Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Year Patrick McKenna is back in Ireland this week on a brief visit after beginning his career in US racing with a double podium in the first round of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda.

McKenna finished second and third in his Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing run Van Diemen on his first ever appearance on a street circuit in St Petersburg, Florida on March 27th and 28th.

Reflecting on his excellent start to the year McKenna expressed himself content with the outcome from his first event in the series which has been revived this season with new technical regulations and an impressive prize fund.

That was a great start and an excellent experience, probably the best of my career so far, says the Willsborough Transport supported driver. There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event and I really couldnt have expected much more from the weekend.

Im delighted to have got my US career off the ground with a big points finish which sets us up nicely for the next event.

Our deal came together quite late and it was a very impressive effort from the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing crew to get the car prepared and set up to suit the new Mazda engine regulations.

We had time for a few days testing at Roebling Road, Savannah and Roebling road Savannah and Anderson Race Park, which went well and we went to St Petersburg optimistic that we could produce a decent result.

Still, there are always going to be a few question marks going to a brand new circuit, especially a street track, and luckily I managed to get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Its a great driving circuit, much more flowing than you might expect from a street layout with some high speed stuff that really gets your attention.

It was my first race working with wings on a racing car as well and I think we can do more work on aerodynamic configurations between now and the next race. Theres so much to learn and Im pleased that we have good pace already.

Practice went well and we qualified a strong third. I was confident we had good race pace and was able to challenge for second at the halfway point after which I was able to hang on for a great start to the series.

The grid for the second race was decided by fastest race one laps so I lined up third and finished in that position which was another strong return. To keep it off the barriers and record strong points in each race gave a good feeling.

Being part of the Indycar schedule meant huge crowds at the event and Wayne Taylor arranged for me to visit the Penske Team during the weekend and chat with their drivers Ryan Briscoe and Will Power.

Both lads were friendly and its encouraging to be operating in the same environment as the series I eventually want to be racing in. Its a nice scene.

McKenna left Florida second in the points standings and looking forward to resuming his test programme ahead of the next round of the series at OReilly Speedway in Indianapolis, the night before the Indy 500.

Weve got running planned at Road Atlanta (Georgia) before doing some preparation work at OReilly Raceway in Indianapolis.

Im really looking forward to the race in Indy. Its a hugely popular event that, by all accounts, attracts loads of fans there for the 500 the following day so it should be fun to be a part of that occasion. In the meantime Ive got lots of logistical preparation to do as well as staying on top of fitness.

Its hectic at the moment but I wouldnt have it any other way. Everything Ive seen so far has convinced me that the switch to the US this year has been a good decision and I cant wait for the next race.

McKenna is racing this year with scholarship funding from Dunlop, Motorsport Ireland and the Irish Sports Council, McKenna also enjoys support from Paul Kenny of Willsborough Transport, a long time patron, and DIT.