Spectrum Racing Cars is proud to announce an exciting new initiative which will see the highest placed Spectrum driver in the 2012 Australian Formula Ford Championship (AFFC) travel to the United States to test a USF2000 car for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing. The test will take place in late 2012 at a circuit to be confirmed in the United States, and represents a prized opportunity for a Spectrum driver to experience the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.
USF2000 is sanctioned by IndyCar as the first of four official steps on the Mazda Road to Indy, designed to foster drivers from USF2000 through to the Star Mazda Series, Firestone Indy Lights and eventually the IZOD IndyCar Series. Previous USF2000 drivers include Indy 500 winners Dan Wheldon, Sam Hornish Jr. and Buddy Rice, current IndyCar stars JR Hildebrand and Charlie Kimball, leading Grand Am sports car drivers Andy Lally and Memo Rojas and Australians Jason Bright and David Besnard.
The USF2000 control specification chassis is a Van Diemen Elan powered by a four-cylinder, 2-litre Mazda MZR engine producing approximately 170 horsepower. Equipped with front and rear wings and a control 13 inch Cooper slick tyre, the F2000 will offer its first-time Spectrum driver a significant increase in aerodynamic and tyre grip over the Formula Ford category in which they are currently competing.
Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing formed in 2010 as an alliance of two successful teams led by brothers Nicholas and Dominic Cape and former sports car ace Wayne Taylor, a two-time winner of the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona. In addition to fielding three cars in the USF2000 series, the Indianapolis-based team also competes in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship and runs a Spectrum-Honda in the US F1600 Formula F Championship as the exclusive North American and Canadian distributor of Spectrum Racing Cars.
Spectrum Racing Cars Owner and Founder, Michael Borland is delighted to offer the incentive to Spectrum drivers in the AFFC, and is certain the successful driver will enjoy the experience.
“We are delighted to offer the highest finishing Spectrum driver in this year‟s championship the chance to test a USF2000 for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing. As our North American and Canadian distributor, Cape have demonstrated to us that they are the benchmark for all teams in USF2000 and we are sure they will offer an excellent experience for a Spectrum driver looking to advance their career on the Road to Indy.
“We are confident that this incentive will bring out the best in all Spectrum drivers for the remainder of the championship, and hope it is the beginning for another Australian to follow in the footsteps of Will Power, who was a Spectrum driver during his time in Formula Ford and is now one of the top drivers in IndyCar racing.”
While Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing team principal Nicholas Cape is equally enthusiastic about the prospect of a Spectrum driver sampling their USF2000 machinery.
"We are extremely happy to be involved with Borland Racing. Mike builds an exceptional car at a very high level and runs a top level racing team. This is an exciting opportunity for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing and the drivers from Australia to be a part of the Road to Indy. We are really looking forward to seeing who wins."
After the opening round at Albert Park two weeks ago, Mathew Hart leads the Spectrum 'Driver to USA' Challenge on 47 points ahead of Synergy Motorsport team-mate Sam Power, Scott Andrews and Liam Sager.
Round two of the Australian Formula Ford Championship takes place this weekend at Tasmania's Symmons Plains Raceway.