Peter Dempsey signs up for 2013 Indy Lights season

The 26-year-old Irishman, who has completed only partial campaigns in the series over the past two years, will run a full season with Belardi Auto Racing.

Dempsey joined Brian Belardi's team mid-way through this season's campaign and scored the outfit's best Lights result with fourth place on the streets of Toronto.

He believes that the team can grow into a title contender over the course of the year.

"First off I want to thank Brian, team manager John Brunner and everyone at Belardi Auto Racing who has made this possible," said Dempsey, who was third fastest in this week's two-day road-course test at Indianapolis.

"They gave me a great opportunity to drive for the team at the end of the 2012 season, and that was a very enjoyable end to my year.

"When I came to the team, I really felt at home and wanted; that is a great feeling for me.

"After our last race at Fontana, Belardi was the team I wanted to remain with and grow with, and I am very excited that we are in the position to announce this signing so early.

"This really gives us the chance to properly prepare for the first race next season."