Media inquiries:
Linda Mansfield, Restart Communications
Cell: (317) 201-0729
E-mail: LindaKMansfield@cs.com
 
 
 
Test Driver Says New USF2000 Package
Takes Car to a Whole New Level
 
SEBRING, Fla., Jan. 22 - Manufacturers, team representatives, engineers and 
mechanics were pleased with what they saw yesterday at Sebring 
International Raceway as the USF2000 National Championship tested four compounds of 
Cooper Racing Tires and several components that will be used in the series' top 
class, the Championship class, this year. 
 
Perhaps the person who was most impressed, however, was the test driver, 
Jonny Baker, who finished second in another F2000 series in 2008. 
 
Although the Van Diemen Baker drove on Thursday was powered by a Zetec 
engine rather than the brand-new Mazda MZR engine that is destined to become the 
spec engine of the series' premier class, Baker was more than impressed 
with the car's improvements.
 
"The little bit of extra power from the aero improvements and the better 
braking have taken this car to a whole new level," Baker said after completing 
about 70 laps during the test.  "It's a big step in the right direction."
 
Baker tested a 2001 Van Diemen updated with many new components, including 
new wings, nose, dampers, uprights, brakes and diffuser. 
 
Engineers from Cooper Racing Tires were on hand to evaluate four different 
tire compounds, and selected the one that will be the spec slick tire for 
the series. 
 
Darrick Dong from Performance Friction oversaw the car's brakes, which drew 
rave reviews. 
 
Representatives from JDC MotorSports, AIM Autosport, Cape Motorsports and 
Liberty Motorsports were also on hand to watch the test and provide input 
from the team owner's point of view.
 
"Cooper Tires' support was impressive," said Geoff Fickling, the USF2000 
series' research and development consultant. "We had four choices of 
compounds, and we could have chosen any of the four and had a good tire. In the end 
they chose the compound that was the most durable and the one the driver 
liked the best."
 
"I did about 15 to 20 laps on each compound, and it went really well," 
Baker said.  "I was super-impressed with the guys who work for Cooper.  They had 
a strict program that they wanted me to follow, and I ran nice, consistent 
laps.  The new Élan aero package worked very well, and we pretty much 
determined which tire compound we're going to use."
 
Baker was also enthusiastic about the car's new Performance Friction 
brakes.  "They were absolutely fantastic," he said.  
 
"The brakes were awesome," Fickling added.  "Darrick Dong's setting up of 
the brakes was spot-on, and we had no issues with the brakes at all." 
 
Sanctioned by the Indy Racing League (IRL), the USF2000 National 
Championship is one of only two series that are part of both the IRL's Road to Indy 
ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development program. The 
series' 2010 season will open with a doubleheader March 27-28 on the street 
circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla. in support of an IZOD IndyCar Series 
headliner.
 
For the rest of the schedule and additional information on the series, see 
usf2000.com or call (941) 723-3900.
 
Although the USF2000 series' Championship class is open only to Van 
Diemens, any car that meets the current SCCA Formula Continental rules may be 
entered in its National class.
 
 
 
About Mazda:
 
On any given weekend there are more Mazdas on the road courses of America 
than any other brand of vehicle.  MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and 
other vintage Mazda models are all popular race cars because every Mazda has 
the soul of a sports car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the 
world is Spec Miata. With more than 2,500 first- and second-generation Miatas 
tearing up America's racetracks, it the most-raced production car in the 
world. Mazda's involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with  one 
of the world's premier road courses, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, 
Calif.,
and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing. 
 
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in the United States in 2010, Mazda North 
American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. It oversees the 
sales, marketing, parts business and customer service of Mazda vehicles in the 
United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in 
Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario. Operations in 
Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
 
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company:
 
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the 
design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck 
tires and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing 
tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, 
sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of 
companies located in 10 countries around the world.  For more information, visit 
Cooper Tire's Web site at coopertire.com.