IndyCar Supports Team USA Scholarship

Oct 17, 1996
Troy, Mich. — IndyCar President Andrew Craig has pledged his support to the Valvoline Team USA Scholarship program which this year will enter a two-car team for talented youngsters Jerry Nadeau and Tony Renna in the Formula Opel European Union Series Nations Cup event at Donington Park, England, on November 3.
“IndyCar is impressed by the initiative of the Valvoline Team USA Scholarship in trying to develop homegrown drivers,” said Craig. “This provides a wonderful opportunity to give assistance to some young Americans in the early and critical stages of their careers. Both Jerry and Tony clearly have great potential and I’m delighted that IndyCar is able to support them in this endeavor. We wish them every success.”

The first two Scholarship recipients, recently crowned PPG Indy Car World Series champion Jimmy Vasser and fellow IndyCar star Bryan Herta,, who won the award in 1990 and 1991 respectively, have continued to support the project. Herta, indeed, plans to attend the weekend’s two races during a trip to Europe which will also entail visits to Reynard Racing Cars and Cosworth Engineering.

Renna Shines in Early Tests

Renna traveled to England directly after the final Barber Dodge Pro Series race of the season on October 12 at Lime Rock Park, Conn., where he finished fourth and, along with Derek Hill, was named co-winner of the Skip Barber Racing Rookie of the Year Award. The 19-year-old from Deland, Fla., immediately began an intensive test program with the John Village Automotive team.

“Everything’s going very well,” reported Renna. “We’re tested twice already and I feel very comfortable in the car. The team’s really good and it’s virtually a brand-new car. I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. These cars do tend to understeer a bit, so we’ve been working on that and I think we’ve made some good progress.”

Team boss John Village was impressed with his young charge. “He’s a good lad,” said the vastly experienced Yorkshireman. “He has given us some very good feedback and he’s very focused on the job at hand. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to bring home a very good result.”

Nadeau, who guided one of Village’s cars to a fourth-place finish at Silverstone in August, is scheduled to join the team for more tests beginning next Tuesday.