Neil Alberico – From the Bay to the UK

Photo courtesy of Jeff Bloxham

Corby, England (September 5, 2011) – It has begun! Blog number one from the Cliff Dempsey Racing (CDR) headquarters here in Corby. Competing in England and parts of Europe this season has come with its fair share of ups and downs. After spending over five years karting and traveling with past Team USA Scholarship winner Joey Hand and his kart team, I decided to take the next step forward in my career and move on to cars. One thing led to another and I found myself relocating from the San Francisco Bay area in California to a small apartment in Northampton, England back in January, ready to begin winter testing with CDR.

As a rookie in this year’s MSA Formula Ford (Duratec) Championship of Great Britain, not only did I need to learn the cars and circuits, but I needed to give myself a chance to settle into the European atmosphere. The first few months were a definite culture shock, but in a good way! I mean, my apartment is only about 12 miles from the Force India F1 Team, and both Red Bull Racing and Mercedes Grand Prix are close by, too. You won’t find that in any other country, well not in California anyway. Now, here we are into September and I can easily say I have learned a lot about the motorsport business and the serious level of European competition. I have personally learned a lot about myself and a real world full of responsibilities.

At this point I’m entirely focused on making the most of my opportunity here in Europe as I continue to develop my career as a professional racing driver. This year has been a huge eye-opener for me and it’s not over yet! In fact, it’s only just begun.

There are only two rounds left to wrap up the 2011 Duratec championship before we get into the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy territory with Team USA. I and the team have just returned from the Brands Hatch DTM meeting last night after a rough weekend. Unfortunately everyone has them, but it’s important to keep things simple, learn from your mistakes, stay positive and move onto the next event. I just can’t wait to hear some American accents when my fellow Team USA Scholarship teammates Spencer Pigot and Trent Hindman fly over in a few weeks’ time!

It’s an absolute privilege to be nominated for a second year in a row as a Team USA Scholarship candidate. But it’s an even greater feeling to know that I have proved myself to be a Team USA Scholarship finalist for 2011. The fact that I did not win a Scholarship last year was my true motivation to work harder than ever to make it through the elimination process for this year’s team. There’s no doubt the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy are two of the most prestigious Formula Ford events in the world, and they provide a great way to introduce young Americans like myself into what I consider to be one of the most competitive open-wheel classes. Between my up-and-coming experiences with the Team USA Scholarship boys and my current European racing season, I’m expecting to gain priceless knowledge that will surely stick with me for the rest of my career.

I am grateful for what this program has provided for new generation drivers like myself, and it’s an honor to be part of such a great opportunity. Big thanks again to all the supporters of the Team USA Scholarship program for all their hard work and effort to make this happen every year!