Drivers now progress to the interview process with four test winners to be announced at the US Open finale
Continuing to foster the next wave of up-and-coming drivers in the world of professional motorsports, Andersen Promotions and Mazda Road to Indy along with the MAXSpeed Group are pleased to announce today the 12 finalists chosen for the 2015 Driver Advancement Program. Following a successful launch last year, the 2015 edition of the program was opened to participants from all countries that competed in a MAXSpeed Entertainment promoted event in 2015.
“We had a strong group of candidates submit applications for the 2015 program,” said MAXSpeed Group President Richard Boisclair. “It was not an easy choice to select the 12 finalists. Ultimately, we have invited drivers from three different countries including the United States, Canada and The Netherlands, returning finalists from the 2014 edition of the MAXSpeed Group Driver Advancement Program as well as new faces, an up-and-coming female driver and competitors that range in age from 14 to 19.”
Following the completion of a Driver Advancement Program application, the candidates were narrowed down to a group of 12 based on selection criteria. The competitors who have been chosen will now enter a final interview process with Verizon IndyCar drivers Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud, Andersen Promotions COO Michelle Kish and Boisclair, who will select the four winners.
The candidates are Trenton Estep, 15 of San Antonio, Texas; Enzo Fittipaldi, 14, of Davidson, North Carolina; Jake French, 19, of Sachse, Texas; Anthony Gangi Jr., 14, of Brookville, New York; Morgan Healey, 18, of Ft. Myers, Florida; Darren Keane, 15, of Boca Raton, Florida; Aidan Keel, 14, of Plant City, Florida; Jeffrey Kingsley, 17, of Port Hope, Ontario; Kyle Kirkwood, 16, of Jupiter, Florida; Sting Ray Robb, 14, of Payette, Idaho; Luke Shanahan, 17, of Dallas, Texas; and Rinus Van Kalmthout, 15, of Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
“Once again, we had an outstanding group of applicants and I would like to congratulate our 12 finalists,” said Kish. “I look forward to learning more about these drivers during the interview process. It will not be easy to narrow this group down to our four winners."
The videoconference interview process will begin immediately. The winners will be announced during the US Open series finale at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. From there, the four winners will take part in a one-day test in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda during off-season testing.
“We would like to thank all of the competitors who submitted their applications for the Driver Advancement Program, and congratulate those selected for interviews,” added Boisclair.
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For more information on MAXSpeed Entertainment, promoted events including the US Open, Cold Stone Florida Winter Tour, and the United States Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Nationals, please visit www.MAXSpeedEntertainment.com. For more information on the MAXSpeed Group, the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, Team USA and the entire Rotax program, please visit www.GoRotax.com. Be sure to ‘Like’ GoRotax on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/GoRotax) and follow on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GoRotax) and Instagram (www.Instagram.com/MAXSpeedGroup).