Jake Eidson: FF Champion Interview
Seven wins in 12 races marked a Championship year for Jake Eidson in an ultra-competitive and close F1600 Formula F Championship Series. The Cape Motorsports driver started his dominance in round four at Road Atlanta, where he marked his first win of the season, and the first race of the year won by more than a full second.
Q: Looking back on 2013, you were hesitant to do F1600, wanting to jump further, what made you decide to run the FF car?
Jake: After talking with Dominic and Nicholas Cape, we decided to compete in the F1600 series because we thought it was a great learning series and that it would better prepare me for the F2000 car.
Q: Do you feel this was a good decision?
Jake: Looking back at it, I believe we made the right decision. I learned so much in this series, and know I can apply that knowledge to my future racing career.
Q: What advice would you give to drivers looking at various options on the F1600 level?
Jake: I would tell them to definitely look into the F1600 Championship Series. It provides a great platform for many young drivers that either want to simply learn about racing, or talented drivers that are looking for a series to be competitive in.
Q: Seven wins in 12 races, and five other strong performances, what was your favorite race and why?
Jake: My favorite race was at Lime Rock Park, because even though not that many people enjoyed the wet weather, I loved being able to race in the rain! The first race (which was also on my birthday) I was able to fight my way from fifth to first and pull away from the field to win the race. The second race I was also able to win, which put me as the championship points leader.
Q: What was your least favorite race of the year and why?
Jake: My least favorite track must have been VIR. It was the only track that I didn’t get a win at but came very close to both races. I still enjoy racing at that track just didn’t get the results I wanted.
Q: When during the year did you realize it was your title to lose?
Jake: After the first race at Mid-Ohio I had a pretty comfortable lead in points with a win and a second place finish. After the second race weekend at Mid-Ohio I was very happy to get two more wins and help secure my P1 position in points.
Q: Who was the best of your competition to race against?
Jake: Adrian Starrantino and Aaron Telitz were both very competitive this whole season. It was also very fun battling David Grant at Mid-Ohio, which was one of the most exciting races of the year for me.
Q: Favorite track of the year? Best event of the year?
Jake: My favorite track this year must have been Road Atlanta during the Formula Drift event. Road Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks and it was the track that I got my first F1600 Championship Series win!
Q: In between races, what did you spend your time doing?
Jake: I did a few events between each F1600 Championship Series race which included a Skip Barber race at Carolina Motorsports Park. I also tested a USF2000 car with Cape Motorsports at Mid-Ohio as well as the Team USA Scholarship interviews.
Q: Are you in school for the fall/winter? If so, where and what are you studying?
Jake: I’m currently taking online classes at Northwest Florida State College, which is more convenient for racing. I plan to get my degree in Business Marketing.
Q: What are your goals for the Team USA drive in England, and for the near term future in 2014?
Jake: My goals for Team USA Scholarship is to continue the success of Conor Daly, Josef Newgarden, and Tristan Nunez to win the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy.
In 2014 my plan is to race in the USF2000 Series on the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing team and to compete for the Championship.