The plans of young Aussie racers Daniel Erickson and Nathan Morcom have seen dramatic last minute changes in their 2011 US based campaigns.
For Erickson problems with the licensing requirements in the USF2000 series meant he would not be able to compete in the first round.
Erickson explained the confusion "There was a misunderstanding about the USF2000 licence requirements, which are aligned with the Indy Car rules and therefore different from the F2000 Championship Series that I contested last year.” a disappointed Erickson said.
“The USF2000 medical check includes a blood test, which takes a minimum two weeks, so there wasn’t time for me get a licence in time for Sebring.
“That would mean missing two rounds, and because all USF2000 rounds count – unlike F2000CS, which allows you to drop your worst two rounds – it would have been a tall order to achieve my aim of winning the series.
“After discussing the issue with Jon Baytos of Primus Racing, which would have been my team again this year, we decided that it was in our best interests to withdraw from the USF2000 National Championship and focus our energy elsewhere,” Erickson said.
In the case of Morcom a lack of any time in the car due to the cold American winter, saw the late decision taken to switch to the F2000 series due to its later April start date.
“The snow has been so heavy in Ohio, where Primus Racing is based, that it was almost impossible to get around,” Morcom explained.
“Jon Baytos, who runs Primus, has been flat-out clearing snow away from his workshop instead of preparing the race car.
“But even if we’d been ready to go testing, the northern USA racetracks have only been good for snowmobiles, not openwheelers!”
Morcom and Baytos both believed the limited perpetration meant contesting the Sebring event was a not going to do Morcom any favours.
“Racing at Sebring without having done as much testing as the other drivers would have put me at a big disadvantage, and I want to make a good impression right from the start in my first American season,” Morcom said.
He remained upbeat about the switch however “Although USF2000 has a higher profile, as part of the Indy Car ‘Road to Indy’ ladder, F2000 will probably be more competitive,” Morcom said.
“Last year F2000 had more than twice as many registered drivers as USF2000, with 25-30 starters at several rounds, and it looks like being the same this year.
“And the circuits – VIR, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Mosport and Lime Rock Park – are among the best road courses in the USA, if not the world.
“It would be great to win the USF2000 grand prize of a paid drive in Star Mazda next year, but racing against only a dozen other drivers in that series wouldn’t be as good for my development as competing against 30 in F2000.
“Having said that, F2000 will be a very tough series with a mix of young drivers like myself as well as some very fast and experienced older drivers.
“But Jon Baytos has huge experience in this category, so I’m confident that with his help I can be competitive and give a good account of myself,” Morcom concluded.
The changes mean that Luke Ellery is the sole Australian contesting the USF2000.
F2000 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, ROUNDS 1 & 2
Virginia International Raceway (5.3km) – Alton, Virginia
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE
Thursday, April 7
Testing
Friday, April 8
Official practice
Saturday, April 9
Round 1 Qualifying & Race (30min.)
Sunday, April 10
Round 2 Qualifying & Race (30min.)
