Team E preps for 2011 season and beyond

As the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season approaches, veteran team owner Neil Enerson has opened the doors of operation in hopes of meeting the right driver to build his race team around.

Enerson is the owner of Team E, which won at the Milwaukee Mile in its debut season in 2008 and was named the series' New Team of the Year. The Florida businessman sat out 2009 and ran selected events in 2010, but wants to get back on-track with a full effort.

"We didn't mess around when we formed this team," Enerson told EFormulaCarNews.com. "I have put the right people in place, and we're ready to roll down the road to St. Pete to go for the win. We were second at the Grand Prix last year, so we've got a hot setup."

Enerson has been able to keep veteran team manager Doug Hoy and chief mechanic Dave Metcalf. Both have Indy Lights championship titles on their resumes from 2005 and 2006, and they are each anxious to work with a young driver.

"We've also got so much experience on our team that I know that we will be in contention whenever we unload the car," Enerson said. "We just need to find a driver who understands our potential."

Enerson has a long-term plans for developing his race team through INDYCAR's Mazda Road to Indy with his son, RC Enerson, who is scheduled to join the USF2000 National Championship in 2012.

The younger Enerson has moved through the ranks from karts to cars, completing the Skip Barber three-day school at Sebring, the two-day Advanced School at Road Atlanta, and also participated in the last two Skip Barber Karting Shootouts. He will compete in Skip Barber Regional races, along with an extensive F2000 testing program in preparation for 2012.