Tõnis Kasemets

Tõnis Kasemets (born March 17, 1974 in Pärnu , Estonian SSR ) is an Estonian - American racing driver . Kasemets received US citizenship in 2011 and has since started with a US license. Before that, he took part in motorsport under the Estonian flag.

Career

After Kasemets began his motorsport career in karting in 1992, he competed in the Formula Opel Euroseries in 1994 and 1995 . In 1995 he went to the USA and continued his career there, initially in club racing. In 2001 he moved to the US F2000 National Championship . After finishing tenth in the first season, he finished fourth in the drivers' championship in 2002 and 2003.

In 2004 he got into Formula Atlantic and took part in six races for Brooks Associates Racing . With two fifth places as the best results, he finished the season in 13th place overall. In 2005 he took part in all Formula Atlantic races for Team Tonis and won three. In the end he was narrowly beaten in the championship by the Dutchman Charles Zwolsman junior with 306 to 289 points and became runner-up.

In 2006 he moved to Paul Gentilozzi's Rocketsport Racing team in the Champ Car series and took part in five races. Kasemets had to finance his races with considerable sponsorship money and at the end of the season he finished 19th overall with 34 points. After initially not receiving a cockpit in the Champ Car Series or IndyCar Series in 2007 and having participated in a few smaller racing series, he returned to the Formula Atlantic for the season finale for Newman Wachs Racing . He finished 29th in the drivers' championship. The following season Kasemets took part in two Formula Atlantic races, both of which he finished third on the podium. In the overall standings, he finished the season in 21st place. In 2009, Kasemets competed for various teams in every Formula Atlantic race. He finished every race in the top ten drivers and a third place which is his best result. In the drivers' standings, he finished fifth.

After Formula Atlantic was discontinued at the end of the 2009 season, Kasemets took part in two Indy Lights races in 2010 . He finished sixth in both races and finished the season in 18th place overall. He also took part in four races of the US Formula Ford as a guest starter and came home first in one race. Kasemets received US citizenship in 2011 and has been competing with an US racing license ever since. In 2011 he started some races in the Grand-Am Sports Car Series . He also returned to the Indy Lights for a race . He also took part in an event of the US F2000 National Championship.