Teenage tandem of Enerson and Forgeois overcame uncharacteristic issues to showcase speed and skill in Florida doubleheader FORT MYERS, FLA. – The resilience, drive, and talent of the ZSports/Team E Racing was on full display this past week (March 14-15), as the Florida-based squad overcame assorted issues to earn valuable points in Rounds One and Two of the 2013 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. Both RC Enerson and Luca Forgeois showcased their racecraft skills at Sebring International Raceway, working their way forward during the 12 Hours of Sebring doubleheader, ultimately taking home the Hard Charger award in Race Two. The talented teenagers are now focused on placing the ZSports/Team E Racing name near the top of the scoring charts this coming weekend (March 23-24), when the chase for series supremacy continues on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the squad's home track.
When the large and talented USF2000 Championship field arrived at Sebring for the season-opening doubleheader, one of the squads that was really looking forward to getting the action underway was ZSports/Team E Racing. Making the transition to the Championship class after a four-win run in the National class in 2012, and with two highly regarded drivers in Enerson and Forgeois under the awning, spirits were high within the Florida team. Initially, things looked to be going according to plan in the opening promoter's test run, with Enerson's No. 10 Patriot Bank/ZSports/Team E Racing among the top-five, and Forgeois rapidly getting acclimated to his new car and team. Unfortunately, the racing gods had other ideas, as over the course of the next four sessions (one test, two practice, and one qualifying), the ZSports/Team E Racing drivers and crew battled a variety of mechanical gremlins that prevented the two teenagers from displaying their true speed around the fast but bumpy 3.7-mile road course.
When the green flag waved for Race One of the twin bill on Thursday afternoon, the goal was to stay out of trouble and advance up the scoring charts. Forgeois was able to do just that in his No. 20 Cafe Noir/Nova Aviation/Splashlight Studios/GEAR UP/ZSports/Team E Racing entry, advancing from 26th on the grid all the way up to 18th in the all green 12-lap affair. Enerson, however, was not as fortunate, as continued problems meant he was never able to showcase his talents, ultimately retiring after just six laps.
With each driver's fast lap from Race One or second best lap in qualifying setting the grid for race, the ZSports/Team E Racing duo again had their work cut out for them on when the green flag waved for Race Two on Friday morning. Remaining upbeat and confident in their skills behind the wheel, both Enerson and Forgeois promptly put on a passing clinic in Round Two. Starting 22nd, the 17 year-old Forgeois made the most of every opportunity to end the 12-lap race in 16th. As impressive as that was, the 15 year-old Enerson did even better, charging from 29th all the way to 18th, earning the Tilton Hard Charger Award in the process.
While ultimately not satisfied with the overall results of the season-opening doubleheader, both the ZSports/Team E Racing drivers and crew were encouraged by the way they battled the adversity in Sebring, and are now looking forward to the street races in St. Petersburg.
"The weekend proved to be an overall test of character for the entire team," stated Forgeois. "We faced challenges and issues, and that slowed us down through the weekend. However, the team and myself took the mistakes we made and learned from them. Our ambition and confidence is still very high. We know we are capable of much more than what we displayed at Sebring. Working with Jonaton Jorge's racing development has definitely helped me as a driver to keep looking forward, and to improve myself on and off the track. We are very motivated and excited to get back racing in St. Pete."
"I have always enjoyed Sebring," commented Enerson. "Although Sebring is an absolute blast to drive, it is very harsh on equipment due to the rough surface. The team did not have the best of luck, and I know that ZSports/Team E Racing will not tolerate the kind of problems that came up, and this was totally uncharacteristic of our team. The team, Luca, and I are determined to bounce back at St Pete. Bring on the street course."
Next up for ZSports/Team E Racing is its home race this coming weekend (March 23-24), when Rounds Three and Four of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda is contested on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. In conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener, and the entire Mazda Road to Indy program, the chase for top honors commences on Friday (March 22) with a pair of practice sessions. The lone qualifying session takes place on Saturday morning (March 23), followed by Round Three at 12:15 pm local time. The street race doubleheader concludes one day later, with Round Four at 9:30 am local time. Live timing and scoring will be available at www.f2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx.
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 @ Team E Racing or at www.rcenerson.com.
Learn more about Luca Forgeois at LucaForgeois.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ LucaForgeois and Facebook @ LucaForgeoisRacing.
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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.