Lites: Series spotlight - Eurosport Racing

EUROSPORT RACING: WHERE FUN EQUATES TO WINNING

BRASELTON, Ga. June 3 -- There is something to be said for a team who has occupied two of the three top spots in all but one race this year in the IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire series. What the drivers are saying is this is the most fun you can have with a team, which probably isn't what you expected to hear.

With Eurosport Racing, fun and team spirit seem to go hand in hand with going fast and winning. Two-time race winner and series point leader Matt Downs is one of five Eurosport drivers. "We've known this team our whole life," Matt said. "Dad has been racing with Eurosport for over 25 years."

That explains the comfort the team and drivers have with one another. Part of the fun may come from racing against two of his brothers, Lucas, who won his first race this year, and Antonio. These brothers and the other drivers and crew are what really seem to keep this team going.

"Our team has really stepped it up this year. We are getting better every single weekend," Lucas said. "We have such camaraderie at this team. I love going to the races, not just to drive the car, but to see all of the guys."

Dan Weyland and Jon Brownson are two veteran drivers who have raced with Eurosport for over 12 years.

Eurosport Racing, based in Brighton, Colo., was founded in 1983 by Rich Dahl when he was racing Formula Mazdas and Spec Racers. He met Dick Downs, Matt, Lucas and Antonio's father, by accident 25 years ago.

"Dick dialed a wrong number and got me and I sold him a racecar," Dahl explains. "We've all be racing together for quite some time." Eurosport currently focuses on prepping and racing cars for the IMSA Lites series and Formula Mazda cars.

"Dan was pushing toward IMSA Lites," Dahl said. "It sounded like a good idea, so three years ago we started racing in the series."

Eurosport Racing employs two full-time personnel, Mike Smith and Dan Johnson. Rich has approximately ten crew members who work part-time for him on race weekends.

Eurosport Racing will be racing next at New Jersey Motorsports Park as part of the Formula X weekend June 12-14.

-credit: imsa