Conquest Racing to test at Texas Motor Speedway
The test will be the first in an Indy car for the London born race car driver who has competed in Firestone Indy Lights the past two seasons. Mann made history in 2010 by becoming the first woman to qualify on pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy Lights Freedom 100.
"It feels like it has been an extremely long off season this winter, and I cannot wait to finally get back behind the wheel of a race car," said Mann. “We have been working exceptionally hard throughout the off-season on putting together a program for me to run in the IZOD IndyCar Series, and while our main focus has been on the Indy 500, we would obviously like to run as many of the 2011 races as is possible. We are most likely now looking at a full oval program, which will hopefully bridge the gap to a full-time drive in the series in 2012.
"The upcoming test will serve as my rookie test for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and also work as a good preparation for the program we are trying to put together. Eric Bachelart and Conquest Racing have been especially interested in what we are trying to achieve, and I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to drive one of their cars."
Mann has racing experience on both sides of the Atlantic – having competed in the World Series by Renault and the Firestone Indy Lights Series. She raced in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2007 and 2008, where she became the first female to start from pole, and score a championship point in the series.
“I’ve watched Pippa race in the Indy Lights series and she’s constantly progressed over the course of the two seasons. I’m pleased to be able to give her the opportunity to drive Indy cars for the first time and I can’t wait to see how she will perform behind the wheel of the Dallara. From a team perspective it will be a special moment as she will be the first woman to test with us. I’m looking forward to it," concluded Conquest Racing team owner Eric Bachelart.
In 2009, Mann competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series with Panther Racing, securing three top ten finishes during her debut year. The following season she moved to Sam Schmidt Motorsports with whom she inscribed her name in the Indianapolis history books.
That same year, despite breaking her hand during practice for the Toronto 100, Mann took her first Firestone Indy Lights victory just seven weeks later at Kentucky Speedway – where she led the race from start to finish. Mann scored three pole positions, four top five finishes, and a dominant win during the 2010 season, seeing the young Brit finish fifth in the driver's championship.