The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship are set to receive a sprucing up come 2017 and 2018, respectively, series promoter Andersen Promotions announced this week. With the current chassis and engine platforms becoming long-in-tooth and grid sizes dropping from their high points in 2013 (USF2000) and 2014 (Pro Mazda), a revitalization project is needed. Following in the footsteps of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the lower two rungs on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder will look to modernize to maintain their relevancy not only to Indy Lights and the Verizon IndyCar Series but also to the global junior formula scene.

The current Elan DP08 chassis used in USF2000 has been quite the noble steed, with cars all the way from 2001 eligible to be used in today’s USF2000 races. With the emergence of the global FIA-governed F4 regulations sparking growth in other “beginner” winged formula car series, Andersen and his team saw the chance put an American and IndyCar spin on a successful new platform.

“The current USF2000 race car has served us very well for a long time and is still a terrific training vehicle, but the time has come to provide our teams and drivers with more current technology and upgraded safety,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “This new car will take many features from the worldwide F4 car, but will be built with important safety enhancements, higher performance and more driver tools. We believe it will be an even better trainer for the future stars of the Verizon IndyCar Series.”

The biggest advancement for USF2000 and Pro Mazda is a common new chassis which will race in both series, powered by the same 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine. With changes in engine mapping allowing the USF2000 car to produce 170 horsepower and the Pro Mazda car to produce 270 horsepower (both comparable to the horsepower figures in today’s engines) combined with series-specific aero elements, the new platforms should allow for greater growth going forward for the two series.

As has been a hallmark of Dan Andersen’s team as he has gradually gained control over the entire Mazda Road to Indy ladder, cost controls will be implemented to keep budgets from inflating to unsustainable levels. Perhaps the biggest question mark will be how many of the current teams will survive a transition to a new car.

Indy Lights already saw the demise of Team Moore Racing, who were unable to answer the bell for 2015 despite ordering the brand-new Dallara IL-15 chassis. While car counts have increased from consistent single-digits in the final years of the old Dallara car to a steady 11-12 cars, that number is less than the 16-18 cars that were predicted during the offseason. Clearly, there are still concerns that more current Mazda Road to Indy teams may not be able to afford yet another new car.

That being said, the potential is there for more teams to cross-compete in the two series, something that hasn’t happened very often the past few years. Currently, only Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing and Team Pelfrey compete in both USF2000 and Pro Mazda, and they comprise a significant number of cars in both series. Cape campaigns two USF2000 and three Pro Mazda cars, while Team Pelfrey runs four USF2000 and three Pro Mazda entries. Combined, they make up almost one-third of the current combined grids of the two series. Giving teams a ready-made platform for growth will hopefully attract and maintain teams in both series in 2017 and beyond.

We will get more answers on what the future of the Mazda Road to Indy will look like this fall. RFPs have been sent out with Andersen Promotions setting an October timeframe to announce the new chassis manufacturer. The USF2000 car will then be revealed at the Indy 500 in May 2016, with testing beginning in June and teams taking delivery of cars in the fall of 2016. A similar timeline will follow for the Pro Mazda car in 2017. Cooper Tires will continue in their role as promotional partner and sole tire supplier.

As one final piece of encouraging news, a “B” class was also announced for USF2000, with the current Elan DP08s competing in that class in 2017. This revives the old “National” class for various older USF2000 chassis that was eliminated following the 2013 season.

Here’s to the future.