Youngest pro driver will be driving a B-spec Mazda2

[Andres3165]

Met him a few months ago, at 15, Ernie Francis Jr. is the youngest professional race driver. pretty nice and humble kid. Yesterday by coincidence we ran into his father's shop where three B-spec 2's were sitting.

http://www.erniefrancisjrracing.com/

He was also very nice and open about his cars, also pointed out the things I would have to change in my car to make it B-Spec legal, almost $5000 to start with roll cage and legal suspension, and also have to remove my headers .

Anyways I still think that the 2 has a great Autocross potential, and financially road racing seems out of the budget at this time.

Andres

 

[Perro del Sol]

Met him last year when he was running a race........he has a lot of potential and knowledge

 

[CorkSport]

It was a bummer Grand-Am wouldn't let him run his car when they did B-Spec last year due to his age. So his dad ran the race in the car and won, lol.

-Derrick

 

[Font Motorsports]

Remover the header?! Hell nah!

 

[eyeballs]

Good find! Where is his shop?

 

[Andres3165]

Good find! Where is his shop?

Breathless Performance, on Stirling and 95 in Davie Fl. Across the street from K1 indoor karting.

Andres

 

[eyeballs]

Cool, just down the road from where I used to live (sterling and palm).

 

[Andres3165]

Went to Sebring this last weekend and some of the Spec-B guys were there very nice people, including Ernie Francis Jr.

Some of them drove my car and they liked the difference in power, they mentioned they wished they could modify their cars more so they could keep up with the Miatas.

Andres

 

[Andres3165]

Ernie Jr is doing well in Texas:

http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?story=3007

Andres

 

[CorkSport]

I watched the races on the internet broadcast. The first race was good with the mini vs mazda 2 mirrors getting torn off, lol. He did great out there and qualifying really made the difference getting out in front.

-Derrick

 

[Andres3165]

I watched the races on the internet broadcast. The first race was good with the mini vs mazda 2 mirrors getting torn off, lol. He did great out there and qualifying really made the difference getting out in front.

-Derrick

This one :

Published by Mazda Motorsports:

"Mazda2 Scores TWICE in COTA Pirelli World Challenge B-Spec races.

BIG SHOUT OUT to both B-Spec racers named Francis!

In race one - Ernie Francis Jr. became the youngest winner in Pirelli World Challenge history at 15 years, three months and 25 days, one day after setting the same record for a series pole. Francis Jr. also earned the Cadillac CTS-V Move... of the Race for his run. Francis Jr. was joined, on the podium, by his father, Ernie Francis, of Davis, Fla., who moved from seventh on the grid to third in his No. 2 Hydraulic Jeans MAZDA2.

In round two, the race was just as close as it was in round one. Francis Jr. added to his racing resume, doubling up on Saturday, taking Race Two.

One more race on Sunday. Hopefully EFJ will make it #3 for the Mazda2".

" CONGRATS TO ERNIE FRANCIS JR. DRIVES TO A B-SPEC HAT-TRICK IN HIS MAZDA2

After becoming the youngest winner in series history Saturday, Ernie Francis Jr. kept the record-setting streak alive, taking the victory on Sunday in the No. 98 Hyd...raulic Jeans MAZDA2. Francis Jr., a 15-year-old high school student, set a record that may prove tough to beat, becoming the youngest driver to win three-consecutive races in Pirelli World Challenge. Francis also collected the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race and Kia Turning Point of the Race en route to his win.

“In the beginning, I was battling with the Honda [Lipperini] and trying to keep the pressure on him,” Francis Jr. said. “Once I saw my opportunity to get past, I took it. They started battling behind me and I was able to pull away from them.

“I knew a couple spots where they were slowing me down, when I was behind. I knew that if I could get in front that I wouldn’t have to worry, that I could run faster. I just needed to focus and do my laps.

“For my second-ever pro race, to sweep the weekend is great. It’s been an amazing experience.”

Andres

 

[eyeballs]

Awesome! I'll have to try and find footage, at least of the move of the race.

 

[CorkSport]

Make sure you catch the "rub" where the mirrors go flying too!

 

[eyeballs]

Saw round one...very entertaining! The battles between Francis Jr and James (mini) at the start and after the caution were great. It looked like the mirrors just folded in rather than break off. Francis Sr battling the honda was also noteworthy. TC class seemed boring in comparison.

I noticed David Alejandro who finished 6th (round 2) in a Mazda2 is from Pembroke Pines. It seems the mazda2 racing bug in the Broward County water supply.

 

[Slow Paul]

Absolutely awesome result(s) for such a young driver, his future is bright. Hopefully he'll keep up the momentum and take the championship.

 

[Andres3165]

Videos

Interview:
[video]http://www.world-challengetv.com/2013/#/races/658[/video]

Race shows mirror damaged and other incident 30:36
[video]http://www.world-challengetv.com/worldchallenge/#/races/653[/video]


Race : Great driving, awesome moment at minute 37 and 50:35 !!!
[video]http://www.world-challengetv.com/worldchallenge/#/races/649[/video]

On board video I see a Corksport sticker at 00:56
[video]http://www.world-challengetv.com/worldchallenge/#/races/666[/video]


Andres