Dempsey Utah Bound

Added: 12th May 2009

Championship leader Peter Dempsey heads to Miller Motorsport Park this weekend for round three of the Star Mazda Series buoyed by his recent victory in Virginia and a weekend spent in the A1 Team Ireland camp at Brands Hatch as they secured victory in the World Cup of Motorsport.

The trip to Brands Hatch was part of his prize for winning the 2008 Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Award and the experience of being at the hub of a major international sporting success for Ireland was just the boost required as he heads to Tooele, Utah this weekend.

Dempsey is looking forward to racing at Miller Motorsports Park, a track that he is familiar with from last season’s Star Mazda campaign and one that his AIM Motorsport team has previously shown well at.

“This is the first race this year that we will have proper data from a previous year which will be a big help to get the weekend going, especially as I was forced to miss last week’s official test at Miller,” says Peter.

“AIM won last year’s race at Miller and have a quality set up to start the weekend with. I was fourth on that occasion with a car that had a few problems so I’m quietly confident that we can get a good result to keep us on target in the championship.

“Miller is a European style track with a smooth surface and kerbs you can ride over comfortably. You can get a good rhythm going on it and it’ll be fun to go back there.”

It’s been another difficult process gathering the necessary funds to compete at Miller Motorsport Park this Saturday and Dempsey knows that his victory last time was crucial to him continuing in the series.

The two-time MSI Young Racing Driver of the Year is determined to produce another strong weekend with his AIM Autosport squad to pay back the support he has received from so many in the Irish racing community.

“The win in Virginia was so important and I know that right now every race is like a school final exam,” he says. “Motorsport Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and Quayside Shopping Centre in Sligo have all helped as have several others without whom I wouldn’t be still chasing the dream.

“The Star Mazda Series is one of the most competitive open wheel racing series there is and it’s on a direct line to the Indy 500. Winning in this series proves that I have what it takes to compete with the best and I want to pay back the support and backing I’ve received from everyone by doing the business every time I get in the car.”

The weekend programme begins with testing on Thursday, followed by official practice on Friday and a 45 minute qualifying session on Saturday morning. That evening’s 45-minute third round of the Star Mazda Presented by Goodyear series starts at 6.05pm, 1.05am, Sunday, Irish time.

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For further information contact Peter on +353 85 143 9989 or email peter@peterdempsey.com

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