Choi and Megenbier ready to lead series newcomers charge for victories in central Florida
MINNEAPOLIS, MIN. – The 2012 pro race season officially begins for Afterburner Autosport this week (March 15-16), when the up-and-coming junior formula car outfit contests the opening rounds of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda at Sebring International Raceway. With talented racers Heamin Choi and Timmy Megenbier behind the wheels, the Minnesota-based team enters the prestigious 60th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida event doubleheader positioned to fight for a place on the podium in its series debut.
The lead-up to the opening two races on the USF2000 Championship calendar has been a hectic affair for Afterburner Autosport, with recent crew and driver signings, and the delivery of new Mazda powered Van Diemens. The hard work by everyone involved however is now poised to pay dividends, with the squad's Mazda Road to Indy debut during one of the premier events on the North American racing calendar... 60th edition of the Twelve Hours of Sebring event in Florida. While the initial goal during Rounds One and Two will be to gather valuable data and experience during Afterburner's USF2000 debut, everyone under the team awning has an eye on standing on the post-race podiums.
Given Megenbier captured one podium finish and four top-five finishes in series debut last year with a family-run affair, the Illinois racer is more than capable of fighting for the win in the No.17 Caputo Cheese/Rahal Foods/Power Stop/Afterburner Autosport entry. Choi meanwhile is ready to use his extensive race experience in Asia - which includes two Korean sports car championship titles - to propel the No. 21 F1Pilot.com/Afterburner Autosport entry into the fight for top rookie honors.
"We can't wait for the action to get underway at Sebring," commented Afterburner Autosport team principal Tim Walsh. "The crew has been working flat-out in the lead-up to the season-opener, and I know both Heamin and Timmy want to reward their hard work with some strong drives."
The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda on-track action for Afterburner Autosport commences on March 13, with event testing at Sebring International Raceway. Practice takes place on March 14, followed by the lone qualifying session on the morning of March 15. Round One, as part the 60th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, is scheduled to commence at 1:20 p.m. local time, followed by Round Two on March 16, at 11:15 a.m. local time. Live timing and scoring will be available at www.f2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx.
Additional information on Afterburner Autosport is available from the team’s website at www.afterburnerautosport.com For direct contact, please email afterburnerautosport@gmail.com or call 630-251-1709.
For additional Information on Timmy Megenbier visit www.timmymegenbier.com For direct contact info please contact Patrick Burke at Patrick@pmbmotorsposts.com or 815-693-2564.
Learn more about Heamin Choi at www.f1pilot.com.
Keep up to date via Twitter @ABautosport1 @H3amin @TimmyMeg17 and Facebook pages - Afterburner-Autosport, Heamin.Choi and Timmy.Megenbier.
###
About Afterburner Autosport:
Afterburner Autosport was formed in 2010 with the sole purpose of leading the way in the USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda competition. Under the guidance of two-time SCCA Formula Continental National Champion Brian Tomasi and fellow F2000 racer and engineer Tim Walsh, the team has over 20 years of experience in open-wheel competition. The Minnesota, Min.-based squad, having captured two podium finishes in its inaugural pro racing season last year, will make its USF2000 Championship debut in 2012, fielding multiple cars in the top Championship class.