Nick Freytag

New Pacific F2000 Season Begins This Weekend at Fontana

Buttonwillow, Calif. (March 3, 2008) – The Pacific F2000 Championship Presented by Hankook Tires kicks off a brand-new season of top-quality open-wheel competition this weekend with a pair of races at the recently renamed Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in Fontana.

The series has established an enviable reputation in recent years after nurturing the skills of a string of talented young American drivers. Since the series was founded in 2004, Joel Miller, J.R. Hildebrand and Patrick Barrett all created enough of an impression to join some of this country’s most accomplished stars – such as Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Memo Gidley, Buddy Rice and A.J. Allmendinger – in securing prestigious Team USA Scholarships, and are now continuing to work their way up the racing ladder.

Robert Podlesni also earned a Team USA Scholarship after winning the 2006 Pacific F2000 title with Dave Freitas Racing. Forced to sit out the 2007 season due to budgetary constraints, Podlesni, now 20, from Thousand Oaks, Calif., is seeking to rekindle his career by returning to the same Fullerton, Calif.-based team.

"I have every intention of contending for the championship this season," says Podlesni, who will pilot a brand-new Van Diemen DP08 in the colors of Terminal Velocity. "There is some tremendous competition who also competed last year so by no means will it be easy, but I have no doubt we will be one of the cars to beat."

Primary opposition will stem from a four-car challenge posted by PR1 Motorsports. The Fresno, Calif.-based operation has won the championship three times in four years and has every intention of retaining the mantle claimed last year by Patrick Barrett.

Jeff Westphal, 21, from San Carlos, Calif., Max Hyatt, 21, from Santa Fe, N.M., Shaun Modisette, 20, from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Nick Freytag, 16, from Paradise Valley, Ariz., have displayed their speed in the past. Indeed all except Hyatt already have Pacific F2000 podium finishes to their credit – but are still seeking their breakthrough victories. Hyatt, meanwhile, won a pair of East Coast F2000 races in 2007 before concentrating on his education. He is currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Economics at Santa Clara University.

"I have been fortunate to do some preseason testing with PR1 but I have not been able to attend all of the test days due to academic conflicts and illness," says Hyatt, who joined countless others in being stricken by a flu bug the last couple of weeks. "I feel confident going into this weekend with the amount of testing I have been able to do."

Adds Westphal: "Coming from last year with seven podiums and one pole – but no wins – I definitely feel there is a void that I need to fill, and plan on wringing every last bit out of my car to do so."

Other potential challengers include former SCCA Formula Ford National Champion Scott Rarick, who will continue to take on the phalanx of Van Diemen cars with his lone West Coast-based Piper DF5. Rarick, from Santa Monica, Calif., begins the season with renewed confidence after conducting some promising test sessions with assistance from the PR1 team’s engineers. Rarick also expects to benefit from the recent amalgamation of Piper Race Cars with Doug Learned’s well-respected Fast Forward Components business.

"The changes have certainly produced some positives, as one would expect with the depth in the PR1 operation," says Rarick, "but race conditions are always the litmus test."

Another veteran with high aspirations is Chuck Hulse, who earned one podium finish last year and is aiming for many more after switching from Team G.FRO to Dave Freitas Racing.

"I’ve been working hard in the gym," says 54-year-old Hulse, from Yorba Linda, Calif. "I know I’ve got some real tough opposition but I’m determined to show these kids what I can do."

The two F2000 races will form part of Vintage Auto Racing Association’s Route 66 Classic Formula Festival.

F2000 represents one of the first rungs on the professional open-wheel auto racing ladder in North America and has provided the launching pad for the careers of many top racers, including open-wheel stars Jimmy Vasser and Paul Tracy, and Indianapolis 500 winners Buddy Rice, Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr.

Freytag Signs with Three Time Champion PR1 Motorsports!

Pacific F2000: PR1 Motorsports Announces 2008 Driver Line-Up

Multiple series champion PR1 Motorsports have announced they will compete in the 2008 Pacific F2000 Championship with drivers Nicky Freytag, Max Hyatt, Shaun Modisette and Jeff Westphal behind the wheel.

Contesting its fifth season of Pacific F2000 Championship competition, PR1 Motorsports will attempt to win its fourth series title with a multi-car effort. As part of a four-car team, Modisette will pilot a PR1 entry for a second consecutive season and be joined by series veterans Freytag, Hyatt and Westphal, who all drove for different teams in 2007. All four drivers will utilize a Van Diemen chassis in the upcoming season.

A native of Paradise Valley, Ariz., Freytag joins PR1 Motorsports following a successful karting career and having raced F2000 cars the past two years. Contesting his first full season within the Pacific F2000 Championship in 2007, the teenager finished eighth in the championship fight.

Hyatt, of Santa Fe, N.M., enters the 2008 season having already scored a pro victory behind the wheel an F2000 car. Running selected races in both the Pacific F2000 Championship and the F2000 Championship Series, the university student scored a win in Cleveland in the East Coast championship and was classified 12th in the West Coast championship standings.

A native of Rancho Palos Verde, Calif., Modisette returns to PR1 Motorsports in 2008, as the lone F2000 driver from last year’s squad. Contesting his second full-season of series competition, third overall, Modisette finished ninth in the championship fight in 2007.

Westphal, of San Carlos, Calif., joins the PR1 Motorsports team as the top-returning driver from last season’s championship. In his rookie season of Pacific F2000 Championship competition, the youngster was second in the Rookie of the Year honors and third overall in the standings.

Based in Fresno, Calif., PR1 Motorsports is widely regarded as one of the premier junior open-wheel formula car teams in North America. Under the guidance of former driver Bobby Oergel and his wife Lisa, the team has not only won multiple championships and races in various series, including the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship and Pacific F2000 Championship, but also established a reputation for developing young drivers. PR1 Motorsports is the most successful team in Pacific F2000 competition, having captured the series title three times. In addition to competing in junior formula car ranks this coming season, PR1 will make its sports car debut, taking part in the Grand-Am GT Series.

The newly named PR1 Motorsports Pacific F2000 Championship drivers will commence their season this coming weekend (March 8-9), with Rounds One and Two taking place at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. To keep up to date with all the drivers moves and signings during the pre-season, please visit the 2008 Silly Season discussion thread in the eFormulaCarNews.com forums: HERE

Nick Freytag Top 7 Driver in the Nation

After the great results during the 2007 Snap-On Stars of Karting season, Nick was able to lift his driver status to an entire new level. Nick is now in the top 7 most accomplished TAG drivers in the United States. This accomplishment came along with 5 top ten finishes, 2 top three finishes and 1 win in Newcastle, Indiana. Nick would like to thank everyone involved in helping him obtain this great achievment, his parents, Brad Kindhart, and G-Phactory/Sodi Kart. See the Results page for the points breakdown.

Nick Freytag Finishes 4th in East Championship

After a solid season racing with the new G-phactory/Sodi Kart team, Nick Freytag finished in 4th place in the Snap-On Stars of Karting East Championship. This fourth place finish came through 5 top tens, 2 top threes and his first career race win. This was no easy task as there were a total of 47 competitors that collected points throughout the season in 2007. Nick now sits in 12th place in the West championship going into the final round. Nick is hoping for two solid finishes to push him further up the standings.

Snap-On Stars of Karting East Round 3

08/05/07

This past weekend, Nick competed in the Snap-On Stars of Karting round #3 in Shawano, Wisconsin. Friday practice started out very strong topping the time sheets in the first timed practices and never dropping out of the top 5 the entire day. With a strong chassis package, Nick was very confident going into Saturday. Saturday morning started out just as strong as Nick was fastest in morning practice with team mate Adam Zeen just behind in second. Qualifying was next and Nick was able to capture third place to start the heat race. The heat race proved to be quite uneventful and Nick finished in third securing the inside of the second row for the start of the main event. Nick was hit by motor troubles half way through the race but was able to pull out a very tough third place finish and his second career podium. Sunday qualifying turned out to be very eventful. Rain began to hit the race track but by the second lap of qualifying, Nick's throttle assembly failed placing him 21st for the start of the heat race. Nick charged his way through the pack in the heat race and was able to move up twelve places to finish 9th. By the main even, Nick again was hit by motor issues causing him to drop a few positions but Nick was able to pull out a solid 7th place finish. Nick would like to thank all involved this weekend including his parents, Brad Kindhart, the Zeen family, and G-Phactory.

NICK FREYTAG WINS STARS OF KARTING ROUND 4!!

05/20/07

Spec Racer
The Spec Racer Gatorz Pole Qualifying session was led by New Castle’s Mark Dismore Jr. (Intrepid), running 0.141 seconds quicker the FirstKart.com’s Zach Beard. David Chapel (Arrow) was third quickest with yesterday’s winner Adam Johnson (Top Kart) and Josef Newgarden (Arrow) completing the fast five. Yesterday’s runner-up Edward Fortier (Arrow) did not complete a lap in the session due to starter issues and would begin the Prefinal from the 33rd spot.

Battle for the lead on the second lap of the Prefinal resulted in Dismore Jr. retiring early after contact with Beard and Johnson. Beard was able to continue on in the lead while Johnson fell deep into the field. It looked as though Beard would take a comfortable win, but Nick Freytag (Sodi Kart) put his head and reeled in the leader, making a last lap pass stick at the far end of the track to take the Prefinal win and start the main event from the pole position. Newgarden crossed the line third while Matt Codalata (Margay) and Evan Batt completed the top five, Batt advancing up to fifth from his 10th starting spot. The drive of the race was put in by Fortier as he battled his way through from 33rd to a solid 10th.

The Spec Racer main event was one of the best races yet in the 2007 season with seven different race leaders throughout the 17-lap race, and that was just the lead changes across the line. Beard got out to the lead early and looked to be able to stretch out to a good advantage until Newgarden and Codalata worked together to reel in the leader. Once they did, the battle began.

Newgarden had just completed the pass for the top spot when Beard climbed the back of the new leader, sending them both off in turn one and ending their chance at the win. This allowed Codalata a lap at P1 until Andy Lee (First Kart) took his turn. After starting 15th, Saturday winner Johnson worked his way up to the lead group, running the quickest laps of the race and assume the top spot. With around two to go, Freytag had gotten himself back in the hunt and took over the lead with Robert Stout (Birel) moving up from the mid-pack to break away for a two kart battle for the win. Though he put on the pressure, Stout was unable to get by the Sodi Kart/G-Phactory driver as the Arizona resident pick up his first Stars victory and the team’s first Spec Racer win.

Champion Racing/Intrepid’s Joey Wimsett, after moving up through the field, was set to finish third when engine troubles hit him with two more corners to run. That allowed Dismore, who went from 31st to third in the 17 laps, to earn the final podium spot, trumping his father’s run from the day before. Johnson crossed the line fourth ahead of TrueNorth Motorsports’ Max Riddle (CRG). One other driver to note was Fortier, who was running second on lap 10 when his throttle broke and drove the rest of the race with one hand on the wheel and the other on the throttle to a 12th place finish.

please contact nicky_freytag @yahoo.com for more information

Pacific F2000 Round #1 #2 California Speedway

This past weekend, Nick Competed in the Pacific F2000 series rounds #1 and #2 hosted by VARA at California Speedway. Friday morning started of very well as Nick and teammate Chris Spreitzer posted strong lap times in practice placing them well in the top 5. Saturday morning began just as well for Nick as he took pole early in the session only to be bumped off the top spot in the final lap of qualifying, Nick had to settle for the outside of the front row, nonetheless, second place was taken very well by the team. Nick took the lead from the green flag but by the end of the third lap, was in fourth. Nick stayed very consistent throughout the race and finished in a strong third position. Chris Spreitzer doubled the celebration for the BWM Engineering Team by finishing in second, two cars on the podium for the team. Sunday saw Nick put the #9 machine on the outside of the second row. During the race, however, Nick attempted to pass for third position which resulted in a spin which put him to the tail of the field in 20th. By 2 laps to go, Nick had worked his way past ten competitors. Nick finished a respectable tenth place while posting the fastest lap of the race by three tenths of a second. The team had much to celebrate as Chris crossed the finish line in first place. Overall the weekend showed much encouragement to the entire team. "I am very confident going into the next round at Willow Springs" says Nick, "Our cars were extremely fast this weekend and Chris and I gave it our best and showed that we are an extremely competitive team, my goal is definitly to win the race at Willow Springs". Full of confidence and speed, Nick will be testing at Willow Springs the weekend before the race. Nick would like to thank his father, mother, Bill Wilson and the entire BWM squad along with the competitors which made this race, "One to remember".

SKUSA Supernationals

This past weekend, Nicky raced in a strong Tag Sr. field for the 10th running of the SKUSA Supernationals which take place yearly in the parking lot of Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nicky started of the Thursday practice day topping the time sheets in group number two which put him 2nd overall with 80 competitors in the first timed session. Friday morning started with an early qualifying session and would end with the first of three heat races. Nicky was able to pull out a 26th place from the qualifying session. Due to the large number of competitors, the entire field was split into four groups, A group, B group, C group, and D group. Nicky was placed on the 7th place in the B group. For the first heat race, it was A group qualifiers agains the B group qualifiers and the C group against the D group. For this first heat race Nicky started 14th against a very talented field. At the checkered flag, Nicky was able to squeeze out a few spots to finish in 11th. For the second heat race, Nicky was up agains the D group in which he started 13th. After the start of the race, on the first lap, Nicky was able to work his way to 10th spot only to be pushed into the barriers which nearly ended his heat race. Nicky was able to refire his kart and went to the back of a 40 kart field and eventually made his way to the 23rd position at the end of the race. For the final heat race, Nicky was up against the C group. Nicky again started in 13th for this third and final heat race. By the 3rd corner, Nicky had already moved up to 11th place and by the end of the race, he took home a solid 6th place finish. With all the heat races completed, the grid was set, Nicky was to start in the 14th position for the main event. Super Sunday saw 40 anxious drivers take to the grid. 40 drivers had already packed up, not making the main event, and the final 40 on the grid were to fight it out for the SKUSA Supernationals win. As the Tag Sr. drivers took the green flag, there was a large wreck near the front of the field which Nicky was able to merely avoid. By the second lap, Nicky was running in the 8th position after passing six other drivers withing the first two laps. When the halfway flags came out, Nicky found himself in 6th place with a bent axle and steering shaft. After 20 laps were completed, Nicky was happy to finish with a solid 8th place overall. Nicky very much enjoyed the weekend and considered this past weekend a success. He would like to thanks his parents, his mechanic Brad Kindheart, Curtis Ruth and family at Innovative Racing in Phoenix, AZ (www.kgbusa.com) and all the people that were under the Innovative tent for their support.

ProAutosports Race 10/06-08/06

On the 6th through the 8th of October, Nicky competed in the ProAutosports race at the west track at Firebird International Raceway. Throughout the weekend, Nicky gained a lot of experience in only his 4th race in his Zetec. On Saturday, Nicky qualified second for the Formula Continental class. In the heat race, Nicky ended up where he started, 2nd. In the final race, Nicky was able to be consitant and finish the race at the top of the class, his third 1st place finish in the past three races. On sunday, it was a similar scenario in which Nicky qualified 2nd and finished the heat race in 2nd. Before the start of the final race, it began to rain at a steady pace. As the cars left the grid, the track was wet but weather was looking better, but Nicky had no choice but to leave on slick dry weather tires. While the cars were out on track, it began to rain once again. Nicky along with the crew decided that this was a good learning experience, dry weather tires on a wet track. Nicky was by far the fastest car on the track, and despite a spin, Nicky won his class on Sunday. Throughout the entire weekend, Nicky learned car control and along with it came speed and experience. Nicky would like to thank his parents for their support and also Bill Wilson, Brian Sloot, and Dave Spreitzer for a great job on the car all weekend. He would also like to thank Doug Fitch for being a supportive team mate.

Stars of Karting in Toronto, Canada

On the 22nd to the 24th of September, Nicky competed in the Stars of Karting Finale in Woodbine, Toronto. Nicky showed a good turn of pace but due to technical problems in qualifying he was sent to the tail of the field for all 3 heats. Nicky gained priceless experience racing with the most talented racers from several countries across the globe. Nicky would like to thank the people that helped him this weekend including his father, mechanic Brad Kindheart and G-Phactory.

ProAutosports Race at Firebird International Raceway (East Track)

05/5-7/06

Nicky competed in his second ProAutosports race this weekend at the East Track at Firebird International Raceway. Nicky arrived on Friday climbing atop his trailer and looked at the track questioning, "Which way does the track go?". Nicky had never even seen the track before. In the class that Nick raced, Toyota Atlantic, Formula Mazdas and Formula Continentals were mixed together. On Saturday Nicky qualified second overall but a transponder failure saw him to the back of the grid for the Qualifying race. In the Q-Race, Nicky worked his way up to 3rd place. In the Main Nicky finished 2nd Overall and 1st in his class. On Sunday, Nicky Qualified in 3rd place and finished 3rd in the Q-Race as well but over-heating issues put him out of the race. Overall the weekend went extremely well and the crew, Bill Wilson, Brian Sloot, did an amazing job dealing with overheating issues with the car the whole weekend.

ProAutosports Race 04/01-02/06

Last weekend Nicky competed in the ProAutosports race at Firebird with the ASA Racing orginization. Friday was all day practice with Nicky driving the West track for the first time in his Zetec. Saturday started out very well. Nicky qualified pole infront of Formula Mazdas and Formula Continentals. The heat followed and Nicky lost a few positions and finished 5th. In the main, Nicky started on the inside of the 3rd row to start the race. Half way through the race, Nicky was up to fourth but the shift linkage got loose on the car and lost 1st and 3rd gear, not a big deal but it put him out of the race. On sunday, Nicky qualified 8th in a very competitive sunday field. In the heat, Nicky got one place up to 7th. The main race went very well for Nicky and after 30 minutes, Nicky finished 5th. The field this weekend was very strong at 20 race cars. We would like to thank ProAutosports and ASA Racing for an amazing weekend of racing.

News

! ! UPDATE ! !

Today's update 02/15/06

Got into my Zetec car last night and we finished fine tuning the seat and driving cockpit to my personal likes. It is so cool. We are going to Deming, New Mexico next wednesday to test at the Arroyo Seca race track. We will have the track all to ourselves so we can break in our car.

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! ! Update ! !

02/23/06

We traveled to New Mexico on the 22nd of February for my first test in my brand new Zetec car! It was totally awesome and all of us did really well. The crew was awesome, Bill Wilson is a great team manager. My dad is awesome for buying me the car! I got over 150 miles on my car so thats 150 miles of experience, I will be ready soon. Look out for me in the Pro Autosports races at Firebird coming up.