Filgueiras Scores Podium Finish
Following a two month break after getting into his Lipten Energy Solutions /Spencer Racing F2000 machine, 21 year old Cocoa Beach, Florida based driver Eric Filgueiras was excited to take on the F2000 Championship Series season opener held at the famous Road Atlanta course in Braselton, GA.
The weekend’s action began with the promoter test day on Thursday. While working through technical difficulties and on-track delays, Filgueiras would only get about 8 laps of track time. Friday would be similar, with only two official series practice sessions and the first of the two with heavy rain. Even with the limited time Filgueiras was still able to post a respectable lap time ending up 7th out of the expected 26 entires.
Saturday started off with qualifying, the first real chance for Filgueiras to test his abilities and find the performance from the car. Digging deep he was able to take advantage of the team’s preparations and place his #22 Lipten Spencer Racing machine in P4 for the first race of the weekend. When the green flag dropped a thrilling race ensued. After a few laps Filgueiras would jump from 4th to 2nd and hold it for most the race until both the diffuser and brakes would fail. Even with this adversity Filgueiras was able to nurse the car home to a respectable 7th place finish.
Sunday would turn out to be a much better day with the team working diligently to repair the damaged diffuser and braking issues. With a day of race experience, Filgueiras would turn a lap good enough to start P3 for the 2nd race of the weekend. Another exciting race would begin at the green flag, battling with both first and second place competitors for position, ultimately able to secure 2nd after some assertive passing and finishing the race comfortably in that position.
“I can’t believe it” exclaimed the 21 year old, “we are a small team compared to many of the others and for us to be this strong in our first official series weekend is incredible. I wish for our series points sake that Saturday could have been better but we are very lucky to have finished the race at all under the given conditions. Sunday was excellent. Absolutely amazing. Everyone who works on the car and supports us does such an amazing Job and we surely appreciate it!”
All of this success could only be possible by the continued support of these amazing companies Lipten Energy Solutions, Kovi Consulting, SPEEDCOM Communications, HAWK Performance, BELL Helmets, Oakley, A&B Graphics, GoPro, RaceQuip and Dark Horse Pros.