Another USF2000 podium finish for KTF-talent Rinus VeeKay
KNAF Talent First car racing talent Rinus Veekay once again scored a podium finish in the second round of the American USF2000 series. After a flawless and impressive race, the 16-year-old driver claimed the third position in the first race at Barber Motorsports Park, his third consecutive podium out of three races. In the second race VeeKay made up three places in a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre to finish fourth. “We couldn’t have done any better. We didn’t have the extra speed we needed to go for a win,” said a realistic VeeKay after his second USF2000 weekend.
After his impressive debut, claiming two podium finishes in the opening round of the American Cooper Tires USF2000 series on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, KNAF Talent First car racing talent Rinus VeeKay had to face a totally different challenge in round number two.
The first category on the ‘Road to Indy’ series travelled to the beautiful Barber Motorsports Park, an ultra-fast racetrack with long turning corners and large changes in altitude. “It’s an extremely difficult track and you must have the right flow to be quick,” said the 16-year-old from Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, after his first outing at the track.
But in both practice and qualifying the KTF-driver proved he could deal with these kind of tracks and claimed the third qualifying position in the 24-car field. At the start of the first race VeeKay kept his position and although the Pabst Racing driver could hold the slipstream of the two leaders, he didn’t have the extra speed he needed to attack the frontrunners.
Even a full-course caution didn’t change that situation and after a flawless and impressive race, VeeKay finished in third position, less than half a second behind the winner. It was the third consecutive podium for the Dutch rookie USF2000 driver. “It’s extremely difficult to overtake at this track as you have to be much quicker than the driver in front of you to even try it. Although the speed was good, we didn’t have the extra speed I needed to challenge the leaders. This was the best I could do and of course I’m happy with another podium finish,” said a happy VeeKay after the first race of the weekend.
In qualifying for race number two VeeKay didn’t have the right set-up for his car, and although the young Dutchman was only 0.3 seconds short of the runner-up position, he had to start from seventh on the grid. Immediately after the start VeeKay choose the right line, stayed out of trouble and after an impressive overtaking manoeuvre gained three positions to finish the first lap in fourth position.
The race was interrupted by a full-course caution and after the restart the Pabst Racing driver pushed hard to take over the third position. In the final part of the race VeeKay did everything he could to claim another podium, but the young Dutchman finished 0.3 seconds short of the podium in fourth position. “This was all I could do for this weekend. I didn’t make any mistakes, but we didn’t have the car to go for a win. But we scored important points for the championship,” said VeeKay, who is in second position in the championship after four races together with the American driver Kaylen Frederick. The next round of the Cooper Tires USF2000 series is at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit, May 11-13.
