After providing arguably the best racing of the weekend at the Grand Prix ofMiami at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the drivers of the 2010 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National nexttackle the historic 3.7 mile Sebring International Raceway for Rounds 3 and 4 of the season during the58th Annual 12 Hours of Sebring. Point leader and MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driverSpencer Pigot looks to carry his momentum north from Homestead, where he scored a pole and a thirdbefore picking up his first career Skip Barber National victory while several drivers look to make thatfinal step onto the top of the podium this weekend.
2009 ReviewLast year at Sebring was about one driver; Connor De Phillippi. De Phillippi, the eventual Skip BarberNational Champion picked up his first two Skip Barber National wins from pole in dominating fashion onhis way to a record-setting seven wins on the season. De Phillippi makes his Star Mazda debut thisweekend with JDC Motorsports. Of our trio of sophomore drivers this season, this year’s second in pointsDennis Trebing came away with the best results at Sebring, coming back from a pair of high speedshunts early in the week to score a pair of front row starting positions and a third place in Race 1. IsaacLyons made his Skip Barber National debut with a sixth and a 16th while Ashley Freiberg was 19th and14th in her two races.
Past Champion NewsA pair of past National Champions got their seasons off on the right foot at this past weekend’s IZODIndyCar Series opener in Brazil. 1999 National Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay led the most laps in anexciting wet and dry race before coming home in second, while 2003 champ Raphael Matos scored acareer best fourth in the streets of Sao Paulo. 2004 National Champion Marco Andretti didn’t fare aswell, being taken out in Turn 1 on the first lap of the race.Joining Connor De Phillippi on the grid for the Star Mazda opener at Sebring is 2008 National ChampionConor Daly, who recently signed with Junco Motorsports for the 2010 season. Rumor has it that 2007champ Joel Miller may have a deal in time to join De Phillippi and Daly on the grid next week.
Entry list, Rounds 3 & 4, 2010 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by MazdaSebring International Raceway, 3.7-mile, 17-turn road course.
S – Skip Barber Cup driver
Abdul Ahmed - S, 26, Andover, Kan.Scott Anderson, 21, Fort Collins, Colo.Nick Andries, 19, Pinellas Park, Fla.Nicolas Costa, 18, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilLuis Michael Dörrbecker, 17, Queretaro, MexicoDanilo Estrela, 16, Long Branch, N.J.Ashley Freiberg, 18, Homer Glen, Ill.Daniel Lloyd, 17, Huddersfield, EnglandIsaac Lyons, 20, Hillsborough Down, Northern IrelandThomas McGregor, 18, Saskatoon, Sask., CanadaBrandon Newey, 17, Indianapolis, Ind.Jim Norman - S, 51, Tampa, Fla.Wilson Philippe, 16, Key Biscayne, Fla.Spencer Pigot, 17, Windermere, Fla.Felix Serralles, 17, Haines City, Fla.Mukul Sud, 24, Bangalore, IndiaDennis Trebing, 18, Cape Coral, Fla.
Three to watch this weekendHomestead was the “weekend that could have been” for Mexican driver Luis Michael Dörrbecker andMAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Felix Serralles. Dörrbecker led laps and challenged forthe win in Race 1 while Serralles set fast lap in both races. Their Race 1 results are tied together bycontact in Turn three on the penultimate lap that left Dörrbecker on his lid and Serralles without a rearwing. Judged to be avoidable contact by series officials, both drivers were assessed 20-second penalties,which cost Dörrbecker his first National podium and cost both drivers valuable points. Look for these twoto challenge for the podium this weekend.
Danilo Estrela’s weekend was a bit more surreal. The 16 year-old from Long Branch, N.J. travels solo tothe race weekends, relying on local taxi service to get to the track. This plan almost cost him a race as theHomestead taxis don’t start running until 9am on Saturdays. Not only did Estrela miss the morningdriver’s meeting, he barely made the race, running into the paddock with his helmet in hand as the fieldwas rolling out to the grid. Playing catch up, he finished Race 1 in 17th. Race 2 was a different story; asEstrela came from 14th at the start to lead late before out-braking himself on the last lap. He recovered tofinish fourth. With a weekend (and some networking) under his belt, look for Estrela at the sharp end ofthe field at Sebring.
ScheduleTuesday, March 16Test Session 1, 8:00 – 8:30amTest Session 2, 1:50 – 2:20 pmWednesday, March 17Practice, 8:00 – 8:30 amThursday, March 18Round 3 Qualifying, 8:00 – 8:30amRound 3 of 14, 2010 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, 4:30 – 5:00pmFriday, March 19Round 4, Qualifying, 8:00 – 8:30amRound 4 of 14, 2010 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, 3:30 – 4:00pm
