Pro Mazda Championship and USF2000 will be the first cars on the updated circuit Courtesy Andretti Sports Marketing
NEW ORLEANS - The first Open Test for Team Pelfrey and Andretti Autosport is scheduled for December 8-9, 2014, at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, LA. It will be the initial opportunity for teams to sample the newly constructed circuit before the Verizon IndyCar Series takes to the 2.67-mile track April 10-12, 2015.
The test will be open to the public at no cost and fans will have the opportunity to watch the up-and-coming stars of the Mazda Road Indy program as they take to the newly renovated NOLA Motorsports Park for the first time. Andretti Autosport will field one Pro Mazda entry, while Team Pelfrey will run two USF2000 cars and a second pair of Pro Mazda entries.
"Everyone at Team Pelfrey is excited at the prospect of testing on the newly configured track at NOLA in preparation for the four Mazda Road to Indy races at the track in 2015," said Nigel Tuckey, Team Principal of Team Pelfrey. "Besides the attendance of our Pro Mazda team, the test will also mark the first public appearance of our new for 2015 USF2000 team along with some very promising young drivers. Combine all of that excitement with the fun and great hospitality that Louisiana offers and December 8 can't come soon enough!"
The Mazda Road to Indy program is one of the most successful driver development programs in the world, providing a unique, scholarship-funded path to reach the Verizon IndyCar Series. The Road to Indy provides drivers, teams and sponsors an opportunity to gain experience on and off the track while following a path of advancement through three development series: Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.
"We're thrilled to finally have the first open-wheel test on the track since its completion," said Kristen Engeron, President of NOLA Motorsports Park. "We're extremely excited to see cars on track, and we're looking forward to hearing driver feedback on what we think are some exciting updates to the circuit."
Fans can follow Team Pelfrey and Andretti Autosport through their respective social channels listed below. For more information on the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, visit: promazdachampionship.com and usf2000.com.
Team Pelfrey Social Channels:
Facebook //OfficialTeamPelfrey
Twitter //@TeamPelfrey
Instagram // @team_pelfrey
Andretti Autosport Social Channels:
Facebook // AndrettiAutosport
Twitter // @FollowAndretti
Instagram // @andrettiautosport
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company:
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is the parent company of a global family of companies that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing, and sales of passenger car and light truck tires. Cooper has joint ventures, affiliates and subsidiaries that also specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper's headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 11 countries around the world. For more information on Cooper Tire, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.
About Team Pelfrey:
Dale Pelfrey's race team, based in Palmetto, Fla., is built upon the same principles he used 35 years ago when establishing his business career - hire the best, acquire the best and expect the best in order to achieve the most. After fielding cars in the IndyCar Series from 1998 until 2000, Team Pelfrey was reformed in 2011, winning on its Pro Mazda debut and going on to earn the Team Championship as well as second and third in the drivers' title-chase with Connor De Phillippi and Nick Andries. Team Pelfrey went one better in 2012, guiding Jack Hawksworth to the Drivers' Championship and earning a second successive Team Championship. An expansion into the F1600 Championship Series for the 2014 season saw Ayla Agren, Garth Rickards and Augie Lerch secure the top three positions in the points table.
About the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana
The Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana will take place April 10-12, 2015 and is hosted at NOLA Motorsports Park, in Avondale, Louisiana. This three-day weekend festival will attract party-goers from all over the world to witness this first-time action packed event. The newly designed NOLA Motorsports Park facility will feature a 2.67-mile track with 13 turns that incorporate passing zones suitable for the Verizon IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy Series. This event promises to offer outstanding racing, local New Orleans flare and family-friendly activities for all of those that attend.
Fans can also follow the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/GPofNOLA, Twitter: www.Twitter.com/GPofNOLA and on Instagram: @gpofnola.
About NOLA Motorsports Park
Founded in 2011 and located just twenty minutes from downtown New Orleans French Quarter area, NOLA Motorsports Park offers an experience like no other through their world-class driving school, state-of-the-art karting facility, corporate event space and one of a kind multi-course track. The Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana will be the first premier American-based open-wheel racing event to take place at NOLA Motorsports Park.
About Andretti Sports Marketing
Andretti Sports Marketing is an Indianapolis-based marketing company focusing on sports, entertainment, experiential, and urban event management. We manage and operate world-class marketing platforms and large-scale events around the world. Andretti Sports Marketing has partnered with companies such as Volkswagen, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, AutoNation, DHL, Chrysler, Honda, the FIA Formula E Championship, and Red Bull Global Rallycross, among others. Drawing on its competencies in marketing, public relations, strategy, retail, contract negotiation, logistics, hospitality, and event management, Andretti Sports Marketing focuses on providing best-in-class services across a broad scope of disciplines. To learn more, please visit: andrettisportsmarketing.com.