DANVILLE, VA - Henrik Furuseth from Norway came into the final race weekend of the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda with one simple ambition: Win. Going into the double-header weekend the 16-year-old was seven points behind National Class title rival RC Enerson, and needed to win both races in order to have a realistic shot at the title. The Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing driver delivered in big style with two dominating race wins, thus capturing the title as USF2000 National Class Champion.

The feat is even more impressive when considering this was Henrik’s first year of racing in North America. The charismatic driver from Eidsvoll, Norway, won the Scandinavian Formula Basic Championship last year, and with another championship title in the bag his sights are set on the 2013 season.

“My first season in the US has been amazing,” commented the newly crowned champion, “winning seven out of 13 races. I had a big battle with RC Enerson and Mark Eaton this year. It was so much fun racing against them, as well as all the other National Class drivers. The team worked really hard all year long, and they have given me a fantastic car every single time out. I have to thank them as well as my main sponsors Palfinger and Akrene Mek for their incredible support.”

During the USF2000 awards banquet, Furuseth was presented with a $25,000 scholarship to advance to the Championship Class in 2013. He was also given the Peak Perfomance Award for most fastest race laps during the season, as well as the Dakota Donovan SCCA Enterprises Rookie of the Year award.

“It’s been very good to be a part of this series and program. Hopefully I can come back next year driving a USF2000 Championship Class car, which is the natural thing for me after winning this championship. I very much look forward to the upcoming season!” ended Furuseth.

While it has been an astonishing season for Furuseth on track with seven wins in 13 races, life of a regular teenager will continue in on Monday when he goes back to Norway to resume his freshman year in high school. He hopes to be back in the U.S. before the end of the year to start preparations for the 2013 season.

Born and raised in Eidsvoll, Norway, Henrik grew up racing go-karts in his homeland alongside his bigger brother Sindre. While Sindre decided to take the more traditional route in Norway of rallying, Henrik had his eyes set on open-wheel racing only. In 2011 he won the Scandinavian Formula Basic Championships at the mere age of 15, the youngest-ever champion and race winner in this category. For 2012 the 16-year-old was presented with many options, but the decision was made to join the USF2000 National Championship when an offer from Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing came following an impressive test last October. For 2013, Henrik hopes to move up to the USF2000 Championship Class. Henrik is partnered with Palfinger, Akrene Mek, Felgimport and Würth Norway, and has additional support from Bell Racing Helmets and MOMO.

For more information on Henrik, please visit his Facebook page, Henrik Furuseth Racing (Facebook.com/HenrikFurusethRacing) and follow on twitter @HenrikFuruseth.