Four drivers to be selected for Driver Advancement Program
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – After announcing their alliance in 2014, the Mazda Road to Indy – the most successful driver development program in the world – and the MAXSpeed Group, the United States distributor of the Rotax MAX engine platform, will continue their Driver Advancement Program in 2015. Offering a nationwide karting platform across the United States, the MAXSpeed Group will remain an Official Partner of the Mazda Road to Indy as the two companies work to foster the next wave of up-and-coming drivers.
“To expose drivers coming up the ranks to their first experience in cars is very rewarding for all of us involved,” said Michelle Kish, COO of Andersen Promotions. “We received so much positive feedback last year from our driver finalists and our team owners as well which really underscored the success of this program. Richard [Boisclair] and the MAXSpeed team did an outstanding job with the selection process, and we look forward to helping to foster the next group of candidates.”
With the continued partnership, the RMC (Rotax MAX Challenge) will remain as a clearly defined path to the Mazda Road to Indy. Offering four one-day tests in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda during off-season testing in 2014, candidates completed a Driver Advancement Program application with 12 selected to complete an interview process with an expert judges panel consisting of Verizon IndyCar Series standout James Hinchcliffe, 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Champion and current Verizon IndyCar Series driver Gabby Chaves, veteran karter and multi-time Team USA member Alan Rudolph and three-time Rotax Grand Finals champion Ben Cooper. The four drivers selected for the 2014 Driver Advancement Program were Oliver Askew, 17, of Tequesta, Fla.; Christian Brooks, 14, of Santa Clarita, Calif.; Sabre Cook, 19, of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Austin Versteeg, 15, of Sandy, Utah.
“I am so pleased to renew our agreement with Andersen Promotions and the Mazda Road to Indy,” added Richard Boisclair, President of MAXSpeed Group. “Everyone with Andersen Promotions has been outstanding to work with, and they are helping us by giving that next step to drivers who have the desire. With our continued association, we are a true, first step in the MRTI ladder program.”
The 2015 program will be open to all participants, from all countries, in MAXSpeed Entertainment promoted events, including the Florida Winter Tour, US Open and the United States Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Nationals. Four drivers will be selected to the Driver Advancement Program through the selection process. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2015. Please note: drivers participating in the Las Vegas US Open finale will need to be registered by September 30.
Interested applicants must be at least 14 years of age by December 1, 2015 due to licensing requirements.
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ABOUT US ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE: The Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) is a professional kart racing series established, supported and structured by BRP-Powertrain and its distributors. The RMC is a "one-make-engine" formula: only Rotax kart engines are allowed. There are seven different race classes: Rotax Micro MAX, Rotax Mini MAX, Rotax Junior MAX, Rotax Senior MAX, Rotax Masters MAX, Rotax MAX DD2 and Rotax MAX DD2 Masters.
The RMC is authorized and sanctioned by CIK/FIA, using Rotax kart engines, which are checked and sealed (for equal performance). The sealing is done by authorized distributors or their authorized service centers.
By following the “Rotax Sporting and Technical Regulations" of the Rotax MAX Challenge and by using a mandatory type of tire (MOJO), the success in the competition is mainly up to the skills of the driver and his/her experience in the set up of the combination of the engine and the chassis.
Authorized distributors of Rotax kart products offer their customers a national RMC program according to the “Rotax Sporting and Technical Regulations” defined by BRP-Powertrain. This results in a fair competition between semi-professional kart racers that share the same interests.
For more information, please visit www.gorotax.com.