In recognition for winning last November’s Palace Station SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas, Super Pro 125 champion Scott Speed recently had the opportunity to test a Formula Mazda with 2001 Star Formula Mazda championship-winning team World Speed Motorsports. Speed was treated to a full day in the car on Buttonwillow Raceway’s East Loop.
“Working with a professional team like World Speed was a real treat,” said Speed, 18, who clinched the 2001 SKUSA ProMoto Tour title by earning the maximum points possible with four wins from four poles. “The car took some getting used to, but after making a few changes to accommodate my driving style, we settled in and set some pretty respectable times.”
“Scott did very well,” said Telo Stewart, World Speed’s Formula Mazda team manager. “He took his time in the morning when the track was cold, then set some great times under less than ideal track conditions later in the day. He never put a wheel wrong.”
For 2002, Speed’s plate includes the Skip Barber Dodge National Series, Rotary Rockets Mid West Series, and the Jim Russell Triple Crown.
Based in Palm Springs, California, World Speed Motorsports operates multi-car programs in CART’s Toyota Atlantic Championship, as well as the Star Formula Mazda Pro Series. Founded in 1991, World Speed has captured three pro and four regional/national Formula Mazda championship and five pro series Rookie-of-the-Year titles since its inception. Most recently, the team won the 2001 pro Formula Mazda crown with driver Scott Bradley. On the Atlantic front, World Speed took its first Atlantic victory at Gateway International Raceway in 2000 with driver Case Montgomery.
The 2002 Star Mazda Series North American Championship begins on March 16 at Sebring International Raceway, as a featured support event to the American Le Mans Series weekend.
Further information is available on the team’s website at www.worldspeed.com as well as the official Star Mazda site at www.starmazda.com.