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| January 15, 2007 News |
| EFCN Top-10: Formula 2000 |
 | 2006 Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship champion J.R. Hildebrand
(Photo: Erick Davis) |
1. J.R. Hildebrand
Cape Motorsports
12 wins, 13 podiums, 10 pole positions
7th in 2005 FCM Cooper Zetec Championship Top-10
J.R. Hildebrand has always been a good driver, however even he could not have predicted the season he would have racing in the Cooper Series in 2006. A dominant force from start to finish, the California driver set new records for wins and pole positions in a season and tied the mark for consecutive wins. Thanks his superb season, he not only won the title, but also became one top young open-wheel drivers in North America and earned a Champ Car Atlantic Championship ride in 2007.
 | 2006 F2000 Championship Series champion Matt McDonough
(Photo: Al Craighead) |
2. Matt McDonough
GTP Motorsports
8 wins, 10 podiums, 7 pole positions
4th in 2005 FCM Cooper Zetec Championship Top-10
After racing parts of a season the past several years, Matt McDonough finally committed full-time to a series in 2007, and immediately showed he was a championship-winning driver. The Massachusetts driver was the man to beat in the newly created F2000 Championship Series, capturing the most wins, podium finishes and pole positions en route to his first pro title. Working with Van Diemen, he will be back in 2007, competing in selected events.
 | 2006 Pacific F2000 Series champion Robert Podlesni
(Photo: Pacific F2000 Series) |
3. Robert Podlesni
Dave Freitas Racing
6 wins, 10 podiums, 6 pole positions
Robert Podlesni may have not gotten the same amount limelight as some of the other young open-wheel drivers last year, but he certainly deserved it. Racing on the West Coast in the ever-improving Pacific F2000 Series, the Californian was a leading force. Despite a limited race budget, he won a series high six races, the Spring Cup, Summer Cup and the series title. Next up, if he can secure the funds, is a season in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship.
 | 2006 Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship race winner Dane Cameron
(Photo: MotorCine Media) |
4. Dane Cameron
Cape Motorsports
2 wins, 10 podiums, 4 pole positions
Teamed up with the dominant series champion, Dane Cameron not helped his team win every race, but made his own mark. The young driver from California finished a well-deserved second in standings, before traveling to Europe and winning a title in an unknown car at never previously raced at tracks. Wherever he races in 2007, he will be a driver to watch.
 | 2006 Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship Gold Cup champion Cole Morgan
(Photo: eFormulaCarNews.com) |
5. Cole Morgan
10/Tenths Motorsports & St. Clair Motorsports
11 wins, 11 podiums, 11 top-five
For Cole Morgan, the 2006 season was one of many accomplishments. Racing in the Gold Cup class of the Cooper Series, he dominated like few have ever done. Not only did he win 11 of the 12 races he contested en route to the title, but regularly battled and beat drivers in the quicker Zetec cars. Despite showing the talent to be a force in the open-wheel ranks, it appears Morgan will make the switch to sedans in 2007.
 | 2006 Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship podium finisher Ricardo Vassmer
(Photo: MotorCine Media) |
6. Ricardo Vassmer
Comprent Motorsports & JDC Motorsports
6 podiums, 10 top-five, 12 top-10
3rd in 2005 FCM Cooper Zetec Championship Top-10
The Cooper Series Gold Cup Champion in 2005, Ricardo Vassmer entered the Zetec class last year in position to fight for the title. While the Venezuelan born driver continued to improve behind the wheel, he never visited victory lane or truly challenged for the championship. Obviously very gifted, Vassmer must refocus ahead of a season in the competitive Star Mazda Championship this coming year.
 | 2006 F2000 Championship Series race winner Mike Andersen
(Photo: F2000 Championship Series) |
7. Mike Andersen
Andersen Racing
2 wins, 8 podiums, 10 top-five
After a few years away from racing, Mike Andersen returned to the cockpit without losing a step. Always one of the most smooth and technical drivers, the New Jersey native challenged for the F2000 Championship Series title all season long, scoring two wins. As is the case every year for the past half-decade, it is unsure whether Andersen will return for another season of racing, but if he does, expect to see him fighting for wins on regular basis.
 | 2006 Pacific F2000 Series race winner Patrick Barrett
(Photo: Patrick Barrett Racing) |
8. Patrick Barrett
Team G.FRO
2 wins, 4 podiums, 4 top-five
Patrick Barrett may have only raced four times in the F2000 class in 2006, but he definitely caught everyone’s attention. A standout in the race school ranks, Barrett entered the Pacific F2000 Series and promptly ran at the front, winning twice and finishing on the podium in every race he contested. If he can keep that form up for an entire season, he is sure to be a title contender wherever he races in 2007.
 | 2006 Pacific F2000 Series race winner Nick Haye
(Photo: Pacific F2000 Series) |
9. Nick Haye
PR1 Motorsports
1 win, 5 podiums, 11 top-five
Nick Haye previously has showed the potential to be a very good driver, but lacked the consistency. This past year in the Pacific F2000 Series he continued his development as a driver, regularly running at the front and challenging for wins. If the youngster keeps steadily improving, you can expect him to visit victory on a much more frequent basis in the coming years.
 | 2006 Pacific F2000 Series race winner Tim Harris
(Photo: Pacific F2000 Series) |
10. Tim Harris
Ray Stephens Racing
1 win, 4 podiums, 7 top-five
A long-time open-wheel competitor, Harris enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2006. Displaying both the speed to win and the consistency to be a champion, Harris was always the front, eventually finishing second in the Pacific F2000 Series. One can only assume having enjoyed the taste of victory, the California driver will once again be battling for the title in 2007.
Honourable Mention: Jason Byers
St. Clair Motorsports
4 podium, 9 top-five, 12 top-10
5th in 2005 FCM Cooper Zetec Championship Top-10
For a second straight year, Jason Byers captured the Masters Championship in the Cooper Series, beating not only his fellow “old-timers”, but also regularly some of the best young talents in the sport. Mixing the determination of a fierce competitor with a fun out-going personality, Byers is one of the reasons people love the sport.
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