Rinus VK To Make USF2000 Debut With Carlin Benik in 2017

Rinus VK is the first driver to officially join Carlin Benik’s Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda squad for 2017. (photo courtesy of Co-Force International)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 31, 2016) – Dutch driver Rinus VK today announced he will be making his debut in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2017 with powerhouse team Carlin.

“We have spoken with several teams in the last few months, but when the opportunity to join Carlin Benik came along I didn’t have to think long. Making the deal with Carlin Benik is an important step for us. Having secured the seat I now feel I truly am an USF2000 driver”, Rinus VK says.

Having announced his intent to compete on the Mazda Road To Indy ladder system in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Rinus now has his plans firmed up, and Racing Director Trevor Carlin couldn’t be happier about having secured the teenager for the team’s initial foray into USF2000.

“Sander Dorsman, team manager at MP Motorsport, tipped me about Rinus”, Trevor explains. “I know Sander very well from the GP2 Series and respect his judgement. I started to follow Rinus and soon knew he would be the perfect young talent for our new USF2000 team at Carlin Benik.”   

Carlin is one of the winningest teams in the history of junior open-wheel racing, having won 15 championships, scored over 300 race wins and 800 podiums. The team has worked with Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power as well as race winners Josef Newgarden, Charlie Kimball and Takuma Sato. They’ve also had a crucial role in the development of F1 drivers such as Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Rosberg, and Rinus plans on taking full advantage of the team’s heritage and infrastructure.  Carlin have joined forces with top US kart team Benik, to create a strong package for the team’s debut in USF2000 in 2017.  

Owned and operated by long-time karting industry members Ben Cruttenden and Nick Mitchell, Benik Kart operates out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, close to Carlin’s US base in Delray Beach, where the team’s USF2000 cars will be prepared. Combining the expertise of both teams with young drivers, Carlin will provide all personnel and technical expertise when the Carlin Benik squad take to the track.  

Rinus is delighted with the signed contract: “Carlin is known to be strong in new competitions and an endless number of Carlin drivers have made it to the top in motorsport all over the world. I’m sure Trevor and his team will have the new USF2000 chassis built up in the best possible way, so I think they can help me to perform on top of my ability.”  

Rinus is one of three Dutch drivers on the renowned KNAF Talent First development program. The program has seen drivers such as Max Verstappen rise through the ranks en route to the top levels of the sport. He is also supported by Holland’s largest supermarket chain, Jumbo, which have been supporters of racing for several decades.

Rinus and Carlin Benik will begin their off-season preparations at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course via the Chris Griffis Memorial test on October 8-9, 2016. The date will mark the first opportunity for teams and drivers to sample the all new Tatuus USF-17 racecar that will be utilized for the 2017 USF2000 season.