In The News
The latest pair of Team USA Scholarship drivers, Connor De Phillippi and Brett Smrz completed a successful first test session at the Brands Hatch Circuit on Thursday, ahead of making their European racing debuts in this weekend’s (October 16-17) renowned Formula Ford Festival.
After an overnight flight from Boston to Dublin, followed by a seat fitting at Cliff Dempsey Racing’s shop in Ashbourne, County Meath, Ireland, De Phillippi and Smrz took an overnight ferry journey to Holyhead in north Wales and then a lengthy drive to Brands Hatch in south-eastern England. The Team USA duo proceeded to take a brief look around the famed Brands Hatch Indy Circuit prior to their first taste of their identically prepared Ray GRS07/08 Formula...
DANBURY, CT, Thursday, September 30, 2009: Patrón Highcroft Racing boss Duncan Dayton has again thrown his support behind the Team USA Scholarship program which enables young stars of the future to do battle with some of the world's best young drivers.
Established in 1990 with future CART champion Jimmy Vasser as its first recipient, the program has helped launch the careers of a number of American stars including Bryan Herta, A.J. Allmendinger, Buddy Rice, Andy Lally, Paul Edwards and Memo Gidley.
Connor De Phillippi, from San Clemente, Calif., and Brett Smrz, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, have been named recently as the latest recipients of prestigious scholarships.
De Phillippi has taken a commanding lead in this year's...
Braselton, Ga. (September 25, 2009) – Connor De Phillippi, from San Clemente, Calif., and Brett Smrz, from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, have been named today as the latest recipients of prestigious Team USA Scholarships. The two teenagers will follow in the footsteps of an array of accomplished American drivers who have earned these awards since Jimmy Vasser became the first Team USA Scholarship winner in 1990.
De Phillippi (pronounced “DEE Phi-LEE-pi) and Smrz (“Smerz”) will have an opportunity to fly their nation’s colors in two world-renowned events in England later this month – the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone. (Team USA Scholarship drivers swept both events in 2008, with...
Seven Candidates Nominated For 20th Anniversary Team USA Scholarship
Joliet, Ill. (August 29, 2009) – 2005 Team USA Scholarship winner J.R. Hildebrand this evening continued his inexorable march toward the pinnacle of auto racing by clinching the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championship crown at Chicagoland Speedway. A conservative fifth-place finish was enough to ensure the gifted 21-year-old from Sausalito, Calif., cannot by beaten with just one race remaining in the season.
In a happy coincidence, Daniel Herrington’s accomplished victory marked the maiden success for the Bryan Herta Autosport team in its first season of competition. Herta, who was awarded a Team USA Scholarship in 1991, went on to win the 1993 Firestone Indy...
Fans and supporters of rising American talent Brett Smrz will have a new place to visit on the internet, with the launch of the newly redeveloped BrettSmrz.com website.
Smrz, the 2008 Jim Russell Championship Series champion, 2009 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National race winner and 2009 Playboy MX-5 Cup front-runner, has revitalized his presence on the world-wide, with a redesigned and updated website: www. BrettSmrz.com. Created by leading website developer Benjamin Foley, who has worked with several race drivers and teams, the new version of the website is both informative and entertaining. Visitors of BrettSmrz.com will be able to learn more about the up-and-coming driver, keep up to date on his latest racing endeavors, as well as find...
Racers Used Indycar Configuration
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, Sonoma, CA – Brett Smrz, of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, captures second win of the weekend. Gregory Liefooghe, of San Francisco, and Thomas Asseo, of Versaille, France, completed Sunday’s podium of the Jim Russell Championship Series at Infineon Raceway.
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School used the Indycar track configuration in advance of the Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Starting from pole in his second race of the weekend, Smrz was caught off guard by Liefooghe up the hill into Turn 2 and slipped to second. Demonstrating patience for the next few laps, Smrz began his attack on Liefooghe. By lap 4, Smrz dove inside in Turn 7 to grab the lead. Smrz drove a flawless race to win round 10...
Race Runs on Indycar Configuration
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, Sonoma, CA - Brett Smrz, of Coeur d' Alene, ID, races from green to checkered flag earning his third podium in just as many races. Aleks Altberg, of Uppsala, Sweden, and Thomas Asseo, of Versaille, France, completed Saturday's podium of the Jim Russell Championship Series at Infineon Raceway.
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School provided an opportunity for its racers to experience the Indycar track configuration in advance of the Grand Prix of Sonoma. Continuing his dominating run in the FJR-50, Smrz was quick to grab the pole during morning qualifying. Smrz opted to lay down several quick laps early during the qualifying session and conserve his tires. When the green flag...
Smrz Returns to Dominate Round Seven Laps Run on Original 2.5 Mile Configuration
Saturday, July 11, 2009, Sonoma, CA – Using the original 2.5-mile track configuration, racers prove experience pays in round seven of the Jim Russell Championship Series at Infineon Raceway. Racers who previously ran in the Jim Russell Championship demonstrate what it takes to set fast lap times. Brett Smrz, 2008 Jim Russell Champion, returns to dominate every session.
Not letting its drivers become complacent, the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School opted to run the original 2.5-mile track configuration for Saturday’s race. Cooler temperatures during the morning qualifying showed that competitors were using one of two strategies. Either they were...
Master Champion Earns Overall Win Veteran Racer Returns to Earn a Podium Finish
Sonoma, CA Saturday, May 9, 2009 –The third race of the Jim Russell Championship Series season saw pressure build as competitors hoped to prove their experience to earn a podium finish.
Once again for this race, as with the first two races, Nic LeDuc, 2008 Jim Russell Championship Series competitor, started on the pole position. Nick Galante sat on the front row in second position. Troy Castaneda, 2007 Championship Series competitor, rounded out the top three positions.
Retuning for another season, Brett Smrz, 2008 Jim Russell Championship Series winner, had his racing experience pay dividends, as Smrz qualified well but started last due to an...
Sonoma, CA Brett Smrz, by winning round 15 with Nic LeDuc finishing 3rd, clinches the series title with one race remaining.
2007 Jim Russell Champion Nic LeDuc and 2008 scholarship winner Brett Smrz arrived for the final round of the Jim Russell Championship with LeDuc 1 point ahead in the overall points standings but all was tied when only the best eight results are counted. A Friday win by either would be critical.
Former Jim Russell Grand Masters Champion Chuck Hulse returned to the series for the final event having spent time this year winning the Pro Mazda Masters title, running some Mazda Challenge and F2000 races as well as a previous run this year in the Jim Russell Championship. Others attending the final event included...
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