Indy Lights - Phil Giebler Hired As Driver Coach For Gustavo Yacaman

Indianapolis, Apr. 20, 2011: Phil Giebler has been hired by Firestone Indy Lights driver Gustavo Yacaman to be his driver coach for the rest of the season. They began working together at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, where Yacaman finished fourth Sunday.

“Phil has a lot of experience,” Yacaman said. “He’s raced all sorts of cars everywhere. It’s important to have the eyes Phil has. He’s done things that are pretty strong. It’s a big help.”

Giebler, of Huntington Beach, Calif., was the 2007 Indy 500 Chase Rookie of the Year. He’s won races in Indy Lights, French Formula 3 and French Formula Renault and stood on podiums for A1 Team USA in A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and Spanish F3. Giebler also drove in Formula 3000, then the highest level of he European Formula 1 development series, in four events in 2003 and scored points in two.

“Our relationship started really well,” Giebler said. “Gustavo just needs fine tuning and that’s where I come in, filling in the gaps. He’s receptive and it’s taking effect. I’m an extra set of eyes and understand what is going through his eyes. I can offer him a different approach to some things.”

Yacaman drives for Team Moore. At his request, Giebler was his race strategist at Long Beach.

“Gustavo wanted me on the radio and I had help from (team owner) Mark Moore and (engineer) Lee Dykstra,” Giebler said. “It’s the first time I’ve done it. There’s a lot going on.”

“Phil was good on the radio,” Yacaman said.

Giebler, 32, operates Phil Giebler Racing, a karting team based in Orange, Calif., that runs high-level national events