Forsythe Racing Coming to Indy Lights in 2009

Former Series Champions Return with David Garza and James Hinchcliffe Aboard

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

From Forsythe Racing Media Reports:

On the same day that the IndyCar Series announced the return of longtime racers Derrick Walker and Paul Tracy to the grid, Gerald Forsythe's Forsythe Racing broke the news of its own return to the Firestone Indy Lights Series in 2009.

Forsythe Racing has a long and storied history of successful competition in the Lights division, stretching back to the days of much-missed Greg Moore and David Empringham in the mid-1990's; both of whom won titles in the series while racing for the team.

The team is owned by Illinois-based businessman Gerald Forsythe. Since the team’s inception in the early 1980’s it has scored multiple wins and championships with some of the most famous names in racing including; Paul Tracy, Greg Moore, Jacques Villeneuve, Al Unser Jr,, Patrick Carpentier, AJ Allmendinger, Danny Sullivan and Teo Fabi.

Mexican standout and regular A1GP World Cup of Motorsport competitor David Garza (who also teamed with Chip Ganassi Racing for their 2008 Daytona 24 Hours effort) will join another A1GP familiar, James Hinchcliffe, to kick off the team's initial season in the Indy Lights Series.

Forsythe Gathers Strength From Dynamic Driving Duos Past and Present

Forsythe Racing currently competes in the Atlantics Championship, and recorded a win with Hinch at the wheel over the Laguna Seca course in May of this year, boosting him into the hunt for the series' championship. James not only won, he dominated the California round: scoring the top spot on the podium after sweeping to fastest in both practice rounds and sitting on pole for the event. In tandem with the multi-talented and lightning-quick Garza, Forsythe looks set to be a challenger for the 2009 Indy Lights title from the outset.

“The opportunity to return to Indy Lights is obviously one that we’re relishing,” said Neil Micklewright, Vice President of Operations at Forsythe Racing Inc. “This is an extremely exciting time for Forsythe Racing as we’re once again in the thick of a title battle in the Atlantic Championship while we’re also looking to further bolster our race programs, starting with our Indy Lights announcement.

“As a company we have a tremendous pedigree in Indy Lights with numerous race wins and back-to-back championship victories with Greg and David in the mid-nineties. The series still offers drivers the chance to prove themselves and the level of competition remains as high as ever."

"FILS is a showcase of our racing excellence and desire to win," says Forsythe's Neil Micklewright

"You only have to look at this season’s results to see how tight it is at the top with six drivers winning already this year. We believe the Firestone Indy Lights Series offers Forsythe Racing an additional platform to showcase our commitment to on-track excellence and our desire to win.”

Moore dominated the 1995 Indy Lights Series for Forsythe Racing. The British Columbia native recorded an unprecedented 10 wins from 12 starts to claim the title and propel himself into a seat in the team’s CART line-up in 1996. Fellow Canadian Empringham, of Ontario, delivered a second straight Indy Lights title the following season notching three victories on his way to the title.

The 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series consists of 16 rounds, all in support of Indy Racing League events, running on a mixture of ovals and permanent and temporary road courses with each race broadcast on ESPN 2 – www.indycar.com/indylights

Drivers interested in Forsythe Racing’s Firestone Indy Lights program should contact:

John Brunner: Tel: +1 317 216 9000, Cell: +1 317 908 1246, or email: john.brunner@fcremail.com