PALMETTO, Fla. – Andersen Promotions, promoters of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, has contracted the services of IMS Productions to produce four hour-long highlight shows – two on each series – which will air on the NBC Sports Network.
The first show will feature the seven rounds of USF2000 competition held to date (Sebring International Raceway, Streets of St. Petersburg, Lucas Oil Raceway, Streets of Toronto) and will air August 6 at 2:00 am ET. The second show will air August 11 at 1:00 am ET and will highlight eight rounds of Pro Mazda action (Circuit of The Americas, Streets of St. Petersburg, Lucas Oil Raceway, The Milwaukee Mile, Streets of Toronto).
IMS Productions (IMSP) is an award-winning, full-service HD remote and post production house based in Indianapolis, Ind. In addition to INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, its numerous clients include the American Le Mans Series, Indiana Pacers, Big Ten Network, NBA TV, SPEED, ESPN and CBS Sports. IMSP recently signed a multi-year deal with Time Warner Cable to be the exclusive provider of high-definition mobile production services for the English and Spanish home broadcasts of the Lakers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy on Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes.
IMSP will combine on-track footage with on-board camera action to showcase the rising stars of the Mazda Road to Indy. Commentary will be provided by Kevin Lee, host/pit reporter for the IZOD IndyCar Series on the NBC Sports Network and co-host of Trackside on 1070thefan.com, and Jeremy Shaw, noted commentator, motorsports writer and founder of the Team USA Scholarship.
“We want to highlight the tremendous racing in our two series, and it is important to be able to offer our drivers as much exposure as possible,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Throughout the season we have been securing dedicated track feed in the hopes that these highlight shows would come to fruition. I am very thankful to IMS Productions for all of their hard work and assistance with this project, and grateful to the NBC Sports Network for providing the platform to highlight our rising stars.”
Two additional hour-long highlight shows on each series will air in October covering the remainder of the season and awards banquet.
About USF2000: The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda debuted in 2010 and is a continuation of the highly-regarded USF2000 series which ran from 1990 through 2006, launching the careers of many of today’s top drivers. Sanctioned by INDYCAR and managed by Andersen Promotions, the series is the first official step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system. The top driver in the Championship class will earn a scholarship package from Mazda to advance to the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. The series also is part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder program which assists young drivers in advancing from the Skip Barber Racing School to USF2000. Additional information can be found at www.usf2000.com.
About Pro Mazda: The Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires debuted in 2013 as a new series, 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 Mazda Road to Indy ladder system with the series’ champion awarded a scholarship package from Mazda to advance to Firestone Indy Lights competition the following year. For more information, visit www.promazdachampionship.com.
About Mazda: Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com. Racers and fans can follow the action on Facebook (Mazdaspeed Motorsports).
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is a global company with affiliates, subsidiaries and joint ventures that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires. The company also has subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 11 countries around the world. Additional information can be found at www.us.coopertire.com.
Contact: Tamy Valkosky, Public Relations
949.459.9172 Office
949.842.3946 Cellular
pr@usf2000.com
pr@promazdaseries.com
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