Liberty Motorsports St. Pete preview

LIBERTY MOTORSPORTS SET FOR USF2000 DEBUT IN ST. PETE
Illinois-based team enters pro ranks full-time with Mansur and Powers behind the wheel

ROCKFORD, ILL. (March 24, 2010) - Liberty Motorsports will take the plunge into the pro racing ranks this weekend (March 27-28) when it takes part in the season-opening rounds of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. Aruban standout Terrick Mansur and American formula car rookie Matthew Powers will drive for the club racing multiple race winners, having shown good speed and skill in testing with the Illinois-based squad.

After several years of success in the amateur Formula Ford 2000 ranks, Liberty Motorsports has elected to go pro racing full-time in 2010 via multi-car efforts in both the USF2000 National Championship and F2000 Championship Series. First up is the season-opener doubleheader for the revitalized USF2000 series, racing in conjunction with the IndyCar Series on the streets of St. Petersburg. While the prestigious event will mark Liberty Motorsport's first full-time foray into pro racing, many expect the squad to challenge for top honors in its series debut, thanks to its driver line-up and personnel.

Mansur is returning to racing after a two-year hiatus to pursue his post-secondary education. Piloting the No. 14 Liberty Motorsports Van Diemen which is supported by Aruba.com, he immediately showed the skill that led him to third in the 2007 F2000 Championship Series during winter testing with Liberty Motorsports.

A native of California, Powers impressed the team with his speed and feedback in private testing. Currently only scheduled to run six of the 12 series races, he will make his car racing debut in the USF2000 National Champion following a successful karting career in the Rotax class.

Outside of the cockpits, Liberty Motorsports has extensive experience and expertise from which to draw. Team Owner Brian Belardi is not only a well respected owner, but also a leading SCCA Club Racing driver with multiple wins to his name. Team Manager and Lead Mechanic Chuck Lessick has worked with many of the top drivers and teams in junior formula car racing over the past decade, winning several races and championship titles, as well as winning races as a driver himself. Mechanical Engineer Gib 'Gibby' Gibson is a former SCCA Mechanic of the Year, who has helped several drivers win SCCA National Championships and pro races in the junior formula car ranks. Data Engineer David Ferguson meanwhile has a winning reputation in various forms of racing via his company Veracity Racing Data.

"We are looking forward to this weekend at St. Petersburg to see where we stand with our effort in the revitalized USF2000 series," said Lessick. "Terrick and Matt are capable drivers who work well with the team and give great feedback. We are well prepared, and have assembled a team that is deep with experience. I believe this experience will pay dividends in Liberty Motorsports' hunt for the championship."

The Liberty Motorsports drivers first roll on-course in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Friday (March 26), with two Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda practice sessions. One day later, morning qualifying on the street circuit will set the grid for Round One, which takes place later in the day. Round Two of the season-opener doubleheader will take place on Sunday morning (March 28), with the grid set by each driver's fast time in the opening race.

-source: liberty motorsports