captured tarmac magic to win the 2016 Pro Mazda Championship in his Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ sponsored race car. By Michelle Nelson, reporter

A midnight black, single-seat, open-wheel 3. Presented Rice Lake Weighing Systems is not only Indy racing car whirs around the final by Cooper Tires sponsoring Aaron’s race car, but has also curve. Its yellow racing stripes blur into provided a DeckHand™ Rough-n-Ready The Indy Lights tier is the pinnacle for the Rice Lake Weighing Systems side floor scale system that is used at Mazda Mazda drivers. Winning logos, and with a final acceleration, car Road to Indy races to weigh-in all drivers the Indy Lights Series brings in a number 82 brings in the title of Pro Mazda after they compete. Since weight and championship title, a scholarship valued Champion, the second tier of competitive speed go hand-in-hand, each race car at one million dollars towards entering racing in the Mazda Road to Indy Series. and driver must weigh-in over a specified the Indy Car Series, and three guaranteed Standing atop of the winner’s podium, minimum weight to ensure a lighter car races in the Indy Car Series, including the race car driver Aaron Telitz is showered doesn’t have an unfair advantage. After . by champagne while the crowd of racing each race, drivers make their way to the enthusiasts cheers with a momentous roar, For Aaron Telitz, bringing in the Indy official weigh-in tent where their cars are and the realization that Aaron’s next race Lights 2017 championship is not only his loaded onto weigh platforms, then drivers will be under the Indy Lights brings him a goal, it’s his calling. step onto the DeckHand and the totals feeling of overwhelming joy. Aaron is a Birchwood, Wisconsin native; are summed. An underweight sum is a With a championship under his belt, just a mere 20 miles north of Rice Lake serious offense; drivers can be disqualified Aaron’s next race will be on the streets of Weighing Systems headquarters in Rice from their race after-the-fact and suffer St. Petersburg, Florida in the Indy Lights Lake, Wisconsin. Aaron began his racing the agonizing blow of having a stellar race series, the third and final rung on the career at a young age racing go-karts, being taken away from them. Mazda Road to Indy racing ladder. The eventually working up to the Mazda Racing is both a science and an art form. Mazda Road to Indy is the only driver Road to Indy Series. In 2014, Aaron and Not only does weight play a large part, development program in the world to Rice Lake Weighing Systems teamed up but every component in a race car plays fund a champion driver’s scholarship to to support Aaron’s Mazda Road to Indy a crucial role in the overall performance. advance towards their dream to race in the racing career with a driver sponsorship There’s one element though that cannot be Indy Car Series. The Mazda Road to Indy to help Aaron meet his racing needs. The traced back to a part, component or even is truly a race car driver’s dream. pair also started the Rice Lake Weighing mechanical concept—the driver’s intuition. The program is a progressive ladder with Systems–Mazda Road to Indy hospitality A skill that Aaron has full throttle, intuition three steps. package with Aaron Telitz. The package is what separates the good drivers from 1. Cooper Tires USF2000 allows Rice Lake Weighing Systems to the great. When a team, race car and that Championship Powered by Mazda host gatherings on the racing circuit, and elusive skilled driver come together, magic 2. Pro Mazda Championship attendees can meet the race car driver happens on the tarmac. The Aaron Telitz Presented by Cooper Tires himself after watching him compete. magic had no short supply in 2016.

14 RICE LAKE MAGAZINE | www.ricelake.com After his Pro Mazda win, Aaron made Don’t Miss Aaron’s Races! sure to share in the win with his racing Watch Aaron’s upcoming races in families: “What a feeling. 2016 Pro Mazda Champion! It hasn’t sunk in yet at all. I his Rice Lake Weighing Systems wouldn’t have even had a shot at this sponsored race car in the Indy Lights without the support of everyone at Team Series. Cheer on Aaron as he makes Pelfrey, Rice Lake Weighing Systems, his Indy Lights Series debut and Rising Star Racing, Mazda Motor Sports, hopefully races his way to another Morrie’s Auto, Team Cooper Tire and Mazda Road to Indy championship! my family! This is for you as much as me.” 2017 Schedule: Aaron is undoubtedly a fantastic race car • April 21-23 Barber Motorsports driver, but what really persuaded Rice Park, Birmingham, AL Lake Weighing Systems to sponsor Aaron was his attitude. • May 11-13 Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit, Indianapolis, IN Throughout Rice Lake’s sponsorship, Aaron has time and time again shown • May 26 Indianapolis Motor that the two brands—Rice Lake Weighing Speedway, Indianapolis, IN Systems and Aaron Telitz Racing—have • June 23-25 , much in common: dedication, honesty, Elkhart Lake, WI loyalty to customers and fans, and an • July 8-9 , unwavering sense of humility for all of Newton, IA those who have worked hard to ensure • July 14-16 Streets of Toronto, brand success. Toronto, Ontario Although Aaron has to leave his number • July 25-30 Mid-Ohio Sports 82 race car and his team behind at the start Car Course, Lexington, OH of the new season, Aaron is doing what he does best—racing ahead to the next • August 25-27 Gateway challenge with unwavering confidence, Motorsports Park, Madison, IL Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ support, and • September 1-3 Watkins Glen a group of family and fans who believe the International, Watkins Glen, NY future for Aaron Telitz is winning under the Indy500 Lights. ▪ Weighing in on a DeckHand floor scale is professional race car driver Aaron Telitz.

Aaron Telitz in his Pro Mazda championship-winning race car sponsored by Rice Lake.

www.ricelake.com | RICE LAKE MAGAZINE 15