Katherine Legge in 2005
The Atlantic Championship is a one-make single-seater series in the US which has historically acted as a feeder for IndyCar and Champ Car. It evolved from Formula Atlantic, previously called Formula B, which was based on production engines but not strictly a one-make series. Formula Atlantic also existed in the UK.
Toyota came on board in 1989 and sponsored the championship as well as providing engines. Atlantics were part of the CART family in 2004 to 2005, then functioned as the Champ Car development series in 2006 and 2007, similar to Indy Lights. The Atlantic Championship is currently run by USAC after some time under the SCCA umbrella.
Relatively few women have taken part in Toyota Atlantics, although some have been very successful. Danica Patrick scored a number of podiums in her two seasons there and Katherine Legge won three races in 2005. Simona de Silvestro managed five wins over two seasons.
During the Toyota era, Atlantics were masterminded by Vicki O’Connor of the ProMotion agency. She co-ordinated the championship until it was bought out by CART.
Toyota Atlantic Championship
1997
Carol Soucy (Scalzo Racing) - 33rd (3 races)
2003
Danica Patrick (Team Rahal) - 6th (12 races)
2004
Danica Patrick (Team Rahal) - 3rd (12 races)
2005
Katherine Legge (Polestar Racing Group) - 3rd (12 races)
Champ Car Atlantic
2007
Simona de Silvestro (Walker Racing) - 19th (12 races)
Atlantic Championship
2008
Simona de Silvestro (Newman/Wachs Racing) - 8th (11 races)
2009
Simona de Silvestro (Team Stargate Worlds) - 3rd (12 races)
Atlantic Championship Series (USAC)
2017
Jenna Grillo (K-Hill Motorsports) - 13th (4 races)
(Image copyright Kurt Dahlstrom)