British up-and-coming rookie highlights racecraft skills during Rounds Eight, Nine and Ten

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND – Michael Epps' return to the cockpit in the highly-regarded Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda over the weekend (August 3-4), further highlighted the British driver's racecraft skills. The Belardi Auto Racing rookie moved forward in all three races of the lone series tripleheader, exiting Rounds Eight, Nine and Ten with both a top-five and additional top-10 finish. Epps is now focused on continuing his push for top honors when the action resumes in northern California in September.

For Epps the triple bill at Mid-Ohio as part of an IZOD IndyCar Series event was an ideal opportunity to further showcase his talents behind the wheel, with the technical undulating road course being more familiar to his European racing background.

As planned, the opening two event test sessions and lone practice run was spent fine tuning the No. 44 P1 Sports Management/UNATION/iRacing Motorsport Simulations/Anytime Fitness UK for the challenging 2.258-mile track. While the goal in the sole timed qualifying session was to post a good flying lap, Epps continued to work on car balance during the run, aware that having a good car come race time would be key to moving forward. In the end, the 21-year secured a row eight starting position for race one.

When the USF2000 Championship cars rolled back on-course one day later, a new obstacle awaited, as overnight and early morning showers meant very slick conditions. Epps, however, was not only up for the challenge, but excelled. In a race that only featured three green flag laps, the former British Formula Vee Championship runner-up impressively charged from mid-pack all the way to fifth, earning the Tilton Hard Charger award.

Given the performance in the opening affair, Epps and the Belardi Auto Racing crew were excited about going back racing only a few hours later. Unlike race one, Round Nine featured a dry track under sunny skies. Getting the green flag from row seven, the dual British-New Zealand citizen again began working his way forward via some bold overtaking maneuvers. Unfortunately, a brief off that affected the handling of his car, resulted in a loss of positions. Rebounding from the incident, Epps still managed to overcame his less than ideal car to advance up to 12th at the checkered flag.

Epps' final run in Ohio got underway on Sunday morning, with the up-and-comer getting the green flag from row eight. It was just after the flag waved that chaos ensued, with an incident among the leaders triggering an 11-car accident. Epps, thanks to some great car control and a little luck, managed to avoid the carnage. When the debris was cleared and the shortened race resumed, he once again highlighted his racecraft skills, executing multiple passes en route to seventh place result, and the fifth best lap time.

"It was yet another progressive weekend for me and the Belardi team," stated Epps. "We are still a very young partnership, so things are still growing, and pace is still being found. I think in the last few outings on the track we began to find a new balance with the car that I was pretty comfortable with. I can't wait to head over to California now and race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, where we can take it even further. Laguna Seca was probably my favorite race track on all the racing games I played when I was younger, so to drive it now will be another box checked off, and hopefully I'll be able to check off the "podium" box too!"

Epps will sample the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca road course in northern California on September 7-8, when Rounds 11 and 12 of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda are contested.

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

YouTube: Michael Epps UK

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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.