Cooper S, built by Loveland's SCR Performance and Built By Bones.

"We've adjusted a bit of the suspension as well as the wheels, tires and brakes," Savannah said. "It's better than a lot of things out there. I've played a lot of different sports and done a lot of things throughout high school and this is the best!"

"We've selected Savannah, based on number one: she's an experienced driver," SCR's owner and President Mark Baer said. "She's motivated, she's intelligent and articulate. When we talk with her, it's not like talking to a 16-year-old girl, it's like talking to a young adult who's motivated and willing to pursue their career. Quite frankly, I'd rather be in the car with her out here, than a guy who showed up this afternoon to try it out."

On June 27, Savannah says she will be the youngest to race the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It is a 12.42-mile race to the top of Pikes Peak.

"It's a very difficult competition," Baer said. "It's one of the last true amateur-based races that there are in the world. Climbing the Pikes Peak Hill Climb is just about on every racer's list of things to do."

Savannah says this year she is concentrating on making it to the top.

"There are a lot of people watching and there is pressure to do well," she said. "I think it's that pressure and intimidation that's going to push me farther as a driver and help me reach my goals on the mountain."

Savannah, a junior at Dakota Ridge, plans to graduate in December 2010 so she can focus on her racing career.

For more information on SCR Performance, visit http://www.scrperformance.com/.

For more in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, visit http://www.usacracing.com/ppihc.

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