Fort Worth, TX – After a day of waiting on Monday for track weepers to dry at Texas Motor Speedway, Alex Tagliani and the Lotus test team were ready to hit the 1.5-mile oval on Tuesday.

The test marked the second chance in as many months for the Canadian driver to continue learning the new features of the Lotus-powered Dallara DW12. With only three install laps completed on day one, the second outing brought better results as the Lotus test team, comprised of members from Team Barracuda – BHA, Lotus HVM Racing and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, completed 132 incident-free laps.

“Overall, I think it was a good day,” said Tagliani. “For our first time on an oval in the new car, we learned some amazing things. Of course, we still have some work to do and we didn’t have as much speed as we would have liked, but every time I came into the pits with a change, the guys were able to make it happen.

“I am so thankful and proud to be working with this amazing group of guys. Plus, this is the track where Todd [Malloy] and I had a great event last season, so we kind of started today where we left off.”

Tagliani also noted that the Lotus group was helpful and positive. He added, “They were receptive to the things we need to improve. It’s great to work with people like that.”

Now, it’s onto the next test with an exciting twist. The official unveiling of the Team Barracuda – BHA car is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 28, during the team’s test at Barber Motorsports Park. Media is encouraged to attend. After that, Tagliani and his crew head to the IZOD IndyCar Series open test in Sebring, FL.

On March 25, the season kicks off on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL, where Tagliani has his sights set on Victory Lane. Fans can watch all the action live on ABC.

Racer magazine has selected Bryan Herta Autosport as its Team of the Year in its annual Editor’s Choice Awards.

There was one other team in contention for this – Red Bull Racing – but with the combined talents and experience of Adrian Newey and Sebastian Vettel and with a budget like Red Bull has to splash about, it could hardly fail.

By contrast, for Bryan Herta Autosport to win the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was astounding. Hiring a previous winner of Dan Wheldon’s caliber was one major part. But to have a car capable of qualifying sixth and to then employ the right race strategy when the big-name teams didn’t – that’s amazingly impressive for a part-time team of 12 staff in only its second ever IndyCar race.

No wonder Herta looked so shocked in his post-race interview on ABC TV. “We just won the Indy 500,” he stammered. “Can you believe that? I mean, we came here to win and we kept saying ‘We’re here to win’ but…we actually won!”

RACER of the Year presented by Mobil 1: Editors’ Choice Awards

Indianapolis, IN – Bryan Herta Autosport team owners Bryan Herta and Steve Newey have partnered with Indianapolis based businessman and Jeffrey Mark Motorsport team owner Jeff Mark to form Mygale North America.   Mygale North America will import the French manufacturer’s race cars to the United States and Canada and provide customer support for new and existing Mygale car owners.

Bryan Herta Autosport will campaign at least two cars in the twelve race 2012 F1600 Formula F Series, competing in the Mygale SJ11 chassis with Honda power. The Series was introduced to the U.S. in 1969 and has been a training ground ever since for future professional drivers.

“F1600 and F2000 are time tested and proven steppingstones to the highest level of motorsports.  Mygale has become the worldwide leader for these chassis, as well as multiple other championships, so the opportunity for Steve Newey and myself, along with Jeff Mark, to create a company that can distribute these winning cars to the North American market, while also creating a factory team to campaign works Mygale SJ11-Honda cars was extremely attractive,” according to Herta.

Mygale was originally established in 1989 by CEO, Bertrand DeCoster. Recognized as the worldwide leader of the Formula F1600 series, Mygale designs and manufactures a variety of race cars, including F2000, Formula 3, Formula BMW, and several other types of ultra high-performance race cars.

“We realized immediately it was a huge opportunity to work with one of the most professional teams in the USA,” said Mygale CEO, Bertrand DeCoster. “We understood that we needed to come on board with the best organization and staff for our customers. Naturally, we started to discuss with Bryan and Steve the idea to distribute Mygale cars and offer quality spare parts service in North America.  I personally believe that the Formula F1600 series will grow, as the USA needs a strong regional and national junior category. We are already in contact with some other clients to join the Mygale family in the USA and Canada, and have just launched a production batch of five new cars. Both companies realize that there are many projects in the USA where we could come with a fresh and powerful package for the future.”

Customers, teams, and drivers interested in information and pricing for the multiple championship winning SJ11 should contact Emily Jones at (317) 295-8070 or ejones@bryanhertaautosport.com.

The Lotus test team, comprised of crew members from Bryan Herta Autosport, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and HVM Racing, completed two successful days of testing further engine developments as well as setup work. As the second day concluded, Tagliani expressed positive thoughts about his first experience with the new engine and chassis.

“Overall, it was a good test,” said the Canadian driver. “It was nice to be back in the car and I really enjoyed working with everyone from Lotus and all three of the teams. It’s a very motivated group with high expectations.

“We picked up a lot of the info that will be helpful in the upcoming tests. Oriol [Servia] should be able to continue where we left off. The car is nice to drive and has a lot of potential. It’s also great to know that there are more updates and upgrades for the engine and chassis.”

Tagliani had an extra element of confidence during this test, as he was reunited with Todd Malloy, his former engineer for the pole position and 4th place finish last season at Texas Motor Speedway. Tagliani noted, “It was especially fun to be back on track with Todd on my radio.”

Team owner, Bryan Herta was satisfied with the results as well, adding, “Great to see and hear the Lotus engine for myself here in Homestead. It is easy to get excited as the season approaches and preparations continue to intensify. Alex gave us great feedback on the car and engine.”

Last week, HVM Racing driver Simona De Silvestro was the first to test the Lotus engine. Simona clocked up valuable mileage at both the West Palm Beach and Sebring circuits, leaving the Lotus teams pleased with the extended running completed in the engine’s maiden outings.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing driver Oriol Servia will get behind the wheel next, as the Lotus test team heads to Sebring, FL. The test will take place on January 30 and 31. Additional tests are planned for February and March, leading up to the IZOD IndyCar Series opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL. The race, broadcast live on ABC, will take place on March 25, 2012.

The first of the Lotus production engines are expected to be delivered in a little over two weeks time. Plans call for the Barracuda Networks car to begin team testing shortly thereafter.

Indianapolis, IN and Campbell, CA – Bryan Herta Autosport, last year’s Indianapolis 500-winning team, is proud to announce that it has partnered with Barracuda Networks Inc. as the primary sponsor for Alex Tagliani’s 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series entry.

Barracuda Networks is an enterprise technology company that works with businesses to simplify their information technology (IT) processes and protect their networks, data and end–users. As the worldwide leader in content security appliances, Barracuda Networks offers products that protect organizations from threats over both email and Web. With a strong security heritage, Barracuda Networks offers networking products that improve application delivery and network access. Finally, Barracuda Networks offers world-class solutions for backup and data protection.

Known for exceptional performance, Barracuda Networks is a critical part of where technology has come and where it will continue to go. As the primary sponsor for Bryan Herta Autosport, the company is blazing a secure path into the future in much the same way that BHA is laying the groundwork for the next generation of iconic IndyCar teams and owners. Together, the companies will focus on strength, stability and performance, both on and off the track.

“Bryan Herta Autosport is well known for its leadership, drive and focus on innovation,” said Michael Perone, executive vice president and CMO at Barracuda Networks. “This partnership gives us an amazing opportunity to communicate our shared philosophy, expand our brand footprint and demonstrate our technology leadership around the world.”

“Barracuda Networks is an industry leader known for performance, integrity, and quality. These are the same qualities we strive for at Bryan Herta Autosport,” commented Herta. “They have shown tremendous confidence and vision in partnering with us as primary sponsor for the 2012 season. We are thrilled to welcome them to the team and look forward to delivering results both on and off the track.”

The Barracuda Networks sponsorship will include primary branding on the car and all team equipment. The car’s iconic livery will also reflect BHA’s status as a Factory Partner Team to Lotus. Associate sponsors will be announced in the upcoming weeks. An extensive test program is already underway for the Series’ new DW12 Dallara chassis, set to hit the streets of St. Petersburg, FL for the first race on the IZOD IndyCar Series Schedule. The season kicks off on Sunday, March 25, 2012.

About Barracuda Networks Inc.

Barracuda Networks combines premises-based gateways and software, virtual appliances, cloud services, and sophisticated remote support to deliver comprehensive content and network security, data protection and application delivery solutions. The company’s expansive product portfolio includes offerings for protection against email and Web threats as well as products that improve application delivery and network access, message archiving, backup and data protection. Coca-Cola, FedEx, Harvard University, IBM, L’Oreal, and Europcar are among the more than 150,000 organizations protecting their IT infrastructures with Barracuda Networks’ range of affordable, easy-to-deploy and manage solutions. Barracuda Networks is privately held with its International Headquarters in Campbell, Calif. For more information, please visit www.barracudanetworks.com.

January 9, 2012 – Bryan Herta Autosport is proud to announce that Alex Tagliani will pilot the team’s entry in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

Last year’s Indianapolis 500 winning team sought out the Canadian driver because of his experience, technical ability and overall proficiency in the racecar. In 2011, the veteran driver earned back-to-back pole positions, first during the 95^th running of the historic Indy 500 and then at Texas Motor Speedway, adding to the list of his many accomplishments as an open-wheel racer.

Just last week, the team announced a joint venture with Bowen & Bowers Motorsports. Paired with the team’s solid racing operations, Tagliani is the final piece to the puzzle enabling Bryan Herta Autosport to position itself as a top-tier program in 2012 and beyond.

BHA has previously been announced their status as a Factory Partner Team to Lotus, which will result in the car being run in the iconic black and Gold Lotus livery. An announcement is expected on Thursday to reveal the identity of the team’s primary sponsorship.  Veteran race engineer Todd Malloy has been re-signed to lead the team’s engineering efforts and focus on the car driven by Tagliani.

“We are very proud to have Alex Tagliani join our team for our first full season of Indycar competition. He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the program, and is the perfect fit for us and our sponsor partners,” stated Herta. “Together with Todd Malloy and Brian Page in engineering, and the Don Lambert led crew, Alex has the full support of a very talented group of professionals behind him.”

Tagliani echoes Herta’s enthusiasm, saying, ”I’m really happy to drive for BHA. Having known Bryan for a long time, I recognize that he’s a nice guy with genuine integrity. I believe that he and Steve Newey deserve to own a great IndyCar team, and I’m honored to be part of the building of BHA’s 2012 program.  It’s also a great honor for me to represent the Lotus brand as a factory partner. Lotus has so much history in the world of motorsports. As a team, we have a lot of work in front of us and while challenging, it will be fun to be at the core of both engine and team development. BHA has a great group of people and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Tagliani’s first task will be to lend his experience to the Lotus engine testing program, followed by team testing scheduled to begin in early February.  The IZOD IndyCar Series kicks off the 2012 season March 25 on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL.

For Bryan Herta Autosport, 2012 is all about strength, stability and performance, both on and off the track. Last year’s Indy 500 winning team had previously announced it will field one full time entry in 2012 as a Factory Partner Team to Lotus. Now the details for that planned attack are being released over the next week in a series of exciting announcements.

Fundamental to success on the track is developing strong marketing partnerships. To that end, Bryan Herta Autosport has formed a joint venture with Bowen & Bowers Motorsports, which will focus on the team’s commercial needs. The two entities will operate as one under the Bryan Herta Autosport banner.

Bowen & Bowers Motorsports has its sights set on building a first-class commercial division for BHA. Both David Bowen and Chris Bowers have extensive backgrounds in motorsports, so pairing their expertise with the team’s on-track proficiency just made sense.

“David and Chris are well known within the Indycar paddock, having fostered and been involved in numerous successful sponsorship programs in the past,” noted Bryan Herta. “We are thrilled they have agreed to join our team moving forward as they provide the stability, expertise, and client services infrastructure we need to operate as a top tier program.”

According to Bowers, “It is obvious Bryan and Steve Newey are fully committed to BHA’s long-term success in IndyCar. They have a vision, a deliberate and steady approach to achieving the vision and have met every milestone along the way.” Bowen added that “At this point in their development adding our expertise to the mix provides another dimension to their already successful organization and further solidifies Bryan Herta Autosport as a significant force both on and off the track today and into the future. We are honored by the opportunity to partner and work with Bryan Herta, Steve Newey and all team members of Bryan Herta Autosport.”

The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season kicks off on Sunday, March 25, 2012, on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL. Bryan Herta Autosport has chosen Lotus as the engine manufacturer to power its #98 Dallara entry. Additional details regarding driver and sponsorship will be announced in the near future.

A partnership between Bryan Herta Autosport and Lotus Motorsport was officially unveiled today during a press conference held at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Bryan Herta was on hand for the announcement which will see the Indianapolis 500 winning team enter the IZOD IndyCar Series as a full-time participant in 2012 utilizing the Lotus V-6 powerplant.

“Obviously, this is an incredibly exciting step for us,” said Herta. “Our goal all along has been to build our foundation to eventually compete as a full-time entrant in the series. To partner with Lotus, which has such a rich history and tradition in racing including at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is just tremendous. All of us are looking forward to working closely with Lotus to support their efforts.”

BHA, which served as the official test team for the Dallara DW12 chassis, is expecting to turn their first laps with Lotus power in January. In addition to BHA, Lotus today also announced partnerships with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and HVM Racing with all three teams benefiting from individual testing and development work.

“Myself, Claudio Berro [Director of Lotus Motorsport] and all of us at Lotus are very proud to have Bryan and his team with us for sure,” said Olivier Picquenot, Lotus Indy Project Manager. “Bryan’s name, experience and what he has accomplished with Bryan Herta Autosport make us honored to be working with him and his team. We are looking forward to not only next season but to a long partnership.”

Additional details of BHA’s 2012 program will be announced in the coming weeks.

The five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion was the highest bidder of the helmet in the online auction in which all proceeds benefit the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund. He’s also donated items to the auction.

Graham Rahal’s gesture of auctioning his Las Vegas race-worn helmet, gloves and shoes to raise funds for Wheldon’s family began an outpouring of support from celebrities and athletes around the world.

The auction, which began Oct. 24, is being run by online auction site eBay, which has waived all fees, and Auction Cause, a Los Angeles-based auction management agency specializing in high-profile corporate, celebrity and nonprofit eBay auction events. Additionally, individuals have placed items on eBay with the notice that the winning bid would be donated to the trust fund.

“I thought we would get a good response and we’d get a lot of people that wanted to be a part of it, but the response we’ve had has been extremely impressive,” Rahal said. “We never put out a press release or anything. It’s been all social media-driven around the world and that’s what has been impressive so far.”

The myriad of items – from racing-related items such as a signed Fernando Alonso firesuit worn in the British Grand Prix in July to  a framed photo of the Beatles’ 1964 appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” signed by the Fab Four and a collection of Lance Armstrong-signed memorabilia – has generated worldwide interest from bidders.

“Every night at 9 new things go up,” Rahal said. “It will keep happening that way for some time because we still have items showing up let alone items that are going on the site.”

Added recently was the Wheldon tribute helmet that Danica Patrick wore in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 5. Bidding already has topped $15,000, and the auction overall has raised more than $375,000.

“I think it’s going to be really good in the end (dollar amount) and that’s the most important part,” Rahal added.

Numerous items have caught Rahal’s attention, too, such as a week’s stay at a villa in Mexico and footballs autographed by Warren Moon and Peyton Manning.

“I put up a thousand bucks for the Paul Newman “Winning” poster and that was gone in the first 20 minutes and I’m happy to see that,” he said. “I wish that was an item that when it showed up at the door I could have slid it into my man’s room. There’s a lot of items that are like that.”

“He was always smiling, just like in that picture,” a teenager said, one hand gripping her father’s and the other clutching a “hero card” that Wheldon autographed a few days before claiming his second Indy 500 victory in May.

Not only was Dan Wheldon the sport’s 2005 champion, he was a 24/7 champion of the sport. That theme was repeated by the 10 speakers during the 90-minute program.

“The victories and the accolades, they didn’t define him,” INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard said in opening remarks. “His strong character, his enthusiastic approach to life and the love of family, friends and fans did. There was a reason he was a fan favorite. He loved life and it always showed.”

A day earlier, family, friends and the community of his adopted home of St. Petersburg, Fla., overflowed First Presbyterian Church for his funeral. Wheldon died from injuries suffered in a race crash Oct. 16. He is survived by his wife, Susie, and two young sons.

On the arena’s stage, Bernard motioned to the 2012 race car that this summer Wheldon validated for performance and safety on a variety of racetracks and called for unity among teams, drivers and the series to strive to protect and improve the sport Wheldon loved.

“It was not surprising Dan was involved,” Bernard said of the program that is continuing with engine manufacturer testing this fall. “His commitment to improving and advancing every aspect of our sport was well known.The innovations that emerge from those efforts can have repercussions not just on racetracks but on our highways and in our passenger cars. Just another measure of the impact that Dan had on our lives and INDYCAR.”

Musical performances also were poignant during the ceremony. Reba McEntire sang “If I Had Only Known” at the start of the service, while rising country music stars The Band Perry performed “Amazing Grace.” Garth Brooks closed the ceremony with an acoustic version of his hit “The Dance.”

Also performing were the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and the Gordon Pipers bagpipe group, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway tradition during Wheldon’s beloved Month of May. A single bagpiper made his way down the center aisle and exited playing the haunting “Danny Boy.”

A slide show of still photos from throughout Wheldon’s life captured his successes, flair, spirit and warmth, and a video of thanks from his family for the outpouring of support was shown.

Decorating the stage were the Borg-Warner Trophy awarded to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis 500 winner’s wreath, two bottles of milk signifying Wheldon’s two Indy 500 victories, the Indy Racing League championship trophy that Wheldon won in 2005 and a 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car painted in the St. George’s cross of Wheldon’s native England.

Speakers, including Wheldon’s longtime managers and friends Mickey Ryan and Adrian Sussmann of GP Sports Management and Panther Racing public relations director Mike Kitchel, shared anecdotes of the former Carmel, Ind., resident’s proclivity for phone pranks and his neatness.

“He was the little brother we didn’t want,” four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti said in jest as he was joined on the stage “to enter the ‘No Cry Zone’ ” by Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta.

Quipped Herta: “He was the only one of us that looked like he belonged in a boy band. His million-dollar smile made up for an entire country’s worth of bad dental work.”

The trio wore Wheldon’s 2005 championship ring that he presented them, and Franchitti wore white shoes in his honor.

“I’m grateful for the time we got to spend with him on Earth,” Kanaan said following the laughter. “Although that time here is done, our time together is not over. We have our memories. We have our feelings. And one day we will be together again.

“For that reason, I’m not saying goodbye to Dan. Not today. And not ever. Goodbye is final, and our friendship won’t end. So for now, I’m simply saying I’ll see you later. I love you.”

As Herta shared with the audience, he witnessed a transformation in Wheldon between his 2005 and 2011 Indianapolis 500 victories that “made him complete.” It was his zest for life and love of family and friends, Herta said, that will live in the hearts of everyone.

Also speaking at the service were Target Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus. INDYCAR Ministries chaplain also offered condolences to the family of Michael Wanser — the young son of Target Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Barry Wanser — who died earlier in the day from his battle with leukemia.

The public was invited to leave messages on large banners that flanked the entry photograph. Many brought flowers, photos and other mementos.

The Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial security of Wheldon’s family. The public can make contributions to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund at:

Fifth Third Private Bank
Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust
251 North Illinois St.
Suite 1000
Indianapolis, IN 46204

All Fifth Third Bank branches also are accepting contributions in person, which will be routed to the account, and credit card donations can be made via http://www.danwheldonmemorial.com/donate.html

The Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund is a taxable trust fund for the benefit of the Wheldon family. Contributions to it are not considered charitable contributions, and could have federal gift tax consequences. Please consult your own legal or tax advisors regarding these potential tax consequences.

A memorial site, which includes a Facebook link to leave condolences and remembrances and a career photo retrospective, can be found at http://www.danwheldonmemorial.com.