Star Mazda - Calderon Preps For Milwaukee Mile

Making her second start at the famous one-mile oval, the Derek Daly Academy driver looks to build on early season momentum

Noblesville, June 16, 2011: Tatiana Calderon, North America’s top female junior formula car driver, will look to make her mark at the second oval race of 2011 as the STAR Mazda Championship heads to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend. The 18-year-old resident of Bogotá, Colombia recently completed an outstanding test at the famous one mile oval as she set the fourth quickest lap amongst the series top drivers. Calderon, a member of the Derek Daly Academy, showed excellent speed at the first oval of the year held the night before the Indianapolis 500, all part of the Indy Car week long celebrations. Calderon currently sits tenth in the standings after three rounds, just two markers back of ninth and three back of a two-way tie for seventh.

“Tatiana is proving her overall speed in testing and during qualifying,” comments Derek Daly Academy founder Derek Daly. “Tatiana is working on her race performances including a change in her style for oval track racing.”

The three race oval portion of the STAR Mazda program began with “The Night Before 500” race held at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis, IN on May 28th. The second year STAR Mazda driver finished in ninth place, two laps down from the leaders. The series now heads back to the Milwaukee Mile for round two and then Iowa Speedway for the third and final oval race of the season. The Juncos Racing driver is making her second appearance at the Midwest track.

“The race at Lucas Oils Raceway on the Indy 500 weekend was good, but I know we can do much better,” comments Calderon from Indianapolis. “The car was excellent and with some changes in my driving style I really believe we can score well. Testing on this track went well and so I am really looking for a solid run.”

Calderon was able to hit the podium in round two of the 2011 season held at Barber Motorsports Park back in early April where she took third place. Calderon is the first female driver to hit the podium in STAR Mazda Championship history and she is looking to make a second trip this weekend in Milwaukee.