The American summer is drawing to a close, and with winter snow only a few months away in the northern States, the region’s circuit racing season is also winding down.That includes the F2000 Championship Series, which concludes with two rounds next weekend at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course.
The drivers in this ultra successful and competitive ‘development’ openwheel championship will be hoping to finish on a high note – none more so than Daniel Erickson.
The young Sydney driver has made a big impression in his first USA foray, claiming from eight races:
· four pole positions, including two qualifying lap records;
· two race wins;
· four second places; and
· two fastest race laps.
Despite missing four of the 12 rounds held to date, he lies an incredible third overall on ‘corrected’ points (ie. with each driver’s two lowest-scoring rounds deducted, according to the championship rules) with a mathematical chance of finishing second.
He was declared Hard Charger of the Month for August by prominent USA ‘development’ openwheel racing website eFormulaCarNews.com.
The Australian Motor Sport Foundation International Rising Star has twin goals heading into the last two races of his 2010 F2000 Championship Series campaign: Rookie of the Year; and third place (or higher) in the pointscore.
The first goal is virtually assured, as he holds a substantial points advantage over the second-placed rookie, Chris Livengood.
The second goal is less certain, though, as no fewer than five drivers are within striking distance.
On the other hand, Erickson has a mathematical chance of grabbing second place from 2007 champion Cole Morgan, although it would require the two drivers to score results at opposite extremes for that to occur.
Nevertheless, having placed second in the latest three rounds, Erickson wasn’t feeling under any pressure with the finale at the 3.9km (2.4 mile) Lexington road circuit less than a week away.
“I’m quite relaxed – more than I was before the final rounds of the British Formula Ford Championship last year” he said.
“Back then I had to beat my team-mate to finish fifth in the pointscore after an up-and-down season; this time I just have to maintain the consistency I’ve achieved in the past three races.
“Maybe the lack of pressure is because I’m not in contention for the championship win after missing four rounds, but I’ve been training hard in the four weeks since Road America and I’m ready to give my best at Mid Ohio.”
Erickson acknowledged that his hardest tasks would be – as usual – learning an unfamiliar circuit and fine-tuning his Van Diemen racecar in the limited practice time available.
“There are only two practice sessions on Friday before qualifying and a race each on Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
“That means I need to have my car sorted, with no driving errors or mechanical problems, by Friday night.
“There’s very little margin for error in this championship with around 30 drivers, including some fast and experienced F2000 veterans as well as younger drivers, at most rounds.
“But I’ve struck a good rapport with my race engineer, (Primus Racing Parts owner) Jon Baytos, so I’m confident that we can finish the championship with two good results.”
MID OHIO TIMETABLE
Friday, September 3
(time and duration to be confirmed) – Practice session 1
(time and duration to be confirmed) – Practice session 2
Saturday, September 4
Approx. 09:30-09:50 USA EDT / 23:30-23:50 Australian EST – Round 13 qualifying
Approx. 14:00 USA EDT / 04:00 Sunday, Australian EST – Round 13 race (19 laps)
Sunday, September 5
Approx. 09:30-09:50 USA EDT / 23:30-23:50 Australian EST – Round 14 qualifying
Approx. 14:00 USA EDT / 04:00 Sunday, Australian EST – Round 14 race (19 laps)
Follow Daniel Erickson's progress at Mid Ohio 'live' via Twitter.
2010 F2000 CHAMPIONSHIP ‘CORRECTED’* POINTSCORE AFTER 12 OF 14 ROUNDS (aggregate totals in brackets)
1. Victor Carbone (BR) 461(489)
2. Cole Morgan (USA) 382 (404)
3. Daniel Erickson (AUS) 322 (322) – contested eight rounds only
4. Phil Lombardi (USA) 319 (340)
5. Keith McCrone (USA) 298 (322)
6. Tim Minor (USA) 279 (279)
7. Fabio Orsolon (BRA) 257 (258)
8. Jonathon Scarallo (USA) 249 (249)
* After deducting each driver’s two lowest-scoring rounds, according to F2000 Championship Series rules.
