Andersen Racing Signs Jorda

Move over Danica, here comes one hot Carmen Jorda

Andersen Racing is pleased to announce that it will field a car for 21-year-old Carmen Jorda of Alcoy, Spain in Firestone Indy Lights this year.

Jorda, who will be based in Miami while racing in the United States, competed in the European Formula 3 Open and the European Formula 3 Open Copa de España series last year. She had two podium finishes in the latter series, including a second at Magny-Cours, France. She also made three starts in the LMP2 class of the Le Mans Series in 2009.

She competed in Spanish Formula 3 and Spanish F3 Copa de España in 2007 and 2008, becoming the first female driver to record a podium finish in either Spanish F3 class.

She competed in Master Junior Formula in 2005 and 2006 after her racing career began in karts at age 11.

Jorda tested with Andersen Racing at both Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., and Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., recently.

Her first race as a member of the Palmetto, Fla.-based team will be March 28 on the street course at St. Petersburg, Fla.

"I'm really excited to be racing in America this year!" Jorda said. "Firestone Indy Lights provides a different challenge to what I am used to in Europe, but I am very much looking forward to the journey.

"Andersen Racing is fantastic!" she added. "I have really enjoyed working with my engineer, Walter Preston, and all of the team members. We still have some important tests coming up before the season gets underway in St. Petersburg, but I am confident we will be ready.

"All of the tracks will be new for me, but this is something which I have to deal with," she continued. "I am sure the experience of the team will help me on this front."

Jorda's goal is to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series and compete in the Indianapolis 500. "Racing at Indianapolis will be a highlight for me this year," she said, referring to the Firestone Freedom 100, a Firestone Indy Lights race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28 prior to the Indy 500. Jorda will celebrate her 22nd birthday that day.

"We're delighted to add Carmen to the Andersen Racing lineup for 2010,and we're expecting great things from her this season," said Dan Andersen, who owns the team with his brother, John. "She clearly demonstrated her commitment and focus at the two recent tests. She showed excellent speed at the Sebring test last week, and lowered her times in each session. She has what is needed to excel in that she brings talent and a willingness to listen and learn, and we know she will surprise a lot of Firestone Indy Lights observers this year."

Jorda follows in the path of Brazil's Mario Romancini, who won two races in Firestone Indy Lights with Andersen Racing in 2009 prior to moving up to the IZOD IndyCar Series this year, and the reigning Firestone Indy Lights champion, Californian J.R. Hildebrand, who was a member of the team in 2008.

Andersen Racing, which is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp., competes in karting, Star Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights. A sister company, Andersen Promotions, administers the newly revived USF2000 National Championship, which is 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 March 27-28.

Funded drivers will be excited to learn that Andersen Racing still has some spots open for 2010 in its Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda and karting programs. It can also match funded drivers up with teams wishing to compete in the USF2000 National Championship.