Florida up-and-comer showcased talent in mixed conditions to finish second and third in Rounds Eight and Ten
FORT MYERS, FLA. – ZSports/Team E Racing enjoyed a breakthrough effort over the weekend (August 3-4) with two trips to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda podium at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Teenage rising star RC Enerson showcased his talents in the lone tripleheader on the series schedule, coming home second and third in Rounds Eight and Ten, and just missing third trip to the post-race celebrations with a fourth place result in Round Nine. The Florida-based squad and driver are now poised to build on this performance in the closing four races of the season, currently sitting 10th in the title fight.
Making the move up to the Championship class this season after a four-win effort in the National class in 2012, the goal for ZSports/Team E was to continually improve and become a challenger for top honors. With steady progress already under the belts, both the team and its talented racer Enerson were confident entering the IZOD IndyCar Series event in Ohio, particularly given the 16 year-old had been fifth fastest in mid-season testing at the track.
Enerson immediately displayed his intentions during event testing and practice, posting times among the top-10 in all three sessions, despite focusing on car setup rather than an overall fast lap. The No. 10 Patriot Bank/ZSports/Team E Racing pilot continued to showcase his talents in the lone qualifying run, securing a row three starting position for race one of the triple bill via the sixth best lap.
When Enerson and the rest of the skilled USF2000 racers returned to the cockpits one day later, it was in less than perfect conditions, as heavy overnight rain resulted in very slick conditions for Round Eight. The ZSports/Team E racer was, however, up to the challenge. As racer after racer made errors and slid off-course, Enerson not only kept his nose clean, but highlighted his racecraft, advancing up the charts. The Floridian ultimately crossed the stripe in second place, earning a first Championship class podium finish and the Staubli Award.
"It’s feels really good to be here," stated Enerson. "In Toronto, we were pushing hard to get up there with the top pack and we finally got there today. With the treacherous conditions, I was trying to keep it up at the front and not go off the track. I was just looking ahead to see where everyone was positioning themselves and to see if I could learn a few things as well. A podium feels great."
A few hours later the ZSports/Team E Racing entry was back on-track for race two of the triple bill under sunny skies. Getting the green from 10th on the grid, Enerson wasted little time moving forward. Yet again the teenage showcased his skills behind the wheel, making multiple bold passes. Enerson in the end impressed, just missing a second trip to the post-race celebrations with a fourth place finish.
Given the results from Rounds Eight and Nine, spirits were high under the ZSports/Team E Racing awning entering Round 10 early Sunday morning. With Enerson starting a season-best P4, chaos erupted right at the waving of the green flag, when contact on the front-row resulted in a 11-car incident. Enerson, thanks to some evasive driving, fortunately emerged unscathed. Following a red flag to clear the debris, the action resumed with Enerson in third and looking to add another runner-up finish to his growing resume. The teenager ultimately was unable to find a way past the current championship leader, ending the tripleheader with a well-deserved podium finish.
"It is definitely a good result today," added Enerson. "The start of the race was crazy. I only saw the beginning of it develop and got around the outside. When I came back around, it was absolutely devastating to see eight or nine cars in the wall. For the restart, I was just trying to hang onto it and keep up with Garett and Scott. I maybe had something for Scott if there were more laps left, but I couldn’t get the run he was getting out of [turn] two to go for a move in [turn] four."
ZSports/Team E Racing and Enerson next roll on-course on September 6-7, when Rounds 11 and 12 of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda are contested at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California. The teenager enters the penultimate event on the series calendar 10th in the points chase, while the Florida-based squad is seventh in the team standings.
To learn more about ZSports/Team E Racing, please visit ZSportsMidwest.com For direct contact, please contact Steve Thomson @ 612-964-9572.
Keep up to date with RC Enerson via Twitter @ RCEnerson and @ TeamEracing or at www.rcenerson.com.
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About ZSports/Team E Racing:
Driven by a passion for racing, ZSports was formed by racers for racers. Based in Fort Myers, Fla., the squad offers professional engineering and preparation to the developing driver. Since its formation in 2008, ZSports/Team E Racing has established itself a leading junior formula car squad, winning numerous races in both the pro and amateur Formula 2000 ranks. In 2009, the squad captured the F2000 Championship Series Rookie of the Year award with Ben Searcy. Last season, the squad rejoined the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda full-time, winning four National class races. In 2013, ZSports/Team E Racing is making the move up to the Championship class of the USF2000 Championship.