“Game Changer” in Open-Wheel Racing Based in Tampa Bay
PALMETTO, Florida – Flanked by racing industry leaders, regional corporate, political and community leaders and competitors in the Mazda Road to Indy, Andersen Promotions Owner and CEO Dan Andersen and Tampa-based Victory Group’s CEO Adam Goodman this evening announced a new web TV initiative designed to boost open-wheel racing in North America “beginning with the sport’s next generation.” The gala launch of RoadToIndy.TV was held at the Victory Group’s studios with over 200 guests in attendance.
The RoadToIndy.TV initiative led by Victory Group Creative Director Juan Pablo Manterola will comprise a stream of bi-weekly episodes throughout the racing season focusing on the behind-the-scenes stories of drivers and teams on their way up the ladder in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.
“The Mazda Road to Indy is the premier ‘graduate school’ of open-wheel racing in the world – an unparalleled platform for drivers to hone their skills, teams to improve their performance and sponsors to maximize their involvement,” said Andersen. “We are excited to launch RoadToIndy.TV to take coverage of the ladder series to a new level and showcase our partners, drivers, teams and their sponsors to an ever-growing fan base.”
The premier episode of RoadToIndy.TV is now online and features a comprehensive look at the three-step program leading to the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. The show is hosted by Tristan Vautier, an Indy Lights and Pro Mazda champion and the 2013 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, Manterola and Jonny Baker, a former driver and co-founder of CoForce International, which provides racing and corporate development services.
Today’s launch also included remarks from Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg President Tim Ramsberger and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.
“This is a tremendous boost to Tampa Bay and the entire state because the Mazda Road to Indy begins right here,” added Goodman.
The 2014 Mazda Road to Indy season will kick off March 29/30 on the Streets of St. Petersburg.