Mazda’s Road to Indy

 

 

Have you ever wondered how race car drivers learn to do what they do? At Velocity Mazda, racing is in our blood, which is part of the reason we love the cars we sell. Mazda supports racing at every level, but not everyone in East Texas knows about their driver training program. The Mazda Road to Indy is like college for race car drivers. It attracts competitors and aspiring drivers from around the world for extensive scholarship-funded driver development.

About the Mazda Road to Indy

At the end of 2010, Mazda became the title sponsor of a program aimed at helping drivers develop their skills and prepare for life as a racing professional. The program is based on a ladder system that involves millions of dollars in scholarship money. In the past four years, 16 drivers have gone from the Mazda program to participate in the IndyCar series.

Last year participants received more than $3.5 million in scholarships and awards. Each series champion received a scholarship that allowed them to go to the next step on the ladder.

The Ladder System

Drivers start the Mazda Road to Indy with the Cooper Tires USF2000 Series Powered by Mazda. The American series uses a variation of the Formula Ford F2000. The objective is to give drivers open-wheel training as they work toward an IndyCar career.

Next, drivers progress to the Pro Mazda Championship, the same series that has offered training to drivers like Marco Andretti and Tristan Vautier. The 2017 champion Victor Franzoni won scholarships valued at $790,300.

The final run on the Road to Indy ladder is Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. Indy Lights is a developmental open-wheeled racing series and the highest step on Mazda’s Road to Indy.

Drivers learn much more than just how to hone their competitive driving skills. The program teaches participants how to communicate with the press, focusing on the big picture and identifying ways to stand out as a driver. Coaches take young adults straight out of karting or participation in a school series and teach them what they know each step of the way.

According to Ed Jones Mazda’s Road to Indy, “prepares you exactly for what you need.” James Hinchcliffe says, “No one arrives at the top…the Road to Indy helps you get there.”

This year at least five of the previous seven IndyLights champions will participate in IndyCar 2018. Watch for Kyle Kaiser, Ed Jones, Spencer Pigot, Gabby Chaves and Josef Newgarden. Request more info on the driver training program at pr@roadtoindy.net.

If you want to stick with your day job and still experience a vehicle that handles like a race car, stop by Velocity Mazda. Check out our online inventory or get in touch today.

 

Content by Missy for Velocity Mazda

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