For more information:
Linda Mansfield, Restart Communications
E-mail: LindaKMansfield@cs.com
Cell: 317-201-0729
Andersen Racing to Field
New Kart Team in 2009
PALMETTO, Fla., Nov. 7 - Andersen Racing, the Palmetto, Fla.-based team that
offers what many feel is the most comprehensive driver development program in
formula car racing, is pleased to announce that it will expand to field a
professional kart team in 2009.
Andersen Racing fielded multiple entries in three different formula car
series in 2008. It won team championships in both the F2000 Championship Series and
the Star Mazda Championship. One of the 15 drivers it fielded cars for this
year also finished fifth in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series.
As part of its development program, the team awards tests at the end of the
year to each of its full-season F2000 and Star Mazda drivers. Andersen Racing
is also the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing (RLR), which
competes in both the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corporation.
The new kart team will operate under the Andersen Racing name and will be
located at the team headquarters at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility
between St. Petersburg, Fla. and Sarasota, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course
test track that is already very popular with karters. Co-owner Dan Andersen
said the team will field up to eight karts in the Junior and Senior ranks.
Michelle Kish will be the overall team manager. Directing the kart team will
be a father and son, Barry and Brian Fletcher of Palm Harbor, Fla. Prior to
joining Andersen Racing they have been operating their own kart team, Tuff
Racing. Andersen said he expects to announce a relationship with a major kart
chassis manufacturer shortly, along with several other partnerships dealing with
engines, tires, etc. Driver signings are expected to be announced soon too.
"Initially we will contest the Daytona Kart Week WKA event Dec. 27-30, the
Florida Winter Tour events, and selected Rotax races and local area events,"
Andersen said. "Eventually we plan to compete nationally in the Snap-On Stars of
Karting events as well.
"With our already established open-wheel ladder in place, I am very pleased
to add this team and complete our connection to the karting ranks, where so
many open-wheel racers begin and gain such valuable seat time and racing
experience," Andersen added. "With our own excellent track in Florida and the
resources of our pro teams available on site, it is a natural for us to take this
step. We expect to field competitive
karts with talented, career-minded drivers."
Barry Fletcher is an official with the International Motor Sports Association
(IMSA), which sanctions the Star Mazda events in which Andersen Racing
competes, along with several other series. He is also the vice president of the
Tri-City Kart Club based in St. Petersburg, Fla.
"Andersen Racing does things right; it should be a good marriage," he said.
"Andersen Racing is the first team from the major leagues to step into karting
to field a team. There are some drivers who dabble in both, but this is the
first formula car team to compete in karting full-time too. We hope it's a great
first step on the ladder for them. A lot of good drivers have come out of
Florida karting. We look forward to the challenge."
His son, Brian, has been a kart driver since the age of 6 and has won Rotax
Series championships. He's been concentrating on tuning karts and coaching
others for the last few years. He worked in the past for Birel/MRP, CRG/Evolution
Karting and Gillard/Screaming Talent. He has had great success with kart
drivers Chris Larson, Keith Spicer, Mikey Giessen and Spencer Pigot.
"With the Andersen family's backing and their professionalism and our
standards in karting, I think this is going to be big," he said. "The proof will be
in the pudding, but I think whoever comes on with us will be amazed with our
quality of work and services."
For more information see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.
About Allied Building Products Corp.:
Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is
one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded
in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion
building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200
branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse
space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential
roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior
products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see
alliedbuilding.com.
About Andersen Racing:
Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training
possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners
media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious
events in North America. It provides a unique, four-step program utilizing
multiple entries in four different platforms: karting; the F2000 Championship
(webcast); Star Mazda (televised on SPEED) and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on
ESPN2/VERSUS).
In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at
some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Andersen Racing won the team championship for 2008 for both the F2000
Championship Series and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Two of its
drivers finished first and second in the F2000 driver point standings, while
another was sixth. Three of its Star Mazda drivers placed third, fifth and
sixth in that series' driver standings. RLR/Andersen Racing finished sixth in the
2008 Firestone Indy Lights team standings, while one of its drivers placed
fifth in that series' driver point standings.
Andersen Racing's principals, brother Dan and John Andersen, have extensive
experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked
with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.
Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. It is the
official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which competes in the IndyCar
Series and the ALMS. In addition, its F2000 team is also the official
factory team of Van Diemen. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an
18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile test track. For more
information see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.