With the IndyCar Series having recently established an official Road to Indy progression from its new USF2000 championship through to the Star Mazda Championship, Firestone Indy Lights and on to Indy cars, the Atlantic Championship has been left on the outskirts of feeder series for American open-wheel racing. However, the series has addressed that issue by carving out a new officially declared identity as the “Road to F1” and, toward that end, officials announced a significant price reduction for competitors in the 2010 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.
The series is offering a full season of racing for a fixed cost of $495,000, including 10 race weekends and 12 races. The 2010 season will include events at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The fixed price budget is available direct from the series.
“I am delighted to confirm that we have negotiated a fixed budget for all of our drivers in 2010,” Ben Johnston, Atlantic Championship owner, said. “It is a fact that the Atlantic Championship consistently demonstrates, above all other series, that it promotes its drivers into the highest levels of motorsport. We are now able to do all of that for less, which is a huge opportunity for all current and future competitors.”
The Atlantic Championship will be hosting a two day test at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park outside Las Vegas on Feb. 22-23 for all drivers considering competing in the 2010 season. Series officials confirmed today that at least one current European F1 team manager will be in attendance throughout the two-day test.