2023 USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires

The newly rebranded USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires (formerly Indy Pro 2000) has served as a vital step on the career path of many of today’s top drivers. It is the third official step on the USF Pro Championships ladder. The series is sanctioned by USAC and owned and operated by Andersen Promotions.

Louis Foster, 19, from Basingstoke, England, driving for Exclusive Autosport captured the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 title and scholarship package valued at $614,425 to advance to Indy Lights in 2023.

HISTORY

USF Pro 2000’s roots date back to 1991 with the Star Mazda Championship, which ceased operation in 2012 after 22 years. Andersen Promotions founded what is now USF Pro 2000 in December of 2012 to replace the void left by Star Mazda. Graduates include Oliver Askew, Conor Daly, James Hinchcliffe, Sage Karam, Kyle Kirkwood, Patricio O'Ward, Graham Rahal and Rinus VeeKay as well as reigning Indy Lights champion Linus Lundqvist.

2023 PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS

The 2023 USF Pro 2000 champion will receive a scholarship valued at $664,500 to advance to INDY NXT in 2024 via the Discount Tire Driver Advancement Scholarship Program. Additional prize money and awards include the Cooper Tires Pole Award for each race as well as season-ending awards for Rookie of the Year, Championship Team, Mechanic of the Year, Hard Charger, Move of the Year and Spirit Award.

In total, the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires will distribute over $1.6M in prize money and awards.

2023 SCHEDULE - Nine Events/18 Races

Spring Training will take place at Sebring International Raceway on February 27-28, with the annual USF Pro Fall Combine taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in October of 2023. Six pre-event test days include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 11, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park May 25, Road America June 15, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course June 29, Circuit of The Americas August 24 and Portland International Raceway August 31.

SERIES PARTNERS

Cooper Tires, AMR INDYCAR Safety Team, Bell Helmets, Carl Haas Auto, Cosworth, Dynamic Suspensions, Elite Engines, Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, Hyperco, INDYCAR Ministry, Kids On Track, Lucas Oil School of Racing, PFC Brakes, RACER, Racing Communications, Rotiform, Sabelt, SimMetric Driver Performance Labs, Tatuus, Tilton, Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand, VP Racing Fuels

COVERAGE

Coverage of USF Pro 2000 will feature worldwide live streaming. Full race shows and highlight shows will be available on the series YouTube channel after each event.

CAR | ENGINE

Significant chassis enhancements took place in 2022 with new cars in USF Pro 2000 and USF2000. The Tatuus IP-22 in USF Pro 2000 and the USF-22 in USF2000 featured new advancements to extend competition life to at least 2027.

The 2022 upgrades included a new, wider monocoque with the addition of a Halo-type device as well as new sidepods, underfloor, engine cover, air ducts, damper covers and fuel cell.

The IP-22 is a full carbon composite and aluminum honeycomb monocoque manufactured by Tatuus Racing meeting current FIA 2020 GEN 1 with Halo-type device and safety standards including side impact panels, front and rear impact structures, HANS-compliant INDYCAR head restraint, front and rear wheel tethers, upgraded uprights and upgraded front bulkhead structure for USA specific oval racing circuits.

The 2.0-liter Mazda developed MZR-PM18A (250 HP) is prepared by Elite Engines, with a maximum torque of 190 ft. lbs. utilizing a fly-by-wire throttle system and Cosworth SQ6 engine management system.

The IP-22 utilizes the same base chassis as USF2000 and USF Juniors allowing drivers and teams to continue to advance up the world's most complete driver development system with a forward-thinking three-step concept.

VP is the Official Fuel of the USF Pro 2000 series.

TIRES

Slick/rain tires co-branded COOPER/USFPRO2000 as manufactured by Cooper Tires.

POINT SYSTEM

ROAD/STREET COURSES

7th............................... 14             14th.............................. 7

One additional point is awarded for pole position, most laps led and fastest race lap

OVALS

7th............................... 21             14th..............................11

One additional point is awarded for pole position, most laps led and fastest race lap

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Single car teams will receive three bonus points as an equivalency to multi-car teams. Only the two best results will count in the team championship for teams fielding more than two entries.

CURRENT TRACK RECORDS

+ = two lap average  

MILESTONES (Road to Indy Era 2010-2022):

PAST CHAMPIONS:

(*) Series switched from tube-frame cars to carbon-fiber cars in 2004.
(+) First season of unified national Star Mazda Championship series. From 1991 – 1999 the series crowned regional and oval-track champions.