Belardi Auto Racing Make IndyCar History with Rookie Signing

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Belardi Auto Racing created motor racing history today by signing Israeli racing driver Alon Day, the first Israeli motor racing driver ever to compete on U.S. soil, on to their Firestone Indy Lights roster for the 2012 season.

Israeli Alon Day, newest member to the Belardi Auto Racing Roster Credit: Indy Lights

"I am very excited to welcome Alon to the Belardi Auto Racing family for the 2012 Indy Lights season," said team owner, Brian Belardi.

"Alon really blew us away when he came down to test with us at Palm Beach in December. His very first time in an Indy Lights car could not have gone better, and we are very lucky to have him join our program. I think with Alon's natural talent and determination, he will have a really great season as a rookie in the Firestone Indy Lights series."

Day started his driving career, like many others, by karting. After earning over 60 titles and trophies, Alon moved up to the two liter cars in Formula Renault in Asia and Hungary, where in 2009, the then 17-year-old clinched the Asia Formula Renault Championship with 13 podiums, eight poles and six wins. In March of the following year, however, Day's racing career was halted when he was asked to join the Israeli Army for three years. After being pardoned because of his unique career and accomplishments, the young Israeli continued his wish to race by competing in the German Formula Three Championship in 2010. It was that year, following a promising season, that Day was selected by ex-Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz to be one of twelve FIA Ambassadors as part of the FIA Institute Academy Initiative which was founded in 2011. This marked a significant moment in Day's career as the FIA received applications from over 500 of the world's most accomplished drivers.

Signing with Belardi Auto Racing will mark Alon's first race season in North America where the 20-year-old will compete in 13 events across the U.S. and Canada.

"I am so delighted to announce that I will be competing with Belardi Auto Racing for the 2012 Indy Lights Championship," the newcomer said. "I had a great test with Belardi in December, and I got to have a real think about things over Christmas, and I decided to make a commitment with Belardi in the Lights Championship. Brian [Belardi] and John [Brunner] have been great -- they have accommodated for us on every level. I'm really excited with the package that we've got to enter the season. We certainly feel that we're going to be in a great position to fight for the Championship which is why we're all here. I'm absolutely delighted and very much looking forward to working with everyone at Belardi and look to try and bring them the Championship."

With only a short two months away from the Firestone Indy Lights season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Belardi Auto Racing hopes to get the rookie as much seat time as possible. Alon and the team will test at MSR Houston for the next two days. You can now follow Alon on Twitter -- @Alon_Day.

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