2021 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires

[Visit RoadToIndy.Info for a full overview of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires.]

Re-branded for 2019 and beyond, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires debuted as the Pro Mazda Championship in 2013, replacing the Star Mazda Championship which ceased operation in 2012 after 22 years. The series is sanctioned by INDYCAR and owned and operated by Andersen Promotions. It is the second official step on the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires ladder system, bridging the gap between the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.

Sting Ray Robb of Juncos Racing captured the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 title and claimed a scholarship package valued at $609,245 for a guaranteed year in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires in 2021 including an NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at the conclusion of the season.

In 2021, the champion's scholarship will be increased to a value of $718,065 and will once again guarantee a full season of Indy Lights competition the following year. In total, over $836,500 in prize money and awards are on offer including the Cooper Tires Pole Award at $1,500 per race.

The Tatuus PM-18, introduced in 2018 will continue through 2026, with updates in both 2021 and 2022, providing drivers with the proper training aboard a state-of-the-art chassis as they advance up the motorsports ladder.

HISTORY

Indy Pro 2000 has served as a vital step on the career path of many of today's top drivers since 1991. Graduates include NTT IndyCar Series drivers Marco Andretti, Gabby Chaves, Conor Daly, James Hinchcliffe, Sage Karam, Spencer Pigot, Graham Rahal  and rising stars Oliver Askew, Patricio O'Ward and Rinus VeeKay to name a few.

2021 SCHEDULE - Nine Events/18 Races

The annual Spring Training for Indy Pro 2000 will take place at Barber Motorsports Park on April 4/5. Eight pre-event test days include Barber Motorsports Park on April 15, Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 13, Lucas Oil Raceway on May 27, Road America on June 18, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 1, World Wide Technology Raceway on August 19 and New Jersey Motorsports Park on August 27.

SERIES PARTNERS

Cooper Tires, AiM Sports, Allied Building Products, AMR INDYCAR Safety Team, Bell Helmets, Carl Haas Auto, Cosworth, Dynamic Suspensions, Elite Engines, Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, Hyperco, INDYCAR Ministry, Kids On Track, Lucas Oil School of Racing, PFC Brakes, RACER, Racer Ink, Racing Communications, Rotiform, Sabelt, SimMetric Driver Performance Labs, Tatuus, Tilton, Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand, VP Racing Fuels

COVERAGE

Coverage of Indy Pro 2000 will feature worldwide livestreaming on RoadToIndy.TV, the Road to Indy TV App and the series website as well live and on demand coverage on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Highlight shows will be aired by REV TV in Canada. Full race shows and highlight shows will be available on the series YouTube channel after each event.

CAR | ENGINE

The Tatuus PM-18 debuted to rave reviews in 2018, and will remain in competition through the end of 2026. The PM-18 uses the USF-17 chassis - introduced in 2017 - as the base car to help control the operational costs for teams who wish to move up. The chassis is a full carbon composite and aluminum honeycomb monocoque manufactured by Tatuus Racing meeting current FIA F4 safety standards including side impact panels, front and rear impact structures, HANS-compliant IndyCar head restraint, front and rear wheel tethers, upgraded uprights and an upgraded front bulkhead structure for USA specific oval racing circuits.

Enhancements over the USF-17 include more sophisticated aerodynamics with an adjustable dual-element rear wing and single-plane carbon fiber front wing with adjustable flaps and Indy Pro 2000-specific front and rear endplates; larger Motegi Racing forged Technomesh monoblock alloy wheels with Cooper tires (13"x10" fronts and 13"x12" rears); and a 250 HP 2.0-liter Mazda MZR-PM18A motor developed by Elite Engines, utilizing a fly-by-wire throttle system and Cosworth SQ6 engine management system. The power is delivered via a Sadev SL82 six-speed sequential transmission and limited-slip differential.

VP is the Official Fuel of the Indy Pro 2000 series.

TIRES

Slick/rain tires co-branded COOPER/INDYPRO2000 as manufactured by Cooper Tires.

POINT SYSTEM

ROAD/STREET COURSES

7th............................... 14             14th.............................. 7

One additional point is awarded for pole position, most laps led and fastest race lap

OVALS

7th............................... 21             14th..............................11

One additional point is awarded for pole position, most laps led and fastest race lap

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Single car teams will receive three bonus points as an equivalency to multi-car teams. Only the two best results will count in the team championship for teams fielding more than two entries.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

The Road to Indy Summit and Oval Clinic is a three-part educational and promotional program held during the season. The platform provides valuable education on a variety of topics including marketing/business, media training, career growth and development, fitness and wellness, social media and a comprehensive introduction to oval track racing led by industry experts. It also features activities such as high-profile autograph sessions and fan Q&As, networking reception, team owner meet-and-greets and race shop tours.

CURRENT TRACK RECORDS

+ = two lap average  

MILESTONES:

PAST CHAMPIONS:

(*) Series switched from tube-frame cars to carbon-fiber cars in 2004.
(+) First season of unified national Star Mazda Championship series. From 1991 – 1999 the series crowned regional and oval-track champions.