August 25th, 2024
Ariel Elkin’s Resilient USF Juniors Finale in Portland
The final round of the 2024 USF Juniors Championship in Portland proved to be a challenging yet determined weekend for Ariel Elkin and the InterMS Racing team. Despite facing adversity, Ariel showed his resilience and finished the season on a high note.
The weekend started with promise as Ariel demonstrated top-3 speed during practice sessions, raising hopes for a strong finish to the season. However, Race 1 took an unfortunate turn when a lengthy pit stop to switch from wet to slick tires put Ariel a lap down, effectively ending his bid for the championship and dropping him to 4th overall in the standings.
In Race 2, Ariel and the team battled with the car setup in rainy conditions, managing to secure a 5th place finish despite the struggles.
The best was saved for Race 3, where Ariel displayed incredible determination. After an early contact with another driver, he fought back from 23rd place and worked his way through the field, ultimately finishing 6th. He also set the fastest lap of the race, showcasing his competitive spirit right to the end.
Despite the challenges in Portland, Ariel finished the season with 3 wins and 5 podium finishes, marking a successful campaign overall. Reflecting on the season, Ariel expressed pride in his team's performance and the progress they made, particularly in raising awareness for the Israeli hostages.
As Ariel moves on from the USF Juniors season, he’s already preparing for the 2024 Motorsport Games in Spain, where he will proudly represent Israel in the Formula 4 category.