Panther drivers complete Firestone Indy Lights rookie testing

English racers Martin Plowman and Pippa Mann successfully completed Firestone Indy Lights rookie testing on Oct. 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, clearing the way for them to compete for the Firestone Firehawk Cup in 2009.

Plowman, 20, and Mann, 24, each completed nearly 300 miles of testing under the supervision of Firestone Indy Lights executive director Roger Bailey and Firestone Indy Lights driver coach Rick Mears.

"The test went very well," Bailey said. "Both drivers were very impressive and running times comparable to (Raphael) Matos in the last race here. Both Pippa and Martin did a very good job of understanding the car and the changes being made to the car, and I think they will be assets to the series."

Both drivers have signed to compete for Panther Racing in 2009.