Palmetto, Fla. – Andersen Promotions, administrator of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, today announced that Tamy Valkosky has joined the organization as Public Relations Manager. Valkosky will begin her new role immediately as the series prepares for its second season under INDYCAR sanction as part of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system.
“I am pleased to welcome Tamy to our team,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Her depth of experience and passion for helping young drivers aligns perfectly with our objectives, and will help our drivers, teams and partners obtain the most from their involvement.”
Valkosky has been involved in motorsports public relations for over 20 years. She most recently concluded a decade-long tenure at Fernandez Racing, managing public relations, marketing and sponsor relations for the championship-winning American Le Mans Series team, which also garnered success in the IZOD IndyCar, Champ Car and Grand-Am Series.
After beginning her career with Truesports, Valkosky enjoyed a nine-year residency with Tasman Motorsports Group in the Champ Car, Indy Lights and Super Touring Championship Series. Led by well-respected team owner Steve Horne, Tasman Motorsports helped to launch the careers of many top drivers in the sport including Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Cristiano da Matta.
Valkosky also has served as co-project manager for a series of young driver workshops produced by the RRDC (Road Racing Drivers Club headed by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing principal Bobby Rahal). The RRDC/FIA Young Drivers Symposiums are free workshops designed to benefit drivers in all aspects of their careers including safety, fitness, mental preparation, integrated driving and sponsorship/branding.
“I have met so many young drivers looking to advance in the sport, and the USF2000 series provides a tremendous platform,” said Valkosky. “It is something that I am passionate about and, with the incredible support of Mazda and Cooper Tires, I look forward to helping both the competitors and series grow to their full potential.”
The 2011 USF2000 season will kick-off with back-to-back weekends of racing at two premier events - the American Le Mans Series’ Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17/18 followed by the IZOD IndyCar Series’ Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 26/27.
Mazda: On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the world is Spec Miata, with more than 2,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing, and the Mazda Road to Indy.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world.