Photo: Gavin Baker Photography
Three of IndyCar’s feeder series will switch tyre supplier next year, with their promoter having signed a deal with Continental Tire.
It marks the end of a lengthy relationship with Cooper Tires (which was brought out by Goodyear in June 2021) who have not only supplied tyres to the three series but also been the title sponsor for many seasons.
Cooper’s first supply deal was with USF2000 back in 2010, the year that championship was revived after three years of inactivity. The USF Pro 2000 series above it (then known as Pro Mazda) was next to take on tyres from the American company, doing so in 2013 after previously being supplied by Goodyear.
USF Juniors, which sits below USF2000 and only had its inaugural season last year, has used Cooper’s tyres since its creation.
Anderson Promotions, responsible for all three series, announced that Continental Tire will become the “presenting partner” too which means they will assume other responsibilities currently held by Cooper such as funding the scholarship that helps the champion of each series to step up to the next level and the prize money given to drivers for taking pole position.
Their five-year deal starts in 2024, but teams will be provided the new tyres this November so they can be used for post-season testing.
“When the need arose for a change this year, Continental was the first company I reached out to,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions.
“My earliest tire provider in racing back in 1992 was Hoosier Racing Tires and they were a terrific partner for all those early years. They have always built high-quality products, made here in the USA, and with great trackside service so it was natural for me to reach out to their parent company, Continental Tire.
“I am very glad we were able to create this new partnership that I believe will help our USF Pro championships ladder programme grow even stronger. We have a lot of planning to do in the off-season as we look forward to many great years with Continental Tire.”