Jake Eidson – Interview

After winning the Skip Barber Winter and Summer Series, Jake Eidson was awarded a USF2000 test with Belardi Auto Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (photo: IndyCar.com)

Jake Eidson may not be a well-known racer yet, but he will be.

The 17-year-old Colorado native is coming off an astounding year in Skip Barber competition in which he won both the Skip Barber Summer and Winter championships. Now, looking to make the move into USF2000, Eidson recently discussed his past season and his future racing goals with JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com.

JOWT: Jake, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com and its readership. First off, congratulations on a stellar season. You’re coming off of a dominant season in which you clinched both the Skip Barber Summer and Winter Series. Before we get into this past season, I’d like to know more about how you became involved in racing. Tell us your story.

Jake Eidson (photo: Kelly Brouilliet | Skip Barber Racing)

Jake: I first started racing in karts and just did a few local races but as time went on, I started doing better and won a few races and even won the regional championship in Rotax Jr. After my second season of karting, my parents and I got to a point where we didn’t really know where to go, if we should go to Rotax Sr., or even shifters, and my mom said, “why don’t you try cars,” so immediately we found the Skip Barber Racing School.I was able to do the 3-Day School at Sebring and at that point, it was the best three days of my life. After finishing the 3-Day School, I participated in the 2010 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shootout at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. After participating in that, I learned a lot of valuable information in racing that I never knew before. Shortly after, I competed in the Skip Barber Winter Western Series. My goal was to finish the championship in the top five and I actually finished fourth, and was awarded Rookie of the Year, so we were very pleased with my performance. I went on to do a few races in the Skip Barber Summer Series, and competed in my second full season of Skip Barber in the Winter Series. I was fortunate enough to win the championship. Right after, I went on to compete in the Skip Barber Summer Series and used everything I learned from the Winter Series to be able to win the Summer Series Championship as well.

JOWT: After graduating from karts to cars via the Skip Barber Racing School, you entered the Skip Barber Karting Scholarship in 2010. What was your biggest challenge in the move from karts to cars?

Jake: My biggest challenge in moving from karts to cars, was adapting to the suspension. When I first drove the Skip Barber car, I didn’t realize how important the weight transfer was in a race car, until I actually drove one and experienced it myself.

JOWT: After an extremely successful start to your open-wheel career in the Skip Barber Western Series, you earned a $10,000 scholarship in the 2011 Skip Barber Champions Shootout. The scholarship, in a sense, was the catalyst for your breakout season in 2012. It was a hard-fought year against some extremely talented drivers. What “racing” moment stands out the most from 2012?

Jake: I would have to say that the most memorable moment of 2012 occurred at Lime Rock after finishing the Summer Series and clinching the Championship. Then I remembered at the very beginning of the winter season… I was talking to my dad and asked if he had to wish what series I could win (winter or summer), which one it would be? He told me both. To be able to achieve that was extremely memorable.

Jake Eidson and Danilo Estrela battle for the lead.
(photo: Debbie Ebalobo | Skip Barber Racing)

JOWT: You had some good battles with Danilo Estrela in the fight for the Winter Series championship — eventually coined ‘The Battle of the Es.” How did you stay focused and close the 21-point gap in the final two weekends?

Jake: Throughout the Winter Series, I seemed to have been able to finish 2nd or 3rd consistently but never win a race. After some time, I was getting very frustrated and after every race I became more and more determined to win the next race. Finally at the second to last round at Mazda Raceway, I was able to win both races and close a 21-point gap to put me into the lead of the Skip Barber Winter Series.

JOWT: After winning the Winter Series you transitioned into the Summer Series championship. What championship, in your mind, stands out more and why?

Jake: I would have to say that neither championship stands out more, because both were very special in its own way. The Winter Series was very memorable because it was the first Skip Barber Championship that I have ever won. The Summer Series was also very special because my dream of winning both championships back-to-back had come true.

JOWT: Who was your toughest competitor in 2012? And why?

Jake: I honestly can’t say who was the toughest competitor in either season because there were so many talented drivers. It was so much fun being able to race against them because every weekend you really couldn’t tell who was going to win. The competition was just so close.

JOWT: Based on your performance in 2012, you became one of eight finalists for the prestigious Team USA Scholarship. Tell us about your experience in the race simulator and the FR 1600 cars at Fontana Speedway.

Jake: To be selected as a candidate for the Team USA Scholarship was a huge honor as well as to be selected as a finalist. We were able to race on the CXC simulators which were extremely fun and realistic. The next day, we went to Fontana and drove the Alan Berg Racing School cars. The schedule for the day was practice, qualify, and race. Throughout that day I learned a lot, whether it was the track, the cars, or how to improve my driving. I took a lot of valuable information from those two days.

JOWT: As part of the Mazda Road to Indy, the USF2000 National Championship offered you a test in the 2012 Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for winning the Skip Barber Series. You were classified as the fourth quickest driver (out of 21) in Day 2. Tell us about the test. Describe the transition from a Skip Barber car to the Belardi Auto Racing USF2000 machine. 

Jake: One of the great opportunities that the Mazda Road to Indy provides, was a chance for the winner of the Skip Barber Winter and Summer Series a day at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After winning both series, I was fortunate enough to test both days with the Belardi Auto Racing team. The team did an amazing job setting up the car to make it as fast as possible and I think that was main reason why we were only a tenth of a second off of the fastest lap time.

JOWT: What are your racing goals for the upcoming season? And what are your long-term racing goals?

Jake: My current goal is to focus on the Skip Barber Champion Shootout and just do the best I can possibly do. If the shootout doesn’t work out then we have several other plans for the 2013 season but can’t make any commitments until after the shootout. My ultimate long-term goal is to climb the Mazda Road to Indy and become an IndyCar driver.

JOWT: What hobbies, outside of racing, do you enjoy?

Jake: Outside of racing I enjoy exercising, snowboarding, fishing, iRacing, and tennis.JOWT: Do you have a fitness routine that you follow to stay sharp? If so, describe it.Jake: My typical work-out routine is every other day I go to the gym and exercise, and every day I don’t go to the gym, I go for a run.

JOWT: Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview. We’re looking forward to watching your upcoming progress in the open-wheel ranks. Best of luck in 2013 and beyond.

Young Talent Hopes to Impress at Chris Griffis Memorial Test

October 09, 2012

Courtesy of INDYCAR

FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS PARTICIPANTS | STAR MAZDA PARTICIPANTS USF2000 PARTICIPANTS

INDIANAPOLIS - Jake Eidson has made a rapid rise of the racing ladder in the last few years - ascending from beginning karter to Skip Barber Racing Series champion in just five seasons.

On Oct. 10-11, the 17-year-old from Littleton, Colo., will take the biggest step of his young career when he tests a Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship car at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of his reward for winning the Skip Barber Winter Series and clinching the Skip Barber Summer Series at Lime Rock on Oct. 6.

"Just being (at Indianapolis) will be a huge honor," Eidson said. "To drive a race car there, not many 17 years olds get to do that. I'm very thankful for the opportunity, but I'm more excited than anything else. I'm absolutely looking forward to it."

For Eidson, who attended the Indianapolis 500 as a boy and again in May, the test is the first step in his goal of joining the Mazda Road to Indy and fulfilling a dream of being a professional racing driver.

"My goal is to climb the Mazda Road to Indy ladder and become an Indy car driver," he said. "It's nice that we're able to have a path straight to Indy. Most countries don't have that. It's nice to have that and have a chance to get a scholarship to make the dream possible."

Eidson is one of six drivers awarded test days at the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test thanks to the Mazda Road to Indy's partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School in the U.S., and international series such as the British Formula Ford Championship, Mexico's LATAM Challenge Series and the Quebec and Ontario F1600 Championship in Canada.

"We are excited to see the results of our new partnerships with British Formula Ford, LATAM Challenge Series, Canadian F1600 and Skip Barber at the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Jason Penix, director of grassroots initiatives at INDYCAR. "These partnerships bring some of the world's top young talent into the Mazda Road to Indy system, complementing very strong USF2000, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights fields for this test."

Finland's Antti Buri, the champion of the British Formula Ford championship, will join Eidson and Canadian F1600 champions Nathan Blok (Quebec) and Michael Adams (Ontario) in the USF2000 portion of the two-day test. Three of the top four drivers in the LATAM Challenge Series -- points leader Francisco Cerullo, Andre Sulano and Jose Carlos-Sandoval - are also scheduled to participate in the Star Mazda Championship portion of the test. Burri is also scheduled to drive a Star Mazda car.

The Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test - dedicated to the memory Chris Griffis, Sam Schmidt Motorsports' Firestone Indy Lights team manager - brings together the three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Ladder system, including the Star Mazda Championship Powered by Goodyear and Firestone Indy Lights. 

Hosted by INDYCAR, the outing not only offers all three series a jump-start on the 2013 season but also showcases the ladder system to prospective teams and drivers.

"We are looking forward to the test, as we have seen sizable increases in the USF2000, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights entries over last year," Penix said. "Altogether, we've seen nearly a 75 percent increase, which shows the momentum and interest around the Mazda Road to Indy program."

JJRD Sends Three to Team USA Scholarship

Lexington, Ohio., August 13 – Jonatan Jorge had himself a pretty good weekend last weekend at Mid-Ohio Sport Car Course. Even before one of his drivers, Scott Anderson, crossed the finish line Sunday morning to take his first career Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda victory, Jorge was celebrating the announcement that three Jonatan Jorge Racing Development drivers were among the group of 14 named as finalists for the prestigious Team USA Scholarship competition.

Tristan Nunez; Cooper Tires IMSA Prototype Lites championship leader with seven pole positions and six wins, Jake Eidson; Skip Barber Winter Race Series Champion and Summer Race Series championship leader, and Colin Thompson; Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda competitor and F1600 race winner, were selected by a panel led by Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw and featuring a who’s who of U.S. racing leadership as well as several Team USA Scholarship alumni.

From the group of 14, three drivers will be selected as Team USA Scholarship drivers; two drivers will be entered under the Team USA Scholarship/Cliff Dempsey Racing banner in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on October 27-28 and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone on November 3-4, while a third, more experienced driver will be invited to contest the final two rounds of the Formula Renault BARC Championship at Silverstone on October 6-7.

“We are really proud of our drivers”, said Jorge from the paddock at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where he is coaching several drivers in this weekend’s rounds of the 2012 USF2000 Championship.“Jake, Colin and Tristan have each proven themselves to be among an elite group of American junior racers. Their selection is a tribute to their hard work.”

Nunez, Thompson and Eidson join Spencer Pigot (2010), Scott Anderson and Trent Hindman (2011) as JJRD coached drivers who have been selected as Team USA Scholarship finalists.

The growth of Jonatan Jorge Racing Development continues at a pace rivaled only by the pace of JJRD’s drivers. While Jorge was in Ohio coaching the Belardi Auto Racing line up of drivers and National class competitor R.C. Enerson, business partner Phil Lombardi is at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, coaching ABK Sports driver Ayla Agrenand newcomer Clark Toppe at the Skip Barber Race Series weekend. After a rare weekend at home, Jorge will pull double duty in Wisconsin as USF2000 and Prototype Lites share the support bill at the American Le Mans Series Road Race Showcase at Road America.

“We’ve been extremely busy. I miss being at home, but in this business, busy is good."

Skip Barber: Starrantino and Eidson Excel at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant

The Skip Barber Racing School presents the 2012 Mazda Summer Series for Skip Barber Formula recently returned to action with Rounds Five and Six at the acclaimed Le Circuit Mont Tremblant. Adrian Starrantino earned his first and second wins in the Skip Barber Summer Series in Group 1 action. Jake Eidson also had an outstanding showing by capturing four first place finishes on the weekend.

 In race one for Group 2, Eidson took the lead right from the start, with Strelzoff and McMurry chasing. By the middle of the race, Nick Silva had worked his way up the pack, battling for second. Strelzoff, McMurry, and Silva all battled in a tight group that included Andrew Longe for most of the race. Their battle allowed Eidson to put some space between the pack. Eidson in the end won, with Strelzoff in second and Silva in third.

Eidson again started race two in the lead, closely challenged by Strelzoff. A caution on the second lap bunched the field back up, A lap after the restart, Longe was able to work his way up and take a short stint in the lead. Eidson retook the lead, however, and never looked back. Longe finished a solid second, holding off Strelzoff.

Race one for Group 3 began with Eidson in the lead, followed Mitchell, Jr., Brian Cook, Greg Holloway, and Andrew Hobbs. Eidson and Mitchell began to pull away from the group, with Hobbs chasing. Mitchell and Eidson continued to battle for the lead throughout the day. Clark Toppe was the biggest mover of the race, starting in eighth and batting his was way up to fourth. Mitchell and Eidson ran a clean but tight race, with Mitchell able to capture the fastest lap, but unable to get around Eidson. Cook came home in third.

Race two for the group had Eidson again on pole, with Mitchell Jr. and Cook lurking behind. It was good clean race, as Eidson and Mitchell Jr. picked up where they left off. Both ran fantastic races. Towards the mid pack, Toppe ran nose-to-tail with Cook trying to pressure him into a mistake. After a mechanical DNF in race one that placed Hobbs at the rear of the field, he was able to show off his speed and ended up moving into the third place. As laps ticked away, Eidson held on a comfortable lead over Mitchell, with Hobbs taking the podium in the last race of the day.

2012 Skip Barber Winter Series Kicks-Off at VIR

Group 4 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

Big pop on the outside in turn one. Jack Mitchell Jr. is looking into the outside. Chris Hawley gets two off in turn two. Adrian Starrantino running in fourth at turn two. No pops in turn three. Two car breakaway running up the hill. Nick Silva moves up to fourth position. Clean through Oak Tree. No pops for the lead but fourth for the pop. Nick Silva trying to get around Greg Strelzoff but it doesn't happen. Lap three, it's the Jake Eidson and Jack Mitchell Jr. show in turn one. Adrian Starrantino five car lengths behind. Best battle on track is for fourth position. Leaders single file into turn one on lap five. Adrian Starrantino is catching the leaders. Greg Holloway makes a pass in turn one. Greg Holloway has pressure from Clark Toppe. Gap between second and third looks bigger. Top three are equally spaced leaving Oak Tree. Adrian Starrantino is closing in turn seventeen, look for a pop for him on Jack Mitchell Jr. into turn one. Clark Toppe goes down on course during lap six and a full course caution is brought out. Lap nine brings back the green flag and Jack Mitchell Jr. and Jake Eidson are leading. Greg Holloway hits Ryan Verra both cars should continue. Jack Mitchell Jr. over Jake Eidson at the hill then Adrian Starrantino. Gap back to Greg Strelzoff and Peter Portante. They are equally spaced through Oak Tree. Leaders remain in order through lap ten. Jack Mitchell Jr. has a run in turn fourteen. Jake Eidson makes the slingshot move and is the winner. 

Group 4 Race 2: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

In turn one all is clear. Jake Edison followed by Jack Mitchell Jr. into turn three. Single file into turn four. Peter Portante is in turn three. Pop for third and lead—but Jack Mitchell Jr. over Jake Eidson still and Peter Portante still in third into turn seventeen. Jake holds it in turn one on lap three, and Peter Portante holds onto third. The top two have a breakaway. The battle for third looking good in turns five and six. Leapfrogging up front in turn fifteen. Greg Stezloff holding stead in sixth. Nick Silva will have a big run this time. Nick makes a pass over Jack Jr in turn one on lap six. It is the Jake Eidson and Jack Mitchell Jr. show pulling away from the gap. Adrian Starrantino is in third, holding tight. Nick Silva may have a run in turn five. Ryan Verra gets ahead of Tom Goodhart in turn five-good pass. Jack Mitchell Jr. pulls back in front of Jake Eidson and Nick Silva. Adrian Starrantino trying to make a pop on the straight. Jake Eidson makes a pass over Jack Mitchell Jr. on lap eight. Adrian Starrantino is well off Greg Stelzoff. Gus Doppes and Clark Toppe having a good battle. Jake Eidson has a comfortable lead on lap ten and holds onto it until the end.

Eidson takes the Formula Skip Barber Championship

Braselton, Ga. (April 24, 2012) With twelve races in the books, smiles shared and tears shed, the 2011-2012 Skip Barber Racing School Winter Series Finale presented by Mazda came to an end this past month at Sebring International Raceway.  Racers from around the world competed to see who would be the cream of the crop. With only two points separating the top two racers entering the finale, the race was nothing short of exciting. MAZDASPEED Motorsports Developmental Driver, Danilo Estrela and 2010-2011 Winter Series Rookie of the Year, Jake Eidson fought hard throughout the year, but at the end of an exciting season, Eidson came away victorious winning the coveted number one spot. Bryan Hixon and Grand Master Steve Randall also had an thrilling race weekend as both racers won one race a piece, but S.Randall prevailed taking the points lead for the MAZDASPEED Challenge. Top 10 will receive a fully funded ride in the 2012 Skip Barber Racing School Championship shootout for a chance to win a seat in the 2013 USF2000 series.

Group 1 Race 2 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Winter Series, Formula Skip Barber

MAZDASPEED Developmental Driver Danilo Estrela begins the race on pole. Eidson is close behind the leader as the pack finishes lap 1. Estrela and Edison exchange the lead a few times, but Eidson slides in first as racers end lap 2. Estrela doesn’t give up and is close behind. Estrela recovers the top spot at the end of lap 3. There’s an intense battle for third between Nick Neri and Leonardo Jafet entering lap 4, but Jafet can’t make the pop. Entering lap 7, Eidson maneuvers through each turn and manages to slide past Estrela into the top position. Due to a mechanical, Estrela doesn’t finish the race. Edison takes the win followed by Nick Neri in second and Jack Mitchell Jr. in third.

Two races remain

Only Two races remain in the Skip Barber presents the Mazda Winter Series, and the battle for the Formula Skip Barber championship has effectively become a two-man affair following Rounds Nine and Ten over the weekend (March 31-April 1) at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Jake Eidson overtook the points lead from Danilo Estrela with two first place finishes. Fellow championship front-runner Nick Neri also had a spectacular race weekend gaining two first place finishes in each of his races, while Jack Mitchell Jr., another title contender, also captured two second place finishes.

Eidson led the field to the green flag for the opening race of Group One. Early in lap one, Eidson extended his advantage over Mitchell Jr. and Leonardo Jafet. Just after the cars went single file through turn six, Matt McMurry spun and got trapped in the gravel, bringing out the yellow flag. Race resumed on lap three, with new racer Peter Portante making contact with Ryan Verra on the front straight. As the racers entered lap four, Mitchell Jr. began making ground on Eidson, subsequently passing for first. Eidson, however, remained right behind the new leader, and going into turn 10 makes a pop for first, reclaiming the top spot. Estrela, who started at the back of the pack, has picked off numerous cars, now lies in fourth place. Going into lap seven, Lee Kaiser and McMurry have contact, resulting in McMurry hit the wall and the yellow flags coming out. When the race resumed on lap 10, Estrela quickly took over the third spot from Jafet. With Eidson still out front, the lead trio are are nose to tail in lap 11, before Estrela goes four off in turn 10 and finishes in the pit. Eidson in the end takes the win, followed by Mitchell Jr., and Jafet.

After winning the previous day's race, Eidson once led the Group One pack to the green flag. Jafet is the early mover, passing Mitchell Jr. early in lap two for the second position. Estrela, who began in seventh, also begins maneuvering through the pack, picking up three spot as he slides into the fourth spot by lap two. Unfortunately, Jafet soon spun, making contact with Estrela. Both drivers, however, manage to continue. As the racers enter lap four, Neri moves to third, but Tristan DeGrand is right behind him waiting to make his move. DeGrand looks to make it happen on lap five, and makes it stick. With the battles for positions behind, Eidson and Mitchell Jr. continue to extend their lead from the rest of the pack. As the fight for third continues to intensify between DeGrand and Neri, Mitchell Jr. begins catch Eidson, but can’t make any moves stick. Eidson takes the win when the checkered flag waves, with Mitchell Jr. in second and DeGrand in third.

The battle for the Formula Skip Barber title in the the Skip Barber presents the Mazda Winter Series concludes on April 13-14, with Rounds 11 and 12 at Sebring International raceway. Entering the doubleheader, Eidson leads the standings with 256 points, just two ahead of Estrela. Tied for third on 240 are Neri - the top rookie - and Mitchell Jr.