Once the IZOD IndyCar Series wraps its 2011 seasons next week at Las Vegas, teams from the three Mazda Road to Indy divisions won't have long to wait before their next on-track opportunity. IndyCar announced that teams from Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship and USF2000 National Championship will participate in a two-day open test session on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course.
Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET both days with each series receiving a 60-minute session in the morning and a 75-minute session in the afternoon.
“This test is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what the Mazda Road to Indy has to offer to prospective drivers and teams,” said Tony George Jr., manager of business development for Firestone Indy Lights and a key figure in starting the Mazda Road to Indy. “The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the perfect location for all three series to start preparations for the 2012 season.”
The session is dedicated to Chris Griffis, Sam Schmidt Motorsports' Indy Lights team manager who died unexpectedly Sept. 12. It has been named the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test.
“Chris was pivotal in bringing so many young drivers to Firestone Indy Lights and cultivating talent from both Star Mazda and USF2000 levels,” George said. “For 10 years, Chris used off-season testing to court and promote young driving talent. This test is designed to give everyone an opportunity to attract and develop drivers in the way Chris pioneered it.”