Photo: Michael Casey-DiPleco

As Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) was growing and expanding a quarter century ago, one of the ways it sought to perpetuate itself was to create a “feeder series” originally called the American Racing Series. Organized by Roger Bailey and Rafael Sanchez, the ARS used converted Formula 3000 March chassis powered by 3.4-liter Buick V-6 engines.

After five seasons it was renamed Dayton Indy Lights—a takeoff on IMSA’s Camel Lights class that had been named for one of the sponsor’s products. Dayton was a brand of tires produced under the Firestone corporate umbrella that then sponsored and promoted the series for a decade until its demise following the 2001 season.

The original Marches were replaced with purpose built Lola T97/10s in 1997, and now sufficient numbers of these cars are turning up in vintage racing that a series has been formed. A five-race schedule of races has been organized in conjunction with SVRA, and for complete information, please visit www.indylightsracing.com

2010 Indy Lights Schedule

May 14-16Road America

June 4-6 VIR Gold Cup

June 25-27 Mid-Ohio

Sept 10-12 Watkins Glen

Oct 15-17 Road Atanta