Series newcomers will feature American up-and-comer Timmy Megenbier behind the wheel
MELROSE PARK, ILL. (March 14, 2011) – Those chasing the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda title will have an added challenge in 2011, with the creation of Sick Tea Racing. Featuring American up-and-comer Timmy Megenbier behind the wheel, the newly formed Illinois-based team will make its racing debut on March 17-18, when the Mazda Road to Indy series contests Rounds One and Two at Sebring International Raceway.
After multiple discussions with leading industry officials, and several years of involvement within junior formula car and sports car ranks, Illinois businessmen Tim Megenbier and Patrick Burke have elected to form their own team…Sick Tea Racing. Immediately joining forces with John Walko Racing principal and highly-regarded race engineer John Walko, the goal right from the get go will be to challenge for race wins. With former Skip Barber National race winner and 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup champion Timmy Megenbier piloting the No. 17 Sick Tea Racing Van Diemen, the newly created squad is poised to do just that.
Timmy Megenbier enters the 2011 USF2000 National Championship having showed speed and skill in both the open-wheel and closed-wheel ranks. Following a successful karting career in both North America and abroad, earning a top-10 finish in the Senior Pro class at the 2006 World Championship TAG event, Megenbier made the move to car racing in 2006. For two years, the Illinois teenager competed in the Skip Barber National series, earning one win and two podium finishes. In 2007, Megenbier made the switch to sedan racing, earning a position in the inaugural Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup championship. After earning a pole position in his rookie campaign, Megenbier became the man to beat in second season of series competition, eventually capturing the championship title via three wins and eight podium finishes. As a result, the talented young American traveled to Germany last season, competing in the inaugural Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup. Megenbier, racing the Pro Cup class, ended the season fourth in the title fight.
Walko joins forces with Sick Tea Racing having amassed an impressive junior formula car resume over the years. Initially involved as an SCCA Club Formula Ford driver in the early 1990’s, the Pennsylvania native soon turned his focus to running his own prep-shop and team. Since 1999, Walko has been a crew chief and race engineer in SCCA Formula Ford and Formula Continental competition, as well as the Formula Ford Zetec Championship and Star Mazda Championship. Under his guidance, Walko’s drivers have amassed 11 professional and 22 amateur wins, 37 pro and 12 amateur podiums, and 13 professional and 17 amateur pole positions.
Sick Tea Racing commences its inaugural race season on Tuesday (March 15), when the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda season gets underway with a pair of promoter’s test day sessions at Sebring International Raceway. The season-opening doubleheader header continues on day two in central Florida with the lone practice session on the historic road course. Qualifying for Round One will take place on Thursday morning (March 17), followed by the opening race of the season at 2:15 p.m. local time. Friday (March 18) will consist of a morning warm-up and Round Two at 11:55 a.m. local time.