Garth Rickards will move up the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires ladder, joining reigning Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires team champion Carlin for the 2017 season.
Rickards, a 24-year-old native of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has raced the last two seasons in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda, scoring a career-best finish of third at Mid-Ohio in 2016.
“To say I am excited is an understatement and I can’t thank everyone who was involved enough,” Rickards said. “Carlin has proven that they are one of the best junior open-wheel teams in the world with their track record. Their focus on driver development will really help me grow and move my way up through the field in my rookie season. Trevor (Carlin, owner) and the whole Carlin squad have been extremely supportive and I’m excited to work with them hopefully for many years.”
Rickards, the first driver named for 2017 by Carlin, has tested with the team in an extensive preseason program, which will continue as Rickards prepares to make his series debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, in March.
SOURCE: INDYCAR
