Yacaman joins Team Moore for 2011
He's found the team he thinks can bring him wins and the championship.
The 19-year-old Colombian announced Dec. 1 that he has signed with Team Moore Racing for the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season where he will be team with noted race engineer Lee Dysktra.
"I believe with all that I learned last year, I am ready to take on the championship," Yacaman said. "Lee Dykstra will be a very important piece this year. (Both my dad and I) believe he is one of the best, if not the best engineer out there, in combination with Team Moore Racing being one of the neatest and most detailed teams in the field. I am looking forward to testing in January and to start working on a really good car to make it as close to perfect as we possibly can."
Despite being the youngest driver in the field in each of his two seasons in Firestone Indy Lights, Yacaman has shown the potential to be a front runner. He scored his first podium in the series at Toronto in 2010 and scored twice as many top-five finishes (four) than he had as a rookie.
We are very happy to sign Gustavo to our team," said team co-owner Tom Wood. "He has really matured as a race car driver in the last couple of years in the Firestone Indy Lights. We feel this will be his year to be a contender for the championship."
Dysktra, who returns to Team Moore Racing for a second consecutive season, has scored wins in Firestone Indy Lights with Frank Perera, James Davison and James Hinchcliffe. Under his tutelage, Davison and Hinchcliffe notched runner up finishes in the championship. He said he's looking forward working with Yacaman.
"TMR is well organized and ready to build on the season we had in 2010," Dykstra said. "Having a car and driver capable of winning on both oval and street circuits is a bonus. Working with Gustavo is another opportunity to provide engineering for a maturing young driver. He has the ability to be a serious contender this year."
Team Moore Racing co-owner Mark Moore said the signing of Yacaman is the first piece in building the foundation for a championship-winning organization in 2011.
"We have an extensive preseason testing program planned and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us before we compete on the streets of St. Pete in March," Moore said. "Having Gustavo on board and everyone in place this early with the same common goal is a huge advantage, which we plan to capitalize on throughout the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season."