January 22, 2011
Daniel's main aim unchanged despite Daytona drive cancellation
The F2000 Championship Series Rookie of the Year regards the USA as his best career advancement option. (Janice Eakin photo)
Daniel Erickson's drive in this month's Daytona 24-hour sports car race is off - but the cancellation won't affect his prime 2011 ambition. The young Aussie was slated to co-drive a Crawford-Chevrolet prototype for Beyer Racing in the January 29-30 classic until the entry was withdrawn due to some of the team's car sponsorship failing to materialise.
"Obviously I'm disappointed not to be going to Daytona, but no drive is certain until all the pieces are in place, which unfortunately didn't happen this time," Daniel said. "Daytona was always an addition to my main aim for this year, which still is to compete in an internationally recognised 'development' openwheeler series."
Daniel has just returned from a flying visit to the USA to discuss his future options with Jon Baytos, owner of Primus Racing. Jon ran Daniel's successful 2010 F2000 Championship Series campaign, which produced the Rookie of the Year title and third overall in the poinstcore.
"Jon told me that he regretted having to pull the pin on Daytona, but he didn't want to go there with an underfunded team," Daniel said. "He has some exciting projects in the pipeline for 2011, and I hope to be involved in some way because he's one of America's leading team owners and we got on really well last year.
"But nothing can be confirmed until all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed."
Meanwhile Team Erickson's fundraising efforts are ongoing, including a $29,000 Gold Membership Mega Prize Draw and a three-night holiday for two on Daydream Island.
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