Well, we've made it to March and there was actually a decent number of driver announcements over the past week. The Skip Barber National Championship will hold their first event of the 2010 season this coming weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  So, the next time you see a Ladder Report ... the 2010 season will officially be underway. 

Here's a look back at some of the junior formula news from the last week.

Skip Barber National Championship

Skip Barber National Champion to Receive an Indy Lights Test with Bryan Herta Autosport: Bryan Herta Autosport announced a new partnership with the Skip Barber Racing School that will provide the 2010 Skip Barber National Champion with an Indy Lights test.  The affiliation will also allow the Skip Barber National competitors a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at how an Indy Lights team operates during race weekends. 

Skip Barber Releases Entry List for Rounds 1 & 2: As noted above, the 2010 Skip Barber National Championship will get underway this weekend.  The entry list for this weekend's event at Homestead-Miami Speedway consists of 21 drivers (4 of which will be competing in the Skip Barber Cup- a new championship designed for drivers over the age of 26). 

Star Mazda

Tristan Vautier Signs with Andersen Racing: Tristan Vautier committed to running the 2010 Star Mazda Championship with Andersen Racing.  Vautier is a transplant from the Formula Palmer Audi series where he finished 4th in the overall standings.  He tested a Star Mazda car with Andersen Racing at Sebring International Raceway in January and impressed quite a few people with his overall speed. 

Indy Lights

Jean-Karl Vernay Signs with Sam Schmidt Motorsports:  Sam Schmidt signed J.K. Vernay for the 2010 season.  The 22-year-old Frenchman should be a real solid addition to Sam's squad.  Last season, Vernay competed in the Formula 3 Euro Series where he logged 2 wins, 5 podiums, and 13 top-ten finishes.  I fully expect to see Jean-Karl at or near the front of the pack this season.

Sebastian Saavedra Signs with Bryan Herta Autosport: Sebastian Saavedra, who was a front runner during the 2009 Indy Lights season, will return to the series in 2010 with Bryan Herta Autosport.  If Saavedra is able to make better race decisions in 2010, he could quite possibly be an early favorite for the overall title in 2010.

Gustavo Yacaman Signs with Cape Motorsports / Wayne Taylor Racing:  Gustavo Yacaman announced that he will return to Indy Lights competition this season with Cape Motorsports and Wayne Taylor Racing.  The return of the Cape brothers and the addition of Wayne Taylor Racing to the open-wheel world perked quite a few ears this week. 

Indy Lights: Barber Motorsports Park Test- Fourteen Indy Lights' drivers participated in a pre-season open test at Barber Motorsports Park last Friday.  Canadian James Hinchcliffe set the fastest overall time in both sessions and was the only driver to break into the 1:14's (lap time).  For complete results, make sure to outclick on the link above. 

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