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New Indy Lights Series In Mexico

14 December 1997

A new series is starting next year based in Mexico with the Lolas T93/20 raced in the PPG Firestone Indy Lights Series until 1996, which were made between 1993 and 1996 with minor changes.

Next Friday the 19th at 8:00 p.m. the Series will be presented in Mexico City at the AutoExpo (autoshow) inside the World Trade Center, with drivers, team owners and ex-Indy Lights personnel that will get involved in the Series like John Martin, Peter Steiner, Alex Padilla, Oswaldo Negri and Cesar Jimenez.

The motor however will not be the Buick V6, instead the Chevrolet LT4 engine has been chosen as the best option for the car to get 450hp and last 3000 miles before it's first overhauling. Tires will remain Firestone.

The cars are owned by a Mexican Ex-Indy Lights owner, Filiberto Jimenez, who decided to buy the cars once they were replaced for 1997. The cars will be leased with engine for less than $50,000 for the year, and the 1996 IndyCar rule book is being used as the base for the ILP rules.

10 races will take place, 8 in Mexico FIA approved tracks and 2 in South America, one in Ecuador and the other in Cost Rica or Venezuela. The Series champion will get a one-race ride with a top team in the PPG Dayton Indy Lights in 1999, leaving the option for the champion to get use of the car owned by the ILP during the rest of the '99 season if he has the sponsors.

Contact:Daniel Ordaz Dipsa tel. 011(528)379-1166 fax 5359 e-mail:doc@dipsa.com.mx