Formula Pro Lites reveals 2016 calendar

As the long cold days of winter make way to the promise of spring, the newly renamed Pirelli Formula Lites Championship Series today released its 2016 racing schedule in preparation for its second SCCA Pro Racing season. The news comes just days after Formula Lites organizers announced that the open-wheel series has secured title sponsorship from tire manufacturer Pirelli.

For 2016, series' participants can look forward to an expanded schedule that features a 16-race championship season comprised of eight separate race weekends. From the first weekend of May through the second weekend of October, Pirelli Formula Lites racers will compete in seven states at a variety of world-class professional and boutique tracks. In last year's inaugural season, the Honda-powered, Crawford Composites-sourced Formula Lites FL-15 cars began the series' legacy with six races, as 16-year-old Brazilian Vini Papareli took the first annual "Justin Wilson Series Champion" trophy.

"Any race series promoter will tell you one of the most crucial elements in long-term success is putting together great event schedules," said series Co-Managing Partner Dennis McCormack. "There needs to be just the right blend of sustainability and growth, especially when new teams and drivers are an important cornerstone to your business model. We feel our new 2016 Pirelli Formula Lites schedule offers that ideal balance."

The picturesque and challenging 2.54-mile circuit of Road Atlanta will play host to two stops on the 2016 Pirelli Formula Lites tour, including the season kickoff on May 6-7. On Sept. 17-18 the series' will return to Road Atlanta for the penultimate round of Formula Lites competition.

A trip to southern Florida and Homestead-Miami Speedway offers a showcase for the final round of racing on the 2016 Pirelli Formula Lites schedule. The infield course combines some of the circuit's high-banked oval as part of a 2.21-mile road circuit.

Tseries will also make its first appearance at Brainerd International Raceway (Brainerd, Minn.) and Autobahn Country Club (Joliet, Ill.), while returning for a second year to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (Thompson, Conn.), New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ.), and MSR Houston (Angleton, Tex.).

Taking a page from its 2015 playbook, Pirelli Formula Lights will incorporate other SCCA Pro events into race weekends, including three appearances with the Trans-Am Series (New Jersey, Brainerd and Homestead). The SCCA's new F4 open-wheel series will also enjoy first-year exposure at Formula Lites weekends at New Jersey, Road Atlanta (September race) and Homestead-Miami.

"We have worked hard to fulfill the wishes of our teams, drivers and corporate partners in organizing a Formula Lites schedule that is world-class but also financially viable," explained Co-Managing Partner Ryan Arciero. "With the help of many people at all eight of this season's venues, we are proud to have delivered a schedule that really builds upon the successes of last year. 2016 is going to be really fun for all of us."

2016 Pirelli Formula Lites Championship

May 6-7, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga.
May 20-21, Thompson Speedway Motorsports, Park Thompson, Conn.
June 11-12, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, N.J.
July 2-3, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.
Aug. 20-21, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, Ill.
Sept. 10-11, MSR Houston Angleton, Texas
Sept. 17-18, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga.
Oct. 8-9, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Fla.