INDIANAPOLIS, IN - F1600 driver Colin Thompson will join Belardi Auto Racing as the team's third driver during the 2012 season of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship.

"We tested with a few different teams, watched all the teams, went to many races during last season, and basically just studied each team to figure out which team would work best with me, my driving style, my personality, " said the Pennsylvania native.

"We wanted to make sure the chemistry was right, and at the same time figure out who would put me in the front, put the whole team at the front and work together in that way.  You need to have good teammates to share data, share track info and help each other progress, and I think Belardi kinda hit the nail on the head.  We have a quick team, good people and I think it'll make for a really good race year."

The 17-year-old has been racing since the age of five competing in quarter midgets, micro sprints, Skip Barber, as well as Volkswagen Jetta TDI.  Thompson most recently finished a season in the F1600 Pro FF series, and the previous year was the youngest entrant in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at just 15-years-old.  He is, however, no stranger to the USF2000 cars as he completed the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course in late October with Belardi Auto Racing. 

"Working with Colin during the test at IMS was a great opportunity for us to see how well he would be able to adapt to the F2000 car," Brian Belardi, owner of Belardi Auto Racing, said.  "For being a rookie in these cars, we all were very impressed with his driving and the way he applied the feedback he received from the team to each new run on the track.  With Colin's potential and skill, he will be a great addition to Roman [Lagudi] and Luca [Forgeois]." 

About Belardi Auto Racing

Belardi Auto Racing is a USF2000 and Indy Lights team based in Brownsburg, Indiana. The 2011 season saw two race wins, 10 podiums, 17 top-five finishes and 36 top-tens. Follow the team on Twitter, www.twitter.com/BelardiRacing and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/BelardiAutoRacing. Belardi Auto Racing can also be found online at www.belardiautoracing.com.