Firestone Indy Lights, the racing series one step below IndyCar, has announced its 2012 schedule, closely mirroring the recently released IndyCar schedule.
The schedule includes a mix of road, street, and three oval races; this gives Indy Lights drivers the best possible preparation for the premier series.
“Our goal is to prepare Firestone Indy Lights drivers to become successful IZOD IndyCar Series drivers,” said Tony George Jr., business development manager for Firestone Indy Lights, on IndyCar.com. “The 2012 schedule continues to help us reach that goal by helping our current drivers gain experience and succeed on all types of racing circuits.”
Indy Lights is the top rung of the “Road to Indy” ladder series which starts with USF 2000, and proceeds to Star Mazda. With each step power, downforce, and speed increase, giving young drivers a progressive path to the top-tier IndyCar series where cars can have 650 hp and top 230 mph.
Indy Lights are powered by a production-based 3.5-liter, 420 hp V8 from the Infiniti Q45 street car, compared to USF 2000 (170 hp) and Star Mazda (260 hp.)
Eleven Indy Lights events will run in conjunction with IndyCar races. Indy Lights will also run a standalone event at Trois Rivieres, Quebec. The schedule so far includes three road courses, five street circuits, and three ovals, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indy Lights will complete its season at the IndyCar series finale; the date and location of this race has yet to be announced.
