Nathan goes 'back to the future' for F2000 finale
 race - Nathan Morcom [Valet 2117; cropped; enhanced; 1000x680].jpg)
Nathan Morcom is aiming to repeat his F2000 Championship Series first round win (above) next weekend in the finale at Watkins Glen.
Photo by Dennis Valet.
Last April, Nathan Morcom kicked off his F2000 Championship Series campaign with victory in the first round – and he’s aiming to go ‘back to the future’ by finishing the way he started in the final round at Watkins Glen International this weekend.
It hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for the 19 year-old Sydney driver since he won on debut in the American ‘junior development’ openwheeler series opener at Virginia International Raceway. A string of mostly minor problems with his Rondo Van Diemen, especially during crucial pre-qualifying practice sessions, has disrupted his familiarisation and set-up program.
With his seat time restricted, it isn't surprising that Nathan's race results haven’t met expectations. Nevertheless, he has racked up enough points to be third in the Rookie of the Year standings with an outside chance of claiming the title at Watkins Glen.
One positive aspect of the final round for Nathan is that he doesn’t have to learn a new circuit, because for the first time this year the F2000 Championship Series is revisiting a venue. Admittedly his June appearance at The Glen, when his Primus team had to borrow an engine after all three of its own failed before the Sunday, was probably the low point of his season so far. But at least he won’t have to waste time finding out where the track goes.
“Learning a new circuit doesn’t take all that long; it’s just that every lap you use to find out the quick lines through the corners is a lap you can’t use to fine-tune the car," he said. "This series is so competitive that a few tenths of a second can make the difference between qualifying on pole and starting midfield. You only have to look at the first corner smashes at Mosport and Lime Rock Park to know that it’s generally better to be at the front than back in the pack.”
Throughout all the trials and tribulations, Nathan has remained confident in his ability to challenge for podiums and race wins.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed with how the season has turned out so far, but I’ve been around motorsport long enough to know that the best race teams in the world have their ups and downs," he said. “The important thing when things don’t go according to plan is to stay focused on what you’re trying to achieve, not look back at what went wrong.
"I’m sure that success will come as long as I keep putting 100 percent into every lap."
2011 F2000 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, ROUNDS 13 & 14 (final)
VENUE: Watkins Glen International (5.5km/3.4 miles) – Watkins Glen, New York
TIMETABLE (subject to change without notice by the race meeting organisers):
Friday, October 14
11:25-11:55 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (02:25-02:55 Saturday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – practice session 1
15:55-16:25 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (06:55-07:25 Saturday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – practice session 2
Saturday, October 15
11:25-11:50 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (02:25-02:50 Sunday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – Round 13 qualifying
15:55-16:25 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (06:55-07:25 Sunday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – Round 13 race
Sunday, October 16
11:25-11:50 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (02:25-02:50 Monday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – Round 14 qualifying
15:55-16:25 USA Eastern Daylight Saving Time (06:55-07:25 Monday, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time) – Round 14 race
Follow Nathan's progress 'live' during practice, qualifying and racing on the F2000 Championship Series Twitter page!
POINTSCORE AFTER 12 OF 14 ROUNDS
1. Remy Audette (CAN) 517
2. Chris Livengood (USA) 373
3. Tim Minor (USA) 338
4. Kyle Connery* (USA) 309
5. Robert La Rocca* (VEN) 279
6. Nathan Morcom* (AUS) 242 – contested 10 rounds only
* rookie
