John Cummiskey Racing joins USF2000 grid with driver Nathan Blok
Mazda Road to Indy, USF2000, USF2000 news/releases, USF2000 series PR, USF2000 team PR — By More Front Wing Staff on May 2, 2014 11:34 am[Source: USF2000.com]
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2-time Canadian F1600 Champion Nathan Blok at the wheel of JCR No.33
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – It will be an exciting weekend for John Cummiskey Racing and Canadian driver Nathan Blok as the newly formed team straps the two-time Formula 1600 Champion into their brand new #33 Van Diemen Elan open-wheel race car. All of the USF2000 cars are powered by the Mazda MZR 2-liter powerplant – a 4-cylinder, double-overhead cam, fuel-injected engine generating approximately 170 horsepower and capable of powering cars to speeds of 150 mph.
The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda series visits the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 9 and 10 for the fifth and sixth races of the 2014 season. All the competitors are expecting a challenging week, as they will be racing on a new 14-turn, 2.434-mile road course for the first time.
“It’s the team and driver’s first races so the goals for this event are to run all day and finish in the top 10. Nathan is a great person and driver so we need to maximize our track time to gain some experience,” said Cummiskey. “I’ve been working with Nathan’s father for some time now and excited to have Nathan in the car. We have a great crew group and want to have some fun. Our long-term goal is to run a multi-car team in a full season effort and to compete for the championship.”
Although he faces a daunting task of learning a new course in a new type of car with a new team and crew chief, Blok is no stranger to driving competitively in both closed and open-wheel cars on untried tracks. Blok has experience in everything from Rotax go-karts to Formula 1600 and Touring Cars. He particularly enjoys learning the intricacies of a new road course such as Indy.
“I’m really excited about joining the USF2000 Series, especially at such a historic track and in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis,” said Blok. “I have to start by saying a big thank you to John (Cummiskey) who has gone to the moon and back to get me into the cockpit for JCR.
“All things considered, I am looking forward to some seat time next week,” continued Blok. “Joining the series at this point in the season I won’t likely be in contention for the championship. Obviously my goal is to win each race, but I would be satisfied to get a top-five finish and attract some attention for myself and my new team.”
The USF2000 test sessions for this event take place on May 7th, with two practices following on May 8th. Qualifying begins in the morning of May 9th with the first race later that afternoon. The second race of the weekend takes place on May 10th.
Tags: Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, John Cummiskey Racing, Nathan Blok