ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin – After back-to-back wins less than two weeks ago, Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing and its duo of drivers are hoping to ride the momentum of the last event into this weekend’s USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda races at Road America, August 19-20.
Petri Suvanto, 19, will drive the No. 3 Viseko Van Diemen-Mazda, while Shannon McIntosh, 22, will pilot the No. 2 Glass Hammer Racing-sponsored machine. Both drivers spent time at Road America a few months back at a SCAA event and are excited to tackle the historic 4-mile, 14-turn track in Wisconsin.
“It's a lot different track compared to the other road courses on the calendar,” Suvanto said. “The long straights of Road America bring up new challenges - drafting and low down force levels. I believe that they will play a big role throughout the weekend. Last year I raced on tracks like Spa and Monza, which share the similar elements to Road America - long straights and big braking zones. So I feel fairly confident that I know what lies ahead. Road America is one of those few tracks around the world, which have that great feeling of history and that is something that creates a special atmosphere, I am very excited.”
“I feel very positive going into this weekend at Road America,” McIntosh said. “After spending the weekend at the track for an SCCA event, I know and understand the love that people have for this place and the town of Elkhart Lake. I've got my head down and am ready to keep the improvement momentum going this weekend on another new road course.”
With highs in the low 80’s for this event, the “cooler” weather is a nice change after Mid-Ohio.
“I am definitely looking forward to some cooler weather with less humidity after the brutal heat at Mid Ohio,” McIntosh said, who joked on Twitter about needing Ugg boots for the mornings at Road America.
Suvanto is sitting at the top of the point standings. He has a 43-point standings lead over Spencer Pijot (222-179) with only four rounds left. McIntosh is ninth.
Qualifying will be Friday, August 19th at 8:40 a.m. (30 minutes), with Race 1 scheduled for 1:05 p.m. (40 minutes). Race 2 will be Saturday, August 20th at 9:25 a.m.
For updated and timing and scoring, please go to www.usf2000.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter for updates (CMwithWTR).
Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing was formed in 2010 as a partnership between two successful racing entities. With leadership from brothers Nicholas and Dominic Cape, and along with Wayne Taylor and his organization in Indianapolis, the team campaigns cars in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda. For more information, please visit www.capemotorsports.com.
The Capes have fielded a team every year since the series’ inception in the early 1990’s, placing second in the 2010 USF2000 National Championship Series points’ battle, capturing six podium finishes and two race-wins.