With a stellar driver line-up, the finest engineering staff, and a talented management and technical team, World Speed Motorsports is determined to take the 2000 Star Formula Mazda Championship series by storm. And if that isn’t enough, the team has another ace up its sleeve…in the form of CART Toyota Atlantic winner Case Montgomery, who will serve as driver and data acquisition coach for World Speed’s six-car Formula Mazda team.
“2000 is going to be a great year for us,” said Chuck West, team owner of World Speed, which runs teams in the Star Mazda series as well as the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship. “We’re in the best position ever to attack the championship. We have a terrific combination of fast drivers and experienced engineers who are all motivated to put us up front. Case will be an invaluable resource to our team as well. Not only does he know how to win races as a driver, he’s one of the finest coaches in the business. We’re definitely ready, and our drivers are chomping at the bit to get the season going.”
At the helm of World Speed’s six-driver line-up is Grant Ryley, who returns for his second year in the Star Mazda series. Last season, Ryley scored one win, three podiums and two poles on his way to second in the rookie championship. Following some Toyota Atlantic testing this winter, he has begun a rigorous Formula Mazda testing schedule in preparation for this season.
“Last season really started to come together in the final few races,” said Ryley, of Saratoga, California. “It was a terrific year for learning, but, now we’re ready to start laying down some results. I feel much more comfortable with the cars, and it’s great to be working again with some familiar faces. Mike Miller and Chuck were instrumental in coaching me last year, and it’s going to be exciting to work alongside Case Montgomery as well. We’re definitely going to be the team to beat.”
Joining Ryley is series newcomer Chantz Wade, who’s winning background in shifter karts and the Russell Racing series places him among the Star Mazda favorites to compete for the Rookie title as well as the series championship. Following several weeks worth of pre-season testing, Wade has begun to close the gap on teammate Ryley and certainly appears poised for a season of podium finishes.
Alex Figge returns to World Speed for his first full-season of Star Mazda competition following a limited schedule in 1999. Figge also will factor in World Speed’s quest for the championship and has his sights set firmly on reaching the podium’s top step this year.
Another ace on the World Speed team is Scott Bradley. While Bradley is new to the Star Mazda series (with just one Formula Mazda race under his belt), he is no newcomer to open-wheel racing or running up-front. His background includes Barber Dodge and several years of professional Formula 2000 racing experience, which will be invaluable in his quest for the 2000 Star Mazda championship and rookie titles.
World Speed veteran Frank McCormick returns to take another shot at the Masters title (after finishing second in 1999). Rounding out the team’s six-driver line-up is Rick Waddell, who will challenge for the rookie championship in his first year of Star Mazda competition.
Telo Stewart, in his fourth year with World Speed, continues as the Formula Mazda division’s team manager, and is joined again by Mike Miller and Mark Milazzo , who return as the team’s lead engineers, as well as Eric McCombs, who will assume Data Acquisition duties. Josh Huff continues in his second year with the team, sharing co-lead mechanic responsibilities with Darren Wischnack, who joins World Speed after several years of off-road racing mechanics and engineering. Chris Olhasso rounds out the team as a general assistant.
World Speed Motorsports is considered one of America’s most dynamic racing organizations, featuring entries in CART’s Toyota Atlantic Championship, as well as the Star Mazda Pro Series. Founded in 1991 by Chuck West, World Speed initially focused on the Formula Mazda series, where West finished third overall and won the Rookie-of-the-Year title in his first season as an owner/driver. 1992 resulted in the series championship by virtue of West’s five wins, ten podiums and three track records. Since then, World Speed has captured six Formula Mazda championship and five pro series Rookie-of-the-Year titles under West’s guidance and Mike Doyle’s engineering expertise, featuring such drivers as Ben Massey, Pete Wise, Mike Conte, Mike Miller and Jeff Bucknum.
World Speed entered the Toyota Atlantic series in 1994, and currently holds the Atlantic qualifying record at Homestead Motorsports Complex – set in 1997 with West behind the wheel. Most recently, World Speed campaigned French-born Brazilian Nicolas Rondet in 1999, capturing a podium finish at Trois-Rivieres, and averaging a top five running position at every race. For 2000, World Speed will run series rookie Pete Mercier for the entire Atlantic season schedule.
The Star Formula Mazda Series features an eight-race television series, which is schedule to begin April 1 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, as part of the American Le Mans Series race weekend. In addition, World Speed will compete in the Star Formula Mazda Western Division Championship, beginning with the season-opener at Phoenix International Raceway on March 4-5.