MINNEAPOLIS, MIN. – Rising junior formula car squad Afterburner Autosport is excited to announce its plans to contest the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda in 2012. As part of an expansion of race operations, the Minnesota-based squad will field a multi-car effort in the highly regarded Mazda Road to Indy series this coming season. The driver line-up is currently in final negotiations and an experienced crew of engineers and mechanics is being assembled to position this program as a player in the series beginning with the season-opener at Sebring in March.

Under the guidance of team principal Tim Walsh and team manager Brian Tomasi, Afterburner Autosport has quickly evolved into a premier Formula 2000-based team. Building on the success of two SCCA Formula Continental National Championship titles and several pro F2000 podium finishes, Afterburner will take the next step towards its goal of becoming one of the leading junior formula car squads in North America by competing in the 2012 edition of the USF2000 Championship. The squad is not only focused on challenging for championship honors, but also helping train and develop the next stars of the sport, and will run three Van Diemen Mazda entries throughout the 13-race campaign with yet to be named racers.

"We are very excited about racing in the USF2000 Championship in 2012 and joining the Mazda Road to Indy program," stated Walsh. "The goal right from day one will be to challenge for top honors, and we believe have all the tools to do that."

"Afterburner Autosport is ready to take the next step this season," added Tomasi. "With the drivers and equipment that we have assembled this year we should come out fighting."

Operating out of a modern facility in Minneapolis, Min., which includes an 8,500 square foot dedicated racecar shop and an 18,000 square foot component manufacturing area, Afterburner Autosport has all the ingredients to achieve success in the USF2000 Championship. As a two-time SCCA National Champion and front-running pro racer, Tomasi has the skill and experience to assist up-and-coming racers to challenge for top honors. The addition of Walsh's extensive F2000 race experience and technical expertise via years of designing and manufacturing race car components further ensures Afterburner drivers have tools to succeed. When combined with a highly-skilled crew that features multiple championships and years of pro experience, Afterburner is poised to immediately make an impact in the chase for top honors in the USF2000 Championship. The talented squad enters the 2012 season having won numerous SCCA National races and the aforementioned two National Championship titles, as well as earning two podiums finishes in its first season of pro competition in a limited F2000 Championship Series schedule.

Afterburner Autosport's inaugural season of Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda competition commences on March 15-16, with the season-opening doubleheader running in conjunction with the 60th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. Prior to Rounds One and Two, the team will continue its off-season testing program, with interested drivers encouraged to contact the team about race or testing opportunities in the USF2000 Championship and other Formula 2000 competition. Further announcements regarding Afterburner Autosport are expected shortly.

To get more information regarding Afterburner Autosport, please visit www.AfterburnerAutosport.com For direct contact, please email afterburnerautosport@gmail.com or call 630-251-1709.

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