July 3, 2010
Daniel wins at Watkins Glen!
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Daniel Erickson salutes the chequered flag after crossing the finish line - a winner in the USA! Photo by Janice Eakin.
Daniel Erickson won Round Seven of the American F2000 Championship Series at Watkins Glen International today. It was his first victory on American soil in only his second race meeting driving a 'wings and slicks' racing car.
From second starting position, Daniel repassed a fast-starting Keith McCrone in Turn 1 before taking up station behind early race leader and pole sitter Chris Livengood. He was surprised to find himself almost swamped by some of the drivers behind him at the rolling start.
"Chris was setting the pace coming up to the green flag, and I just went with him. I don't know what the other guys were doing - some of them made really good starts! Keith had the inside line going into Turn 1, but he left me enough room to stay on the outside, and I was back up to second place by the exit."
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An over-eager Keith McCrone (5) outjumped Daniel (2, far right) at the rolling start. Photo by Janice Eakin
During the opening laps Daniel sat a short distance back from Livengood, but then the race complexion changed. "At first there was small gap to Chris - his car was really good from the start - but before half distance my car was getting faster and I started to catch him."
Daniel made the decisive move at half-distance in the 14-lap, 77km race, and went on to win by 1.6 seconds.
"Chris made a few small mistakes that let me close up onto his tail. I got a good tow down the back straight, and at first I didn't think I had enough time to get him because I was a little way back. But I got past him on the inside under brakes for the chicane, and made it stick.
"Then I put in some solid laps with no mistakes and pulled a gap of more than a second. After a while I slowed down a bit to preserve the tyres, and maintained a steady pace to the finish."
Daniel said that he was confident of putting in another solid performance in Round 8 on Sunday.
"The car's good; everything's pretty right. I just need to get a good start and keep it going. As for the rolling start, I'll be the pole sitter so I'll set the pace. The race officials just need to keep an eye on things to make sure everyone does the right thing."
Daniel's breakthrough win came after he dominated Friday's practice and qualifying sessions, when he topped the timesheets in three of the four sessions. It followed a sensational debut in the series at Virginia International Raceway in April, when he qualified on pole for both rounds, finished a close second in Round 1 and held a commanding lead in Round 2 until a spark plug lead came loose.
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Watkins Glen International is one of the world's best known road racing circuits.
2010 F2000 Championship Series - Watkins Glen International, New York State
Saturday, July 3
ROUND 7 (14 laps; 76.6km/47.6 miles)
1. Daniel Erickson (AUS) 26min. 38.552sec.
2. Chris Livengood (USA) 26min. 40.164sec.
3. Tim Minor (USA) 26min. 47.942sec.
WATKINS GLEN TIMETABLE
Sunday, July 4
11:00-11:45 USA EDT / 01:00-01:45 Monday, Australian EST - Round 8 race
Follow the action 'live' during Sunday's race on Twitter.
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