Winning is so Sweet

Littleton, Colo. – Hello everyone, welcome to my blog! Quite a lot has happened since my last post so I’m going to review some of the highlights of this season so far, starting off with my announcement of joining Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda shortly after my Team USA Scholarship experience in England. We are currently seven race weekends into the season and sitting second in the points championship. 

The first few races of the season at St. Petersburg and Barber went well after finishing on the podium in both events but I was still very eager to win my first race. I came so close to doing that in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Having the opportunity to race at Indianapolis was nothing short of amazing. It’s always been my dream to race at one of the most famous racetracks in history and now I can check that box off! On race day, the weather threw a bit of a curve ball with a heavy rain shower just before the start. Once the green flag waved I immediately moved from third to second in Turn One then made the pass for first place on the back straight. In the closing laps of the race my excitement began to grow thinking I was about to win my first race in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Sadly I was passed by another car that went to slicks early in the race and as the track dried out he had a greater advantage. I finished the race in second, more eager than ever to taste victory. 

The next race was the only oval track that we would race for the season at Lucas Oil Raceway. Even though it was my first time racing on an oval track I was getting the hang of turning left pretty quickly. We were the quickest in several testing and practice sessions, and seemed to be in good shape for qualifying. Unfortunately when I went out for my two-lap average qualifying session I had a huge moment on my first lap. I almost lost the car, which killed my first lap time and meant I had to start way back in P17. During the race I made good progress even with how hard it is to pass on an oval to finish ninth. 

During the time between Lucas Oil Raceway and the next race at Toronto, I was able to move back to my hometown in Colorado from Florida and had the opportunity to go back to my roots in racing and compete in a go-kart race at The Track at Centennial where I had my first ever race. I want to thank Mike Weatherman and Mark Lubischer at Karting Coach for helping me get my kart race ready. I was able to race a Mazda MX-5 during a Skip Barber weekend at Mid-Ohio for the first time, too, which was a blast! On top of this, I also went down to Birmingham, Ala., to visit my sister who graduated from Air Force officer training. After being away from home for three months, we were all very excited to see her. 

After the long break, I couldn’t wait to get back in the car at Toronto for rounds 8 and 9 in the USF2000 Series. This was my first time racing in the streets of Toronto and after walking the track I already knew the racing was going to be pretty exciting! Qualifying went very well as I started in third position. Race 1 was rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to hazardous conditions from constant rainfall all day. Sunday morning the track was still wet from yesterday and we went out on rain tires with the possibility of changing over to slicks midway through the race. The opening laps of the race were very difficult to learn the track in those conditions because it was everyone’s first time driving on the track in the wet. I was able to figure the track out pretty quickly after making the pass for second and kept pressure on the leader. With a couple laps left I got a good run going into Turn One and went for the inside as the leader locked up his tires and went into the run off giving me the lead. Once I got the lead there was a good gap to second so all I had to do was keep the car off the walls to finally win my first race! After coming so close to wining several races this year it was a very rewarding feeling to be able to secure my first win. 

Just 10 days after Toronto, I packed my bags again to head out to the tricky track otherwise known as Mid-Ohio. The weekend was an overall success after finishing with a top-five and grabbing my second win of the season in race two under very difficult full rain conditions. It was a very stressful few days since it was the second to last race weekend of the season and the championship is coming to an end. We’re currently second in the Cooper Tires USF2000 championship going into the last weekend of the year at Sonoma Raceway in California. I want thank my team (Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing) for their nonstop hard work and dedication this year. I would also like to thank my parents for all their support and my sponsors Bell, OMP, and 1st Bank. Knowing that anything can happen, I’ll give everything I’ve got to end up victorious! 

Thanks for reading! 
Jake

Eidson to Compete in USF2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 4, 2013) – Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing is pleased to announce that Jake Eidson will move up to the USF2000 Championship in 2014. The young driver claimed the 2013 F1600 Formula F Championship with sevens wins, the most in series history. 

“When we signed Jake for the F1600 Series, it was with the understanding he would move to USF2000 in 2014,” said team owners Dominic and Nicholas Cape. ”We had confidence in him as a young driver, and he proved us right by claiming the F1600 championship. We are looking forward to helping him grow as a driver as he moves up to USF2000.” 

In addition to his seven wins, Eidson had five poles and won the championship by 49 points. Following his championship run, he was selected as one of two Team USA Scholarship drivers. 

“My goals for the USF2000 Series is to use all the tools and knowledge I’ve gained last season from Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing team to be a top contender,” Eidson said. “I know the team is devoted to win, and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with Dominic and Nicholas again after already having a very successful year of racing that I hope to repeat next season.” 

The team will be on track December 9-10 for the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park. 

About Cape Motorsports: Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing was formed in 2010 as a partnership between two successful racing entities. With leadership from brothers Nicholas and Dominic Cape, and along with Wayne Taylor and his organization in Indianapolis, the team campaigns cars in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda and the F1600 Formula F Championship Series. For more information, please visitwww.capemotorsports.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (CMwithWTR) for updates. 

About USF2000: The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda debuted in 2010 and is a revival of the highly regarded USF2000 series, which ran from 1990 through 2006, launching the careers of many of today’s top drivers. Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the series is the first official step on the Mazda Road to Indy – a clearly defined path to reach the top echelons of the sport. In addition to providing a vital training ground for rising stars, the series champion will earn a scholarship package from Mazda to advance to the Pro Mazda Championship, the next step on the ladder system. The series is also part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development program, which assists young drivers in advancing from the Skip Barber Racing School to USF2000.

Eidson Selected as 2013 Team USA Scholarship Winner

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (September 17, 2013) – After a hard-fought shootout among six talented candidates, young Americans Joey Bickers and Jake Eidson have been selected to carry the patriotic red-white-and-blue colors of the Team USA Scholarship in two prestigious end-of-season Formula Ford events in England. 

The pair will follow in the footsteps of an illustrious group of former scholarship winners including Jimmy Vasser, who was the inaugural recipient in 1990, Bryan Herta, Buddy Rice, Andy Lally, Joey Hand, A.J. Allmendinger, Charlie Kimball, J.R. Hildebrand, Conor Daly, Josef Newgarden, Spencer Pigot and Matthew Brabham. 

Joey Bickers Bickers, 21, from Moorpark, Calif., a front-runner in this year’s Pacific F1600 Series in his very first season of racing, and Eidson (right, pronounced “EDD-sun”), 18, from Littleton, Colo., who was recently crowned champion of the East Coast-based F1600 Championship Series, will travel to England in October to begin preparations for the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on October 26-27 and the following weekend’s Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone on November 2-3. The pair will drive race-winning Ray GR08 Formula Ford cars prepared by Cliff Dempsey Racing. 

“Words cannot explain how honored I am to be given this opportunity,” said Bickers. “Since the start of my racing career, my number one goal has been to learn as quickly as I can. Going to England as a part of the Team USA Scholarship, I am sure that I will continue to learn many valuable lessons about professional racing both on and off the track. 

“It means so much to join a long list of successful graduates such as Jimmy Vasser and Bryan Herta. I am very excited, and ready to give my maximum effort on and off track, and carry on the prestige of the Team USA Scholarship.” 

“Being selected as a Team USA Scholarship driver is a dream come true, especially knowing the number of successful drivers who have come through this program in the past,” added Eidson, a proven winner who also has three Skip Barber Racing Championships under his belt. “Having the opportunity to be in the same position as they were in their early racing careers is an incredible honor. Last year I was able to compete in England with Cliff Dempsey Racing where I gained a great amount of additional knowledge and plan to apply that to the Team USA Scholarship. I want to thank Jeremy Shaw, the RRDC, SAFEisFAST, all the supporters of the Team USA Scholarship, and everyone involved in the selection process for making this possible.”

Eidson Sweeps at Mid-Ohio

Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing driver Jake Eidson won both F1600 Formula F Championship races during the series’ second trip in three weeks to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 10-11. 

In Race 1, the No. 10 Honda Spectrum 012 driver claimed the pole and led every lap to take the checkered flag. With his fifth win of the season, he broke the series records for wins. In Race 2, he again started from pole and led all but a half of a lap. He battled back on the last lap before ultimately taking the victory. 

“Words can not describe how amazing this last weekend was after finishing P1 in every session including P1 in both practice session, two pole positions, and two race wins in the second to last round of the F1600 Championship Series at Mid-Ohio,” Eidson said. “On top of that, we’re in a great position to win the F1600 Championship with only one more round to go at Summit Point.” 

With his three wins, Eidson claimed the “The King of the Buckeyes Championship,” awarded to the driver scoring the most points in the four Mid-Ohio races this season. The prizes include a trophy, commemorative poster, gift cards, test day voucher, and various other items from series partners. 

Eidson remains atop the driver point standings. He has a commanding 83-point lead with just the final two races remaining. 

“Overall, it was a great weekend for Jake and the crew,” said team owner Dominic Cape. “Jake has a good lead heading into the final races, and that’s all we can ask for.” 

In addition to the two race weekends at Mid-Ohio, the team also campaigned two cars in the USF2000 Series that raced at the famed natural road course last weekend. 

“After spending three weeks in Ohio, we should claim residency,” joked team owner Nicholas Cape. 

As a team, Cape Motorsports competed in seven races at Mid-Ohio, on three consecutive weekends. The drivers claimed five wins, two second-place finishes, five poles, and seven front-row starts. 

“It was a fantastic achievement by the whole team without question,” said Dominic Cape. “I am very proud of everyone, drivers, crew chiefs and engineers, now we’ll step our game up for the final races in each championship.” 

Eidson will next be on track for the final two F1600 races at Summit Point September 23-25. The USF2000 Series will next be on track September 6 and 7 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (CMwithWTR) for updates.

Eidson Sweeps Lime Rock

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May 29, 2013) – Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing No. 10 Honda Spectrum driver Jake Eidson swept both F1600 Formula F Championship races at Lime Rock Park this past weekend. He now has three wins this season. 

After starting fifth in a rainy Race 1, Eidson wasted no time and passed four cars on the lead lap and never looked back, winning in a commanding style. In Race 2, Eidson started first and led from green to checkered.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend,” Eidson said. “It was first time I had driven the Spectrum F1600 car in the rain but was able to quickly adapt. Each session in the rain was just a matter of learning the rain line as quickly as possible. During the race my main focus was being consistent and not making any mistakes. I’m extremely glad to bring the Cape Motorsports team two more race wins and looking forward to the fourth round of the F1600 Series race at Mid-Ohio.” 

“It was a big weekend for Cape Motorsports,” said Dominic and Nicholas Cape. “Jake really showed his talent at Lime Rock by winning both races at Lime Rock in the rain. We’re really happy with his performance.” 

For more information, please visit www.f1600series.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (CMwithWTR) for updates.

Eidson Picks Up First Win of Season at Road Atlanta

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May 15, 2013) – Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing No. 10 Honda Spectrum driver Jake Eidson claimed his first F1600 Formula F Championship win of the season with his victory in Race 2 at Road America this past weekend. 

His win gives the young driver three podium finishes in the first four races. In Race 2, he qualified in P1, set the fastest lap for both races and also set the new race record.

 “Going into the second round of the F1600 Series at Road Atlanta, I felt very comfortable after having a lot of seat time at the track in previous Skip Barber events. For the second race, we qualified P1, resulting in a new track record. After a few laps I was able to break away from the draft and got my first F1600 series win. It was a good day.” 

Eidson qualified P3 for the Race 1, only a tenth of a second off the pole, and also clocked the fastest time of the race. While battling for the lead, he was hit, causing damage to the back left side of the No. 10 machine which ended his day early. He is now 3rd in the driver point standings, only four points back from second. 

“We knew it wouldn’t take long for Jake to pick up his first series win,” said team owners Dominic and Nicholas Cape. “He is a great young driver, and he is improving with each lap. We want to thank the crew for working hard to have the Spectrum ready for the second race. Now it’s on to the next one” 

The F1600 Series next heads to Lime Rock Park, May 24th and 25th. For more information, please visit www.f1600series.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (CMwithWTR) for updates.

Jake Eidson Joins Cape Motorsports for Two-Year Program

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 28, 2013) – Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing is pleased to announced that Jake Eidson has joined the team to compete for the 2013 F1600 Formula F Championship. Eidson, the 2012 Skip Barber Summer Series Champion, will move up to the Cooper Tires presents USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2014. 

“I’m extremely excited to be racing this season in the F1600 Championship Series with the defending champions, Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor racing,” Eidson said. “I want to thank Dominic and Nicholas Cape for their confidence in me. I know how much the team is committed to winning and my goal for the season is to do the same and contend for the championship in the No. 10 Spectrum Honda. The Spectrum chassis had seven wins and nine poles last season, and I’m excited to be driving such a powerful car.” 

Eidson, 17, has only been racing for three years, but he has proven himself on the track. In addition to his Skip Barber Summer Series Championship, in 2012, he was awarded the Skip Barber Rookie of the Year award for the Winter Series, and in his rookie season in 2010, he finished 4th overall in the Skip Barber Winter Western Series. 

“We’re very happy to have Jake on our team,” said team owners Dominic and Nicholas Cape. “He is talented driver, and we hope to help him develop his skills and hopefully win a championship this year in F1600 and next year in USF2000.” 

Eidson will drive the No. 10 Spectrum Honda and his high hopes for the season. The team and its driver Matias Köykkä claimed the team and drivers championships in 2012. Cape Motorsports also swept the USF2000 Championships in 2012 with driver Henrik Furuseth.

The 2013 F1600 Formula F Championship kicks-off April 11-14 at Virginia International Raceway. The schedule will bring the team to Road Atlanta May 9-11, Lime Rock Park May 24-25, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 26-28 and Summit Point August 23-25. 

For more information, please visit www.f1600series.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (CMwithWTR) for updates.