Andersen Karting News

Andersen's Regional Karting Team Sweeps All of its Classes at Orlando; Preparations are Underway For Annual Competition Karting Camp At Andersen RacePark June 21

ekish — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:51:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., June 3 - Andersen Racing's regional karting teamcollected top honors in the four classes it entered in the third roundof the Florida Karting Championship Series, which was held recently atthe Orlando Kart Center in Orlando, Fla. Karters from all over theworld can learn tips that contribute to that kind of success at theannual Andersen Racing Competition Karting Camp, a five-day program thatstarts June 21 at the team headquarters at Andersen RacePark inPalmetto, Fla.

"Round Three of the series was by far the mostsuccessful outing Andersen Racing has shown in regional competition,"said Wes Phillips, the team's director of competition karting. "Whatour drivers are learning off the track is translating to the track andonto the trophy case."

Jacob Duvall of Neptune Beach, Fla. andMichael McCarthy of Clearwater, Fla., members of Andersen Racing'sregional karting team, are among a large list of students getting readyto attend the camp.

At Orlando Duvall entered three classes andswept everything except one pre-final, which was taken by an AndersenRacing guest driver, Kenneth Hildebrand of Stockholm, Sweden, the 2005Rotax Junior World Champion. Duvall won TaG 1 and Rotax Senior with aSwedetech-prepared Rotax engine, and then went on to win in TaG Seniorwith a High-Rev-prepared Vortex ROK engine.

"I was impressedwith Jacob's outright speed, his ability to pull away with amazingconsistency, and most of all, his composure through the entire weekend,"Phillips said. "He stays focused and determined to win, and provedthat aboard an Andersen-prepared chassis he could win in every possibleway. Essentially, Jacob was untouchable all weekend."

McCarthy,who has attended two Andersen Karting Camps already and is registered todo the one starting June 21, posted his first regional victory atOrlando in Rotax Mini Max.

"Michael's win was epic," Phillipssaid. "He started on the pole for the Final and held off two Tonykartdrivers for the entire race. He was immaculate under pressure, making nomistakes and keeping his kart first every lap. He crossed on the finallap still under the attack of second and third place, so I would say hisvictory was no fluke. Michael has earned his place and continues toprogress through the Andersen Racing development system."

Alsocompeting with the team at Orlando were Mitchell St. Cin of St.Petersburg, Fla. and Andrew Xia of Bradenton, Fla.

A few spacesfor Rotax Junior and Rotax Senior karters are still available for thesummer camp. For more information and to make reservations, callAndersen Racing at (941) 723-3900, or e-mail Phillips at
wes@andersenracingteam.com.

For more information see andersenkarting.com andandersenracepark.com

In addition to its karting programs,Andersen Racing is a top formula car team that participates in StarMazda and Firestone Indy Lights. It is sponsored by Allied BuildingProducts Corp. Its Web site is at andersenracingteam.com.

AndersenPromotions administers the U.S. F2000 National Championship, which ispresented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. Its Web site is atusf2000.com.

Dunne, Kane and Palmer Represent Andersen Racing's National Karting Team At First Round of Pan Am Rotax Max Challenge

ekish — Sat, 15 May 2010 12:25:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., May 15 - Andy Dunne, Jeremy Kane and Andrew Palmer represented Andersen Racing's national kart team at the launch of the Pan American Rotax Max Challenge, a new karting series designed for top karters from South, Central and North America.

The three-event series kicked off recently at Motor Sports Ranch (MSR) Houston in Angleton, Texas. It will be followed by Round 2 June 11-13 at New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Ind., and Round 3 Aug. 20-22 at Homestead Raceway in Homestead, Fla.

Dunne competed in Senior Max while Palmer and Kane represented the Palmetto, Fla.-based team in Junior Max at MSR Houston, a 0.7-mile, 17-turn track located 35 miles south of downtown Houston. They drove 2010 Birel karts.

Dunne, of Westmont, Ill., finished fifth on Saturday and third on Sunday in
a 2010 Birel R31 chassis. "Andy qualified third for Saturday's race," reported Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing's director of competition karting. "At the end of the final he had an all-out scrap for third place resulting in light contact and a nearly three-wide finish to end up fifth.

"He qualified third on Sunday too, and stayed there for the remainder of
the day to end up on the podium behind Jesus Rios Jr. and Victor Pedrosa.

"Andy will also be taking part in Andersen's international division to compete in the Rotax Euro Challenge," Phillips added. "I think that when he comes back he'll have a few new tools to use on his competition."

Kane, of Lakewood, Calif., steadily improved on Saturday and then ran in third place for most of Sunday's Junior Max final until he fell to fourth in the closing laps. "He's really been impressive because he's come very far in a short time," Phillips said. "He attended the Andersen Racing Competition Karting Camp in December, posted impressive qualifying results in the Florida Winter Tour, and is looking to have a serious go at the Junior championship in the Rotax Pan American Challenge."

Joining him in Junior Max was Andersen Racing's Andrew Palmer, who hails
from Chicago. He was second in practice on Friday, and then qualified fifth for Saturday's final. He moved into second early in that race but then his kart developed a problem with its chain and he finished 13th.

On Sunday he topped the charts in practice, but then an axle shift caused
his kart's chain to explode almost instantly in the 13-minute qualifying session.

"He still got a seventh place starting spot with the limited time he had on track, which was remarkable given that a shifting axle will also cause the brake rotor to rub against the pads," Phillips pointed out.

Palmer got off to a great start in Sunday's pre-final, advancing to third until loose gravel in an overtaking zone set him back to seventh for the start of Sunday's main event. He moved into fourth at the start of that race until he was involved in an accident and was forced to drop out.

"The Pan American Challenge allows for drop races in the title fight, so Andrew will still be a sure contender for the championship," Phillips said.

"I'm happy to see that these three boys are becoming more comfortable with
their surroundings," Phillips added. "They are now attacking practice though every turn and every lap. They realize that there is no time to rest when it comes to driver development and kart setup, so they are attentive to gather as much information as possible in a short period of time.

"Jeremy, Andy and Andrew get along quite well so it's easy for me to structure the team when I have drivers like these to work with," he added. "I anticipate the team will grow in number of drivers for the next round, so the challenge will be making sure we stay unified as a team while still extracting every ounce of performance out of driver and machine that we can."

More information on the series can be found at RotaxPanAm.com.

Andersen Karting offers corporate, regional, national and international karting programs from its headquarters at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla.
For more information see andersenkarting.com and andersenracepark.com. Eddie Kish, manager of Andersen RacePark, can be reached by telephone at (941) 723-3900 or by e-mail at eddie@andersenkarting.com, while Phillips' e-mail address is wes@andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Racing is a top formula car team that participates in Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. It is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. Its Web site is at andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Promotions administers the U.S. F2000 National Championship, which is presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. Its Web site is at
usf2000.com.

Andersen Racing Builds on Solid Strengths In Florida Karting Championship Series

ekish — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:31:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., May 13 - Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing's director of competition karting, was very pleased with how members of the Palmetto, Fla.-based team worked together during the second round of the Florida Karting
Championship Series (FKCS) recently at the 0.7-mile karting track at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.

Fielding karts for eight different drivers was a challenge, but Phillips said the team functioned as one entity. "All the team members knew their tasks and interacted in fluid motion, whether on the track or in the paddock," Phillips said.

"I had more time to work with the drivers and their Birel karts, and I feel this team has an exceptional mix of talented drivers and a very well-balanced chemistry," Phillips continued. "Everyone works well together, and I believe that can translate onto the track. The team had podium pace in every division it entered, and I don't see that as a chance happening."

The eight drivers representing the team at Homestead were:
* Jacob Duvall of Neptune Beach, Fla. (Senior Max, TaG One and TaG Senior);
* Michael McCarthy of Clearwater, Fla. (Mini Max);
* Morgan Healey of Bradenton, Fla. (Junior Max and TaG Junior);
* Eddie Kish of Palmetto, Fla. (TaG Masters and TaG Senior);
* Michael Melancon of Atlantic Beach, Fla. (Senior Max and TaG Senior);
* Ivan Xia of Bradenton, Fla. (Mini Max);
* Yamir Raj of Weekiwachee, Fla. (TaG Senior); and
* Joe Keel of Plant City, Fla. (TaG Masters).

Duvall, who was making his second start with the team and who won the TaG
Junior championship in this series last year, had the best results.

"He surprised the field at Round 1 at Andersen RacePark when he came from
24th to finish fourth with the fastest lap of the race by a clear margin, and
he had a victory, a second and a fourth in three separate TaG classes at Homestead spread over two days," Phillips said. "He's only 16 but he shows
the maturity of a seasoned driver, and I look forward to seeing what he will
do in the future."

Duvall is now just six points out of second place in the series' TaG point
standings. He's currently second in TaG1.

McCarthy finished fourth in what Phillips said was the largest Mini Max class he has seen in the series so far. "He qualified well, was very active in learning the track, and fought through stiff competition to finish fourth," Phillips added.

Healey, a student from Andersen Racing's competition karting camps, qualified third in Rotax Junior but then ran into some bad luck. "As Morgan further develops her racecraft she will be a contender for the podium at every race," Phillips predicted.

Phillips said Kish was well clear of the field in TaG Masters and was even faster than nearly all the TaG Senior competitors on Friday, but his kart developed electrical issues on Saturday and Sunday. "Even with the mechanical
problems he still managed a top three in qualifying and the heat race in TaG
Masters," Phillips noted. "I think he'll be looking for a little redemption at the next event." He'll also be looking for points, as he's fourth in the TaG Masters point standings.

Melancon was making his debut with Andersen Racing, and Phillips was impressed with how fast he was in a TaG kart since he just moved up into the
senior ranks. "Michael can be a major threat for victories in his divisions with
further development and experience," Phillips said. "He is the kind of stock that I look for when training a high-caliber driver."

Xia was also making his first start with the team, as he has come from China to compete in American kart racing. "Although he doesn't speak much English he caught on well, and he's a welcome addition to Andersen's family of young racers and a fitting teammate to Michael McCarthy," Phillips said.

Raj missed practice on Friday due to tests at his school, but he made a
serious stab at the competition on race day even though he'd never seen the
track before.

"Keel, who also serves as a mechanic for his two grandsons in Micro Max,
was participating just for fun, as it's been awhile since he stepped into a
competition kart," Phillips added.

The first round of the FKCS was held at Andersen RacePark in February.
Round 3 is coming right up May 21-23 at Orlando Kart Center in Orlando, Fla.
Round 4 is slated for June 11-13 at the Ocala Grand Prix in Ocala, Fla. The
103rd Street Complex in Jacksonville, Fla. will be the site of Round 5 on
July 23-25. The series concludes Aug. 27-29 at Monticello Karting in
Monticello, Fla.

For more information on the series, see flwkasprintseries.com.

Andersen Karting offers corporate, regional, national and international
karting programs from its headquarters at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla.
For more information see andersenkarting.com and andersenracepark.com. Eddie Kish, manager of Andersen RacePark, can be reached by telephone at (941) 723-3900 or by e-mail at eddie@andersenkarting.com, while Phillips' e-mail address is wes@andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Racing is a top formula car team that participates in Star Mazda
and Firestone Indy Lights. It is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp.
Its Web site is at andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Promotions administers the U.S. F2000 National Championship, which is presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. Its Web site is at
usf2000.com.

Andersen Racing’s International Karting Program Is Off and Running

ekish — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:55:46 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., April 22 — Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing’s director of competition karting, recently represented the Palmetto, Fla.-based team in the first round of the Rotax Max Euro Challenge in Salbris, France. Phillips progressed through the preliminary events and made the final in Rotax Senior. That was an accomplishment in itself, as some 50 other drivers in his class did not make the final at the event, which attracted many of the best Rotax racers in the world.

Phillips started 21st in the final but was caught up in a melee on the first turn of the first lap. “Coming through the 50-miles-per-hour sweeping first bend, my kart was knocked sideways and pushed, and I slid through the entire second half of the corner,” he said. “All I could do was stay on the throttle and counter steer in the hope that the driver of the kart pushing me from the side down the track would let go of his throttle enough to allow my kart to straighten out. He finally released and I resumed the race into Turn 2 with significant loss of position.”

Phillips then started to make his way back up through the field and finished 19th.

“My kart was slightly damaged due to the contact in Turn 1, but I was still content to come away with valuable information that will lead to a better-prepared outing for the second round of the Rotax Euro Challenge in Wackersdorf, Germany May 26-30,” Phillips said.

Andy Dunne of Chicago has been added to Andersen Racing’s roster of drivers competing internationally in the Euro Challenge. “Andy is 16 years old and just got his driver’s license, so a racing trip to Germany will be great exposure for him,” Phillips said. “Andy is the first among a growing list of interested drivers we expect will take part in Andersen’s karting exchange program, which is now up and running.”

Andersen Kart Racing Team International is made possible by the combined efforts of Andersen Racing, Andersen RacePark, Birel, Kalman Motorsport of Hungary and HRS Racing Engines.

Phillips is also in the process of refining Andersen's international driver development program with the assistance of several other major karting teams and manufacturers.

In addition to the international program, Andersen Karting offers corporate, regional and national karting programs from its headquarters at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla. For more information see andersenkarting.com and andersenracepark.com. Eddie Kish, manager of Andersen RacePark, can be reached by telephone at (941) 723-3900 or by e-mail at eddie@andersenkarting.com, while Phillips’ e-mail address is wes@andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Racing is a top formula car team that participates in Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. It is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. Its Web site is at andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Promotions administers the U.S. F2000 National Championship, which is presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. Its Web site is at usf2000.com.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights.

A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. It is part of both the Indy Racing League’s Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development system.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.

Andersen RacePark's Charity Endurance Kart Event Raises $2,200 For Best Friends Animal Society

ekish — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:37:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., March 24 - A total of $2,200 was raised for the not-for-profit Best Friends Animal Society Wednesday afternoon via a charity endurance kart race at Andersen RacePark here.

Members of the public were paired with professional racers, most of whom will be competing this weekend at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Teams of two or three drivers shared karts for the two-hour event at the facility, located at 10101 U.S. Highway 41 North in Palmetto, Fla. A 0.55-mile portion of the facility's 1-mile road course test track was used for the race, which began with a running, Le Mans-style start.

Winning the event was a team dubbed MJ Racing. It consisted of Firestone Indy Lights driver Jonathan Summerton of Kissimmee, Fla., USF2000 driver coach Jonatan Jorge of Sarasota, Fla., and Morgan Healey of Bradenton, Fla., who is a regular at Andersen RacePark. They completed 122 laps in the two-hour time span.

Coming in second, one lap down, was Team Demolition's Dane Cameron of the Grand-Am Rolex Series and his co-driver, Mike Forristall.

Finishing third, two laps down, was a team called Magnattach, represented by Star Mazda driver Tristan Vautier, Jonathan Ziegelman and Rodney Polen.

The fourth- and fifth-place teams both finished just three laps down, completing 119 laps. Just missing the podium was Team A, which consisted of Star Mazda driver Anders Krohn, Annie Hayden and USF2000 manager Michelle Kish.
That team set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 56.307 seconds (35.164 miles per hour).

Right behind them was the fifth-place team, Dogs Driver, represented by Firestone Indy Lights driver J.K. Vernay and Bob Durfee.

Team ME - Grand-Am driver Ricky Taylor, Matthew Barrnebey and Zachary Hurst - finished sixth.

Coming in seventh was No Blocking Racing and its drivers, Firestone Indy Lights driver Gustavo Yacaman and Indy Racing League officials Tony George Jr. and Tony Cotman. Despite their team name they received the most black flags.

The Good O' Boys had fun and came in eighth. That team consisted of Star Mazda driver Mikael Grenier and Anders Krohn's father, Helge Krohn, who like his son represented Norway in the international field.

Rounding out the field was Los Locos. Its roster consisted of Grand-Am driver Jordan Taylor, Ken Johnson and Marcelo Daucourt.

The Best Friends Animal Society operates one of the biggest no-kill animal sanctuaries in the United States and offers outreach programs throughout the country, including Florida. Vicki Kilmer-Rinker made the trip from Best Friends' headquarters in Utah to represent the charity.

Michelle and Eddie Kish and Jonny Baker of Andersen RacePark organized the event, which was very well received. They thanked everyone for attending, and said they hope to do it again next year with an even bigger turnout of both participants and fans.

For more information see andersenracepark.com and bestfriends.org.

Andersen RacePark is home to Andersen Racing's karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams, which are sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. It is also home to a sister company, Andersen Promotions, which administers the newly revived USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. USF2000, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights will all be in action at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend in support of the IZOD IndyCar Series headliner.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights.

A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. It is part of both the Indy Racing League's Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development system.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.

Palmetto, Fla.-Based Andersen Racing Will Have Big Presence at St. Pete Grand Prix; Team Focuses on Developing Future Stars

ekish — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:33:00 GMT

One of Its Six Drivers Competing at St. Pete is Local;
Two Others Live in Key Biscayne and Miami

PALMETTO, Fla., March 24 - Andersen Racing, which is based at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla., will have five Star Mazda cars and one Firestone Indy Lights car competing in support races during the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend. The team's principals will be overseeing 13 other race cars competing in two other races on the street course in that Florida city this weekend too, as a sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda.

It's all part of the team's mission to provide the best training possible for young people who want to make careers as professional race car drivers.

Andersen Racing's driver development system starts with karting. Andersen RacePark has its own 1-mile road course test track, where many local karters practice weekly. Others from around the country fly in for the karting camps that are held there periodically. The facility is also used for corporate karting programs to build teamwork and camaraderie, and karting parties just for fun.

Members of the public don't have to have any equipment or prior experience in order to participate in events like the charity kart enduro that will be held at the track, located at 10101 U.S. Highway 41 North, this afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a $150 donation (plus tax) to the Best Friends Animal Society, members of the public can join three-driver teams and race with some of the drivers who will be competing at St. Pete this weekend. Admission to watch the event is a $20 donation (plus tax) to the not-for-profit animal welfare organization.

Andersen Racing has regional, national and even international karting teams too. Last weekend six karters (Andrew Palmer, Andy Dunne, R.C. Enerson, Jeremy Kane, Mitchel StCin and Michael McCarthy) represented the team in a Florida Winter Tour event at the Ocala Gran Prix in Ocala. The team's director of competition karting, Wes Phillips, is currently in France competing in the first round of the Euro Challenge as part of the team's new international program.

After karting, the next step on the Andersen Racing ladder is the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. The team's owners, brothers Dan and John Andersen, used to administer this series in the 1990s with much success. They were asked by the Indy Racing League to revive it as the first step on the sanctioning body's Road to Indy program. They agreed, and 13 drivers have signed up to compete in the series' season-opening doublerheader on the St. Petersburg street circuit at 12:20 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. The Andersens don't own any of those cars in order to circumvent any possible conflicts of interest, but they'll be watching them all carefully as they stage that series' races.

The USF2000 National Championship and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear are also steps in a driver development system supported by Mazda. The car manufacturer's MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Program offers
scholarships to the champions of the top class in both USF2000 and the Star Mazda series to help them advance up the ladder the following season.

The step after USF2000 is Star Mazda. Andersen Racing has five cars entered in the Star Mazda race scheduled to get off to a standing start at 11:50 a.m. Sunday at St. Petersburg. One of them will be driven by the current point leader, Tristan Vautier of Corence, France, who won the season opener last Friday at Sebring, Fla. in car No. 38.

Another Andersen Racing driver, Anders Krohn of Norway, who now lives in Houston, smashed the track record at Sebring to win the pole for that race in his No. 47.

A third Andersen Racing driver, Mikael Grenier of Stoneham, Quebec, started right alongside him in a car that carries the same number as his age, 17.

Court Vernon of Key Biscayne, Fla. had mechanical difficulties at Sebring but he'll be looking for better luck at St. Pete in the Andersen Racing No. 27.

Dom Bastien of West Palm Beach, Fla. drove the Andersen Racing No. 81 Star Mazda car at Sebring, but he's not signed up to do this weekend's race. That car will be driven at St. Pete by another Florida driver, 19-year-old Nick Andries of Pinellas Park. Andries is a freshman and President's List scholar at St. Petersburg College, where he is studying mechanical engineering. He'll be making his first start with the team and his first start in the Star Mazda series.

Another driver who will be making her first start with the team and in a series new to her is Carmen Jorda, who will drive the Andersen Racing No. 4 in the Firestone Indy Lights race at 12:45 p.m. Sunday. She's from Alcoy, Spain, but she lives in Miami when she's in the States, and she's really looking forward to tackling the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course for the first time.

If that's not all, the Andersen brothers will also be keeping their eyes on graduates of their program who will be competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series headliner Sunday at 3:45 p.m. Graham Rahal (No. 67), who won that race in 2008 and sat on the pole here in 2009, drove Star Mazda cars for Andersen Racing in 2005, and Mario Romancini (No. 34) won two Firestone Indy Lights races for the team last year. Dan Wheldon (No. 4) also competed in the earlier edition of the USF2000 series when the Andersens promoted it in the past.

For more information on Andersen Racing, which is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp., see andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is
one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States.
Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion
building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than
200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and
warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from
residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured
stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information
see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training
possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing
partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most
prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple
entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone
Indy Lights.

A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the USF2000 National
Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. It is part of
both the Indy Racing League's Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED
Motorsports driver development system.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. The team is
headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla.
that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see
andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.Type your content here...

Andersen Racing's Karting Team Expands To Offer International Program

ekish — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:48:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., March 22 - The American Formula 1 team may not be in action at the moment, but Andersen Racing has formed a formal alliance with Kalman Motorsport of Hungary so the team will have a solid presence in the European karting community as well as in the United States.

Today Andersen Racing's director of competition karting, Wes Phillips, is on his way to Salbris, France in order to race in the first round of the 2010 Euro Challenge there March 24-28. He plans to have other American karters with him to compete in other rounds of that series May 26-30 in Wackersdorf, Germany; July 14-18 at Speedworld in Austria and Sept. 1-5 in Genk, Belgium under Andersen Racing's new international karting program, an expansion of the team's already popular corporate, regional and national karting programs.

"Having a Rotax European karting team based in the United States and consisting of American karters has been a goal for Andersen Racing's karting program, and now it is a reality," Phillips said. "We also plan to host international drivers in the United States-based Rotax Pan-American Challenge," he said.

Phillips, who has competed in numerous international karting events in the past, can provide the experience needed by American karters making the foray into international competition. The team, which is based at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla., is also well equipped to handle the myriad of details that European drivers need should they decide to race in America.

"When I first started competing internationally, I didn't know what I needed to do to prepare for each event," Phillips said. "I was stressed before I even got to the track, which took away some of my energy and didn't allow me to focus solely on the races themselves. With this program, drivers can sign on with Andersen Racing and have most of the details already taken care of. We can handle licensing, booking, registration and even flights for American drivers wishing to compete in Europe and European drivers wishing to compete in America."

Phillips added that Andersen Racing's international karting squad is not limited to its current roster of karters. "We have already had drivers commit to multiple rounds of this international program, so space could become limited," Phillips added.

For more information contact Eddie Kish, manager of Andersen RacePark, by telephone at (941) 723-3900 or by e-mail at eddie@andersenkarting.com, or e-mail Phillips at wes@andersenracingteam.com.

For more information on Andersen Racing's professional karting team, see andersenkarting.com. For more information on Andersen RacePark, see andersenracepark.com.

Andersen Racing, which strives to be the best development team for up-and-coming racers in the world, also fields cars in the Star Mazda Championship and Firestone Indy Lights, making it uniquely qualified to take a karter though the recognized steps in the Road to Indy development program in order to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series.

The team's sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the first step on the Indy Racing League's Road to Indy program, the USF2000 National Championship. More information on those programs can be found at andersenracingteam.com and usf2000.com.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured
stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights.

A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda. It is part of both the Indy Racing League's Road to Indy program and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports driver development system.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenkarting.com, andersenracepark.com and usf2000.com.

Andersen RacePark - Florida Karting Championships Review

ekish — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:45:00 GMT

Andersen Racing personnel have driven race cars, fielded race cars in many different series, won championships, administered racing series, hosted corporate karting events, run a pro karting shop and conducted training camps for race car drivers. Now the group can add track promoter to its long list of racing accomplishments, as it successfully hosted the first round of the Florida Karting Championships recently at Andersen RacePark, its headquarters in Palmetto, Fla.

"We've staged races as a series administrator before and we run weekly karting test sessions at Andersen RacePark, but this was our first true race as a track promoter," said Michelle Kish, director of operations for Andersen Racing. "We had some rain and cold weather to deal with like all track promoters do eventually, but the whole thing came off without a hitch. I knew we had good people, but I was truly surprised that there really wasn't any major issue that came up. It was awesome!"

"I think we were ready for a lot of the challenges that came up, like the weather on Saturday morning," said her husband, Eddie Kish, Andersen RacePark's manager. "We have one of the hardest-working and dedicated staffs around, so any little issues that may have come up were dealt with quickly. Michelle; Jonny Baker; Roger Morisette and his wife, Angela, and Anders Krohn did a great job.

"I think we provided the racers with a great track, having made some last-minute improvements to the facility," added Eddie Kish, who drove in the event too, finishing tenth in the TAG Seniors final. "A new concrete runoff in Turn 1 allowed for some mistakes that in the past would have ended a competitor's race."

For the record, Nick Rickert took the lead on lap seven and went on to win the 12-lap TAG Seniors final by six-tenths of a second over Greg Gleisner and James Perkins during the two-day event that attracted over 220 entries and about 425 people. The 0.55-mile configuration of the 1-mile road course test track was used for the event, which featured qualifying, a pre-final and a final for 20 different classes.

What lessons were learned?

"Parking was tight and we used all available areas for cars and pit spots," Eddie Kish said. "We will definitely be able to streamline this for next time to allow for more competitors and spectators.

"I would also like to give the spectators some more places to see the action and add some bleachers to give them a place to sit," he added. "We recently fenced off the hill in the hairpin and the last turn, which provided a great place to watch the entire track."

Andersen RacePark, a member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, strives to be a positive member of the community. "Plenty of neighbors stopped by to check it out, and all the feedback was very, very positive," Michelle Kish said. "It was great to see the facility being used the way it should be used. Everyone seemed to love it. We got no real complaints. I was very proud of Eddie and our team of people."

"The highlight of the event for me was finally seeing a race here at the track," her husband said. "We have worked very hard since taking over the facility to have an event. The response from the racers and the series was overwhelmingly positive. It was also great to see Seldon Whispel, our oldest karter and a regular at Andersen RacePark, to go out and compete in the Shifter class at age 73!"

One attendee who was not missed with an alligator who used to frequent a holding pond on the property. "We haven't seen him in at least six months, probably more!" Michelle Kish said.

Speaking of animals, Andersen RacePark will host a charity kart event for the Best Friends Animal Society next Wednesday, March 24. Watch for more news on this in the coming days.

"We're working with Manatee County and the local community, and we look forward to holding a Florida Karting Championship Series event in 2011 too," Eddie Kish said. "We're also looking to add a few more smaller race dates.

"In addition to the charity race next Wednesday and weekly open testing, we have lots of different options for anyone looking to come karting at ARP," he added. "We have monthly endurance races and a weekly league in our concession karts. We can also host private and corporate parties."

For more information on Andersen RacePark, see andersenracepark.com. For more information on Andersen Racing's professional karting team, see andersenkarting.com. For more information on Andersen Racing, see andersenracingteam.com.

Andersen Racing, which is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp., has five cars competing in Round 1 of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla. this Friday. They will be driven by Anders Krohn, Mikael Grenier, Tristan Vautier, Dom Bastien and Court Vernon. Andersen Racing's karting team will also be in action during the Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max Challenge this weekend at the Ocala Gran Prix course in Ocala, Fla. with drivers Andrew Palmer, Andy Dunne, R.C. Enerson, Jeremy Kane and Michael McCarthy.

Next weekend the team will have five Star Mazda cars (driven by Krohn, Grenier, Vautier, Vernon and Nick Andries) and one Firestone Indy Lights car (driven by Carmen Jorda) competing at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the street course in that city. The racing team's sister company, Andersen Promotions, will also administer the first two rounds of the USF2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda during the St. Petersburg event next weekend.

Andersen Racing's Karters Prepare for Winter Action

ekish — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:19:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., Nov. 5 - Andersen Racing's competition karting team is building on its accomplishments this summer, testing at its home base of Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla., and gearing up for a busy season of winter karting action in Florida and abroad.

Wes Phillips, the team's director of competition karting, has a limited number of spots available for drivers wishing to join the team for the winter competition. He also has increased expectations for the team's current roster of drivers based on the promise they've shown over the summer.

Andersen Racing's Dylan Lupton of Sacramento, Calif. wrapped up the TaG Junior championship in the Pro Kart Challenge at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. in late summer, while two other team drivers, Matthew Powers and Andy Dunne, were victorious in local divisions. Powers, of Danville, Calif., won a race in the NorCal Rotax series, while Dunne, of Chicago, won races in the MRP South Bend Rotax series.

"Dylan will race in the hotly contested TaG Junior division at the SKUSA! Supernationals [at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nov. 18-22,] and looks poised for a great start in the Florida Winter Tour in Rotax Junior," Phillips said. "Matthew and Andy will both be a team force this winter."

The team will utilize its own 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters at Andersen RacePark to prepare for the 2010 season. It will conduct extensive testing of Birel's 2010 frame line there in the coming weeks. Andersen RacePark will also be the site of a competition karting camp Dec. 18-22.

Andersen Racing is also expected to be in action at the karting event that is held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry trade show at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday night, Dec. 10.

That event will be a tune-up for the team's first major point event of the winter, Daytona Kartweek, Dec. 28-30 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The team will then pursue the complete Florida Winter Tour (FWT) in multiple Rotax and TaG classes. The FWT is one of the longest-running and largest sprint kart racing series in the Americas, and the largest official Rotax Max Challenge Series in the world. This year's FWT averaged 578 entries per month, including drivers from 28 different countries, 28 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, and featured cash purses and awards exceeding $140,000.

The 12th annual FWT will begin Jan. 8-10 (Formula Kart) and Jan. 15-16 (Rotax Max Challenge) at the Orlando Kart Center in Orlando, Fla. The action then moves to Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla. on Feb. 12-14 (Formula Kart) and Feb. 19-21 (Rotax Max Challenge). The final stop is the Ocala Grand Prix in Ocala, Fla. on March 19-21 (Rotax Max Challenge) and March 26-28 (Formula Kart).

Phillips also hinted that some international dates are being contemplated.

"In an effort to raise the bar for our staff and drivers, we're looking to construct a small international karting division," he said. "More

information will be released on that when it becomes available."

Drivers seeking information on the team's open seats and other karting matters can telephone (941) 723-3900 or send an e-mail to

info@andersenkarting.com. Information on the team's karting camp Dec. 18-22 at Andersen RacePark can also be obtained through those avenues.

Andersen Racing's karting team's Web site is at andersenkarting.com.

Andersen RacePark's Web site is at andersenracepark.com.

Andersen Racing offers programs in karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights in an effort to provide the most comprehensive training program available in open-wheel racing. More information on the team's open-wheel racing cars can be found at andersenracingteam.com. In addition, a Web site outlining the new USF2000 series being organized by Andersen Promotions can be

found at usf2000.com.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured

stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenracepark.com and andersenkarting.com.

Andersen Racing to Host Karting Camp Dec. 18-22 At Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla.

ekish — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:29:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., Nov. 4 - December usually brings to mind shopping sprees and holiday parties rather than camps.
Judging from the initial response by young karters, however, Dec. 18-22 is the perfect time to hone their skills at a special competition karting camp presented by Andersen Racing at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, Fla.

The dates were set to take advantage of many schools' winter breaks while not conflicting with Christmas. The location is already perfect, since the camp will be held at Andersen RacePark's test track centrally located between
St. Petersburg and Sarasota in the Sunshine State.

Building on the phenomenal success of Andersen Racing's first competition karting camp this summer, the team's instructors have developed a unique curriculum for the winter camp designed to fulfill each camper's needs.

"Returning drivers will encounter a new set of challenging drills, while drivers new to the Andersen Racing environment will benefit from an experience that is sure to advance their skills," said Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing's
director of competition karting.

"The camp includes both classroom and on-track sessions," added Jonny Baker, Andersen Racing's director of driver development. "We'll have braking drills, practice sessions, sessions on passing with and without defensive
moves, and sessions specifically covering race starts and qualifying. We'll discuss on-board telemetry and give each participant hand-on experience with kart maintenance."

Physical training will be covered too.

"We have a beach run and a swimming session built into the program, and we also have downtime set aside for a visit to one of the local theme parks," added Eddie Kish, Andersen RacePark's track manager.

All the previous instruction will be used on the final day of the camp.

"The final day we'll have a simulated race, with morning practice sessions, qualifying, heats and a main event," Kish added.

Transportation to and from area airports and lodging is included in the costs for young out-of-town campers.

For more information, telephone (941) 723-3900 or send an e-mail to info@andersenkarting.com. Andersen Racing's karting team's Web site is at andersenkarting.com, while Andersen RacePark's Web site is at andersenracepark.com.

Andersen Racing offers programs in karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights in an effort to provide the most comprehensive training program available in open-wheel racing. More information on the team's open-wheel racing
cars can be found at andersenracingteam.com. In addition, a Web site outlining the USF2000 series administered by Andersen Promotions can be found at usf2000.com.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion
building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from
residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most
prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and
provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500
winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenracepark.com and andersenkarting.com.

Andersen Racing's Karters Are Accomplishing a Great Deal Both on the Road and at Home

ekish — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:28:12 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., Aug. 12 — While Andersen Racing’s drivers in Firestone Indy Lights and the Star Mazda championship presented by Goodyear have been garnering headlines, the team’s new karting division has also been busy both on the road and at Andersen RacePark, the 1-mile road course test track at the team headquarters in Palmetto, Fla.

Andersen Racing offers corporate karting programs, karting camps and test sessions, and also competes in karting events in both Florida and on the national level as part of its first step in the development of professional race car drivers. Sponsored by Allied Interior Products and Lafarge North America, the team is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which has extensive experience in both IndyCar Series and professional sports car racing.

Pro Kart Team Is Busy on the Road

Andersen Racing’s professional karting team is in the midst of eight straight weeks of back-to-back karting events across the nation according to Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing’s director of competition karting and one of its drivers.

Phillips, of American Canyon, Calif., posted victories in both Rotax DD2 and Senior classes at Michiana Raceway in South Bend, Ind., at the beginning of July at an event that attracted some of the most competitive Rotax fields in the country. Then it was immediately off to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., where the team’s Andrew Novich of Novato, Calif. also posted competitive results in TaG Rotax.

With barely enough time to let the tires cool, Andersen Racing headed to Norman, Okla., for the second annual Rotax Summer Shootout. Andersen Racing drivers Matt Powers of Danville, Calif.; Jacob Mottaz of San Ramon, Calif.; Ethan Low of Clearwater, Fla., and Phillips used it as a test in preparation for a return Sept. 14-19 for the Rotax Grand Nationals. “The Shootout gave us the data we need nearly two months in advance,” Phillips said, adding “Swedetech power and the technical partnership we have with MRP Motorsport will also help us as we prepare for the Nationals.”

Dylan Lupton of Elk Grove, Calif., represented Andersen Racing at the IKF Two-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals in Reno, Nev., on the same weekend. While Andersen Racing's star junior driver struggled in HPV2, he bounced back in TaG Junior for a pre-final win. He looked poised for a podium finish in his main event until he was forced to drop out after an incident.

In a third event that weekend, Novich represented the team in the NorCal Rotax Series at Infineon. He led the final in Rotax Senior until two drivers slipped by. “It was a good result for Andrew, as the NorCal Rotax series has seen very competitive senior fields all year,” Phillips said. “He did very well and he should be very proud of how far he has come.”

Novich is also competing in the Jetta TDI Cup this season, and has already posted top-10 results with no prior car racing experience.

With two weekends left in July, Andersen Racing flew equipment and personnel back to its headquarters in Florida for the final round of the Florida Kart Championship Series at Monticello Karting and Motor Club in Monticello, Fla.

Team driver Eddie Kish of Palmetto, Fla. earned the Rotax Senior championship in the five-race series, which was an impressive result given he is a rookie. Kish, who is also Andersen RacePark’s track manager, will now go down in the record books as the driver who gave Andersen Racing’s new karting team its first championship ever. The series was contested at five different Florida venues beginning at Homestead-Miami Speedway in February and ending at Monticello July 24-26.

“I want to thank Andersen Racing and Wes Phillips for making it possible,” said Kish, who despite being a rookie has already learned the importance of thanking his benefactors in victory lane. “I drove an ’09 Birell RY30, which are available for sale at Andersen RacePark.”
Team driver Austin Miles of St. Petersburg, Fla. improved on past performances to finish third in TaG Senior in the same series, attributing some of his recent success to a new Swedetech TaG package.

“I finished third in two of the races, which helped me sew up third in the championship,” said Miles, who has been karting for seven years and works as a kart mechanic at Andersen RacePark. “There were over 20 people in my division. I drove an ’08 Birel R31.”

With the Florida summer karting season now complete, Andersen Racing’s drivers are now gearing up for the SKUSA Supernationals and the Florida Winter Tour.

At Home at Andersen RacePark

Back home in Palmetto, Fla., Andersen RacePark’s new karting pro shop has proven to be very popular, area karters are enjoying honing their skills during open testing, and the facility hosted its first-ever karting summer camp at the end of July. Organized by Phillips, Kish and the team’s director of driver development, Jonny Baker, the camp was extremely well received, and plans are already underway for similar offerings in the future.

The campers included three 9-year-olds: Christian Cole of Palmetto, Fla.; Sasha Brun-Wibaux of Bradenton, Fla., and Michael McCarthy of Clearwater, Fla. There was plenty of interest from teens too, as three other campers were Andrew Palmer, 15, of Chicago; Andy Dunne, 15, of Westmont, Ill., and Taylor Tzouanakis, 16, of Wauconda, Ill.

The campers received instruction on many different areas of racing during their five-day stay, including on-track action, classroom theory and philosophy. They received an overview of Andersen Racing’s formula car programs, and even relaxed with a quick trip to a local theme park.

"Everybody at the camp was extremely nice,” said Dunne. “I learned a lot while I was there. I learned a lot of driving techniques, as well as how to be more efficient while working on my go-kart."

"It was the perfect camp for an aspiring driver,” added Palmer. “I learned some of the most valuable driving tips I will ever learn. This camp showed me how a true race team operates and how to climb the racing ladder. The camp also had the perfect balance of fun and learning. I couldn't have
asked for more.”

“I was unsure about trying to wake up a group of teenage boys for physical training at 5 a.m. nearly every morning, and then keeping them at the track after driving for chassis preparation and more physical training, but it worked remarkably well," Phillips said.

Andersen Racing is already planning more camps in the future aimed at training drivers in racing tactics and techniques.

For more information, please see andersenracingteam.com, andersenracepark.com and andersenkarting.com.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.
About the Lafarge Group:

The Lafarge Group is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: cement, aggregates and concrete, and gypsum. With 83,000 employees in 78 countries, the Group posted sales of 19.0 billion Euros in 2008.

Lafarge North America Inc. (“Lafarge North America” or "Lafarge"), a Lafarge Group company, is the largest diversified supplier of construction materials in the United States and Canada.

In 2009 and for the fifth year in a row, the Lafarge Group was listed in the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.” With the world’s leading building materials research facility, the Lafarge Group places innovation at the heart of its priorities, working for sustainable construction and architectural creativity.

For more information about Lafarge North America, go to lafarge-na.com or contact
Louise Muth, director of external communications, at (703) 480-3707.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in three different platforms: karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on VERSUS). In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing won the team championship for 2008 for both the F2000 Championship Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Two of its drivers finished first and second in the F2000 driver point standings, while another was sixth. Three of its Star Mazda drivers placed third, fifth and sixth in that series' driver standings. RLR/Andersen Racing finished sixth in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights team standings, while one of its drivers placed fifth in that series' driver point standings.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com, andersenracepark.com and andersenkarting.com.

Andersen Racing's Pro Kart Team Is Off to a Good Start

mandersen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:29:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., April 23 - While two RLR/Andersen Racing drivers compete in Firestone Indy Lights at Kansas Speedway and three more Andersen Racing drivers do their best in Star Mazda action at VIRginia International Raceway, the Palmetto, Fla.-based team's pro kart operation will also be in action this weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

Dylan Lupton of Elk Grove, Calif. will represent the start of Andersen Racing's new pro kart team in the TaG Junior division in the Stars of Karting West round this weekend after appearing at the same track last weekend during the second round of the Infineon Pro Kart Challenge.

Louie Pagano of Camarillo, Calif. (Birel RX30) won the TaG Junior main event last weekend under the Andersen Racing banner, using lapped traffic to his advantage and even exchanging the lead with another competitor a number of times. Lupton didn't finish that main event due to a component failure on his carburetor but he did place third in the HPV-2 Junior main event despite additional carburetion issues.

"I was excited to see how well Louie and Dylan got along on the track," said Wes Phillips, Andersen Racing's director of competition karting. "They drove with clockwork precision when it counted, and if not for mechanical maladies to his kart, I believe that Dylan would have stood alongside Louie on the winner's podium. They are still very young and like us all they make mistakes from time to time, but their core driving talents are strong. That's what Andersen Racing will build on for increased success."

Earlier this month five Andersen Racing karters competed in the first round of the Northern California Rotax Challenge at Infineon. Team drivers Matthew Powers of Danville, Calif. (Birel RY30) and Jacob Mottaz of San Ramon, Calif. (Birel RY30) were entered in the premier class, Rotax Senior. With just 40 minutes to get acclimated to their new chassis, Powers went on to finish sixth in the main event despite power valve issues. The highlight of Mottaz's weekend was fourth place and the fastest lap in the pre-final. A third Andersen Racing driver, Andrew Novich of Novato, Calif. (Birel RX32) also managed a top-10 finish for valuable championship points.

In Rotax Junior that weekend, Lupton (Birel RY30) led the way for the team by finishing second in his main event, the first driver across the line with a non-2009 Rotax Junior motor. Teammate Conor Ford of Carson City, Nev. (Birel RX30) finished sixth despite motor gremlins.

Sponsored by Allied Interior Products and Lafarge North America, Andersen Racing strives to be the best development team anywhere. It offers programs in karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing. It has its own 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters in Palmetto, Fla. For more information, see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique, four-step program utilizing multiple entries in four different platforms: karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on VERSUS). In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing won the team championship for 2008 for both the F2000 Championship Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Two of its drivers finished first and second in the F2000 driver point standings, while another was sixth. Three of its Star Mazda drivers placed third, fifth and sixth in that series' driver standings. RLR/Andersen Racing finished sixth in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights team standings, while one of its drivers placed fifth in that series' driver point standings.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which competes in the American Le Mans Series. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.

Andersen Racing Leads the Way Again By Establishing Unprecedented Testing Program For Qualified Karters and Formula Car Drivers

mandersen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:26:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., April 15 - Career-minded karters poised to advance to race cars and current formula car drivers wishing to hone their skills and display them to one of the leading open-wheel development teams in North 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 under the direction of key team personnel in one-, two- or three-day formats at Andersen RacePark, the team's 1-mile road course test track in Palmetto, Fla.

The program provides serious young racers with concentrated seat time and instruction that will be beneficial regardless of which series in which they decide to compete. It is particularly excellent for those attempting to secure an $80,000 Formula BMW scholarship being offered towards that series in Europe. The team will also use it to evaluate driver talent for its own North American pro karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams.

In the recommended three-day program, on Day 1 drivers will learn the proper techniques for upshifts, downshifts, blipping, left-foot braking, brake pedal modulation and stopping distances for a Formula BMW race car while maintaining proper lines and consistency from lap to lap.

Day 2 will focus on an introduction to data acquisition, how to outline a track map, how to make the most of in-car camera feedback, and tips on relaying information to engineers and mechanics.

Systematic chassis changes will be undertaken on Day 3 to explain how each change affects the car's balance. Wing and roll bar sweeps; camber, shock and spring sweeps; and ride height and rake adjustments will be covered. Race weekend sessions will be simulated, and driver-crew communication skills will be developed further with aids like team debriefing sheets, video data feedback and tips on getting the most benefits possible from driver coaches.

Participants will also have the option to add two more days to their testing program as extra lapping days to refine the skills they learned in the first three days. These additional days can occur at either Andersen RacePark or at other Florida facilities. Dates for all the different formats can occur year-round but are determined on an individual basis.

Prices start at $3,000 per day at Andersen RacePark and include the use of a current Formula BMW race car; one set of new tires; fuel; normal wear and tear on the car; an engineer; crew chief and driver coach. All crash damage or damage deemed by the team to be the driver's fault will be the responsibility of the driver. Current Formula BMW drivers who wish to 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 an individual basis.

"As a team whose main goal is driver development, this new program in a current Formula BMW race car is exactly what many young drivers need as they hone their skills and move up racing's ladder," said team co-owner Dan Ande rsen. "We have intentionally kept the costs down to be able to offer this to as many people as possible. Since we have our own test track and our own professional karting, Formula BMW, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams, we are in a unique position to provide training and seat time to drivers who could someday become a member of one of our pro teams."

For more information on the Formula BMW testing program, contact Jonny Baker, the team's talent scout, at (941) 723-3900, extension 306.

Sponsored by Allied Interior Products and Lafarge North America, Andersen Racing is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing.

The team's Web site is located at andersenracingteam.com. Information on the team's 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters can be found online at andersenracepark.com.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique, four-step program utilizing multiple entries in four different platforms: karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on VERSUS). In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing won the team championship for 2008 for both the F2000 Championship Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Two of its drivers finished first and second in the F2000 driver point standings, while another was sixth. Three of its Star Mazda drivers placed third, fifth and sixth in that series' driver standings. RLR/Andersen Racing finished sixth in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights team standings, while one of its drivers placed fifth in that series' driver point standings.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which competes in the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.

Andersen Racing Announces Major Expansion of Its Karting Program; Names Wes Phillips as Its New Director of Competition Karting

mandersen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:23:00 GMT

PALMETTO, Fla., March 25 - Andersen Racing co-owner Dan Andersen announced today that the Palmetto, Fla.-based team is immediately expanding its karting operations to the national level, including participation in the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IndyCar Series, and has named noted karter Wes Phillips as its new director of competition karting.

Phillips, 28, was the Rotax national champion in 2005, and he's a multiple-time Rotax Max Americas team member. He's also a very respected coach, working with notable drivers such as Brett Smrz, Jacob Neal, Alexander Rossi and J.R. Hildebrand.

Phillips' karting business, The Circuit Group, which is based in American Canyon, Calif., will now come under the Andersen Racing umbrella, which includes karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights teams as well as the operation of Andersen RacePark, a 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters. It is the development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which competes in the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series.

"Wes Phillips joins us with an impressive resume as a driver, tuner, mechanic, prep shop operator and manager of his own kart operation," Andersen said.

"It is a natural progression for our race team to expand into the national karting scene, due to our continual search for career-minded, talented young drivers for our Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights pro teams," Andersen said. "With our own test track for training, and now an individual with Wes Phillips' experience, we will be much more in touch with tomorrow's open-wheel stars.

"Wes is a delight to watch as he mentors talented young karters, organizes team operations, and demonstrates, through his own driving skills and experience, how to race and win," Andersen added. "We are very pleased to add him to our team."

Although Phillips plans to compete in a few selected events himself, he said his immediate focus is to build a strong base of karting talent for Andersen Racing that will eventually feed into its formula car program, beginning with Formula BMW Americas.

"Andersen Racing strives to provide the best opportunities for its drivers," Phillips said. "With the support of its current infrastructure and its success in open-wheel competition, I believe Andersen Racing can become a nationally recognized karting team within a reasonable amount of time. We're all delighted to work with MRP Motorsport and Birel, and I hope to have the team at full capacity and running at 100 percent by the Rotax Grand Nationals in Norman, Okla., in August."

Phillips said that he may participate in the later half of this year's Rotax Euro Challenge, including an event in the Czech Republic and one in France.

Andersen Racing competed in this year's Florida Winter Tour, which concluded Sunday at the Ocala Gran Prix in Ocala, Fla. In addition to the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IndyCar Series, it plans to compete in selected World Karting Association and Rotax national events, as well as multiple regional and local series in Florida and California.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America.

The team's Web site is located at andersenracingteam.com. Information on the team's 1-mile road course test track at its headquarters can be found online at andersenracepark.com.

The 2009 schedule for the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IndyCar Series follows:

March 6-8, Ocala Gran Prix, Ocala, Fla. (East division)
April 24-26, Jim Russell Infineon Raceway Karting Center, Sonoma, Calif. (West division)
May 29-31, New Castle Motorsports Park, New Castle, Ind. (East and West divisions)
June 26-28, F1 New Jersey, Millville, N.J. (East division)
Aug. 7-9, Pacific Grand Prix, Kent, Wash. (West division)
Oct. 9-11, Oklahoma Motorsports Complex, Norman, Okla. (East and West division, Stars of Karting National Finals.
Dec. 10, PRI All-Stars Karting Classic, Orlando, Fla.

About Allied Building Products Corp.:

Allied Building Products Corp., headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the largest roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Founded in 1950 with five employees and two trucks, today it is a $1.8 billion building material distribution company with over 3,500 employees, more than 200 branches in 30 states, well over one million square feet of office and warehouse space, and an inventory of approximately 85,000 products, from residential roofing and siding to doors, windows, waterproofing, manufactured stone, interior products and commercial roofing systems. For more information see alliedbuilding.com.

About Andersen Racing:

Andersen Racing strives to provide the best and most comprehensive training possible for future open-wheel superstars while giving its marketing partners media exposure and hospitality opportunities at some of the most prestigious events in North America. It provides a unique, four-step program utilizing multiple entries in four different platforms: karting, Formula BMW Americas, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights (televised on VERSUS). In 2008 it fielded multiple entries in 42 races in 18 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andersen Racing won the team championship for 2008 for both the F2000 Championship Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Two of its drivers finished first and second in the F2000 driver point standings, while another was sixth. Three of its Star Mazda drivers placed third, fifth and sixth in that series' driver standings. RLR/Andersen Racing finished sixth in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights team standings, while one of its drivers placed fifth in that series' driver point standings.

Andersen Racing's principals, brothers Dan and John Andersen, have extensive experience in series administration as well as team management. They've worked with many of today's top open-wheel stars, including several Indy 500 winners.

Andersen Racing is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. and Lafarge North America. It is the official development team of Rahal Letterman Racing, which competes in the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series. The team is headquartered at Andersen RacePark, an 18-acre facility in Palmetto, Fla. that includes a 1-mile road course test track. For more information see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com.