For race car drivers searching to locate a career path in Europe, you never know what might spur a change of direction.

Englishman Michael Epps had seen a few Mazda Road to Indy logos, but really started researching the program after hearing about Matthew Brabham’s move to the United States in 2012, which eventually led Brabham to a series championship.

After a serious look into the program, it wasn’t too much longer before Epps packed his bags and headed to America.

“A few people had told me, ‘Race in America, try racing in America,’ but I never really understood what the deal was,” Epps said.

“It was reason why everyone wants to do it, which is the clear chance and possibility of moving up, something that can actually push you into the next rung and allow you to make genuine progress, rather than just feeling like you’re making progress. You actually make proper steps.”

That brought the recently-turned 21 year old to PRL Motorsports, headed by driver/owner Patrick Linn and team director/lead engineer John Walko. The newly-banded bunch is just a small component of a season of firsts for Epps, who aside from adjusting to a different lifestyle, will also compete on his first oval at the Night Before the 500 in May.

Teamed with 2012 competitor Henrik Furuseth, the duo will contest the initial race of the 2013 season with the rest of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda field at Sebring International Raceway  this week.

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Thirty cars will compete in the event, which kicks off 14 races over seven weekends in the 2013 season. Among the competitors are 2012 Cooper Tires WinterFest champion Neil Alberico and his Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate Scott Hargrove. Epps’ countryman, James Fletcher, 18, also made a splash during the winter season.

Hargrove and Alberico led the Wednesday practice sessions, and qualifying for Race 1 takes place at 8 a.m. (ET) on March 14. Race 1 will begin at 1:35 p.m. on the same day, with the second half of the doubleheader going green at 10:40 a.m. March 15.

Epps will be a driver blogger for IndyCar.com for the 2013 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season. Look for his first entry shortly after the March 14-15 race weekend.