$200K Prize on Offer to Enter USF2000 Ranks in 2018
PALMETTO, Fla. – An accomplished panel of judges has been assembled to determine the outcome of the second annual Mazda Road to Indy USF2000 $200K Scholarship Shootout, which will take place December 9/10 at the Bondurant Race School just outside of Phoenix, Ariz.
A roster of some of the most talented open-wheel drivers from around the world have earned invitations to the Shootout. The winner will claim a $200,000 scholarship prize from Mazda into the 2018 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda – the first rung on the highly acclaimed open-wheel development ladder which offers opportunities to progress all the way from the grassroots of the sport through USF2000, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires to the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.
The adjudicating panel will comprise IndyCar race winner turned commentator/analyst Scott Goodyear and long-time factory Mazda Motorsports representatives Jonathan Bomarito, Andrew Carbonell and Tom Long, plus two drivers who are intent upon working their way through the ranks: reigning Pro Mazda champion Victor Franzoni and Oliver Askew who, after winning the inaugural Mazda Road to Indy Shootout one year ago, also went on to add this year’s USF2000 title and another Mazda scholarship.
“I’m excited to return again this year to assist Mazda with judging the Shootout,” said Goodyear. “Mazda continues to support the up-and-coming drivers with their goal of becoming professional race car drivers. This program not only judges the young drivers on their ability on the track, but their abilities off track as well.
“I applaud Mazda for its continued and unparalleled support towards the development of young drivers, and I wish this type of program was available when I was a junior racer. I understand exactly the position these drivers are in as I spent many years driving in junior formulas before graduating to Indy cars and factory sports cars. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with the stars of tomorrow.”
The Shootout weekend will kick off with a welcome reception and dinner for all of the participants, judges and Mazda and Andersen Promotions representatives on Friday. Saturday will feature a full slate of on-track activity with instructor feedback throughout the day followed by a private dinner for drivers with the judging panel.
Following morning on-track sessions on Sunday, judges will convene to narrow down the field of contestants. Drivers continuing will take part in qualifying sessions and a 30-minute race. The judges will then meet for a final time to select the winner of the Shootout.
“We want judges who will give these young racers in-depth feedback from their experience behind the wheel, and this year’s group is certainly qualified to do so,” said Mazda Motorsports Operations Manager Kyle Kimball. “This is an incredibly serious competition, and the judges set the tone with their guidance and feedback. It’s a group that we’re proud to have judging the event.”
The full list of participants will be announced next week.
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About the Mazda Road to Indy $200K Scholarship Shootout: Launched in 2016, the MRTI $200K Scholarship Shootout (#MRTIShootout) is an unprecedented event which brings together talent from select junior level open-wheel and karting series from around the world with the best-of-the-best vying for a slot on the first step of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires driver development ladder, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. The Mazda Road to Indy offers scholarships for talented young drivers to progress all the way from the grassroots of the sport to the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.