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INDYCAR: Change Of Ownership Pending For Star Mazda Series
After a 22-year run as the owners and administrators of the Star Mazda series, the Rodrigues family is close to selling the open-wheel ladder series.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted December 04, 2012  
Jack Hawksworth will serve as the final Star Mazda champion under the ownership and guidance of the Rodrigues family. (Photo IMS Photo)
After more than two decades as the owners and administrators of the Star Mazda series, the Rodrigues family surprised its entrants on Monday by announcing their withdrawal from the sport.

"After 22 years of growth and a proud record of helping young motor racing talent build careers in the racing industry, we regret to advise you the Star Mazda Championship will not continue into the 2013 racing season under its present ownership,” said series president Gary Rodrigues.

A temporary halt to the championship has taken place as a new buyer is sought, with Dan Andersen, the respected owner of the USF2000 series and multiple teams throughout the Mazda Road To Indy ladder, expected to assume control of the organization.

Mazda, INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and Goodyear, the Star Mazda tire supplier, met to handle the transition of the series from Rodrigues to its next owner, which could be announced by the end of the week.
Gary Rodrigues has been a massive supporter of the American open-wheel ladder, fielding his sons in a number of series along with owning and running the Star Mazda Championship. (Photo: Eric McCombs)

"We accept, with regret, Gary Rodrigues' decision to sell the assets of the Star Mazda Championship," Mazda motorsports director John Doonan told SPEED.com.

"Mazda, Goodyear, and INDYCAR met via conference call as soon as we heard from Gary. We share a common desire to maintain the two decades of heritage and momentum that, Gary, his family, team, and partners have developed for the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear. A buyer for the series has been identified and is in discussion with all major stakeholders. We expect a positive statement regarding the 2013 season as soon as purchase terms are negotiated."

Further statements from Rodrigues alluded to finances as being the cause for his departure, but with healthy grids and increased corporate backing in place for 2013, it's believed retirement is the underlying motivator for the sale.

British rookie Jack Hawksworth claimed the 2012 Star Mazda championship with eight wins, 11 poles and 12 podium finishes, and is expected to announce his graduation to the Indy Lights Series in a matter of days.

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.
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