World Speed Motorsports has been keeping very busy in the first quarter of 2004 focusing on the development of the new Pro Formula Mazda (Pro FM), while maintaining their Formula TR and first generation Formula Mazda programs.
“Development of the new car is going well, and WSM’s third Pro Mazda is expected any day,” said World Speed Motorsports’ president Telo Stewart. World Speed’s original plan for 2004 was to compete in all the pro races, but after much consideration the team has decided to focus on Pro FM testing and development. The team will compete in half of the nationally televised Pro FM Championship events in preparation for a run at the Championship in 2005.
The team has also been preparing first-generation Formula Mazdas for a half dozen West Coast racers, and has been working with Bay Area racer Patrick O’Neill at Sears Point and Thunderhill. “Patrick has really been a great student of racing, he listens to feedback and applies it,” said Team Owner Telo Stewart. Patrick’s gains include beating the track record at Sears Point by more than a second in testing. He will be racing in 2004 SCCA FM events in the San Francisco region with WSM support and moving into the Pro FM for 2005.
In addition, World Speed’s extensive experience with the Tatuus Formula Renault 1600 is not going to waste in 2004. World Speed has won many races and been on the podium countless times with Michael McDowell, Jason Kritikos, and Brad Coleman in this car. World Speed’s driver, of ten years, Frank McCormick won the 2003 Sportsman Championship in the 1600. This season the team has formed an alliance with Brazilian Formula Renault Team Bassan Motorsports to contest the entire Formula TR season running Brazilian go-karter Mario Moraes. At the first event at Fontana, Mario had the fastest lap of the weekend and finished on the podium. At Buttonwillow Mario lead every lap except the last, when he was finally overtaken by Marco Andretti, in race two of the weekend. The car and driver have been quick, and the team is looking forward to more podiums and wins in this series.
Off the track, World Speed’s marketing department has been busy getting prepared for 2005. “ It may seem early to some people,” said the team’s Marketing Director Mark Milazzo, “but we feel it is essential to our team and drivers to get involved with new partners as early as possible.”
Drivers looking to do select events in FormulaTR, and/or the Star Mazda Pro Series should contact the team to discuss available opportunities. “We are planning to do some one-offs with drivers that are looking to run with us in 2005,” added Telo Stewart.