Testing Program
Career-minded karters poised to advance torace cars and current formula car drivers wishing to hone their skills anddisplay them to one of the leading open-wheel development teams inNorth America will be excited to learn of Andersen Racing’s new,unprecedented Formula BMW testing program.Qualified drivers will be able to participate in a customized program underthe direction of key team personnel in one-, two- or three-day formats atAndersen RacePark, the team’s 1-mile road course test track in Palmetto,Fla.
The program provides serious young racers with concentrated seat timeand professional instruction that will be beneficial regardless of whichseries in which they decide to compete. It is particularly excellent forthose attempting to secure an $80,000 Formula BMW scholarship beingoffered towards that series in Europe. The team will also use it toevaluate driver talent for its own North American pro karting, FormulaBMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams.In the recommended three-day program, on Day 1 drivers will learn theproper techniques for upshifts, downshifts, blipping, left-foot braking,brake pedal modulation and stopping distances for a Formula BMW racecar while maintaining proper lines and consistency from lap to lap.Day 2 will focus on an introduction to data acquisition, how to outline atrack map, how to make the most of in-car camera feedback, and tips onrelaying information to engineers and mechanics.Systematic chassis changes will be undertaken on Day 3 to explain howeach change affects the car’s balance. Wing and roll bar sweeps; camber,shock and spring sweeps; and ride height and rake adjustments will becovered. Race weekend sessions will be simulated, and driver-crewcommunication skills will be developed further with aids like teamdebriefing sheets, video data feedback and tips on getting the mostbenefits possible from driver coaches.Participants will also have the option to add two more days to theirtesting program as extra lapping days to refine the skills they learned inthe first three days. These additional days can occur at either AndersenRacePark or at other Florida facilities. Dates for all the different formatscan occur year-round but are determined on an individual basis.
Prices start at $3,000 per day at Andersen RacePark and include the useof a current Formula BMW race car; one set of new tires; fuel; normalwear and tear on the car; an engineer; crew chief and driver coach. Allcrash damage or damage deemed by the team to be the driver’s fault willbe the responsibility of the driver. Current Formula BMW drivers who wishto use their own race car and tires for the test will receive a reduced rate.Prices for the testing sessions at other tracks will be determined on anindividual basis.
“As a team whose main goal is driver development, this new program in acurrent Formula BMW race car is exactly what many young drivers need asthey hone their skills and move up racing’s ladder,” said team co-ownerDan Andersen. “We have intentionally kept the costs down to be able tooffer this to as many people as possible. Since we have our own testtrack and our own professional karting, Formula BMW, Star Mazda andFirestone Indy Lights teams, we are in a unique position to providetraining and seat time to drivers who could someday become a member ofone of our pro teams.”
