Andersen Racing relocating to Florida
The team purchased Group Four Test Track in Palmetto, Fla., and will rename the facility Andersen Race Park.
The 18-acre facility is 15 minutes from St. Petersburg and includes an 8,000-square-foot shop that will be the new home of the team's Indy Pro Series, Star Mazda and F2000 cars. Two dozen additional garages are also located adjacent to pit lane. The facility also features a 1-mile road course.
The track is already a favorite of kart racers, other teams in various series that wish to conduct private test sessions and amateurs participating in formula car "arrive-and-drive" programs.
Team co-owner Dan Andersen said that the purchase makes sense on many levels for the team, which has been fielding multiple entries in the Indy Pro Series, the Star Mazda series and the F2000 Championship from its headquarters in Fairfield, N.J.
"We can now consolidate our three teams in one building," Andersen said. "The shop space is perfect for our needs, and I can see our efficiency as a team increasing greatly. The Indy Pro Series team is already operating out of the facility. Our F2000 team will relocate there next, probably in late November, followed by the Star Mazda team in early January."
Andersen is most excited, however, about the synergies that may develop from the karters who already test there, since Andersen Racing's mission is to provide one solid home and the best training available for future open-wheel stars.
"We're excited about this acquisition, as it fits our team's vision perfectly," he said. "Young karters at our facility will be exposed to our three race teams, which will give them access to our personnel in an almost campus atmosphere. On the other side of the coin, our people will be able to observe first-hand karting talent at Andersen Race Park for possible future driver openings. We feel Andersen Race Park will benefit everyone."