INDY LIGHTS: Dorricott Racing Announces 2001 Driver Lineup
30 November 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
TOWNSEND BELL RETURNS TO BE JOINED BY JON FOGARTY AND DAMIEN FAULKNER
SUNNYVALE, Calif.- Dorricott Racing confirmed today that it will campaign a three-car entry for its third consecutive year in the 2001 Dayton Indy Lights Championship with the announcement that 2000 Dayton Indy Lights Championship runner-up and Rookie-of-the-Year, Townsend Bell, of Costa Mesa, Calif., is returning to Dorricott Racing for his second season of Indy Lights competition.
Bell will be joined by highly regarded 2000 European Formula Palmer Audi (EFPA) champion Damien Faulkner, of Moville (County of Donegal), Ireland, and 2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series runner-up Jon Fogarty, of Portola Valley, Calif.
Faulkner and Fogarty join Dorricott Racing by virtue of two driver openings that occurred when Casey Mears, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Jason Bright, of Gold Coast, Australia, left the team to pursue their options in other professional motorsports series'.
Bell's rookie season in Indy Lights was distinguished by his consistency in finishing races and scoring points. Bell only failed to finish in the points twice last year. The two races where he failed to score was strictly due to another driver's negligence that took Bell victim.
The 25-year-old southern Californian piloted the Dorricott Racing-prepared No. 1 DirecPC Lola to eight top-five finishes including two victories at Mid-Ohio and St. Louis. Bell also collected two poles at Portland and St. Louis in scoring 146 points - just nine points off the championship total of 155 points. He was also second place overall in laps led with 114.
Bell's second place finish at California Speedway in the season finale earned him the winner-take-all $10,000 Bosch Platinum+4 Speedway Challenge with a total of 74 points accumulated during the season's oval track races. He clinched Rookie of the Year honors with his runner-up showing at Houston in round 11 of the 12-race series.
"I'm really happy to be back at Dorricott Racing for a second season of Indy Lights," said Bell. "I think we'll be even stronger next season and I'm excited to get started on our testing program."
In winning the 2000 European Formula Palmer Audi Championship, Faulkner became the Republic of Ireland's first European motor racing champion in 19 years. The 24 year-old Donegal resident was a dominant figure during the EFPA's 20-race season behind six wins and seven pole positions. He earned 12 podium finishes in all and claimed five track lap records. He also became the first driver in EFPA history to win two poles in a single weekend, and was the only driver take a double victory at a single circuit (Oulton Park, August 2000).
"I was very impressed by Damien's ability to quickly adapt to the Lights car power and weight," said team owner Bob Dorricott. "He has the tools and talent to make an immediate impact in Indy Lights besides being a great addition to the team."
Faulkner's racing roots are in karting which he began at age eight. He began racing professionally at the age of 17. Prior to racing in the EFPA championship, he competed in Britain in Formula Vauxhall Jr., Formula Ford, and Formula Renault.
"I have always said that I want to win races and challenge for a championship when I step up to the next level in 2001," said Faulkner. "I had an option in F3000 but as soon as I arrived at the Dorricott workshop and tested the car the decision was easy. I enjoyed testing both types of cars this off-season but in the end I felt that driving for Dorricott Racing in Indy Lights would provide the best career advancing opportunities.
"I'm very excited about racing with this team. Dorricott Racing is very professional and totally committed to achieving the highest grade. I obviously have much to learn with all the circuits being new to me, but the superspeedways will be undeniably interesting.
"I've had an excellent training school in F.P.A. and I thank Mr. Palmer for that. Now I am looking forward to winter testing in the California sunshine. My experience on this side of the Atlantic has been superb so far but the real exams begin in March. I'll work hard to be ready but I can't wait."
Fogarty, 25, finished in second place in the Barber Dodge Pro Series with three wins and 155 points. He was fourth place in Barber Dodge competition in 1999.
"This is definite career move in the right direction," said Fogarty. "I'm almost at a loss for words to describe how happy I am. This is a highly organized, well managed, and successful team. It's also great to return to a complete team oriented atmosphere. Racing in Barber Dodge prepared me to make this move and handle the level of talent and competition inherent to Indy Lights. The across-the-board competition and the showcase offered by Indy Lights makes Indy Lights the step you have to reach if you want to race at the highest levels of motorsport."
Race results, team, and sponsor information are available on Dorricott Racing's official web site, http://www.dorricottracing.com. The 2001 Dayton Indy Lights Championship opens its season at the Monterrey Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday, March 11, 2001.
Text Provided By James Hyneman
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