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| February 05, 2010 News |
| EFCN One-On-One: Team E's Neil Enerson |
 | Team E is set to rejoin the Indy Light series full-time in 2010 after a one-year hiatus
(Photo: Perry Landmeyer) |
With the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season-opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., fast approaching, drivers and teams are currently busy getting ready for the start of yet another exciting season racing. For one team, the upcoming season will mark a return to action after a year away from the track. The eFormulaCarNews.com editorial staff recently had the chance to speak with Neil Enerson, owner of the Team E - the 2008 Indy Lights New Team of the Year - about its past success and its plans to return to victory lane in 2010.
EFORMULACARNEWS.COM: Before we get into details about what is upcoming for Team E, let’s give the readers some background into yourself and team. Firstly, how did you become involved in racing? Secondly, why Indy Lights, as opposed to another open-wheel series or another form of racing?
NEIL ENERSON: Although I am a 24-year resident of Florida, Team E Racing was inspired from my roots of being born and raised in Indianapolis. My passion for open-wheel racing growing up in Indy took over, and I formed Team E to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. I suppose I was led back to my roots via seven years of karting with my 12 year-old son RC. One thing lead to another as they say, and my ties to Indianapolis and open-wheel racing pointed me towards Indy Lights.
EFCN: Normally, it takes newcomers to motorsports a few years to gel and see results, particularly in the upper levels of junior formula car racing. That, however, was not the case for Team E, as with Bobby Wilson behind the wheel you scored a win, added another podium finish, and earned five top finishes in your rookie Indy Lights campaign. As a result, Team E was named the 2008 New Team of the Year. Where you surprised how quickly you achieved success, and what do you think was the key to your strong series debut?
ENERSON: As for being surprised, it is always rewarding when a plan comes together. Like any good business plan, if you start with the right people and add first rate equipment, you are destined to do well. I have always said that the only part of Team E that was new when we started was me and all of the equipment. Doug Hoy, our Team Manager, Dave Metcalf, our Chief Mechanic and Harv Sweezie, our Tire Man all come from years of experience and had previously won two championships. Dave Metcalf had also won Chief Mechanic of the Year twice. Clearly the key to our early success is the combination of first class equipment and a first class experienced crew.
 | With Bobby Wilson behind the wheel Team E scored a win and New Team of the Year honors in 2008
(Photo: Pete Landmeyer) |
EFCN: Surprising many, Team E was not on the grid last year? Was that by choice, or merely a result of the tough economic times?
ENERSON: It was a combination of both, but mostly the bad economic conditions. We felt as a team, that if we could not compete for a championship, it was time to stay home until the economic storm cleared. When I started Team E, first and foremost it was a business and it came down to being a good business decision to sit out for '09. As we sit now, it was clearly the right choice. Although economic conditions have improved, it is still very tough for drivers to find funding.
EFCN: We understand the plan is for Team E to be back racing full-time in the Indy Lights series this season. How are things looking at the moment?
ENERSON: Even though we did not race in the '09 season, as a team it gave us a chance to develop our marketing and business partnerships. Our race shop is now the permanent home of the RACE DAY on FOX SPORTS Radio show hosted by Rob D’Amico. It currently is heard on over 400 FOX affiliate stations, XM/Sirius Channel 142, American Forces Network and live audio streamed on FOXSPORT.com. Most importantly, for the first time ever, it will be LIVE video streamed on SPEEDTV.com every Saturday and Sunday morning from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. In addition, we have been working to assist various drivers with funding with the addition of our marketing capabilities and hope to be back on the track this year. We will be at the Barber open test with my good friend Jan Heylen shaking down the car and getting the crew back into the swing of things. With the car and crew ready, we will see who will be the right match Team E in 2010. That is to say, it is still open for the right fully or partially funded driver. We have worked hard so that Team E may offer driver’s potential sponsors significant marketing value and opportunities few if any other teams can make available.
 | Team Owner Neil Enerson remains focused on making Team E a highly successful Indy Lights team
(Photo: Perry Landmeyer) |
EFCN: Given you will have many of the same key personnel as your race-winning rookie campaign, what are your/the team’s goals going into the 2010 season?
ENERSON: The goals of this team remain unchanged, as always, to win the championship. We have continued our growth on and off the track, and are all working hard for a winning season.
EFCN: As followers of Indy Lights competition will have noticed, the series is seeing more and more involvement by IndyCar Series teams, particularly through team partnerships. Have you thought about potentially linking up with an IndyCar team, and/or have you had discussions with any teams?
ENERSON: We have had discussions with several teams and are always open to further discussions. For teams to partner there must be real advantages to both parties. Currently the right match has not been found. I believe in the future these advantages will also include the new series included in the Road to Indy program.
EFCN: Let’s end this interview talking about the future. What are your long term goals for the Team E? Will fans perhaps one day be cheering a Team E driver in the Indy 500?
ENERSON: Team E’s goals remain as when it was first formed, that is to be a well established and successful Indy Lights racing team. The Indianapolis 500 is always in the back of our minds, but currently we are sticking with our business plan. |
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