Indy Lights purse gets big increase

CART and Indy Lights claim the increase is the biggest race purse increase in the history of the Dayton Indy Lights Championship.

The overall per-race purse has increased from $10,000 to $74,200, while each race winner will now earn $25,000, a 25 per cent increase over the previous amount.

The total race purse has increased by 16 per cent.

'We have wanted to increase our race purse for years and only now under CART's ownership has it been possible,' said Indy Lights President Roger Bailey.

'Andrew Craig [CART ceo] and everyone at CART have made it clear that Indy Lights is an important part of CART's Ladder System and this certainly proves their commitment.

'I know I speak for all of our competitors instating our sincere thanks to CART for this generous increase.'

In addition to the $5,000 jump for race winners, second place has been increased $2,500 to $12,500 while third place [$7,500] and fourth place [$5,500] have been increased by $500.

Fifth position goes up by $300 to $4300, while places six through to 10 pay $200 more.

CART claims the the total Dayton Indy Lights Championship prize fund - including year-end championship awards - is now $1,328,800.

The Dayton Indy Lights Championship - which is entering its 15th year - is the stepping stone for drivers and teams into the FedEx CART championship series.

Previous Indy Lights champions now racing in the CART series include: Paul Tracy [1990], Bryan Herta [1993], Tony Kanaan [1997 IndyLights champion], Cristiano da Matta [1998].

The late Greg Moore, who holds the all-time Indy Lights career victory record with 13 wins, took the championship title in 1995.