Archives for Pro Mazda News/Results

An extensive preview of the 2018 Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire season.

Posted by  on Thursday, March 8th 2018     

The Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire series will take to the streets (and runways) of downtown St. Petersburg, Fla. for the 15th and 16th time this weekend. It’s the fifth straight and seventh overall year that the series contests their first race of the year on the shore of Tampa Bay.

Previous race winning drivers and teams at the Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire events in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Year Driver Team Start
2017 Race #2 Anthony Martin Cape Motorsports 1
2017 Race #1 Anthony Martin Cape Motorsports 1
2016 Race #2 Aaron Telitz Team Pelfrey 1
2016 Race #1 Pato O’Ward Team Pelfrey 1
2015 Race #2 Neil Alberico Cape Motorsports 1
2015 Race #1 Neil Alberico Cape Motorsports 1
2014 Race #2 Spencer Pigot Juncos Racing 1
2014 Race #1 Spencer Pigot Juncos Racing 1
2013 Race #2 Matthew Brabham Andretti Autosport 5
2013 Race #1 Matthew Brabham Andretti Autosport 8
2012 Race #2 Jack Hawksworth Team Pelfrey 1
2012 Race #1 Connor DePhillippi Juncos Racing 1
2011 Race Connor DePhillippi Team Pelfrey 3
2010 Race Conor Daly Juncos Racing 1

 

Race weekend basics:

  • The official name of the pair of races is: Pro Mazda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by Allied Building Products
  • Saturday’s Race 1 is scheduled for 25 laps or 40 minutes
  • Sunday’s Race 2 – is scheduled for 30 laps or 40 minutes
  • Each entry is permitted to use three sets of new Cooper Tire slicks, and can also carry over one set that has to be used in
  • the first practice session of the event
  • Each entry is permitted to use three sets of new Cooper Tire rains.
  • Driver points are distributed as follows: 30 – 25 – 22 – 19 – 17 – 15 -14 – 13 – 12 – 11 – 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – an additional one point will be awarded to the pole sitter, and to the driver who leads the most laps

A few things we’ll be watching this weekend.

  • The first one, and the biggest is the engine situation. This worrisome issue is something that we’ll hopefully not have to get into more detail on as the weekend progresses, but let’s just say that the 275HP Mazda developed MZR-PM18A have been expiring at an alarming rate. The series hopes that it has found the problem, and any engines that have failed due to that problem (crank-shaft) will be replaced at no cost to the teams. The series has a plan in place to replace the offending parts during the break in the action after St. Petersburg, but the engines will be running with a much reduced maximum RPM this weekend.
  • The second thing that we’ll be watching is how the set-ups and driving styles translate from the drivers with USF-17 experience vs. the drivers with experience with the previous Pro Mazda car.
  • The last thing that we’ll be watching is who finishes up front. The lowest that a Pro Mazda champion has finished in races held in St. Petersburg is fourth, and the eventual champion has won races in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Will 2018 be the next year that happens?

Breaking down the teams and drivers:

Team Pelfrey has won four of the last eight Pro Mazda Championships and will have the opportunity to make it five of ten with a talented line-up that includes sophomore Sting Ray Robb, with rookies Andres Gutierrez and Rafa Martins. TSO expects to see the trio of drivers all competing for race wins early and often.

The 16-year old Robb, who is managed by Pieter Rossi (IndyCar driver Alex’s father), finished his rookie Pro Mazda season in 6th place, with a best finish of fourth (on three occasions). The Idaho native, was impressive in testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway two weeks ago, ending the two-day affair with the second quickest lap. If Team Pelfrey has the new PM-18 sorted, expect Robb to lead the charge for the black and yellow liveried squad.

Sophmore Sting Ray Robb will look to improve on his sixth place Pro Mazda championship after moving to Team Pelfrey in 2018 (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

“It’s an amazing atmosphere at St. Pete – you see kids hanging on the fences, people walking around eating hot dogs and having fun,” explained Robb, “It’s cool to be running right on the streets of the city, and all the drivers look forward to it. We were P2 in Spring Training at Homestead last week, and that’s a good start. The same techniques apply whether you’re on a road course or a street course, and I have more time in this car before the start of the season than I did last year, so that’s a big help.”

Guttierez, from Monterey, Mexico, made three USF2000 starts in 2017, finishing sixth in the season finale at Watkins Glen International. Guttierez had a busy 2017, contesting five FIA Formula 4 Nacam Championship races (with two wins and five podiums) and six IMSA Prototype Challenge races (winning twice and finishing on the podium in all six races).

The third member of the trio is 19-year-old Rafa Martins. The Brazilian, who was a world class karter, is returning to racing this season after taking a year off to get his funding sorted. Martins spent the two years before that racing in the British F4 series, standing on the top step of the podium five times and scoring a total of nine podiums. Martins told TSO Ladder that everything about the PM18 is new and very different from what he has raced in the past, but he does have Tony Kanaan to lean on for advice this year.

“He (Kanaan) started helping me this year,” said Martins to TSO Ladder. “He’s going to mentor me this year. I really appreciate that. It’s very good to have been behind me helping me. I’m very happy to be working with him.

Last year, Victor Franzoni fought a fierce battle against Anthony Martin, but was able to bring home Juncos Racing’s second Pro Mazda driver’s championship. The Speedway, Ind. based team signed three outstanding drivers in an attempt to defend the title.

The driver with the most experience that will be piloting the familiar green, white and orange liveried Juncos Racing cars is Robert Megennis. The New Yorker, who has was recently accepted into Butler University, spent the previous two seasons in USF2000 with Team Pelfrey. The 17 year-old won the first race of the season in St. Petersburg last year, and a total of nine top-fives. Megennis told TSO Ladder that the progression from the USF17 to the PM18 is natural. It also shouldn’t hurt that just had the opportunity to develop a new car last season.

Rinus VeeKay, the 2017 USF2000 vice-champion, makes a move up to Pro Mazda, after also testing Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires machinery at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test last October. The 17-year-old, who is mature for his years, won three races, had 12 podiums in 14 races, and impressively never finished lower than he started in an impressive first season in cars. However, the Dutch driver had some engine troubles during testing and might start the season behind some of his competitors that completed more test miles.

“My goals for the upcoming season are winning the championship and maximizing my potential physically and mentally,” said VeeKay. “These past weekends have certainly been disappointing. Not being able to gain experience or data has been difficult but I’ve been training harder than ever before with my trainer, Raun Grobben.

“I’m ready for St. Pete. It’s been on my mind for the entire offseason, and I hope we don’t experience the same engine problems down in Florida. Our team has worked incredibly hard, and I’m coming into this weekend ready for battle.”

Last, but not least is Carlos Cunha. The sophomore Pro Mazda pilot has made a smooth transition from the venerable Star chassis / Mazda Renesis combination to the PM-18, leading the recent two days of testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Cunha, Meginnis, and VeeKay will all be drivers to watch in 2018 and should be able to push each other.

At least, that’s what Cunha told TSO Ladder, saying: “Of course. VeeKay and Megennis are both good drivers. It’s always really difficult to always be ahead of him, but I’m trying to my best all the time. It’s really good when you have someone that can push you to the front. It’s amazing.”

The third returning team, Cape Motorsports, who has won seven straight USF2000 driver’s championships is still looking for their first in Pro Mazda. The St. Petersburg, Fla. based team, who joined the series in 2014, have had a driver finish second in the championship three times, and third during the remaining season.

Leading the charge will be Oliver Askew, who is gunning for his third straight Mazda Motorsports advancement scholarship had seven race wins, eight poles, 13 podiums and set four track records. Not bad for the 21 year-olds first season in cars.

Oliver Askew get buckled in – the 21-year-old from Jupiter, Fla. will be attempting to win his 3rd straight Mazda Motorsports advancement scholarship. ((Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski

Returning to Cape Motorsports, whom he drove for in USF2000 is Nikia Lastochkin. The Russian driver, who only started racing a few years ago when he took part in a Skip Barber racing school, is coming off his most successful season of racing. The 27-year-old had two podiums, and eight top fives on the way to a fifth-place finish in the 2017 Pro Mazda championship.

Joining the three returning teams, are four new teams. BN Racing, DEForce Racing, and Exclusive Autosport are moving up from USF2000, while RP Motorsport and their championship-winning pedigree are moving to the United States from Europe.

The Chicago Ridge, Ill. based BN Racing will enter two PM-18 cars for David Malukas and Kris Wright.

Wright, from Pittsburgh, Pa., contested races in both USF2000 and Pro Mazda during the 2017 season, and also finished second in the IMSA Prototype Challenge Series.

The 16-year-old Malukas split his 2017 between USF2000 and the Formula 4 ADAC (German) series but will concentrate his racing on this side of the Atlantic in 2018. The former stand-out karter has plenty of speed, leading the latest series test at Barber Motorsports Park last weekend, but will need to improve his race craft if he wants to contend for the championship.

After a successful first season of Mazda Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires competition in USF2000, the Angleton, Texas-based DEForce Racing will make the jump to Pro Mazda with English driver James Raven.

Over the past decade, Raven has been one the most successful Formula Ford racers in the United Kingdom. Winning 15 races, the 2014 Formula Ford Festival, and finishing third in the most recent Walter Hayes Trophy finale.

Raven has spent most of his career piloting a Ray chassis for Cliff Dempsey Racing. Cliff Dempsey’s son Peter, the former Indy Lights driver, is the engineer for the DEForce Racing squad and told TSO Ladder that on his dad’s recommendation they brought Raven to the United States for a Formula 4 test, and that went so well that the team decided to run him in Pro Mazda instead.

The third team that is making a move up the ladder is Canadian squad Exclusive Autosport, whose Pro Mazda team will be flying the Canadian Flag proudly all season with a Canadian two-some behind the wheel of the pair of PM-18s.

Parker Thompson, who has seven wins, six poles, and 18 podiums in Mazda Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires competition, finished the 2017 USF2000 season with the same team in third place. Thompson has been near the top of the timesheets in the last two official series tests at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park, and with veteran, open wheel engineer Tim Lewis leading the team should be in the running for the $790,300 scholarship and a spot in Indy Lights.

Veteran Thompson will have the chance opportunity to mentor, Antonio Serravalle, his 15-year-old Canadian teammate. Serravalle will be on a steep learning curve, but the youngster is the most recent U.S. and Canadian KZ Shifter Kart champion, and anybody that can handle a shifter kart should have no problem adapting to Pro Mazda.

RP Motorsport, who call Milano, Italy home, have won five team and four driver championships in the Euroformula Open Championship (formerly the European F3 Championship) are making a move to the U.S. for the 2018 Pro Mazda Championship. The team, who are entering their 21st year of competition have based their Ameican operations at Newman Wachs Racing shop in Mundelein, Ill.

Harrison Scott, who won 12 of 14 races on the way to a dominant Euroformula Open Championship, will a be a driver to watch this season. It might take the team a few races to get a hold of the PM-18, but when they do, expect the 21-year-old to find the podium.

Harrison Scott chats with his RP Motorsport crew (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

Joining Scott is his 2017 teammate, Lodovico Laurini.

category: Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, Uncategorized

Pro Mazda and USF2000 testing recap from Homestead-Miami Speedway – Day #2 recap and timesheet

Posted by  on Sunday, February 25th 2018     

By Steve Wittich

For the second straight day, it was Juncos Racing sophomore Carlos Cunha who used an end of the day, last minute lap to jump to the top of the timesheet. The 18 year-old was able to better his Saturday afternoon lap by over two-tenths of a second, to “win” testing with the fastest lap of 1 minute, 19.202 seconds.

“I’m really happy, Juncos Racing is an amazing team,” said Cunha. “On-track, we are always improving, never going backwards and that’s very good. We have tested a lot but we still need to learn a lot about the car, though we are almost to a perfect setup. The team has given me everything I need to be comfortable inside the car, to know what the car needs, and to know what I need to be a better driver. We have time to improve and we are moving forward quickly.”

Juncos Racing sophomore Carlos Cunha ended the second day of testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the same spot he did the first day. At the top of the timesheet (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

Cunha’s swiftest lap was 4.4 seconds ahead of the venerable Mazda Renesis powered Star built chassis.

After having the second quickest lap in two different sessions, it finally looked like Team Pelfrey sophomore Sting Ray Robb was going to end the final session one spot higher, but Cunha’s last second flyer meant that the Idahoan had to settle for second in the session and in the runner-up spot on the combined time-sheet.

“We’ve done several tests this winter, working on my driving and on the car setup – and the chemistry with the team has been a huge factor,” explained the 16 year-old. “Coming into the weekend we know what we can do and here at Spring Training we got P2. The new car is so fast, brakes well, corners well, and it’s way nicer to drive than the old car. It feels like a real race car. Last year was my rookie season and it was a rough year, mentally and physically, so it’s good to be back in the swing of things, back in my rhythm!”

Sting Ray Robb is clearly enjoying his new home at Team Pelfrey. The 16 year-old was the second quickest driver in half of the six sessions and also ended the test as the second quickest pilot. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

The remainder of the top five, David Malukas (BN Racing), Rafa Martins (Team Pelfrey) and Parker Thompson (Exclusive Autosport) were covered by only a scant one-tenth of a second, and were within a half-second of Cunha.

Thirteen of the 15 drivers ended the test within one second of each other, setting the table for what should be an outstanding title fight.

The two drivers, Oliver Askew and Rinus VeeKay, that battled until the final race of the year in the 2017 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda championship were only able to manage the ninth and eighth times, respectively.

But, both were fighting bugs. VeeKay was battling mechanical gremlins, and Askew was battling a nasty case of the flu, so don’t be surprised to see the talented duo back at the top of the time-sheets when the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park next week for two day official series test alongside the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Series on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday March 4.

The 15 PM18 cars that took part in the six-hours of testing turned a total of 1,610 laps (3,558.1 miles). Antonio Serravalle, who completed 169 circuits of the 2.21-Mile Homestead-Miami Speedway road course was the busiest of the pilots, driving a total of 373.5 miles.

Combined timesheet for the two days of Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway

RANK CAR NO. DRIVER TEAM FASTEST LAP GAP TOTAL LAPS
1 1 Carlos Cunha Juncos Racing 1:19.202 132
2 82 Sting Ray Robb Team Pelfrey 1:19.409 -0.207 123
3 79 David Malukas BN Racing 1:19.579 -0.377 78
4 80 Rafael Martins Team Pelfrey 1:19.604 -0.402 111
5 90 Parker Thompson Exclusive Autosport 1:19.685 -0.483 106
6 10 Harrison Scott RP Motorsport Racing 1:19.800 -0.598 39
7 9 Robert Megennis Juncos Racing 1:19.884 -0.642 125
8 2 Rinus VeeKay Juncos Racing 1:19.914 -0.712 129
9 3 Oliver Askew Cape Motorsports 1:19.987 -0.785 127
10 12 James Raven DE Force Racing 1:20.036 -0.834 127
11 78 Kris Wright BN Racing 1:20.150 -0.948 80
12 27 Lodovico Laurini RP Motorsport Racing 1:20.197 -0.995 61
13 81 Andres Gutierrez Team Pelfrey 1:20.249 -1.047 82
14 8 Nikita Lastochkin Cape Motorsports 1:20.876 -1.674 121
15 91 Antonio Seravalle Exclusive Autosport 1:21.038 -1.836 169

For the second straight year, it was a Team USA Scholarship winning Cape Motorsports driver that led the first official test of an upcoming Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season.

Last year, Oliver Askew used the momentum gained during the test to win the 2017 USF2000 Championship, and this year, it will be fellow Jupiter, Fla. native Kyle Kirkwood, who was part of the same Team USA Scholarship class, that will hope to follow in Askew’s footsteps.

Kyle Kirkwood and the No. 8 Cape Motorsports machine on track at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

“Everything went really well,” explained Kirkwood to TSO Ladder. “We were obviously very quick yesterday and today. We had a plan for the last two sessions, so that’s why we weren’t quicker in both of them. We were just seeing what our race pace was. I’m really happy with the outcome of the weekend. The car feels amazing, and I think going into St. Pete we should be one of the quicker car.”

Kirkwood will be attempting to win the eighth straight driver’s championship for Cape Motorsports. The St. Petersburg, Fla. based team, who faced a tough challenge from Pabst Racing last year, conceding the team championship to the Augie Pabst led team.

Drivers from the Oconomowoc, Wisc. team ended the test with the second, third, fourth, and sixth quickest laps. Rasmus Lindh, a rookie from Sweden, who will be making his first race start in cars at St. Petersburg led the veteran-laden team, but Lucas Kohl, Kaylen Frederick, and Calvin Ming were all very close together.

“The car feels very good,” explained the 16 year-old. “We’ve been quickest in two sessions and have improved through the weekend. We’ve tested a few times in the car, my first times in a race car. It takes some getting used to, going from a kart to a car. The brakes require much more pressure than a kart and you have to hold that pressure, so that’s new for me. I am used to moving my body in the kart to help the chassis, and I can’t move my body at all in the USF-17. And I’m learning what the car’s limits are, as well as the limits of the tires. It’s been great working with the Pabst team – all four of us have very similar times, so we can compare data and get the best for all of us.”

It was rookie Rasmus Lindh who led his veteran Pabst Racing during the first official Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda test of 2018 (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

DEForce Racing sophomore Kory Enders was the only driver to break up the Cape Motorsports and Pabst Racing party at the top of the timesheet and ended the test with the fifth quickest time. The resident of Sugarland, Texas was one of the more consistent drivers of the test, ending with a top-five time in four of the six sessions.

After he got out of his car, Enders told TSO: “I think it went really great. We have a lot of speed and a lot of potential. At this point, we’re just fine-tuning the set-up at this point. We’re really looking forward to St. Pete(rsburg) because we know that we have the speed. We’re right there with Pabst, and ready to push even further to become P1. We wanted it here, but sometimes the best things are worth waiting for.”

During last year’s two-day opening test at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Oliver Askew was the only driver to turn a lap below 1 minute, 24 seconds, and this year, only two drivers, Kirkwood and Lindh were able to break that threshold. After Kirkwood went under Askew’s lap yesterday, it looked like a lot more drivers would break the 84-second barrier, but according to the drivers we talked to the track got slicker as the day wore on, limiting how hard they were able to push.

The top nine drivers all set their quickest laps on the first day of testing, with Julian Van der Watt (Team Pelfrey) being the first driver to set their quickest lap of the test on Sunday.

The 23 USF17 cars that took part in the six-hours of testing turned a total of 2735 laps (6,044.35 miles). Sabre Cook, who completed 169 circuits of the 2.21-Mile Homestead-Miami Speedway road course was the busiest of the pilots, driving a total of 373.5 miles

Combined timesheet for the two days of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway

 

RANK CAR NO. DRIVER TEAM FASTEST LAP GAP TOTAL LAPS
1 8 Kyle Kirkwood Cape Motorsports 1:23.772 118
2 23 Rasmus Lindh Pabst Racing 1:23.924 -0.152 103
3 22 Lucas Kohl Pabst Racing 1:24.068 -0.296 104
4 24 Kaylen Frederick Pabst Racing 1:24.095 -0.323 123
5 11 Kory Enders DEForce Racing 1:24.250 -0.478 122
6 21 Calvin Ming Pabst Racing 1:24.476 -0.704 112
7 81 Kyle Dupell Team Pelfrey 1:24.484 -0.712 123
8 12 Jose Sierra DEForce Racing 1:24.566 -0.794 121
9 36 Darren Keane Newman Wachs Racing 1:24.655 -0.883 121
10 80 Julian Van der Watt Team Pelfrey 1:24.782 -1.010 99
11 28 Zach Holden BN Racing 1:24.857 -1.085 113
12 31 Michael D’Orlando Team Benik 1:24.875 -1.103 139
13 91 Igor Fraga Exclusive Autosport 1:25.005 -1.233 71
14 82 Bruna Tomaselli Team Pelfrey 1:25.109 -1.337 101
15 30 Keith Donegan ArmsUp Motorsports 1:25.147 -1.375 102
16 5 Mathias Soler-Obel Sol.O Racing 1:25.161 -1.389 144
17 27 Colin Kaminsky DE Force Racing 1:25.280 -1.508 139
18 37 Max Peichel Newman Wachs Racing 1:25.392 -1.620 141
19 29 Russell McDonough BN Racing 1:25.627 -1.855 37
20 90 Manuel Cabrera Exclusive Autosport 1:25.803 -2.031 124
21 9 Sabre Cook ArmsUp Motorsports 1:25.967 -2.195 169
22 38 Oscar DeLuzuriaga Newman Wachs Racing 1:26.566 -2.794 150
23 93 Jason Clunie Exclusive Autosport 1:27.143 -3.371 159

 

USF2000 and Pro Mazda notebook:

  • The 2.1 mile, Homestead-Miami Speedway 14-turn road course has hosted a number of different road racing series including: ACCUS Florida Winter Series, Formula Atlantics Championship, F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda, FIA GT, Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, SCCA US Road Racing Championship,Trans-Am, and US F2000 Winterfest. The 14-turn circuit features nine left-hand turns and six right-hand turns.

The 2.21-mile, 14-turn Homestead-Miami Speedway road course (Photo courtesy of Homestead-Miami Speedway)

  • When attending a test at Homestead-Miami Speedway, one often spends some time looking at the sky. The Homestead Air Reserve Base is located just to the northeast of the track, and the flight path takes planes right over the facility. The base is home to the 482nd Fighter Wing and their Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcons and the 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard and their McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles. Also calling the based home are United States Coast Guard EADS HC-144 Ocean Sentries, and various aircraft from U.S. Customs And Border Protection.
  • Each entry for spring training is allocated two sets of sticker Cooper Tire slicks for each day of the test, so they do have to be judicious in their use. Most teams spent the majority of Saturday’s first session on tires left over from testing before putting on sticker tires to end that first session. Each entry is allowed to carry over one set of tires from a previous event, but that set of carryovers does have to be used in the first practice session of another event. Tire “strategies” for the remaining four sessions varied, with some drivers/teams choosing to do their new tire, runs at the beginning of the sixty-minute session and
  • Jan Heylen will be replacing Scot Elkins as the USF2000 race director. Elkins is now the race director for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Heylen, originally from Belgium spent the early part of his career in open wheel racing piloting Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula 3000, Indy Lights and Indy cars, before making the move to sports cars, where the 37 year-old has earned a reputation as an outstanding driver coach. Remaining in their race director roles from last year are Johnny Unser (Pro Mazda) and Tony Cotman (Indy Lights). Also remaining in his role as steward and USF2000 driver coach will be Joel Miller.
  • We’ve had a number of people ask us about the JUMBO sponsorship on the side pods of Rinus VeeKay’s race car. After asking VeeKay’s parents, and doing some research, we’ve learned that JUMBO is a 585 supermarket chain that currently has 19% of the Dutch supermarket market share. The chain is owned by the Van Eerd Group, who also recently purchased the La Place https://www.laplace.com/en restaurant chain that has 60+ locations in 7 countries including stores in New York, N.Y. and San Francisco, Calif., so that logo is also now visible on the No. 2 Juncos Racing machine. The company is run by Frits van Eerd, a regular in the BOSS GP series, a first-time competitor at Le Mans in 2017, partnering with Jan Lammers and Ruebens Barrichello to finish 13th overall in the historic French event.

The livery of Rinus VeeKay for the 2018 Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire season, featuring JUMBO and La Place. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

  • USF2000 sophomore Darren Keane who drives for Newman Wachs Racing goes to high school in Coconut Creek, Fla, in the same school district and only six miles from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSDHS), the scene of a horrific school shooting less than two weeks ago. Keane told TSOLadder that one of his best friends attends MSDHS, and that the tragedy has really had an impact on all of the students in the area. The 18-year-old felt like he needed to show his support for his friends at the neighboring school, so the No. 36 is adorned with Parkland Strong 17 and #MSDStrong school logo stickers.

Photo By Steve Wittich

Photo by Steve Wittich

category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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Pro Mazda and USF2000 testing recap from day #1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Posted by  on Saturday, February 24th 2018     

The first official test of any racing season is sort of like the first day of school for a number of reasons.

As much as you might have done some school reading (or not) during the summer (non-official testing), the first day back at school (the first official day of testing) is all about knocking the rust off your reading and writing (braking and feedback) skills.

The day is also about getting to know your new teachers (crew), and classmates (other drivers), and getting comfortable with your new situation before buckling down to really get to work.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget that the first day of the school year, is not the time to get into trouble with the principals and deans (race control).

And the absolute worst thing you can do? Damage your new car while showing off for your friends and dealing with the wrath of angry parents (team owners).

For the most part, the 36 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire drivers entered in the first open test of the year had successful “first days of school.”

The first two rungs of the Mazda Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires were both afforded three hours of track time on the 2.1-Mile, 14-Turn Homestead-Miami Speedway road course.

But, it wasn’t all about track time. The drivers also took part in an information session explaining the benefits of being a regular participant in the  #TeamCooperTire and #MRTI hashtag programs. You can read more about that in our article here: #TeamCooperTire and #MRTI, a program to amplify the social media reach of MRTI drivers and teams, returns for a fifth season.

Rookie Rasmus Lindh was the quickest of the four Pabst Racing drivers, who were all in the top five on the morning timesheet, with a lap of 1 minute 23.924 seconds. Lucas Kohl, Kaylen Frederick, and Calvin Ming were all within a half-of-a-second of their freshman teammate.

Sophomore Kory Enders from the three-car DEForce Racing USF2000 stable was the only driver to break up the Pabst Racing top five party.

The second 60-minute Saturday test session saw a familiar name find their way to the top of the timesheet. The driver, Kyle Kirkwood was new, but the team, Cape Motorsports wasn’t. When the 2017 season ended the Cape Brothers told us that they didn’t think that they would be back to try and win their eighth straight USF2000 drivers championship, but when the reigning F4 United States Championship champion became available at the last minute, the St. Petersburg, Fla. based team jumped at the opportunity.

The top-five drivers in the session all represented different teams with BENIK (Michael D’Orlando), DEForce Racing (Kory Enders), Newman Wachs Racing (Darren Keane) and Team Pelfrey (Kyle Dupell) joining Cape Motorsports and Kirkwood. Of note, the Pabst Racing foursome that was at the top of the first timesheet did not run any laps in anger.

The quickest lap in the third Saturday test session was a scorcher 1 minute 23.772-second last-minute scorcher by Kirkwood. That lap bested Oliver Askew’s best lap during last year’s test by two-tenths of a second.

A new driver, Kyle Kirkwood, with a familiar team, Cape Motorsports, led the first day of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda spring training at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

“It was good, explained the 19 year-old to TSOLadder after getting out of his No. 8.  “We had a run plan to get through. I hadn’t run with Cape Motorsports yet. I’m trying to get familiar with the car and the team and how they operate with this car.

“The first session, we knew we weren’t going to be quick in the session. We went out for the second session and we ran new Cooper Tires right of the bat. We were quick right away, and then we started testing certain things to see what was better with degraded tires. Something similar to a race situation. That last session, we ran the same tires that we did that we did for the entire session and tested a bunch of things. We put new tires on at the end to go fast, and it worked perfectly.

“We got a bunch of testing things done and we’re really happy with the outcome today.”

Following Cape Motorsports and Kirkwood were a trio of Pabst Racing drivers (Lindh, Kohl, and Frederick).

The fifth quickest drier of the final 60-minute test session was Enders, who was the only driver to finish in the top five in each of Saturday’s sessions.

Sophomore Kory Enders was the only driver in the top five in each USF2000 session during the first day of official 2018 testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda – Saturday combined timesheet

RANK CAR NO. DRIVER TEAM QUICK LAP GAP TOTAL LAPS
1 8 Kyle Kirkwood Cape Motorsports 1:23.772 ———— 66
2 23 Rasmus Lindh Pabst Racing 1:23.924 -0.152 52
3 22 Lucas Kohl Pabst Racing 1:24.068 -0.296 53
4 24 Kaylen Frederick Pabst Racing 1:24.095 -0.323 51
5 11 Kory Enders DEForce Racing 1:24.250 -0.478 72
6 21 Calvin Ming Pabst Racing 1:24.476 -0.704 51
7 81 Kyle Dupell Team Pelfrey 1:24.484 -0.712 70
8 12 Jose Sierra DEForce Racing 1:24.566 -0.794 76
9 36 Darren Keane Newman Wachs Racing 1:24.655 -0.883 57
10 28 Zach Holden BN Racing 1:24.857 -1.085 74
11 80 Julian Van der Watt Team Pelfrey 1:24.871 -1.099 48
12 31 Michael D’Orlando Team Benik 1:24.919 -1.147 71
13 5 Mathias Soler-Obel Sol.O Racing 1:25.161 -1.389 73
14 82 Bruna Tomaselli Team Pelfrey 1:25.162 -1.390 57
15 30 Keith Donegan ArmsUp Motorsports 1:25.344 -1.572 24
16 37 Max Peichel Newman Wachs Racing 1:25.583 -1.811 78
17 27 Colin Kaminsky DE Force Racing 1:25.609 -1.837 75
18 90 Manuel Cabrera Exclusive Autosport 1:25.803 -2.031 45
19 38 Oscar DeLuzuriaga Newman Wachs Racing 1:26.921 -3.149 85
20 93 Jason Clunie Exclusive Autosport 1:27.143 -3.371 79
21 9 Sabre Cook ArmsUp Motorsports 1:27.330 -3.558 81

It took all of one lap for the brand new PM1-18 to turn a lap quicker then it’s Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire predecessor, and when the day ended the 275 horsepower 2.0L Mazda developed MZR-PM18A powered Tatuus was over four seconds a lap quicker over the Homestead-Miami Speedway 2.1-Mile road course.

A fleet of brand new PM18s on pit road during spring training at Homestead-Miami Speedway The Mazda powered Tatuus shod with Cooper Tire rubber had a successful first day of Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire testing (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography – Joe Skibinski)

The first session of the day saw MRTI veteran, but Pro Mazda newcomer Parker Thompson lead the way with a lap of 1 minute 20.067 seconds. Within one-tenth of a second of the Exclusive, Autosport pilot was Sting Ray Robb (Team Pelfrey) and David Malukas (BN Racing). Rounding out the top five were Robb’s Team Pelfrey teammates Andres Gutierrez and Rafael Martins.

When the second 60-minute Pro Mazda test session ended, the top of the timesheet looked like a late 2017 USF2000 practice session with reigning USF2000 champion Oliver Askew (Cape Motorsports), Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Racing), Thompson and Malukas holding down the top four slots. Rounding out the top five was sophomore Carlos Cunha (Juncos Racing).

After spending the first two sessions of the day in the middle of the Pro Mazda pack, reigning championship team Juncos Racing jumped to the top of the charts. Sophomore Cunha ended the day with the fastest lap of the day at 1 minute, 19.498 seconds.

“It’s really good to start the season like this,” said the 18 year-old Brazilan to TSOLadder. “We still need to improve the set-up of the car a lot. It’s really difficult to drive. It’s really difficult to find good grip in the front, but we’ll figure it out.”

ICarlos Cunha led the first day of Mazda Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires testing on road corse at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography Joe Skibinski)

Only eight-hundredths behind Cunha was BN Racing’s Malukas.

Cunha’s teammates Robert Megennis, and Rinus VeeKay followed Malukas and were only three and four tenths behind their more experienced teammate.

Team Pelfrey’s Robb was the final driver in the top five.

The RP Motorsport twosome of Harrison Scott and Lodovico Laurini do not show up on the time-sheet due to an issue with their transponders, but both drivers did turn laps. The experience Italian team who is working out of the Newman Wachs Racing shop were still preparing their cars yesterday, so the gremlins are not a shock.

Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire – Saturday combined timesheet

RANK CAR NO. DRIVER TEAM QUICK LAP GAP TOTAL LAPS
1 1 Carlos Cunha Juncos Racing 1:19.498 –.—- 62
2 79 David Malukas BN Racing 1:19.579 -0.080 46
3 9 Robert Megennis Juncos Racing 1:19.884 -0.386 62
4 2 Rinus VeeKay Juncos Racing 1:19.914 -0.416 80
5 82 Sting Ray Robb Team Pelfrey 1:19.969 -0.471 75
6 80 Rafael Martins Team Pelfrey 1:19.970 -0.472 66
7 3 Oliver Askew Cape Motorsports 1:20.006 -0.508 74
8 90 Parker Thompson Exclusive Autosport 1:20.067 -0.569 63
9 12 James Raven DE Force Racing 1:20.087 -0.589 75
10 78 Kris Wright BN Racing 1:20.150 -0.652 51
11 81 Andres Gutierrez Team Pelfrey 1:20.249 -0.751 75
12 8 Nikita Lastochkin Cape Motorsports 1:21.024 -1.526 63
13 91 Antonio Seravalle Exclusive Autosport 1:21.850 -2.352 87
14 10 Harrison Scott RP Motorsport Non- Working Transponder
15 27 Lodovico Laurini RP Motorsport Non- Working Transponder

Don’t miss any of the action:

We’ll be back with a lot more tomorrow.

category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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#TeamCooperTire and #MRTI, a program to amplify the social media reach of MRTI drivers and teams, returns for a fifth season

Posted by  on Saturday, February 24th 2018     

For the fifth season, Team Cooper Tire and Mazda Motorsports have joined forces to help the drivers of the Mazda Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires amplify their social media voices.

In 2014, Cooper Tire rolled out the #TeamCooperTire program and garnered 60 million impressions, and by the end of the 2017 season, that number had grown 363% to 218 million impressions.

The following racing season, Mazda Motorsports and the #MRTI hashtag joined the party and in the past three years, the number of unique Twitter users that have been connected with has grown 400%, from 6 million in 2015 to 24 million in 2017.

There is little doubt that the motorsports landscape has changed significantly over the past few decades. Gone are the days that a driver has to only bring their helmet to the track. They still need to be quick to move to the pinnacle of the sport. But, they also need much more than a proficient right foot in their toolbox.

Sponsors are now looking for results AND a driver that is engaged and represents their brand effectively. With the amount of money and brand goodwill involved with sponsoring a race car driver, it’s not surprising that engaged drivers like James Hinchcliffe and Pippa Mann are popular with fans and sponsors.

With that last point in mind, the goal of the #MRTI and #TeamCooperTire hashtag program is for Cooper Tires and Mazda to provide a series of guideposts that will help Mazda Road To Indy drivers tell their story (branding) and connect with, and increase social media followers. Both of those functions are key to attracting a personal fan base and also gives a driver a chance to show off their personality to potential sponsors.

The #TeamCooperTire and #MRTI hashtags are displayed prominently on the IL-15 of 2017 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires champion Kyle Kaiser (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

The career benefits should be more than enough to make a driver and team want to participate in the program, but Cooper Tires and Mazda have gone a step further and will be providing significant prizes to the teams and drivers.

The MRTI season has been divided into seven different contest periods and depending on how many of the established social media goals are met by the drivers and teams, they can earn between one and five entries into each drawing.

Unlike previous years when only one driver/team was drawn in each contest period, the entries of three drivers/teams will be randomly selected to choose from a group of prizes that can directly impact their racing career. Included are a set of race or street tires from Team Cooper Tire, a $500 certificate from Mazda to be used to purchase race gear, a one-on-one meeting with Verizon IndyCar Series race stewards Arie Luyendyk or Max Papis, a interview on IndyCar Radio during an IndyCar practice or qualifying session, a one-on-one with the IndyCar Race Director during an IndyCar Practice Session, race weekend pass packages with hospitality to be used with sponsors, family or friends, a one-on-one during the Road To Indy TV Race Recap.

Having a central place to find MRTI content is a huge benefit for racing fans. Searching the two hashtags on Twitter and Instagram will guide you to content created by drivers, teams, the series, media and other partners. Drivers are encouraged to post behind-the-scenes action, so that you, as a fan will have a fun way to follow along with the stories and lives of the drivers as they strive to reach the Verizon IndyCar Series.

Don’t forget to follow Team Cooper Tire on Twitter and Instagram.

Don’t forget to follow Mazda Racing on Twitter and Instagram.

category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Indy Lights News/Results, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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Combined time-sheets from the first day of the MRTI Chris Griffis Memorial Test

Posted by  on Sunday, October 22nd 2017     

 

Here are your combined time-sheets from the first day of the seventh annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test being held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Chris Griffis Memorial Test USF2000 Combined Day #1 Timesheet

Andrés Gutierrez led the first day of USF2000 testing at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

RANK CAR NO. TEAM DRIVER FAST LAP DIFFERENCE TOTAL LAPS
1 22 Andres Gutierrez Pabst Racing 1:25.562 —- 89
2 27 Callan O’Keeffe BN Racing 1:25.629 -0.067 73
3 36 Darren Keane Newman Wachs Racing 1:25.688 -0.126 86
4 90 Parker Thompson Exclusive Autosport 1:25.874 -0.312 71
5 23 Lucas Kohl Pabst Racing 1:26.076 -0.514 84
6 21 Hunter McElrea Pabst Racing 1:26.143 -0.581 82
7 37 Jake Craig Newman Wachs Racing 1:26.245 -0.683 91
8 80 Michael D’Orlando Team Pelfrey 1:26.275 -0.653 76
9 31 Rasmus Lindh Team BENIK 1:26.319 -0.757 75
10 20 Aaron Tetliz RJB Motorsports 1:26.435 -0.873 68
11 32 Jaden Conwright Team BENIK 1:26.456 -0.894 80
12 38 Max Peichel Newman Wachs Racing 1:26.506 -0.944 86
13 82 David Osborne Team Pelfrey 1:26.682 -1.120 75
14 25 Elliott Finlayson BN Racing 1:26.822 -1.260 40
15 33 Myles Rowe John Cummiskey Racing 1:27.062 -1.500 84
16 34 Sabre Cook John Cummiskey Racing 1:27.176 -1.614 79
17 92 Justin Gordon Exclusive Autosport 1:28.104 -2.542 81
18 24 Zoey Edenholm BN Racing 1:28.673 -3.111 70

 

Chris Griffis Memorial Test Pro Mazda Combined Day #1 Timesheet

Oliver Askew, a familier name to MRTI fans and the 2017 Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda champ, led the first day of Pro Mazda testing for the seventh annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

RANK CAR NO. TEAM DRIVER FAST LAP DIFFERENCE TOTAL LAPS
1 8 Oliver Askew Cape Motorsports 1:19.892 ——- 72
2 1 Carlos Cunha Juncos Racing 1:20.024 -0.132 62
3 3 Robert Megennis Juncos Racing 1:20.127 -0.235 62
4 81 Kaylen Frederick Team Pelfrey 1:20.225 -0.333 83
5 79 David Malukas BN Racing 1:20.246 -0.354 59
6 91 Nikita Lastochkin Exclusive Autosport 1:20.700 -0.808 88
7 18 Calvin Ming Pabst Racing 1:20.737 -0.845 79
8 80 Kris Wright Team Pelfrey 1:20.993 -1.101 75
9 2 Sting Ray Robb Juncos Racing 1:21.125 -1.233 35
10 90 Parker Thompson Exclusive Autosport 1:21.442 -1.550 27
11 78 Leonard Hoogenboom BN Racing 1:23.045 -3.153 12

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire

Nico Jamin, who made his Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire debut at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test last year, led the time sheets in the top rung of the MRTI ladder (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

Nico Jamin led two of the four Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire test sessions and topped the time sheet during the first day of the two day Chris Griffis Memorial Test. After the session Jamin, who is testing with Belardi Auto Racing, told us:

“I like the way the team is working so far. It’s a small family team, but they are very professional.

“We had a good day today. We topped two sessions this morning, and came close tonight (Session 4). That’s a little frustrating, but that’s the way it is. I’m new in the team, so I need to start working with the engineer, and figure out how we can go a little bit quicker. I feel there is very good potential. We’ll work on it tonight and be stronger tomorrow.”

USF2000 vice-champion Rinus VeeKay (Belardi Auto Racing) led the third session, and ended up with the 4th quickest time overall.

Colton Herta, who is expected to run a sophomore season of Indy Lights with Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing, topped the final session, and ended up with the second quickest Saturday time.

Championship winning team Juncos Racing didn’t lead any sessions but Pro Mazda Champion Victor Franzoni (3rd) and sophomore Nicolas Dapero (5th) were both quick.

Chris Griffis Memorial Test Indy Lights Combined Day #1 Timesheet

RANK CAR NO. TEAM DRIVER FAST LAP DIFFERENCE TOTAL LAPS
1 5 Nico Jamin Belardi Auto Racing 1:15.717 —— 74
2 98 Colton Herta Andretti Steinbrenner Racing 1:15.825 -0.108 76
3 23 Victor Franzoni Juncos Racing 1:15.987 -0.270 65
4 4 Rinus Veekay Belardi Auto Racing 1:16.207 -0.490 82
5 31 Nicolas Dapero Juncos Racing 1:16.249 -0.532 61
6 3 Pato O’Ward Team Pelfrey 1:16.256 -0.539 63
7 48 Ryan Norman Andretti Autosport 1:16.329 -0.612 77
8 27 Anthony Martin Andretti Autosport 1:16.519 -0.802 65
9 2 TJ Fischer Team Pelfrey 1:17.103 -1.386 74
10 21 Heamin Choi Juncos Racing 1:18.518 -2.801 75
category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Indy Lights News/Results, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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MRTI schedules include Portland, increased points and prizes for Indianapolis oval races

Posted by  on Tuesday, October 17th 2017     
  • Portland International Raceway, Increased Points/Prize Money in Mix

PALMETTO, Fla. – The Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires today unveiled its 2018 calendar of events. The most effective driver development program in the world with over $3.5M in scholarships and awards on offer will continue its momentum at premier road course, street circuit and oval venues in support of the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The highly acclaimed platform – comprised of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda – will enter the new season with a trio of state-of-the-art chassis on display including the much anticipated debut of the new Pro Mazda PM-18 which completes the revitalization of the entire ladder system.

On deck for 2018 is a return to the Pacific Northwest and Portland International Raceway (PIR) in Portland, Ore. The 1.967-mile, 12-turn permanent road course will host the season finale for all three series. Indy Lights last raced at PIR in 2001, and Pro Mazda and USF2000 in 2006. The last IndyCar race took place in 2007.

The month of May will bring several new additions. Pro Mazda and USF2000 will return to Lucas Oil Raceway for the Carb Night Classic “The Race Before the 500” after a year’s hiatus. Mere hours after the conclusion of Carb Day activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 – including the Freedom 100, the crown jewel on the Indy Lights schedule – the two series will make their appearance on the .686-mile oval.

Additionally, the three Indianapolis oval races will see an increase in points for all series for the first time, and an increase in prize money.

In Pro Mazda, the National Class will be replaced by the Pro Mazda Classic (PMC) Series – a six-weekend, 12-race championship within the Pro Mazda Championship utilizing the older Pro Mazda rotary-powered cars from 2002 to 2017. The series will see a separate points chart, prize money and year-end awards.

While there is no limitation on PMC Series testing, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda and USF2000 will see amended testing rules. Indy Lights in-season testing is restricted to two days per team with two additional days available for use with current Pro Mazda and USF2000 drivers. Pro Mazda and USF2000 teams are permitted four days of in-season testing per driver but not at tracks yet to hold an event. Each series will continue with open tests at select venues.

The annual Mazda Road to Indy Spring Training will take place at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 23-26. Indy Lights will test on the 1.5-mile oval on February 23 and the 2.21-mile road course on February 26. Pro Mazda and USF2000 will run on the weekend – February 24 and 25 – to assist young drivers juggling their schedules alongside school commitments.

The Mazda Road to Indy Summit program – providing valuable education on a variety of topics including marketing/business, media training, career growth and development, fitness, social media and a comprehensive oval clinic – will continue to be in place next season.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into our schedule and I am pleased with the balance we have in place to properly train drivers to move up the ladder,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “We are excited to have Portland on the schedule, which will be a great circuit for our season finales in the three series, and to return to Lucas Oil Raceway on Carb Day for a great night of racing. The Freedom 100 is obviously the biggest race on our calendar and to be able to bring Pro Mazda and USF2000 back into the excitement surrounding the Indianapolis 500 was key. Increasing both the points awarded and the prize money gives these events the weight they deserve.

“The Mazda Road to Indy will take on new life next year with the competition debut of the PM-18. This completes the process we began several years ago to provide the best for our competitors with state-of-the-art race cars. We have a great program in place and it’s working. As always, I am looking forward to seeing many of our drivers take their next steps up the ladder including our recently crowned champions.”

Indy Lights will feature a 17-race schedule at 10 venues comprised of three oval, five road course and two street circuit events. In addition to hour-long race broadcasts on NBCSN, Indy Lights will also be featured on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Xbox One as well as Road To Indy TV and on the Road To Indy TV App. Worldwide live streaming and live timing is also available on indylights.com and indycar.com.

Coverage of all Indy Lights sessions is available on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network with broadcasts on Sirius 214, XM 209, IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com and on the INDYCAR Mobile app.

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires 2018 Schedule

Open tests are scheduled at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 23 (oval) and 26 (road course), Barber Motorsports Park on March 5, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 10 (road course) and 21 (oval), Road America on June 11/12 and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 17/18 for a total of nine test days.

Pro Mazda will expand to a nine-event, 16-race schedule which includes two ovals, five road course and two street course venues. Pro Mazda will be featured on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Xbox One as well as Road To Indy TV and on the Road To Indy TV App. Worldwide live streaming and live timing is also available on promazda.com and indycar.com.

Pro Mazda Presented by Cooper Tires 2018 Schedule

A total of 10 open test days are scheduled at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 24/25, Barber Motorsports Park on March 3/4, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 10, Lucas Oil Raceway on May 24, Road America on June 11/12 and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 17/18.

The USF2000 series will continue with a 14-race format held at seven venues featuring one oval, four road course and two street circuit events. Coverage will be available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Xbox One as well as Road To Indy TV and on the Road To Indy TV App. Worldwide live streaming and live timing is also available on usf2000.com and indycar.com.

Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda 2018 Schedule

 

Open tests are schedule at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 24/25, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 10, Lucas Oil Raceway on May 24, Road America on June 11/12 and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 17/18 for a total of eight test days.

Two events still remain on the 2017 calendar – the seventh annual Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 21/22 and the Mazda Road to Indy $200K Scholarship Shootout on December 9/10 at the Bondurant Racing School near Phoenix, Ariz.

category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Indy Lights News/Results, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire gives out $2.6mil of hope at their annual banquet

Posted by  on Monday, September 11th 2017     

By Steve Wittich

For the third straight year, the Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire (MRTI) banquet began with a cocktail reception in the fresh air along side a picturesque body of water.  After two years of the salt water scent of Monterey Bay greeting the guests, it was the distinct fresh water bouquet of Seneca Lake that greeted the drivers, teams, families, sponsors, series personal and media.

The scene at the pre-banquet MRTI cocktail party (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

After an hour of mingling with friends you barely recognize because they are not wearing their usual track “uniforms,”  the group of 250+ guests entered the ballroom of Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel to tell stories, eat dinner and begin the program that included the awarding the $2.6 Million dollars worth of “hope.”

Victor Fraznoni, the 2017 Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire champion, told INDYCAR Radio’s Rob Howden after the final race, that Mazda, and the MRTI were not just giving out prize money, but giving drivers hope, and the 21 year-old echoed, and expanded on that sentiment during his banquet speech, saying:

“You made me the driver that I am today, you brought me here, and you are making my dreams come true, so thank you very much for the great job you are doing.

“You are not just giving out prize money, you are giving out hope, and that’s why I’m here, and why everybody should come to the Mazda Road To Indy – it’s amazing.”

The big driver awards and speeches were certainly the highlight of the gala, but it wouldn’t be right if we failed to single out a few other awards.

First on the docket was the induction of three new members of the MRTI Hall of Fame.

  • Bobby Oegel, a one-time USF2000 driver and prominent team owner for drivers like J.R. Hildebrand, Dane Cameron, and Charlie Kimball joins names like Dan Wheldon, J.R. Hildebrand, Charlie Kimball, Chris Simmons, Tonis Kasemets and Spencer Pigot in the USF2000 Hall of Fame.
  • NBCSN broadcaster Anders Krohn, who in 29 career Pro Mazda starts won once, and finished on the podium seven times, is joining names like Peter Dempsey, James Hinchcliffe, Jack Hawksworth, Joey Hand, Tristan Vautier, and Joel Miller in the Pro Mazda Hall of Fame.
  • Two-time Indianapolis 500 winning car owner, and first generation Indy Lights race winner Bryan Herta won the 1993 Indy Lights Championship, and joins names like “Pat” Patrick, Roger Bailey, Josef Newgarden, Paul Tracy, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Tony Kanaan, and Helio Castroneves in the Indy Lights Hall of Fame.

The drivers certainly get their fair share of attention, but thanks to the MRTI sanctioning body INDYCAR, the guys and gals that put together the cars are recognized with $1,000 award for each step on the ladder.   In USF2000 it was Jay Green from Exclusive Autosport, and for Pro Mazda is was Tom Vasi for Team Pelfrey.

Kyle Kaiser completed 637 of a possible 638 laps in 2017, well ahead of any of his competiton, and it’s fitting that A.J. Smith, his Juncos Racing mechanic won the $1,000 award from IndyCar.

Juncos Racing mechanic A.J. Smith collects his hardware at the MRTI Banquet (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

“My crew chief Tom, and all the mechanics – A.J., Keith, and Jimmy – you deserve a ton of credit,” said Kaiser during his acceptance speech.  “I didn’t have a single mechanical failure all season, and we were the only car to finish every race. That speaks volumes about the great work and preparation that these guys do behind the scenes.”

For many years CART and CHAMPCAR used to give away the Greg Moore Legacy award to the driver that best represented the off-track ideals of late Canadian star. Unfortunately, that award has disappeared, but the three winners of the three $5,000 prizes for Hi-Tide Boat Lifts Kids on Track Spirit Award, who have all shown a dedication to racing beyond the track. An ideal that Moore held high.

Andretti Autosport Indy Lights sophomore Dalton Kellett, who has an degree in Engineering Physics from the prestigious Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, is dedicated to volunteering with various Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs to share his love of those subjects.

Forty-nine year-young Bobby Eberle, a veteran Pro Mazda driver from the World Speed Motorsports stable, rededicated himself to his physical fitness and instead of competing in the National Class, was competitive with the “kids,” in the Championship Class.

Bobby Eberle collects his spirit award from Dan Andersen (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

Exclusive Autosport’s Parker Thompson, a veteran USF2000 pilot from Red Deer, Alberta, takes time during the season and off-season to spread his anti-distracted to driving message to tens of thousands of high school students through his Drive to Stay Alive campaign.

Kory Enders (USF2000 – DEForce Racing), Nikita Lastochkin (Pro Mazda – Team Pelfrey) and Santiago Urrutia (Indy Lights -Belardi Auto Racing) all won $5,000 prizes for completing the Royal Purple “Slickest Pass” of the year in their respective divisions.

Enders, who is from Sugar Land, Texas, an area hard hit by Hurricane Harvey, thoughtfully donated his winnings to the relief efforts.

Urrutia won the award for passing six cars during the opening three corners of the first race at Road America in June.

 

The first winner to receive their big prize was 2017 Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda title winner Oliver Askew.  Askew, who won seven wins and 12 podiums on the way to a hard fought seven point championship over Pabst Racing rookie Rinus Van Kalmthout.

New Pro Mazda driver Oliver Askew was all smiles during his USF2000 Championship speech. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

The humble, yet well spoken driver who lives in Jupiter, Fla., was quick to thank God and his family for his success, before launching into a speech that included thank you’s for: Dan Andersen and the USF2000 Series – Cooper Tires – Elite Engines – Iowa spotter Chris Wheeler – sponsors: Art Wilmes with Rising Star Racing, Jeremy Shaw with Team USA Scholarship, Bell Helmets, MC Racing, Safe Is Fast, Scott Davidson, Chris Rothke and Greg Savage.

The meat of the 20 year-old’s thank you speech was directed to his Cape Motorsports team, teammate, driver coach, spotter and Mazda Motorsports.

“Cape Motorsports – I love you guys – Nicolas, Dominic, Reggie, Collin, Will, Don, Larry, Allen, and John – thank you for an unforgettable rookie season,” praised Askew. “I am honored to win the series title this year, but even more honored to carry on you winning legacy.

“It was an unbelievable ride this year and I can’t thank you enough for your time and personal sacrifices that you all made to ensure that I was standing here in front of you this evening at USF2000 Series Champion.

“Anthony Martin— you have been the best teammate that I could ever have asked for. Even though you are in a different class, I still learned so much from you, especially because of your experience winning the USF2000 championship last year. Congratulations on a great season, and I wish you all the best in the future.

“Jonathan Jorge, who unfortunately couldn’t be here with us tonight. Thank you for being my eyes in the sky, and for being my coach. I am on such a steep learning curve, and you’ve definitely helped the curve in all aspects, both on and off the track. I could not have done it without you.

“Also, a big thanks to my friend Chris Wheeler who spotted for me at Iowa.

“Mazda Motorsports – thank you guys so much! I can not express how much you’ve done for my career. Without your help I would not be racing – period. I’m looking for to building a long relationship with you. You have made my dreams that I thought were impossible, possible. Thank you guys.”

Askew, who also won the Team USA Scholarship, and Mazda Road to Indy $200K Scholarship Shootout in the previous 12 months ended his speech, with effusive praise for Rinus VeeKay and Pabst Racing.

“I’d like to thank my competition, especially Pabst Racing and Rinus VeeKay, for pushing us hard all through the season, and for making us rise up to the challenge every weekend,” said the newest Pro Mazda driver. “I’d like to say we made each other a lot better through the season.”

In TSO’s opinion, that’s a big part of what makes the Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire the best training ground for open wheel drivers on the planet. Whether your a team, or a driver, there always a professional competitor pushing you to get better.

The value of Askew’s championship haul is over $371,000, and includes:

  • $325,000 scholarship from Mazda
  • $23,000 tire credit from Cooper Tire to use in Pro Mazda
  • $21,000 entry fee credit from Andersen Promotions to use in Pro Mazda
  • $2,500 prize for being the Hyperco Rookie of The Year
  • USF2000 Champion’s ring from Jostens
  • Original Champion’s artwork by Jim Swintal

Every crew member, team owner, and driver that took the stage to collect their prize received a warm round of applause, but when Victor Franzoni was introduced, that applause was just a little louder, and accompanied by cheers. Proof positive that the Brazilian was a popular championship winner.

“Good evening,” began Franzoni. “It was much easer practicing in the shower. There are too many people around.”

Frazoni’s touching speech then launched into the up-and-down history of his career. TSO has talked extensively with Franzoni about his past, and especially how his 2017 championship season came together, and we’ll bring you a full story on that after some of the excitement from the IndyCar finale dies down.

Victor Franzoni’s family travel from Brazil to witness his Pro Mazda Championship victory – they, like Victor, were all smiles at the Banquet. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

It was normal for Franzoni to face uncertainty heading into a racing season, and 2017 was no different. The Brazilian had signed on with the ArmsUp Motorsports squad for the first two USF2000 weekends of the season, when he got a call while working at a karting event in New Orleans, La.

“One week before the start of the season, I found a ride, and it was the best ride of my life,” explained Franzoni. “It was with Juncos Racing.

“Thank you very, very much Juncos Racing. You guys made me a champion. You guys taught me everything to learn to win a championship, and I had an amazing year with those guys. Thank you very much Ricky, Ricky Juncos. Thank you very much.

“And Jeff Green (my Juncos Racing teammate), thank you very much for everything. Without you I wouldn’t be racing this year, so thank you very much Jeff for everything.

“Oh and also thank you very much Peter Dempsey (my driver coach). Sometimes, your a pain in the ass, but it’s really nice.

“This year was awesome. It ended in the way it had to end. I think this was finally my last chance, but we did it – we won!”

The value of Franzoni’s championship haul is over $882,300, and includes:

  • $790,300 scholarship from Mazda
  • $67,000 tire credit from Cooper Tire to use in Indy Lights
  • $24,000 entry fee credit from Andersen Promotions to use in Indy Lights
  • $1,000 product certificate for winning the Quarter Master Hard Charger Award
  • Indy Lights test
  • Pro Mazda Champion’s ring from Jostens
  • Original Champion’s artwork by Jim Swintal

Even though Martin did not win the big prize, the 22 year-old does walk away with a $75,000 second place prize, the $7,500 BBS Rookie of The Year award, the choice of any Mazda street vehicle for a year, and an Indy Lights test day.  We’ll have more on Martin’s future at a later date, but expect to see the Aussie and Brazilian continue their grand rivalry in Indy Lights.

The grace with which Martin handled the disappointment of falling just short of his second straight MRTI scholarship, will certainly serve him well in the future.

The final, and largest prize of the night, the three race scholarship to race in IndyCar and 102nd Indianapolis 500 went to Kyle Kaiser.

“I’m not going to lie, I’m a little nervous right now,” began Kaiser.” I haven’t been nervous all year for a single race, but for this speech, I’ve been really nervous.”

The then 16 year-old made the first of 82 MRTI starts in a Pro Mazda one-off effort at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with World Speed Motorsports in 2012. Kaiser spent the 2013 Pro Mazda season with World Speed Motorsports in 2013, before spending the next four seasons, one in Pro Mazda and three in Indy Lights, with Juncos Racing.

“Undoubtably, the best decision I’ve made, was to partner with Spencer (Pigot) and Juncos Racing for my second year of the Pro Mazda Championship” said Kaiser. “Being there to witness Spencer win his Pro Mazda Championship, and Indy Lights Championship back-to-back was invaluable, but most importantly, it taught me to wait for my time, and be patient.”

Over the course of his five year MRTI apprenticeship, Kaiser collected six race wins, six poles, 22 podiums, and 36 top five finishes, and gives full credit to the MRTI with his steady maturation process.

“I’ve been a part of the Mazda Road To Indy for five years now, and it’s been an eventful five years, explained the Santa Clara, Calif. native. “I’ve had many ups, and plenty of downs, but everything I’ve learned has shaped into the driver I am today. 2016 was my first championship fight, but I was still lacking some consistency, and I made a few too many mistakes to be there to win a championship at the end. After my second season in Indy Lights, I made a difficult choice. Stay another year in (Indy) Lights, or move up to IndyCar. After talking to Ricardo we made the decision to do one more year of (Indy) Lights to win the championship, and it turned out to be the right move.”

Kaiser had plenty of thanks to go around beginning with Dan Andersen and his Andersen promotions staff:

“First and foremost, I have to thank the people that make this entire series possible, because without them we wouldn’t be here doing what we love. Dan Andersen and his staff. You guys have really laid the ground work for everything we’ve done in the Mazda Road To Indy.  You’ve created the one ladder system that has gives a clear path to the Verizon IndyCar Series. I immensely thankful for all of you for running a great series week in and week out.”

Moving onto Mazda and Cooper Tire:

“Equally important, are the main sponsors for the Mazda Road To Indy, Mazda and Cooper Tire. Without their support, their is no scholarship program that allows us to graduate from this series and move up the ladder. I’d specifically thank John Doonan and Chris Pantani. Their belief in this program, and commitment to these scholarships is building the future starts of IndyCar, and I’m forever grateful for their investment into the sport.”

And his team, including team owner Ricardo Juncos, engineer Ernie Gonella, crew, and driver coach Peter Dempsey:

“Next, I’d like to thank my team, Juncos Racing. It’s a phenomenal group of guys, who’s hard work, passion and dedication to the sport are the main reason I’m up here this evening. Ricardo and Dani, what an amazing year for the team. Two championships, it’s just unbelievable.

“I’ve been part of the team for four years now, and you’ve always had faith in me. You saw all my potential. I’m just at a loss for words. You’re always honest with me, and you’re driver development program had made me the driver that I am today.

“Your love for the sport, and unrelenting desire to win has brought you so much success, and I know it will make you an incredible IndyCar team owner.

“Ernie, you’ve been working with me my entire time at Juncos, and we’ve built a great relationship on AND off the track. Each year my technical skills have advanced tremendously, and thanks to your understanding of the car, and your ability to teach me. I would not have been able to secure this championship without you.

“My driver coach, and personal friend Peter Dempsey – I know Victor has already said it, you can be a pain in the butt at times. I’ve been working with you since I came to Juncos, and you’ve always brought the most out of my driving, so thank you!

“My crew chief Tom, and all the mechanics – A.J., Keith, and Jimmy – you deserve a ton of credit. I didn’t have a single mechanical failure all season, and we were the only car to finish every race. That speaks volumes about the great work and preparation that these guys do behind the scenes. I’d also like to thank Kevin Logan for doing a great job with data analysis, and Aaron for always bring the cars and all the equipment to the track safely.”

Kaiser ended with his family:

“Lastly, I’d like to thank my family and friends for their unconditional support over the years. I’ve always had a great support system to lean on whenever the adversity or hard times happen, and it happens a lot in racing.

“I’m glad to have some of the important family members in my life here with me today. Most importantly, I’d like to thank my dad, because without him, I’d have never would have achieved what I have achieved in my racing career.”

And singled out his dad, Jeff:

“My dad was actually the one who introduced me to the sport of racing when I was just six years old. I used to go with him to Mazda Raceway (Laguna Seca) and watch him compete in Skip Barber races. After he saw me take an interest in racing, he bought me my first kart at seven years-old.

“We did the weekend warrior thing. Going to the track until I was 12 years-old. And then on my 13th birthday, I’ll never forget it, he took me to an empty parking lot at an amusement park, and taught me how to drive a stick-shift, and the led to everything I’ve achieved.

“From there, it’s been a long road, but every step of the way he was there for me and always believed in me. From helping teach me business aspects, or cheering from the sidelines, he’s undoubtably my #1 Fan. Thank you.”

Kyle Kaiser and his #1 fan Jeff Kaiser (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

Kaiser, who is from the San Francisco Bay area, and will be attending the Verizon IndyCar Series finale at Sonoma Raceway, ended his speech with a look into the future:

“This 2017 season has been incredible in so many ways,” exclaimed the newest IndyCar driver. “The Indy Lights field this year was full of talented drivers that were always pushing each other to the limits. This has been one of the more competitive years in Indy Lights, and it keeps getting more and more competitive every year.

“We are the future of the sport, and I look forward to racing with you guys in IndyCar!”

The value of Kaisers championship haul is over $1,055,000, and includes:

  • $1,000,000 scholarship from Mazda
  • $25,000 cash for the Cosworth Champion’s Cash Award
  • $25,000 parts credit from Dallara
  • $5,000 cash for the SS Tube Champion’s Cash Award
  • Pro Mazda Champion’s ring from Jostens
  • Original Champion’s artwork by Jim Swintal

The Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire will be back in action at the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 21-22, 2017.

category: Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda - TSO, Indy Lights News/Results, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO, USF2000 News/Results
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“Soul Red Finale” at Watkins Glen International – Pro Mazda finale – Franzoni wins race, and $790,000 Mazda Motorsports Scholarship

Posted by  on Sunday, September 3rd 2017     

 

By Steve Wittich

When testing for the 2017 Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire season began, Victor Franzoni was not sure he was going to have a home, but when the checkered flag fell for the final time at the “Soul Red Finale,” the 21 year-old walked away with the $790,000 prize, and the trophy for winning the Pro Mazda Championship.

Victor Franzoni shares an emotional embrace with team owner Ricardo Juncos after winning the final race of the 2017 Pro Mazda season, and collecting the $790,000 Mazda Motorsports Advancement Scholarship (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

Franzoni led all 20 laps on the way to his seventh win of the year, 12th win of his MRTI career, and an 18 point final gap to Anthony Martin in the Pro Mazda Championship.

“It’s amazing,” exclaimed an emotional Franzoni. “This season, I grew up about 10 years in my career. Fighting with Anthony (Martin) was unbelievable. He’s really, really good, and I had to push all the time at 150% to beat him. I think both us did a great job this season, and both of us deserve to be in IndyCar.”

The Brazilian was only racing this season with help from his teammate Jeff Green, his team Juncos Racing and BN Racing (more on that later).

The driver’s championship is the third Pro Mazda title for the Speedway, Ind. based Juncos Racing. Franzoni joins Conor Daly (2010) and Spencer Pigot (2014) in providing Ricardo Juncos with the top prize. It also ensures that when Kyle Kaiser starts the Indy Lights race this afternoon, Juncos Racing will be the first Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire team to win two of the three categories in one season.

Martin, the reigning USF2000 champion, had a two point lead heading into last weekend’s 55-lap oval race on the Gateway Motorsports Park 1.25 mile oval, but two seconds and one third was not enough to hold onto the lead.

Anthony Martin congratulates Victor Franzoni after a hard fought 2017 Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire campaign (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

“I was pushing 150%,” said Martin. “There was a championship on the line, so I was doing everything I could do to get up front. I left everything out there… that’s for sure.”

Carlos Cunha, who started and finished second, his best result of the year, and fifth consecutive podium finish to close out the year. With that strong finish, Cunha ended the year in third place in the championship, the highest placed Team Pelfrey pilot.

The Mazda Renesis rotary engines were fired up for the last time at 8am on a damp, chilly morning in the scenic Finger Lakes region of New York State. The air temperature when the green flag waved was 54F, and the track temperature was 55F, and all 10 starters were shod with treaded Cooper Tire rain tires.

Franzoni was able to get a good jump on the field, with Cunha falling in behind his Brazilian countryman.

Martin, who qualified third, but had to start fifth after being penalized tow grid positions for running an extra lap after receiving the checkered flag during qualifying, made up two spots in the opening corner, and slotted in behind Cunha in the third spot.

The first lap was clean, and when the cars had completed the 11-Turn, 3.37 mile circuit, Franzoni had already built up a 2.5 second lead over Cunha. Martin was pressuring Cunha hard for second, and behind the top three the running order was: Nikita Lastochkin, Sting Ray Robb, Matt Machiko, TJ Fischer, Kris Wright, Bobby Eberle, and Jeff Green.

Over the next two laps Martin continued to pressure Cunha, and the Australian who needed to win to have any chance to take the scholarship, spun in Turn 1 on Lap 4 while trying to get by the Brazilian. Martin did not lose any spots, but did fall five seconds behind Cunha.

Anthony Martin gets inside Carlos Cunha in Turn 1 at Watkins Glen International (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

“I was just sitting beside Carlos (Cunha) for a few laps, and he made a little bit of mistake and I was able to get right on his gearbox,” said Martin. “It was at that moment where it was now or never. I went for it, but just got on the rubber (on the racing line), got a little bit sideways, and hit him on the rear tire.”

Anthony Martin’s Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire championship aspirations ended when he spun in Turn 1 at Watkins Glen International after trying to pas Carlos Cunha (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

When Frazoni began lap 5, his lead over Cunha was 7.13 seconds.

On the next lap, both Cunha and Franzoni went wide in Turn 1, and inadvertently found that going wide straightened out the run up the Esses, and significantly lowered their lap times.

Over the course of the next three laps, Cunha and Martin, were able to significantly narrow the gap to Franzoni. When Lap 9 began, Franzoni’s lead over Cunha was down to 5.2 seconds, with Martin 6.5 seconds back.

Race control warned Cunha and Martin about exceeding track limits, and after ignoring it for a few laps, they finally complied, allowing the gap to Franzoni to stabilize and eventually grow.

It only took a few laps before Martin was right back on the gearbox of Cunha, but on Lap 12, he made a mistake in the “Bus Stop”, and fell further back. That was the last time that Martin was able to put any pressure on Cunha, as he “settled” for his 11th podium of the year.

When Lap 13 began Franzoni had grown the lead to 5.9 seconds over Cunha, and 9.9 seconds ahead of Martin.

Further back, Matt Machiko and Sting Ray Robb were going hammer and tong for the sixth spot, with Robb making a daring move to complete the pass in the “Bus Stop.”

As the final lap began, Franzoni was 3.1 seconds ahead of Cunha, and ended up crossing the line with one second lead.

Pro Mazda Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Cooper Tires Race #2 results

RANK CAR NO. NAME DIFFERENCE
1 23 Victor Franzoni 20 LAPS
2 81 Carlos Cunha 1.5903
3 8 Anthony Martin 11.0633
4 80 Nikita Lastochkin 38.2935
5 82 TJ Fischer 55.5497
6 14 Sting Ray Robb 83.2505
7 3 Matt Machiko 90.4569
8 12 Kris Wright 108.3230
9 13 Bobby Eberle – 1 LAP
10 60 Jeff Green -1 LAP
category: Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO
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“Soul Red Finale” at Watkins Glen International – Pro Mazda qualifying #2 – Franzoni claims pole in damp conditions

Posted by  on Saturday, September 2nd 2017     

By Steve Wittich

For the fifth time in 2017, Victor Franzoni will start from pole, earning the bonus point that goes along with that honor, and increasing his championship points lead to nine markers.

The final MRTI qualifying session of the 2017 season began with a damp track and a light drizzle, and the track went red quickly after the twenty-minute session began when TJ Fischer made contact with the ARMCO barrier at the exit of the inner-loop.

The Team Pelfrey sophomore wasn’t the only driver to have an issue. Martin tapped the wall exiting Turn 11, and Sting Ray Robb also spun.

At the point of the session, most drivers had only turned one lap, and it was Cunha who held the provisional pole.

The track went back to green with under 10 minutes left, and it only took one lap for Franzoni to grab the provisional pole.

As the session wound down, the rain started to fall a little harder, and nobody was able to touch his quickest lap of 123.022 seconds, which was eight-tenths of a second ahead of fellow Brazilian Cunha.

Despite tapping the wall, Martin was able to qualify third, but the reigning USF2000 Champion did blow the checkered flag, and lost two grid positions. That means the Australian will have to start the race on the inside of the third row in fifth.

Franzoni can still win the championship by finishing second if Martin wins the race, and also collects the two bonus points available for the quickest race lap and leading the most laps.

Pro Mazda Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Cooper Tires qualifying #2 results

RANK CAR NO. DRIVER QUICK LAP DIFFERENCE
1 23 Victor Franzoni 2:03.022 –.—-
2 81 Carlos Cunha 2:03.871 0.8493
3 8 Anthony Martin 2:04.108 1.0863
4 80 Nikita Lastochkin 2:06.276 3.2548
5 12 Kris Wright 2:09.544 6.5224
6 14 Sting Ray Robb 2:11.669 8.6479
7 3 Matt Machiko 2:11.965 8.9436
8 60 Jeff Green 2:12.386 9.3649
9 13 Bobby Eberle 2:13.606 10.5841
10 31 Brendan Puderbach 2:15.248 12.2268
11 83 Charles Finelli 2:21.142 18.1202

The second and final Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire race of the year will roll off bright and 7:55am.

category: Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO
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MRTI “Soul Red Finale” Watkins Glen International – Pro Mazda Race #1 – Franzoni makes daring pass to increase his championship lead

Posted by  on Saturday, September 2nd 2017     

 

By Steve Wittich

Victor Franzoni used a daring outside pass of Anthony Martin with three laps remaining in the penultimate Pro Mazda race to win his sixth race of the season, and increase his three point lead to eight points as the middle rung of the Mazda Road To Indy presented by Cooper Tire heads into the final race of the season.

Victor Franzoni was all smiles after winning the first Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire race at Watkins Glen International, and taking a 8 point championship lead into the final race of the season. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

“It was crazy, the race was crazy. I knew I had a really good car because when Anthony passed me
in the bus stop, I could drive behind him really well,” explained the 21 year-old Brazilian. “So, I
knew I had a really fast car, I just needed a chance to make the move and go back to the front.

“In Turn 1, I was focusing on making a great exit, and I think he (Martin) made a mistake and I had a
great exit, so that helped a lot at the end of the straight.

“The “Bus Stop” is the safest place to make a pass, but every time I tried on the outside there,
I needed just one more foot of the straight to be in front of him. On the lap I made the pass, I was
able to get a half-car in front of him. While I was on the straight, I was asking myself ’what do I
do, what do I do? Do I brake late – that was a little risky, but I broke really late, and I did it.’”

Pole sitter Franzoni lead Martin into Turn 1, but the Australian was able to get through Turn 1 and Turn 2 on the gearbox of the Brazilian. Martin pulled to the outside of Franzoni on the run up-hill to the Inner-Loop, and made a clean pass as they entered the “Bus Stop.”

The Pro Mazda field for the first race of the 2017 “Soul Red Finale” at Watkins Glen International. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC Photography)

The running order after the first lap was Martin, who was able to pull a half-second lead over pole sitter Franzoni, Cunha, Megennis, Lastochkin, Fisher, Machciko, Wright, Eberle, Green, Puderbach, and Finelli.

On Lap 2, Team Pelfrey teammates Nikita Lastochkin and Robert Megennis, who were battling for fourth place, made contact in Turn 9. Both drivers were forced to retire, ending both of their races only one lap into the 30-lap timed race.

It took a little while to get that incident cleaned up, and the timed 30-minute race didn’t go green until their were fifteen minutes remaining.

At the end of Lap 6, the first lap back to green, Martin’s lead was only four-tenths of a second over Franzoni. The front two were followed closely by Cunha. Further back, TJ Fischer was in a five car battle with, Kris Wright, Sting Ray Robb, Matt Machiko and Bobby Eberle. Fisher, who was third in points heading into the race, was pushed wide by Wright in the middle of the “Bus Stop” and ended the race in 10th.

On lap 9, Martin and Franzoni went side-by-side up through The Essess, but Fraznoni was not able to get by Martin, and followed him closely through the remainder of the lap.

On the very next lap, the two drivers went side-by-side through almost the entire Boot section of the 11-Turn, 3.4 mile road course, before Martin pushed Franzoni off track in the Heel of the Boot (Turn 8). Franzoni was able to hold of Cunha through Turn 9, and took the next lap and a half to catch back up to the Soul Red No. 3 of Martin.

“Not just any racers can do that. Victor and I have been racing extremely hard all year. Even
though we have been racing hard, we also give each other racing room. I think that’s one of the
important things about this year. We have been racing hard, but we haven’t take each other out.

On Lap 12, Franzoni was able to get a better run than Martin through Turn 1 and Turn 2, and popped to outside of Martin as the duo exited Turn 3. Franzoni was able out drag Martin to the “Bus Stop” and when the drivers finished the quick left-right, left-right sequence it was Franzoni who entered the Boot with the lead.

Franzoni, who clearly had the quicker car, immediately pulled away from Martin, and took the white flag at the end of Lap 13 with a 2.2 second lead, and when Franzoni took the checkered flag, his lead was 3.5 seconds.

The win was the Brazilan’s 10th career MRTI win, and his 22nd career MRTI podium. Martin’s second place finish was his 24th in three seasons of MRTI competition.

Pro Mazda Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Cooper Tires Race #1 results

RANK CAR NO. NAME DIFFERENCE
1 23 Victor Franzoni 14 LAPS
2 8 Anthony Martin 3.5743
3 81 Carlos Cunha 4.2811
4 14 Sting Ray Robb 25.2132
5 12 Kris Wright 38.4547
6 3 Matt Machiko 39.7758
7 13 Bobby Eberle 42.2304
8 31 Brendan Puderbach 46.8016
9 83 Charles Finelli 91.2220
10 82 TJ Fischer – 1 LAP
11 60 Jeff Green -2 LAPS
12 84 Robert Megennis -13 LAPS
13 80 Nikita Lastochkin -13 LAPS

The Pro Mazda drivers and teams will be back on track at for a 20 minute qualifying for the second
Pro Mazda Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Cooper Tires race at 5:30pm.

category: Pro Mazda News/Results, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire - TSO
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