• Dubai-based Brit hooks up with elite athlete management scheme
• BRDC Rising Star embroiled in three-way Indy Lights title tussle
• 20-year-old ready for Milwaukee Mile after pace-setting test outing

Indy Lights front-runner Ed Jones has boosted his championship chances as the 2015 campaign speeds towards a thrilling conclusion by joining forces with elite athlete management scheme Williams-Harfield Sports Group.
 
After steering his burgeoning career stateside this year, Jones belied his rookie status by sensationally storming to a double pole position and brace of victories on his Indy Lights bow around the Streets of St. Petersburg back in March.
 
Competing for single-seater powerhouse Carlin, the 20-year-old Brit subsequently proved that his outstanding debut had been no flash in the pan by following it up with another triumph at Long Beach three weeks later. Further podium finishes in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and last time out in Toronto mean Jones is firmly embroiled in a fierce three-way tussle for the title with six races left to run – beginning at the Milwaukee Mile this weekend (11/12 July).
 
As he bids to turn the tables on his two chief championship rivals and reclaim his early-season ascendancy, the Dubai, UAE-based ace – a British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star and former European F3 Open Champion – has added his name to WH Sports Group’s growing roster of young talent and is palpably excited about the opportunities that lay ahead.
 
“I’m delighted to be teaming up with WH Sports Group,” enthused Jones, who set the pace in the most recent Indy Lights test session at a rain-soaked Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “I can learn and benefit a great deal from the wealth of knowledge and expertise here – you only need to look at the calibre of the other drivers on-board to see that they truly mean business!
 
“We share the same ethos, ambition and determination to succeed, and I’m confident WH Sports Group will help me to progress my career both this season and beyond.”
 
“We’re thrilled to have recruited Ed as our latest protégé and forecast great things for his future,” echoed WH Sports Group Director Chris Harfield. “He is unquestionably one of the hottest properties on the US open-wheel scene right now, and what he has accomplished to-date – finishing on the podium in half of his races and winning three of them – is quite simply extraordinary.
 
“Ed has very clear goals and our task will be to help him achieve them, by emulating the success of fellow WH Sports Group member Jack Hawksworth and climbing right the way to the pinnacle of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder in the Verizon IndyCar Series. We look forward to working together.”

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – May 23, 2015 – Ed Jones made his oval debut at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Freedom 100, finishing 10^th.

Jones, who up until this week had only raced on road and street courses, had his first experience of an oval at the first official test back in January. Driving the No. 11 Toys for Boys Miami/United Rivers, Jones posted a four lap-average of 195.598 mph and qualified eighth.

The 40-lap race on the 2.5 mile super speedway started well and despite it being his first oval, Jones felt comfortable and was able to move up a few places, running as high as sixth.  Unfortunately with four laps remaining, Jones hit the wall hard after his right rear tire went down and out of the race, finishing 10^th.

“Another tough weekend for us, “ said the 20-year old. “I ran pretty well in the race moving up to 6th, however I started feeling a vibration in the car on about lap 23. This vibration continuously got worse until the car started to do uncharacteristic things. I radioed in to the team but we decided try to stay out. I kept it flat but unfortunately the tire let go with 4 laps to go sending me into a spin eventually into the wall. After three weekends where we have had our races really compromised by things out of out control I hope we can fight back to where we belong in Toronto.”

Jones picked up 11 points and now sits seconds in the championship standings with 179 points, 13 away from first.

Next up for Jones and Carlin Racing is the double header on the streets of downtown Toronto, Ontario, June 12-14.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – May 20, 2015 – Ed Jones, current Indy Lights championship leader will make his oval debut on Friday when he races at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Freedom 100 Presented by Allied Building Products.

Up until this year, Jones had spent his racing career on road and street circuits. He had his first taste of an oval in January, when he drove his No. 11 Toys for Boys Miami/United Rivers car at the first official Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires test at Homestead Miami Speedway.

The 20-year-old rookie reclaimed his championship lead two weeks ago at the double-header at Barber Motorsports Park.  He goes into the Freedom 100 with a six-point lead over Jack Harvey.

“It has been amazing to finally get to drive on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway”, said Jones. “Getting on track is very different to what I have experienced before. On Monday I just tried to learn as much as possible and worked on the car with my engineer. I feel really confident going into the race weekend that we can be right up the front.”

The UAE resident has already made a huge impact in his first Indy Lights season. Jones dominated the season-opener in St. Petersburg, winning both races from pole, setting a new qualifying lap record and finishing the second race over nine seconds ahead of second place Jack Harvey. He went on to earn a third victory in as many races at Long Beach two weeks later. At the Grand Prix of Indianapolis a few weeks ago, Jones once again found the podium, with a third place finish in Race 1. 

Qualifying for the Freedom 100 will be at 1:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 21. The green flag is scheduled to fly at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22. The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN.
There will also be live timing and commentary for all sessions on the new Mazda Road to Indy App and at indylights.com with live streaming on racecontrol.indycar.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN  - Ed Jones reclaimed the championship lead at the weekend after finishing third in Race 1 and fourth in Race 2 at the Mazda Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Jones qualified second for Race 1 on Friday and secured pole for Saturday’s race. After an aborted start, the race went green. As they braked for Turn One, fifth-place qualifier RC Enerson flew past on the outside, sliding wide into the grass and Jones, who did well to stay on track, got passed by third place Sean Rayhall. The 20-year-old continued to push hard and put pressure on Rayhall, but discovering he had no push-to-pass, made it extremely difficult to overtake. Jones, however still managed to earn a podium finish and pick up 22 points to regain the championship lead by one point.

Starting on pole in Race 2 for Carlin Racing, the No. 11 Toys for Boys Miami/United Rivers car was tapped by Jack Harvey at the start of the race and sent spinning. Jones was able to keep the car going but was now at the back of the field. However, the championship leader was determined to not let this ruin his race. Jones gradually made his way back through the field, but with laps becoming fewer he was just short of claiming another podium and finished fourth.

Commenting on the races, Jones said: “Unfortunately this weekend we have had two results really compromised by factors out of our control. Therefore we still have to take the positive that we have come out leading the championship with the potential to win many more races.”

With the podium finish Friday and then fourth on Saturday, Jones earned a total of 41 points and is back at the top of the championship standings with 166 points.

Next up for the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires series is the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22nd.  Qualifying will be at 1:15 pm ET on May 21st. Live timing and commentary for all sessions will be available on the Mazda Road to Indy app and at indylights.com.