British up-and-coming driver set to re-ignite quest for top honors in Mazda Road to Indy program on streets of Toronto ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND – UK up-and-comer Michael Epps will be back behind the wheel when the renowned Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda title fight resumes on July 13-14, with Rounds Six and Seven on the streets of Toronto in Canada. As part of a multi-car effort by Belardi Auto Racing, the talented 21-year-old joins the series race winner poised to build on a strong mid-season test, and focused on being part of the pack fighting for top honors at the demanding street circuit.
Epps, having made his North American junior formula car debut earlier in the year via doubleheaders at the historic Sebring International Raceway road course and St. Petersburg street circuit back in March, has been working hard at getting back behind the wheel in the highly regarded development series. Thankfully, after missing the lone oval on the series calendar, the opportunity to do just that has arrived via a new partnership with Belardi Auto Racing.
While the former British Formula Vee Championship runner-up will make his official debut with Belardi Auto Racing during the twin bill run, piloting the No. 44 P1 Sports Management/UNATION/iRacing Motorsport Simulations/Anytime Fitness UK entry around the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, he enters the weekend having already worked with the talented squad. Epps recently took part in a private test with the Indiana-based team at Putnam Park. The UK racer, who also holds New Zealand citizenship, made the most of the outing to not only develop a rapport with his new mechanics and engineers, but also with his new fellow rookie teammates Daniel Burkett, Matt McMurry, and Peter Portante. Given how things went during the two-day run, both Epps and Belardi Auto Racing are excited about getting on-track for Rounds Six and Seven.
"I'm very excited to be joining Belardi Auto Racing for the remainder of the USF2000 season," stated Epps. "The test was great. I was stunned by the organization of the team. Everything runs like clockwork and there seemed to be less for me to deal with than I'm used to. We made a lot of great progress during the two days, getting me comfortable, gelling with the team, and setting the car up for various circumstances and situations we may encounter in the future. I recently spent a few hours in Toronto connecting between flights, and I can't wait to go there and race."
Epps officially resumes his quest for Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda supremacy on Friday (July 12), when the first of two practice sessions take place around the 1.775-mile concrete-lined street circuit in Toronto, Ont. Qualifying takes place at the end of the day, with race one of the doubleheader on Saturday (July 13) at 9:55 am local time. Round Seven is slated to take place at 11:35 am local time on Sunday (July 14). Live timing and scoring will be available at www.f2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx
Those interested in supporting Michael Epps’ pursuit of the upper echelons of motorsports are encouraged to contact him directly @michael.epps@live.co.uk to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Learn more about Michael Epps through his social media outlets:
Website: MichaelEpps.co.uk
Twitter: MichaelEppsRace
Facebook: MichaelEppsRacing
###
About Michael Epps:
Born in St. Albans, England, Epps, who also retains New Zealand citizenship, first got behind the wheel at the age of 13, racing at his local kart club. Displaying talent right from the get go, he won multiple races in his rookie season. Advancing up to the Rotax Junior ranks in 2006, he captured the London Cup at Rye House, and finished second in the Brazilian Cup prior to making the move to Senior Rotax, where he scored the win in his class debut at a Rye House club event. Following another London Cup win and a runner-up finish in a Le Mans 24-hour kart race, Epps tested his first formula car in 2010. Transitioning to car competition in 2011, the teenager finished second in the British Formula Vee Championship. Epps further advanced up the junior formula car ladder in 2012, contesting the Formula Renault BARC UK Championship, earning five consecutive top-10 finishes to end the season.