It was a learning weekend for young British driver Emily Linscott, as she joined the triple-header event of the Lucas Oil School Of Racing Formula Car Series with a 5th place, a fastest lap and a new track record after nearly 9 months out of a racecar.
The Lucas Oil School of Racing Formula Car Series is an offical racing program part of the Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires. Launched in 2015, it offers a development program to drivers preparing the move from karting to formula cars. With a mix of basic racing school, advanced racing school and an own championship race series, it is the perfect place for young drivers to develop their skills.
On this year's grid, we can find 17-year old British driver Emily Linscott, who missed the first event of the year because of travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. But with a huge effort from her mentor Pippa Mann, her family and the many stakeholders, Linscott made her way back to the US and, following her quarantine period, she could finally join the triple-header event at New Jersey Motorsport Park this week.
Linscott started karting at 13 - slightly later than the most drivers and just for fun - but she competed very well and progressed through the ranks as she won her first championship title in her first year of racing. With her crowdfunding campaign #GetInvolved she secured the last third of the budget for her 2020 Lucas Oil Racing School full season.
As the pandemic hit, she couldn't sit in a car for nearly 9 months, had minimal track time and had not driven an open wheel race car since last year. But it was an impressive and solid first race weekend for Linscott.
In the first race, she fought her way through the field and reached sixth place, but a mistake took her out of the race.
"Tough day at the office today." - commented Linscott after the first race day. "Learnt a lot so will be able to take that into tomorrow’s race."
Race 2 turned out to be a way better experience for the young Brit: she could finish the race in a fifth place and set the fastest lap of the race, while the third heat resulted in a 8th place finish for the 17-year old racer.
"Although the weekend started out with a tough first race, I was able to learn a huge amount this weekend,” said Emily. “I’m looking forward to taking those lessons with me to NOLA and to hopefully fighting for a podium finish.”
The next race will in fact be another triple-header at NOLA Motorsport Park in Louisiana, from 31st July to 2nd August.
