MMSC ties-up with Road to Indy USF 2000 series

The MMSC Racing Championship received a major boost as their six-round 2016 season, commencing in January, will provide an entry to the Mazda Road to Indy USF 2000 series scholarship shootout.

The Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) here on Monday announced that the topper of MRF Formula Ford 1600 series will be sent for the Mazda Road to Indy shootout, the winner of which will receive a scholarship of $200,000.

Besides the MRF FF 1600 category, the other proposed classes are Formula LGB 1300, Indian Junior Touring Cars (IJTC), Indian Touring Cars (ITC) and Super Stock, all part of the support races.

In another move, MMSC, promoters of the National Racing Championship, converted the Formula LGB 1300 into a rookie class, open to drivers below 25 years of age. The top performers in this series will be eligible for scholarship to the 2017 MRF FF 1600 championship.

"We are pleased to announce our tie-up with the Indy Racing League for the Mazda Road to Indy scholarship shootout which is further evidence to our commitment to develop talent in the sport," MMSC president Ajit Thomas said.

"We will continue the trend from this year to start our championship early in the year and stretch it over the year. The feedback from our partners and competitors has been positive and encouraging in starting early again next year. More importantly, the cooler temperatures in the beginning of the year make it more enjoyable for all the competitors."

The Mazda Road to Indy is one of the most successful driver development programmes in the world, providing a unique, scholarship-funded path to reach the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500.

MMSC will also conduct shootouts for scholarships in the 2016 championship at the MMRT Circuit in Sriperumbudur from December 8 to 11.

Provisional calendar for 2016 Racing Championship -- Round 1: January 29-31, Round 2: March 4-6, Round 3: June 17-19, Round 4: July 15- 17, Round 5: August 19-21, Round 6: September 6-18.