2018 SCCA Formula Mazda national champion Bryce Cornet will test an Indy Pro 2000 car with Exclusive Autosport as he sets his sights on the Road to Indy.
The 25-year-old Oklahoman will test on Aug. 21 at Autobahn Country Club road course in Joliet, Illinois. Cornet, whose career was put on hold by medical issues when he was 15, returned to the track in 2017 and was named the SCCA’s Driver of the Year in 2018 after winning Formula Mazda titles, including the Hoosier Super Tour Championship and the 2018 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, which earned Cornet a ticket to the Road to Indy USF2000 Shootout last December.
“Michael Duncalfe and Exclusive Autosport have been very supportive in making this test possible,” Cornet said. “Seeing the success that the team has had in the Indy Pro 2000 series, I am excited to get behind the wheel of one of their cars. This step, although seen as a small one for many drivers, is a huge step for me given my story and my path as a driver. A huge thank you to my family, Spiers New Technologies, and Verra Industrial Automation Inc. for helping me make this test. I am excited for this next big opportunity.”
Cornet’s story was recently told in the award-winning short film “Driven: The Bryce Cornet Story.” The documentary details how Cornet, a promising young go-kart racer, was diagnosed with two heart abnormalities; Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) and Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) just a few months after returning from his first open-wheel racing school and setting a track record.
He underwent two catheter ablation procedures in order to clear him to continue racing. These abnormalities hindered his progression in motorsports at a young age physically while undergoing treatment, and financially due to the cost of medical bills. Now cured, Cornet has re-focused his pursuit on the Road to Indy Ladder system. His own life experiences have created a new path to continue to reach his motorsports goals.
“We are looking forward to the Autobahn test with Bryce in a week’s time,” said Exclusive Autosport Team Principal Michael Duncalfe,. “Bryce has overcome many hurdles to continue his quest in motorsports. He has a proven winning record, a lot of drive and determination. We are excited to see what he can do behind the wheel of one of our winning PM18 cars.”