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"         The Road to Indy Begins with USF2000 Taking a page from Mazdaspeed&amp;#039;s ladder-system playbook, the Indy Racing League has launched its own driver development program, which provides that crucial first step for young drivers seeking an IndyCar ride. The USF2000 National Championship enables aspiring drivers to cut their racing teeth by competing in a reasonably affordable formula-car series designed to dovetail with the Star Mazda Championship and Indy Lights.   Unlike own fully funded ladder series, which is weighted entirely toward road racing, the IRL&amp;#039;s program, called &amp;quot;The Road to Indy,&amp;quot; includes two oval track venues, O&amp;#039;Reilly Raceway Park in Indiana and Iowa Speedway, in its 12-race 2010 schedule.   Neither the formula nor the concept is new. Formula 2000 cars\u2014essentially Formula Fords with wings, slicks and more powerful engines\u2014date back to the early &amp;#039;90s and served as the nucleus for a pro series known as the USF2000 national championship, which included several oval track venues and was sanctioned by the United States Auto Club. A parting of the ways among the series founders led to the emergence of two F2000 series, each with its own championship. As other formula-car series blossomed, interest in F2000 waned, leading Dan Andersen, one of USF2000&amp;#039;s founders, to revive it and bring it under the aegis of the IRL with support from Mazda.   During its inaugural season, USF2000 organizers will allow new and 2001 and later Van Diemen F2000 cars powered by either the current Ford Zetec engine or Mazda&amp;#039;s powerplant to compete in the championship class, while allowing SCCA Formula Continentals to race in the national class to provide depth and to measure participant response. In 2011, however, only new Van Diemen DP08s or updated Van Diemen chassis will be allowed to compete in the championship class, in which all cars must use Mazda&amp;#039;s so-called MZR, a 170-bhp inline-4 prepared by Elite Engines. Converting to Mazda power costs about $19,000 ($5000 for the kit, $14,000 for the engine) while an all-new race-ready USF2000 car costs approximately $80,000. Both kits and cars will be distributed solely by Carl Haas Automobile Imports, America&amp;#039;s official Van Diemen dealer.   Thanks to Mazda&amp;#039;s support, the USF2000 champion earns a fully funded drive\u2014worth $350,000\u2014in the 2011 Star Mazda Championship. A double-header held in conjunction with IndyCar&amp;#039;s March 27\u201328 opener at St. Petersburg, Florida, kicks off USF2000&amp;#039;s season, which concludes September 30\u2013October 1 at Road Atlanta.   F2: It&amp;#039;s What Comes Before F1 Expectations great, but budget small? Then here&amp;#039;s a more affordable way to get to Formula 1. The FIA Formula 2 Championship provides aspiring drivers with a direct link to F1, just like GP2. But unlike its competitor, F2 is designed to keep costs in line, while providing similar levels of competition coupled with the challenge of driving a powerful technologically advanced single seater.   Unlike GP2, F2 is an arrive-and-drive series built around a spec chassis and engine (a 420-bhp Audi inline-4). For about $500,000, entrants get to compete in a series that rewards the winner with a test drive with the Williams F1 team. In fact, the 1254-lb. Williams JPH1B chassis has carbon construction and ground-effect aerodynamics, as well as a 6-speed Hewland with F1-style paddles. Meanwhile, U.S. drivers with an eye on F1 should look into the Jim Russell Championship Series, which rewards its winner with a funded drive in the 2011 F2 championship.   GP3: Think of it as GP2 Light The road to Formula 1 may run through GP2, but it begins in GP3, the new junior series created by the folks who brought you GP2. Utilizing a Dallara-built chassis fitted with a 280-bhp turbocharged inline-4 Renault engine, this spec series promises to deliver competitive, cost-effective racing, as such things go. A season of GP3 costs about $982,000, so rev up your Visa card.   Although conceptually similar to the FIA-backed F2, GP3 is privateer-, not organizer-based, which means that several top-flight GP3 entries will be fielded by GP regulars. And because GP3, like its big brother GP2, bears the imprimatur of F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone, several rounds run concurrently with Grand Prix races in Europe and the U.K.   Of note, 18-year-old American Alexander Rossi is slated to compete in GP3, which makes its debut May 8\u20139 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a15466/formula-for-success-2/>