INDIANAPOLIS -

Andersen Promotions today announced Advanced Engine Research Ltd (AER) as the new engine supplier for Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. AER was selected following a thorough review of proposals submitted by five prospective engine suppliers.

AER is owned by Rob and Chris Dyson and company Managing Director Mike Lancaster. The partnership between Andersen Promotions and AER, which extends through 2019, will see a slightly modified, long-mileage version of the multiple sportscar championship-winning AER-P07 2.0 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine installed in the new Dallara IL-15 chassis prior to testing next August. The new car and engine combination will make its competition debut at the start of the 2015 Indy Lights season.

“I am very grateful for the tremendous amount of interest from so many manufacturers in our 2015 Indy Lights car,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “The AER engine we have selected for use in the new Indy Lights car is a great unit with proven reliability and performance. With its light weight and push-to-pass feature, we will have a strong package for our drivers which will make for great racing and training. Rob and Chris Dyson have been friends for years. When I learned of their involvement in AER, it made the decision so much easier. They are true professionals, and I look forward to many years together on this exciting project.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for AER,” said Rob Dyson. “In addition to our successful projects in LMP1 and LMP2 prototype sportscars, the company has extensive experience in single-engine series, including a 3.5-liter V6 for the World Series by Nissan and the current GP3 Series V6 engines. The opportunity to supply the engines for the Indy Lights series was a very attractive one for us. We look forward to powering the growth of the up and coming open-wheel drivers in North America.”

With an expected 6,000 miles between rebuilds, the AER-P07 Indy Lights engine is designed to run a full season without major maintenance. AER will provide trackside support as well as the necessary engine service and between-season rebuilds. The engines will be available for lease through Andersen Promotions.

In its Indy Lights version the AER-P07 will produce approximately 450 horsepower, with additional power available via a driver-controlled “push-to-pass” feature. The all-aluminum engine has a dry crated weight of 230 lbs. The fully stressed engine features a carbon plenum, carbon inlet runners and trumpets and a “drive-by-wire” throttle control. Advanced engine management electronics have been developed in-house by AER with full active-knock control, ignition-angle learning, advanced boost control and integrated gear-shift strategies employed for ultimate performance.

Andersen also expressed his gratitude for the work of project manager Tony Cotman, President and Founder of NZR Consulting: “Tony did an outstanding job in helping to sort through the process. I could not be more excited about the equipment package we have assembled. Our goals were to provide a car that has the appearance and technology appropriate as the final step to the IndyCar Series and reduce the costs for teams to compete. I think we have accomplished those objectives.”

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- See more at: http://indylights2014.com/2013/andersen-promotions-announces-aer-as-indy-lights-engine-supplier/#sthash.un5Xpu36.dpuf

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INDIANAPOLIS – INDYCAR announced today that IZOD IndyCar Series teams will be permitted a total of 18 testing days, with the opportunity for additional bonus days, between now and the 2014 season finale.

Full-season IndyCar Series teams will have a total of 18 test days to be used in any combination of engine manufacturer tests, team tests, Open Tests, straight line and full-sized wind tunnel tests through the 2014 season finale at Auto Club Speedway.

“Our objective was to structure the testing rules so that everybody had equal opportunity and an equal number of days,” said Derrick Walker, president, competition and operations, INDYCAR. “Rather than INDYCAR designating specific numbers for each category of testing, the onus is on teams to utilize days as they feel is best for their individual program.”

Additionally, IndyCar Series teams can receive two bonus days by testing a current Indy Lights driver. Teams will have two additional days for testing rookie drivers and any new entrant will have four additional offseason team test days in addition to its allotment of 18 days.

Open Tests will be held at three venues that host 2014 IndyCar Series events:

• Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., will be the site of spring training on Monday, March 17, and Tuesday, March 18, for the second consecutive year.   Spring training is mandatory for all Leaders Circle entrants.

• The newly modified Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course will host an Open Test on Wednesday, April 30, in advance of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

• The 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval will host an Open Test on Wednesday, Aug. 27, in advance of the 500-mile season finale under the lights.

Engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda have five on-track test days. Mileage amassed while using a manufacturer development engine does not count against a team’s maximum of 10,000 miles during team tests, Open Tests and race events in a calendar year.

- See more at: http://indylights2014.com/2013/indycar-announces-2014-testing-regulations-bonus-days-added-for-testing-of-indy-lights-drivers/#sthash.wjRfwRRK.dpuf

Dallara Automobili Chosen to Develop New Generation Car

INDIANAPOLIS – Following a lengthy review process, Andersen Promotions today announced that Dallara Automobili has been selected to design and develop the next generation Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires chassis which will compete in 2015 – the Dallara IL-15. Dallara, manufacturer of the present spec Indy Lights chassis which debuted in 2002 and current DW12 Indy car, exceeded expectations to a committee led by Tony Cotman, President and Founder of NZR Consulting and the former Vice President of Competition at INDYCAR, in final proposals submitted by three manufacturers.

Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions and a former Indy Lights team owner, placed heavy emphasis on team budgets, with the cost of the new car and spares at the forefront in the final decision-making process. Andersen’s goal was to present a new car that is contemporary in design and technically advanced, able to reach 200 miles per hour, meet safety and reliability requirements and present the most desirable up-front terms for both established and new team owners.

“After a lengthy bidding process and three strong proposals from the finalists, we are delighted to confirm Dallara as our chassis partner for the foreseeable future. The new Dallara IL-15 Indy Lights race car will offer great style, current technologies and of course Dallara’s well-earned reputation for building safe, reliable race cars. We are pleased with the final pricing structure and the various discounts provided by Dallara, and believe our teams and drivers will get excellent value and a terrific race car.”

Dallara’s proposal addressed a myriad of concerns in addition to producing a chassis that will provide drivers on the final step of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder with a car in line with the high-tech machines raced at the pinnacle of the sport. Key points include a reduction in the pricing of a new chassis for teams competing in 2014 and all teams placing orders by March 15 of next year.

In addition to the best pricing on spares of all bids submitted, Dallara will offer a once-a-year “January Sale” whereby teams wishing to stock up on spares will receive even lower pricing. The manufacturer also provided the best finance/lease deal for teams electing this option, offering to spread costs over a three-year period to defer initial ownership expenditures.

“Dallara is a proven chassis manufacturer with an equally impressive winning record,” noted Cotman. “They dominate the world market for many reasons, particularly with a strong record in safety and reliability.

“I fully support Dan’s decision and look forward to moving ahead with the next phases of the project, particularly details surrounding a new engine. As Indy Lights continues to evolve under the guidance of Andersen Promotions, I’m sure this is the first of many exciting announcements over the coming weeks.”

The IL-15 chassis will be developed and manufactured at Dallara’s state-of-the-art facility in Speedway, Ind. Prototype testing will commence in August with a yet to be announced current IndyCar Series driver. Full renderings of the new chassis will be available in the coming weeks.

In addition to its strong partnership commitment to Indy Lights on the manufacturing side, Dallara will provide a $25,000 award to the Indy Lights champion.

“We are honored for the deal that we have signed with Andersen Promotions for the supply of new Indy Lights cars in 2015,” said Gian Paolo Dallara, President of Dallara Automobili. “Based on our worldwide experience with single-seater race cars and with IndyCar in particular, we are confident and committed to providing the Indy Lights drivers with a safe race car as the appropriate training foundation for their future IndyCar competition. Following the same strategy which we have set in place for the Indy car, a great part of the components of the Indy Lights cars will be manufactured in Indiana by Dallara LLC and by many local suppliers.

“We commit to supporting Dan Andersen and his organization in reaffirming the validity of the Indy Lights concept. Dan has shown great passion and excellent competence in creating a strong ladder system heading to the IndyCar Series, and Indy Lights is the perfect complement.”

Following the announcement in July that Andersen Promotions would license and operate the Indy Lights Series, the company has wasted no time in working to secure a positive future for the series that has been an integral step in the careers of over 100 graduates to date including 2013 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon.

Andersen Promotions has secured Cooper Tires as the Official Tire and substantial promotional partner of the series through 2018; unveiled a new, dedicated website at IndyLights.com, Twitter feed @IndyLights and new series logo; introduced a 14-event schedule for 2014 featuring Sunday races as opposed to the former Saturday slates – now preceding the IndyCar Series main events – as well as doubleheader races at all road course events; launched an advertising campaign in Europe to target prospective drivers; and will soon announce a new engine partner.

“Our goal is to rebuild, rebrand and re-buzz Indy Lights,” added Andersen. “The series has been stagnant for a while. So far, I think we are on the right track. I remember the old days in Indy Lights with large fields of outstanding drivers working their way to the top. While we want to bring back those days, we also want to move into the future and provide upcoming stars like (2013 Pro Mazda champion) Matthew Brabham and (2013 USF2000 champion) Scott Hargrove the series they need to propel them into the next phase of their careers.

“We have a temporary but goal-reaching plan in place for next season with an updated car, and I am thrilled with what we will be able to offer drivers in 2015.”

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- See more at: http://indylights2014.com/2013/andersen-promotions-confirms-2015-indy-lights-chassis-manufacturer/#sthash.3ldjo9Ra.dpuf

All Levels of the Ladder Series to Compete in Support of INDYCAR Events

INDIANAPOLIS – Andersen Promotions, which will operate all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy next year, today unveiled the 2014 schedule of events for the three series comprising the ladder system – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. For the first time since the inception of the Mazda Road to Indy as the official development series of INDYCAR in 2010, all races on next season’s calendar will be run in support of the IndyCar Series.

Additional schedule highlights include doubleheader rounds for Indy Lights at all permanent road courses with a “sprint” race on Saturday of 40 minutes and a “feature” race on Sunday of 60 minutes just prior to the IndyCar Series main event. Pro Mazda will feature standing starts at all street circuits and USF2000 will once again host a tripleheader round.

All Indy Lights races will feature same-day coverage on the NBC Sports Network with international rights held by ESPN International. Pro Mazda and USF2000 will also be featured on the NBC Sports Network with a minimum of four highlight shows, which will also be broadcast on Motors TV in Europe.

“I am very pleased with our schedule for next season in that we have been able to align all of our races with INDYCAR ,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Our drivers strive to reach the IndyCar Series and Indy 500, and that is where our playing field will be next year. We also have reduced the number of oval races for Indy Lights, so USF2000 will have one oval race, Pro Mazda two and Indy Lights three now instead of five. Alongside the road and street course events, we feel this is a good blend to provide the proper training as drivers advance up the ladder system.”

The Mazda Road to Indy will open its 2014 season on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 29/30. Indy Lights will then head west two weeks later to the Streets of Long Beach, Calif., on April 13. On April 26/27, the three series will reunite at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., for doubleheader rounds on the permanent road course.

The month of May will be centered around the Indianapolis 500. Two rounds each of Indy Lights, Pro Mazda and USF2000 will take place in support of the inaugural road course race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, on May 9/10. In keeping with tradition, Indy Lights will contest the Freedom 100 race on May 23 – Carburetion Day at the Speedway – while Pro Mazda and USF2000 will compete under the lights at the “Night Before the 500” on May 24 at nearby Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Pro Mazda will be the sole Mazda Road to Indy act in support of INDYCAR on the streets of Houston on June 28/29, while Indy Lights will hold its second oval event on July 6 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., and will be joined by USF2000 on the streets of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 19/20.

August will feature a flurry of activity for all three levels beginning with the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on August 2/3, which will include doubleheader rounds for Indy Lights and Pro Mazda and a USF2000 tripleheader. Indy Lights and Pro Mazda will contest their final oval events of the year at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis., on August 16/17 before the season finale for all three series at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on August 23/24.

The unparalleled Mazda Road to Indy Summit program will take place during the St. Petersburg and Indianapolis weekends. Providing the off-track tools drivers need in their professional motorsports careers, this year’s curriculum included courses in conducting interviews, the business of motorsports, performance thinking, fitness and wellness, driver brand building, social media, the intricacies of oval racing, working with the media, maximizing simulators and providing return on investment.

Additional Summit activities include networking receptions, IndyCar Series team shop tours and Q&A sessions, high-profile autograph sessions and INDYCAR Fan Village participation.

The Summit program also provides opportunities surrounding the Indianapolis 500. The series point leaders in Pro Mazda and USF2000 in May are given the opportunity to pace the Freedom 100 Indy Lights race on Carburetion Day, and the winners of the Freedom 100 and “Night Before the 500” races are introduced and interviewed in front of the Indy 500 crowd minutes before the start of the race.

The Mazda Road to Indy provides a scholarship package at each level for drivers to advance to the next step on the ladder. Recently crowned Indy Lights champion Sage Karam, 18, will receive up to $1 million in prizes and awards to aid his ascent to the IndyCar Series. Karam was the 2010 USF2000 champion and finished third in Pro Mazda last year.

Matthew Brabham, 19, secured over $636,000 as the 2013 Pro Mazda champion and will advance to Indy Lights next season with Andretti Autosport. Brabham, the 2012 USF2000 champion, is the first driver to advance through all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy in succession.

After contesting a partial season last year, Scott Hargrove, 18, secured this year’s USF2000 title and scholarship package of over $383,000 to advance to Pro Mazda in 2014.

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires 2014 Schedule of Events
• 14 races
• Three street circuits, four road courses, three ovals
• Doubleheader rounds at all road courses

Series Test Sessions

Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires 2014 Schedule of Events
• 14 races
• Two street circuits, four road courses, two ovals
• Doubleheader rounds at all road and street circuits
• Standing starts on all street circuits

Series Test Sessions

Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship (four races)

Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda 2014 Schedule of Events
• 14 races
• Two street circuits, four road courses, one oval
• Doubleheader rounds at all road and street circuits with one tripleheader road course event

Series Test Sessions

Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship (six races)

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- See more at: http://indylights2014.com/2013/mazda-road-to-indy-2014-schedule-confirmed/#sthash.iCR7FZD0.dpuf