PERTH’S Anthony Martin has had his biggest success in his illustrious motor racing career so far with a win at Indianapolis.
The 21-year-old from Banksia Grove drove his Burgess BLA-Cape Motorsports single seater set pole position last weekend, then went on to win the 20-lap USF2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis by half a second.
Martin secured a national karting title in Australia in 2012 and the WA Formula Ford championship in 2013 before heading to the US to further his career in the USF2000 class, regarded as a major step to the famed Indycar series.
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READ NOWThe USF2000 formula uses Mazda-powered Van Diemen cars and is fiercely contested by emerging race drivers from all parts of the world.
He competed in the US last year with the John Cummiskey team, scoring several podium places and finished fourth in the USF2000 championship.
This season he moved to the Cape Motorsport team, finishing fifth at St Petersburg and third at Alabama before scoring his maiden victory at the greatest circuit of them all: Indianapolis.
‘I could feel the shivers go up my spine as I came around the last turn,’ he said.
‘I couldn’t believe it was happening.
‘Indianapolis starts with a very long straight, so I was really focused on getting a bit of a jump at the start. I was able to get through Turn One in front, which is what made the race.’
Teammate Canadian Parker Thompson ran second, 0.51seconds behind, and Brazil’s Victor Franzoni finished third.
Martin was also thrilled that his parents and friends, some from Kalgoorlie and Esperance, had gone to watch his race at Indianapolis.
His mother, Lee-Anne, was ecstatic.
‘It was so exciting to be there to watch him win pole position, take out the new track lap record and then win the race. It doesn’t get any better than that,’ she said.
Martin’s win was also seen by thousands of fans trackside and by millions on television.
Martin is now second to Thompson halfway through the championship.
Next event is at the tight Lucas Oil Raceway on May 27.