Andersen Racing Signs Hall For Full Season of Star Mazda Competition

PALMETTO, Fla., April 4 - A second-place finish has given Charles Hall a second chance.

Through no fault of his own, the racing career of the driver from Sheffield, England, suffered a major setback in 2005 when he was seriously injured in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver.

Now fully recovered, Hall drove an Andersen Racing entry in the 2008 Star Mazda season opener March 14 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., where he qualified second and finished second.

Impressed with Hall's performance in his first Star Mazda race and how he interacted with the team members, today the Palmetto, Fla.-based team announced that it has also signed Hall to contest the remaining 11 Star Mazda races this year.

Team co-owner Dan Andersen said Hall will replace Yannick Hofman on the multi-series/multi-car team due to contractual issues with Hofman following the Star Mazda season opener.

"We gave Charles an opportunity at Sebring to do a 'one-off' and show us his skills, and he demonstrated both talent and a strong commitment to professionalism that left us no choice but to add him to our Star Mazda roster for 2008," Andersen said. "I have been impressed with Charles both as a driver and as a person, and I am delighted we could make this work for him."

The team is sponsored by Allied Building Products Corp. Hall is also supported by Pardoes Solicitors.