Source: EFormulaCarNews
JUPITER, FLA. (March 5, 2013) – 2013 will mark the second full year of competition for the Panam GP Series, which host its season-opener at Homestead Miami Speedway, the first time the series will visit the United States for an official race.
In preparation for the season opening race weekend on April 3-5, the Panam GP Series hosted a two-round, four-race Winter Series with stops at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Palm Beach International Raceway on February 15-17, February 28-March 2, respectively.
As a junior formula aimed at providing a genuine Formula One training ground to North & South America drivers, the Panam GP Series has taken an evolutionary approach to historical intercontinental formulas, and followed the model of promoting inter-country competition.
In 2012, ambitious plans for the creation of Team USA were envisioned by veteran Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic racer Alec Donachy. To complement plans for Team USA, Donachy worked closely with Panam GP Series Director Alfonso Toledano to create a road map for up to five races to be held annually in the United States and Canada, especially in conjunction with Formula One Grand Prix events such as at Austin, Montreal, and New Jersey.
Joining teams from Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, and Italy, as well as drivers such as 2012 champion Sebastian Merchan of Ecuador and Italian Antonio Fuoco of the Ferrari F1 Driver’s Academy, drivers Liam Kenney and Collete Davis demonstrated strength for Team USA in the preseason.
Returning to formula car action for the first time since 2009, Kenney joined Team USA for all four Winter Series races. Using his prior experience racing Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Masters in Europe, Kenney wasted no time acclimating himself to the Tatuus chassis and 1.4L turbo powerplant of the Formula Abarth racecar. Kenney recorded sixth & eighth place finishes at Homestead-Miami Speedway. At PBIR, Kenney’s first race was marred by a stall at the Formula One-style standing start, which was his only error during the entire Winter Series. Racing through the field in race two, Kenney finished eighth in the second race. Kenney demonstrated strong form during the Winter Series, and is expected to challenge for podium positions during the regular season.
Thursday, February 28th was a test day at PBIR, and American female Collete Davis returned to the cockpit of a formula car for the first time in 2013. Driving the Formula Abarth was Davis’ first time experiencing turbo power, as well as the Tatuus chassis. At the conclusion of Davis’ first session, she was within 107% of the fastest time set on track, and completed the test day error free. Davis’ plans for 2013 are not yet finalized, while Kenney is expected to contest the entire 2013 Panam GP Series.
In the coming weeks, further announcements will be made about Team USA’s 2013 drivers, driver development program, and training facilities. On April 4th in Miami, Fla., before the season-opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Team USA will be hosting a media meet and greet event, as well as a gala event for current and prospective partners.
To register for or inquire about either event, please contact Team USA’s director Alec Donachy at alecd@silverstonepartnersllc.com or 435-901-8603. Aspiring American racing drivers interested in racing with Team USA are also encouraged to contact Donachy directly.
The mission of Team USA is to support the development of talented young drivers from North America seeking an opportunity to drive in Formula One Grand Prix racing.
For more information on Team USA, please visit: http://panamgp.us or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-U-S-A/380561208693942?ref=ts&fref=ts
For more information on the Panam GP Series, please visit: http://panamgp.com