Pirelli adds Formula Lites to race program

(Formula Lites photos)

COHASSET, Mass. (May 13, 2015) — The nation's newest road racing series, Formula Lites, is gearing up for its inaugural season's first race May 29, with Pirelli Tire North America Inc. along for the ride.

Formula Lites, the brainchild of American motor racing veterans Dennis McCormack and Ryan Arciero, is being pitched as a “sensible” price-point opportunity for aspiring drivers to get into serious open-wheel road racing incorporating the latest technology and high-quality engineering.

The car itself, a Crawford FL-15, is designed and manufactured to the latest Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA) Formula 3 safety specs, the series organizers said, with a carbon-fiber monocoque mated to a 220-hp, 2.4-liter, 16-valve Honda 4-cylinder engine and a six-speed sequential gearbox featuring pneumatic paddle shifting.

(Formula Lites photos)

The turnkey/race-ready price is $120,900, according to the Formula Lites spec sheet. The organizers expect the car to fall between the Pro Mazda and Formula Atlantic in terms of performance, with a top speed of around 157 mph.

Crawford Composites L.L.C. of Denver, N.C., is building the car, with the technical support of Pirelli, Honda/HPD, PFC Brakes, Eibach Springs, Fikse Wheels, Bosch and Impact Race Products.

“We've been incredibly fortunate to have been surrounded by so much support so early in the growth of this concept,” said Mr. Arciero, Formula Lites managing co-partner and a multiple off-road race champion.

Dennis McCormack

“From our close relationship with Crawford Composites to corporate partners to the SCCA to some very enthusiastic teams and drivers, a growing Formula Lites family is laying a solid foundation for 2015 and beyond.”

The partners previewed the car and series concept last November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Since then Crawford Composites has completed 20 chassis, half of which have been sold and are being prepped for the season-opening race weekend May 29-30 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park near Thompson, Conn.

The Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) Pro division is sanctioning the series, which will comprise a dozen races over six race weekends. The season concludes Sept. 19-20 at MSR Houston in Angleton, Texas.

Ryan Arciero

Pirelli is supplying competitors with Formula 3-derived dry and wet-weather tires, sourced from the company's race tire plant in Turkey. The sizes are: front — 200/540-13, and rear — 250/575-13.

Sets of tires will cost $1,260. Each team/driver combo will be able to purchase two sets of new tires per event weekend and be allowed to bring one set of used tires from a previous event. The organizers will provide trackside tire/wheel services.

Mr. McCormack is a 43-year motorsports veteran, starting as a mechanic and eventually acting as team manager for a number of IndyCar teams. More recently he was program director for Volkswagen of American's Jetta TDI Cup series.

Formula Lites photo

Mr. Arciero is a multiple SCORE Baja Champion driver over the past 15 years who also drove in NASCAR's Super Truck Series.

The organizers have posted video of a recent test session on the Formula Lites website.

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