Rookie star Enerson swept the National class doubleheader and set a new lap record at Florida street circuit
FORT MYERS, FLA. – It hasn't taken long for ZSports/Team E Racing to return to its winning ways, with a pair of victories over the weekend (March 24-25) in the highly-competitive Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. Rookie sensation RC Enerson made the most of racing in front of family and supporters during his hometown Grand Prix St. Petersburg, capturing two National class victories and setting a new lap record in only his second-ever series event.
After showing superb speed and skill just one week ago in the season-opening event at Sebring - earning the pole position and a top-four result - the ZSports/Team E Racing squad was excited to get back on-track on the streets of St. Petersburg with the talented Enerson behind the wheel. While the Florida street circuit presented new challenges, both the teenage racer and team were confident they could once again challenge for National class (for Zetec-powered F2000 and Formula Enterprises cars) top honors.
A full weekend slate of racing in Florida, meant Enerson - who resides in nearby New Port Richey - got the first opportunity to shine in front of his hometown crowd via a rare Thursday practice session. Despite having never competed on the concrete-lined 1.8-mile circuit, the No. 10 Patriot Bank/ZSports/Team E Racing entry was quickly the car to beat in the National class, ending the run P1.
Returning to the cockpit one day later, the goal was to keep the momentum going. The ZSports/Team E Racing rookie promptly did just that, posting the second best time in the final practice outing, before overcoming a brief red flag stoppage and extensive traffic in qualifying to secure the second best National time.
Well aware that running a clean, albeit fast, race in Round Three would be key for success, the 15 year-old proved to be up to the task when the green flag waved. Enerson spent the early stages of the 21-lap affair avoiding assorted scuffles between competitors, before setting about going after the National class leader. Displaying both speed and racecraft he not only closed the gap, but found a way past on lap eight to take over the top spot. From that point forward he never relinquished the position, holding off a late race re-start challenge to capture his first USF2000 Championship win in only his third race, setting a new lap record of 1:15.187 in the process.
Starting on the class pole one day later - thanks to the fastest race lap in Round Three - Enerson was focused on steering his ZSports/Team E Racing entry back into victory lane. Things did not get off to an ideal start, with Enerson losing several positions through the opening sequence of turns. The ZSports/Team E Racing crew, however, kept their driver calm and focused, and Enerson responded by steadily working his way forward. Making the most of every passing opportunity and two full-course cautions and restarts, the talented teenager worked his way back to the front of the class. When the checkered flag waved after 19 laps, the ZSports/Team E Racing car was back in victory lane, completing the weekend sweep to take over the National class points lead.
"The St Pete track is amazing, and I loved racing on it," stated Enerson. "I'm very happy to get the win in both races, especially in race two, as I had no radio communication the entire race. It is really exciting to have gotten the National class race lap record for the St. Pete track too. I want to thank Steve, Ron, and Jose (Dave) for giving me a fantastic car the entire weekend. The ZSports/Team E Racing guys are really awesome. I also want thanks to Dave Metcalf, along with Patriot Bank."
"We were amazed at how quickly RC came up to speed on a totally new track," commented ZSports team principal Steve Thomson. "He never put a wheel wrong all weekend, and raced smart in traffic, pushing just enough to maintain the lead and score the wins. What an awesome weekend!"
ZSports/Team E Racing now has a two-month hiatus to savor the two wins and prepare for the next challenge on the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda calendar...oval racing. Round Five takes place on May 26, with Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis playing host to the prestigious Night Before the 500 event. Enerson enters the single-race event with the National class championship lead. Prior to race five on the schedule, ZSports/Team E Racing will take part in official series testing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 2-3, and a one-day official test at Lucas Oil Raceway on May 5.
To learn more about ZSports, please visit ZSportsMidWest.com. For direct contact, please contact Steve Thomson @ 612-964-9572.
Keep up to date with RC Enerson via Twitter @ RCEnerson and his Facebook page at RC-Enerson-Racing or at www.rcenerson.com
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About ZSports:
Driven by a passion for racing, ZSports is a company formed by racers for racers. Based in Minnesota, with winter facilities in Fort Myers, Fla., the squad offers professional engineering and preparation to the developing driver. Since its formation in 2008, ZSports has established itself a leading junior formula car squad, winning four times, standing on the podium six times, and earning 3 pole positions in pro F2000 competition. In 2009, the squad captured the F2000 Championship Series Rookie of the Year award with Ben Searcy. ZSports will contest the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2012 with a multi-car effort.