For more information:
Linda Mansfield, Restart Communications
Cell: (317) 201-0729
E-mail: LindaKMansfield@cs.com
Andersen Racing Leads the Way Again
By Establishing Unprecedented Testing Program
For Qualified Karters and Formula Car Drivers
PALMETTO, Fla., April 15 - Career-minded karters poised to advance to race
cars and current formula car drivers wishing to hone their skills and
display them to one of the leading open-wheel development teams in North America
will be excited to learn of Andersen Racing's new, unprecedented Formula BMW
testing program.
Qualified drivers will be able to participate in a customized program under
the direction of key team personnel in one-, two- or three-day formats at
Andersen RacePark, the team's 1-mile road course test track in Palmetto, Fla.
The program provides serious young racers with concentrated seat time and
instruction that will be beneficial regardless of which series in which they
decide to compete. It is particularly excellent for those attempting to
secure an $80,000 Formula BMW scholarship being offered towards that series in
Europe. The team will also use it to evaluate driver talent for its own
North American pro karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy
Lights teams.
In the recommended three-day program, on Day 1 drivers will learn the
proper techniques for upshifts, downshifts, blipping, left-foot braking, brake
pedal modulation and stopping distances for a Formula BMW race car while
maintaining proper lines and consistency from lap to lap.
Day 2 will focus on an introduction to data acquisition, how to outline a
track map, how to make the most of in-car camera feedback, and tips on
relaying information to engineers and mechanics.
Systematic chassis changes will be undertaken on Day 3 to explain how each
change affects the car's balance. Wing and roll bar sweeps; camber, shock
and spring sweeps; and ride height and rake adjustments will be covered.
Race weekend sessions will be simulated, and driver-crew communication skills
will be developed further with aids like team debriefing sheets, video data
feedback and tips on getting the most benefits possible from driver coaches.
Participants will also have the option to add two more days to their
testing program as extra lapping days to refine the skills they learned in the
first three days. These additional days can occur at either Andersen RacePark
or at other Florida facilities. Dates for all the different formats can
occur year-round but are determined on an individual basis.
Prices start at $3,000 per day at Andersen RacePark and include the use of
a current Formula BMW race car; one set of new tires; fuel; normal wear and
tear on the car; an engineer; crew chief and driver coach. All crash damage
or damage deemed by the team to be the driver's fault will be the
responsibility of the driver. Current Formula BMW drivers who wish to use their own
race car and tires for the test will receive a reduced rate.
Prices for the testing sessions at other tracks will be determined on an
individual basis.
"As a team whose main goal is driver development, this new program in a
current Formula BMW race car is exactly what many young drivers need as they
hone their skills and move up racing's ladder," said team co-owner Dan Ande
rsen. "We have intentionally kept the costs down to be able to offer this to
as many people as possible. Since we have our own test track and our own
professional karting, Formula BMW, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams,
we are in a unique position to provide training and seat time to drivers who
could someday become a member of one of our pro teams."
For more information on the Formula BMW testing program, contact Jonny
Baker, the team's talent scout, at (941) 723-3900, extension 306.
Sponsored by Allied Interior Products and Lafarge North America, Andersen
Racing is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing.
The team's Web site is located at andersenracingteam.com. Information on
the team's 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters can be found
online at 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, Formula BMW
Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on 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 presented by Hoosier Racing Tire 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, brothers 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. and Lafarge
North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman
Racing, which competes in the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series. The
team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto,
Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information
see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.