New Open Wheel Development Series to Launch in 2022
Andersen Promotions is launching a new series that will help drivers prepare for the Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires driver development platform, the development series promoter announced.
USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires will launch in 2022 and offer a prize package exceeding $325,000, including a scholarship valued at more than $200,000, to advance to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – the first official step on the Road to Indy ladder.
The new series will be sanctioned by USAC with a schedule comprised of six road-course race weekends, most with triple-header rounds, for a total of 16-18 races. For 2022, the Ligier JS chassis and HPD powerplant will be utilized with engine builder Elite Engines performing all new builds and rebuilds. Cooper Tires will develop a series-specific tire for the triple-header events with two sets of tires allocated for each event weekend. Budgets are expected to be in the $120,000 to $150,000 range, and the series will be open to drivers as young as 14 years of age, series .
“There are numerous routes into the Road to Indy, but it has become apparent that one additional entry-level step was needed,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Our current first step – the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – has become extremely more competitive from a global scale of driving talent than what used to be considered as entry-level.”
Current Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 Race Directors Johnny Unser and Joel Miller will oversee race control and will work directly with USF Juniors official driver coach Gabby Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights champion, in preparing drivers to take the next step on the ladder.
