Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda sets the stage for start to 2012 campaign
St Petersburg, Florida – AcceleRace Motorsports launched their 2012 campaign at the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg, poised to challenge for the National Class Championship once again with the imagePRO, SUBE SPORTS, Hi-Rise Equipment, Sabelt-sponsored #28.
After a series of exceptionally thorough and diverse driver development summits, organized by the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda on Thursday for drivers and teams, there was time for the first on-track practice session. First time out on a temporary street circuit proved to be challenging for many drivers as much of the session ran under yellow conditions. AcceleRace Motorsports used the session for track familiarization and general car set-up to prepare to get on the program for Friday practice, then qualifying.
In a stout field of 34-cars, AcceleRace Motorsports took the imagePRO, SUBE SPORTS, Hi-Rise Equipment, Sabelt-sponsored #28 to seventh in National Class for practice, ready for Race 1 later in the afternoon. With the heat of the sun at its highest, Race 1 started with AcceleRace Motorsports on a tear to move up the field, picking up 12 positions and mastering the street circuit with well-honed experience to finish Race 1 fifth in National Class.
With great momentum from qualifying and Race 1, Friday and Saturday, AcceleRace Motorsports formed its plan to move up to the top spot in National Class for Race 2 Sunday morning. From an overnight shower, the day started with a slightly wet track off-line and the weekend’s rubber washed off from the showers. AcceleRace was ready with a new aggressive strategy, starting Race 2 on a dry racing line. At the green, with a few drivers uncertain for the damp conditions, the AcceleRace Motorsports #28 collected the back end of slower car, resulting in slight damage to the front wing, however not enough to take them out of the race.
Continuing on a charge, the team advanced through the field rapidly throughout the early laps. Three laps into Race 2, AcceleRace Motorsports was summoned by the Series to the pit for a controversial inspection of the wing, forcing the team a lap down after re-entry to the race. After several yellow flag laps for various situations, the race was shortened by three laps due to time restraints. Mid-way through the final lap, AcceleRace was collected by another car and, bouncing of the wall between turns 9 & 10, ended the day one lap down, finishing 12th in National Class.
With mixed results on the weekend, AcceleRace Motorsports capitalized upon the exciting atmosphere of the Grand Prix of St Pete using the event to meet with new drivers and partners – with news to be announced in the near future. AcceleRace Motorsports is primed and ready to continue its 2012 Campaign for the next event, the Night Before the 500, on May 26 at Lucas Oil Raceway.
AcceleRace MotorSports is a multi-series race team focused on providing talented and competitive drivers the tools to sharpen their skills while racing to win the USA's premier F2000 series. F2000 is the recognized first step on the ladder to upper echelon pro series such as: Firestone Indy Lights, INDYCAR, ALMS, GP2, GP3 and F1.
Limited testing and race dates are still available. Contact AcceleRace Motorsports for details at www.AcceleRace.com, or call 708 - DRIVE - F2 - (708) 374-8332 or email us at AcceleRace1@gmail.com.
Follow AcceleRace Motorsports throughout the 2012 campaign by visiting its website, www.AcceleRace.com, Twitter, or Facebook.