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Cooper Tires Named Official Tire Of New Indy Lights Series
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Andersen Promotions, which will license and operate the final step on the Mazda Road to Indy in 2014, has announced that Cooper Tires will become the Official Tire of the new Indy Lights Series.
The five-year agreement will continue through the 2018 season with extension options. Cooper Tires will now be the Official Tire of the entire ladder system with partnerships already in place for the first two rungs of the ladder also run by Andersen Promotions—the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires—providing continuity to drivers as they make their climb toward the IZOD IndyCar Series.
“Tony Cotman, our project manager, and I reviewed numerous proposals from other tire manufacturers and were delighted to see so much interest, but Cooper Tires ticked all the boxes," said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions.
"We wanted a partner that would provide a great product with substantial cost savings for teams and, while the final cost is yet to be determined, the Cooper Tires Indy Lights tires will cost the teams significantly less than their current tire prices. Equally important, we wanted a partner that would actively promote and support the series, and our partnership comes with substantial support from Cooper Tires in event activation, series media and promotional efforts.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a recently publicized decision to utilize an updated Indy Lights car in 2014 and debut a brand-new race car in 2015.
The new tire component coupled with chassis updates is expected to offer greater parity amongst competitors next season.
Tire testing will begin in September, and road course tires will be available to teams in late October. An engine partner will be announced within 30 days.
The five-year agreement will continue through the 2018 season with extension options. Cooper Tires will now be the Official Tire of the entire ladder system with partnerships already in place for the first two rungs of the ladder also run by Andersen Promotions—the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires—providing continuity to drivers as they make their climb toward the IZOD IndyCar Series.
“Tony Cotman, our project manager, and I reviewed numerous proposals from other tire manufacturers and were delighted to see so much interest, but Cooper Tires ticked all the boxes," said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions.
"We wanted a partner that would provide a great product with substantial cost savings for teams and, while the final cost is yet to be determined, the Cooper Tires Indy Lights tires will cost the teams significantly less than their current tire prices. Equally important, we wanted a partner that would actively promote and support the series, and our partnership comes with substantial support from Cooper Tires in event activation, series media and promotional efforts.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a recently publicized decision to utilize an updated Indy Lights car in 2014 and debut a brand-new race car in 2015.
The new tire component coupled with chassis updates is expected to offer greater parity amongst competitors next season.
Tire testing will begin in September, and road course tires will be available to teams in late October. An engine partner will be announced within 30 days.
