Adam Sinclair
Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway more than 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of traveling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week.
Adam spent several years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.
Be sure to tune in for his sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place (almost) every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
Contact Adam: Email
Next weekend, race fans will flock to Vegas for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and Sports Illustrated, the ultimate arbiter in the celebration of sports, together with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), is hosting an exclusive racing experience and hospitality suite – Club SI – all race week-end long.
Thursday, November 16 - “eff won Live!”
- Dax Shepard and friends – Charlie Curtis, Matthew Collins, and Jethro – will kick-off race weekend with their first-ever live podcast recording of “eff won with DRS” (Dax Randall Shepard). The podcast is a celebration of Formula 1 drama with a cast of characters that pair suboptimal technical knowledge with world-class passion and zeal. A-list stars and top personalities will join the eff won crew to discuss race weekend in Las Vegas, the power of the F1 brand and more. Club SI attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the hosts and ask questions to podcast guests.
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party is coming to Club SI at Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix for a night of swim and racing! The Friday night party will be hosted by Sports Illustrated swim models Brooks Nader and Nicole Williams English – featured in the 2023 Swimsuit Issue. Special meet-and-greets with English and Nader will be available to Club SI ticket holders.
- David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal will host the Saturday night celebration for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Club SI. They will also be on hand to mix and mingle with Club SI guests prior to the race kick-off.
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series titles on the line this weekend in Pomona
As the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series comes to a close at this weekend’s 58th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle championships have a chance to be decided before eliminations at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera has been nearly perfect in the class this season with ten wins and 13 No. 1 qualifiers to his credit on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. He has led the points all but one event of the 2023 season.
To claim his first NHRA championship, Herrera must make a qualifying attempt at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. With his 181-point lead of his teammate Eddie Krawiec, Herrera can clinch his first career world championship during qualifying.
“It doesn’t feel real. Like I told Andrew (Hines, crew chief), I haven’t even woken up from the beginning of the season,” Herrera laughed. “I think it started to sink in leading up to Vegas. I posted a year ago that I was looking for sponsors, to basically make it out there. I didn’t plan to do more than Indy, Reading and St. Louis last year and I was able to find some funding to come out West so that was a big deal.
“It’s hard to believe me being out here and getting a ride with Vance & Hines. I can’t thank Andrew and Eddie enough for seeing what they did for me and putting faith in me that I could ride the motorcycle to their standards.”
Herrera’s championship will give the Vance & Hines racing team its 14th championship. Herrera joins the likes of Krawiec, a four-time champion, and brothers Andrew Hines, a six-time title holder, and Matt Hines, with three championships, under the Vance & Hines umbrella.
“It really is unbelievable,” Herrera said. “Terry (Vance) and I were talking, and he said just don’t change, just keep being yourself and have fun with it. It’s awesome working with all of them: Terry, Byron (Hines), Andrew, and Eddie. It’s like a family. Everyone says it’s all business but at the end of the day, they’re almost like big brothers to me.”
In the Pro Stoc ranks, Enders is on the verge of her sixth NHRA title in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro, holding a 114-point lead over longtime rival Greg Anderson. To clinch her championship in qualifying, she needs to gain seven more points in qualifying than Anderson, who also has five titles. If Enders is able to gain that advantage in qualifying, she’ll secure the title on Saturday for Elite Motorsports. If not, she’ll need to win first round on Sunday to clinch her fourth world championship in five seasons.
“They asked me about having one hand on the trophy and I definitely don’t feel like it’s ours,” Enders said. “We have to go out there and continue to earn it. If they asked me that twelve races ago, I’d told them they were nuts if they said we were going to contend for our sixth championship this year because we were absolutely horrible.”
Early this season, Enders suffered three first-round losses but has rebounded in the second half of the year in a major way and especially in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. She has four wins on the season, including back-to-back wins in the playoffs in Dallas and Las Vegas. Already the winningest female in NHRA history, if she is able to clinch the title, she’ll tie Warren Johnson for second most championships in the category at six, behind Bob Glidden at 10.
“Pomona is points and a half and a lot can happen, and a lot can change,” Enders said. “I just try to put that out of my mind. I know that sounds silly and cliché, but I just try to focus on what’s right in front of me. I don’t want to get the bigger picture in my mind too far ahead but at the same time, I believe that we can do it and we’re capable.”
The In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals will also crown champions in the nitro categories. Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence leads Doug Kalitta by only 15 points with Leah Pruett just behind in third at 34 points back. The Funny Car class is even tighter with Matt Hagan leading Bob Tasca III by 15 and Robert Hight by 17.
Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won last year’s event, while Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed world championships. The race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The weekend includes two qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday leading into championship Sunday, plus a weekend-long celebration of veterans. Fans can get closer to the action with a Top Eliminator Club experience, offering the best seats in the house and a premium experience.
Champions will also be crowned in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as action in the Jr. Dragster Shootout, the “Walking Tall” P.T. Cruiser Wheelstander driven by “NitroMike” and autograph sessions, including one with legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Capps.
Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners and 2023 world champs.
Fans are also invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, as the entertainment hub hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, influencer interviews and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet and can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12 and 3 p.m. PT on Friday, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 12 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage begins with qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 4 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the 58th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.
(Courtesy of NHRA Communications)
2023 Trans Am Titles Decided, Champions Crowned at COTA
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Callum Hedge Crowned FR Americas 2023 Driver Champion
| With the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) season officially in the books, Callum Hedge was crowned the Driver Champion Saturday evening at the year-end FR Americas Awards Celebration. Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport celebrated their first FR Americas Team Championship, while Kevin Janzen was honored as the FR Americas Masters Champion, and Manuel Roza was awarded the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award. |
| FR Americas Driver Champion Callum Hedge’s (No. 17 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) bid for the 2023 FR Americas title required him to overcome challenges both on the track and logistically as he traveled halfway around the globe for each of the series’ six event weekends. In addition, he was logging miles to and from Australia to simultaneously compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. He spent literal days on airplanes with some weeks, such as the two weeks leading into the rounds at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, requiring up to 49 hours on a plane between events. In all, between FR Americas, Australia’s Porsche Carrera Cup Championship and Formula Regional Oceania in New Zealand, Hedge has seen 50 checkered flags this year alone. Throughout the course of the 18-race FR Americas season, Hedge collected 13 wins and 15 podiums. “It's been quite difficult traveling to and from New Zealand and Australia,” said Hedge as he accepted the championship trophy. “It's rough sitting on planes constantly, but big thanks to the people who make it happen for me. Without them, it wouldn't be possible. Big credit to Steve Horn and Mark Pilcher. What they did for me at the start of the year, pulling the funding together about two or three weeks before the first round, was very awesome, and I really appreciate them. Also, the people that came on board to support us—Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group, and Steve Horn, himself, with Tasman Motorsport Group—thank you. “Big thanks to the people who put this event on—SCCA and Parella Motorsports [Holdings]—thank you very much. Scott [Goodyear], thanks for all your hard work. You're a great race director. Your driver’s briefings have been very fun—they've been pretty long, but very useful. You put in a lot of effort and take a lot of pride in what you do; I really appreciate all your work. Mom, thanks for coming out this weekend. I hope you enjoyed coming to America for the second time this year; hopefully you can come back sometime soon. All my competitors, thank you for giving me a good, hard season of racing. The team at Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport, thank you for all your work. Your car has been really good this year. We haven't had many issues, so big credit to you. Thanks, Gary, Teena, Thomas for fixing all my broken stuff—you’re a champion, mate. Paul, thanks for engineering me on a few other weekends,” concluded Hedge. As the 2023 Driver Champion, Hedge secured a prize from Honda Performance Development (HPD), in addition to a Bell Athlete contract, a carbon Bell helmet, a custom OMP racing suit, a bespoke Omologato timepiece, Haas F1 Team guest experience at the Miami Grand Prix, and an invitation to the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony at the conclusion of the season. Last, but not least, Hedge also earned FIA Super License Points to assist in his journey on the Road to F1. READ MORE: 2023 FR Americas Driver Points Championship Standings |
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| Andrew Salzano (right) of Honda Performance Development presents Callum Hedge (left) with the 2023 FR Americas Driver Championship award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| FR Americas Team Championship Fielding cars for FR Americas Driver Champion Hedge, Driver Vice Champion Ryan Shehan (No. 66 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) and Third-Place Driver Champion Cooper Becklin (No. 19 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), among several others, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport won their first FR Americas Team Championship. Averaging 5.83 FR Americas entries per race, the Dallas-based organization has been leading the team standings since the very first checkered flag of the season at NOLA Motorsports Park. Throughout 2023, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport drivers have accumulated 16 wins, 46 podiums and 95 top-10 finishes across their 105 entries. The award was accepted by team co-owners Garry Orton and Teena Larsen. “It's a dream come true,” said Teena Larsen, co-owner of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport. “We did it. It's unbelievable. It's not just us—it's the team. The team, the families, the drivers—we created that family atmosphere that really made us all thrive and move forward together, which helped us all excel. All we asked for is that they do the best job that they can, and they all did that and exceeded all of our expectations. We're so proud of every one of them.” “Winning these championships means a huge amount,” said Garry Orton, co-owner of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport, after the ceremony. “The amount of work that everybody put into it—back in the shop and here at the track with all of our crew; they've all had the same goal, and they all strive for it. We've been incredibly lucky to have some really good drivers and good crew to pull all this off. It would be an incredible thing if we can repeat it, but it's not easy.” READ MORE: 2023 Team Points Championship Standings |
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| Garry Orton and Teena Larsen, co-owners of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport accept the 2023 FR Americas Team Championship award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| FR Americas Masters Championship Kevin Janzen jokes that he’s older than most of his competitors’ parents. Born in 1965, the Canadian is the oldest driver in the FR Americas paddock. He missed rounds at Mid-Ohio and NJMP this season as he recovered from a health scare, but despite that, he still recorded 10 top-10 finishes enroute to the Masters Championship. In addition to racing cars, he’s a four-time USA National Champion with the Labbat Blue Hockey Club, an avid tennis player, and an avid skier—both with heli ski and cat skiing, and even, backcountry powder skiing. “I am grateful to Gary and Teena and all of the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport mechanics and race engineers for all of their hard work and efforts this year,” said Janzen. “The team provided excellent support and ensured I had a fast and reliable car. I am also grateful for our driver coach Roberto Moreno and his relentless efforts to make sure we are always improving. This is not an easy car to drive, and as such, it took a lot of training in the gym, testing and race sim to keep sharp. I want to also thank Tony Parella for hosting the series, and a special thanks to Scott Goodyear for his attention to detail and his guidance to make sure the races are conducted in the most professional and safe manner. Thank you to Ligier, Hankook and Honda for providing an excellent race car, tires and engine. “It was nice to receive the Master Championship award and to be recognized this year. Racing is a difficult sport, as you put so much on the line while driving. It is one sport that really penalizes mistakes and requires precision and concentration. I must say it is an unreal experience driving the JSF3. I look forward to the 2024 season,” concluded Janzen. |
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| Kevin Janzen was named the FR Americas Masters Champion. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award A new award in 2023, the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award recognized the driver who picked up the most positions from their starting position to their finishing position throughout the course of the 18-race season. Making 17 passes this year, Manuel Roza (No. 12 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) was named the award winner. “For me, personally, it has been a tough season full of learning experiences,” said Roza. “We missed two rounds [at New Jersey Motorsports Park and VIRginia International Raceway], so it was very important for us to perform at Circuit of The Americas. The weekend was the best I’ve had all season, and the crowning achievement of all those efforts this year is receiving the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award. Not only do I personally feel fulfilled that our hard work was rewarded, but it could possibly allow us to get future sponsorship for 2024. Once again, thanks to everyone who makes this possible—FR Americas, the series’ partners, my sponsors and my family—especially my mom. It has been an amazing year.” |
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| Scott Goodyear (right) presents Manuel Roza (left) with the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| FR Americas will kick off its 2024 season, April 11-14 at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, La. For news and updates throughout the off season, be sure to follow FR Americas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Prospective drivers wanting to learn more about FR Americas the #RoadToF1 ladder, and how to get involved in the 2024 FR Americas season should visit FRAmericas.com. |
Patrick Woods-Toth Crowned F4 U.S. 2023 Driver Champion
| With the 2023 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda (F4 U.S.) season officially complete, Patrick Woods-Toth was crowned the Driver Champion, while Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport was celebrated as the Team Champion at the annual F4 U.S. Awards Celebration on Saturday evening. Bacon Zelenka was presented the Catherine Crawford Most Improved Driver Award, and Landan Matriano Lim was awarded the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award. |
| F4 U.S. Driver Champion The stars had to align just right for Patrick Woods-Toth (No. 27 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4) to arrive on the F4 U.S. scene this season. While he was an accomplished karter with four-consecutive national championships, 12 months ago, Woods-Toth had never driven a racecar. A nomination from Motomaster Ron Fellows Karting Championship (MRFKC) led to an opportunity for Woods-Toth to attend the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Scholarship Award School, and one thing led to another. After the two-day scholarship school, MRFKC sponsored a third “lapping day” for Woods-Toth, which gave him even more experience in the Ligier JS F4. From there, he tested with Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport, and ultimately earned an opportunity to compete in the first round of the 2023 F4 U.S. season. Leaving the weekend with three podiums and only two points behind the points leader, Wood-Toth and his team were able to put together the funding to finish out the year. By the time the final checkered flag waved at the season finale, Woods-Toth was tied with Augie Soto-Schirripa (No. 24 International Motorsport Ligier JS F4) for the most wins in 2023 with four victories (Round 4 – Road America, Round 6 – Road America, Round 9 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Round 18 – Circuit of The Americas), and led the series with 14 podiums throughout the 18 contested rounds. “I'd like to start off by thanking the series, the series partners and all the competitors,” said Woods-Toth while accepting his trophy. “This really is a world-class series, and I feel very thankful and lucky to have taken part in it. Scott [Goodyear, F4 U.S. Race Director] has really done an amazing job. He keeps everything together and makes sure that we have a fair and competitive racing environment. Coming into this season, I didn't even know that I was going to be racing cars. So, to be up here with this trophy and this amazing accomplishment is unbelievable—it's been a roller coaster, to say the least. Thanks to Ron Fellows and Lynda Fellows, I got to do my first race. And you know, I thought that was going to be it, but Orlando came on with Carlo Fidani and he let us carry on with the whole season. The whole team has just been working so hard between all the races and every event to get a great result. To be standing here is surreal. I don't have many things to say. Just thank you to everyone; this is an amazing accomplishment for all of us.” As the 2023 Driver’s Champion, Woods-Toth has secured a scholarship to compete in the 2024 FR Americas season. Valued at $215,000, the prize package includes an engine lease, a chassis lease from Ligier Automotive, two sets of tires per event from Hankook Motorsports, and entry fees from Parella Motorsports Holdings, as well as $25,000 from HPD. Other prizes include a Bell Athlete contract, a carbon Bell helmet, a custom OMP racing suit, a bespoke Omologato timepiece, Haas F1 Team guest experience at the Miami Grand Prix, and an invitation to the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony at the conclusion of the season. In addition, Woods-Toth also earned FIA Super License Points to assist in his journey on the Road to F1. READ MORE: 2023 Driver Points Championship Standings |
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| Andrew Salzano (left) of Honda Performance Development presents Patrick Woods-Toth with the 2023 F4 U.S. Driver Championship award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| F4 U.S. Team Championship Fielding cars for both the F4 U.S. Driver Champion, Woods-Toth, and Driver Vice Champion, Titus Sherlock (No. 31 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4), among several others, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport won their fifth F4 U.S. Team Championship. Averaging 6.3 F4 U.S. entries per race, the Dallas-based organization has been leading the team standings since the very first checkered flag of the season at NOLA Motorsports Park. Throughout 2023, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport drivers have accumulated seven wins, 26 podiums and 67 top-10 finishes. The award was accepted by team co-owners Garry Orton, Teena Larsen and Gill Kaszuba. “This was a big deal,” said Teena Larsen, co-owner of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport as they accepted the team championship trophy. “It was a great season, but we are here because of the team. Gill [Kaszuba, co-owner], thank you for stepping up and managing the F4 side. We had so many drivers—I love all of you. Thank you so much for making history for us. Patrick [Wood-Toth], Jesse [Lacey], Titus [Sherlock], Alex [Benavitz], Hannah [Greenemeier], Jett [Bowling]—thank you. It was such a great season, and honestly, it was really teamwork. We could not do this without all of you.” “All of the mechanics and the crew and the team just did an absolutely sensational job,” said Garry Orton, co-owner of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport. “It just couldn't happen without you. It's so important to Teena, Gill and I that you know that. You work so hard, you put up with me—not too often, but I’m a grumpy bugger sometimes. I really appreciate it and thank you very much. To all of the drivers, thank you so much.” “It wasn't easy,” added Gill Kaszuba, co-owner of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport. “This was a team effort. If we didn't have the guys that we have, or the engineering, or the driver development side of things, things could have turned out differently. [Winning] means a lot to me. To see these kids do as good as they do, and we know that they’re going to go on and do great things—it’s very satisfying.”
READ MORE: 2023 Team Points Championship Standings |
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| Garry Orton, Teena Larsen, Gill Kaszuba, co-owners of Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport accept the 2023 F4 U.S. Team Championship award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| Most Improved Driver Bacon Zelenka (No. 45 Bacon Racing Ligier JS F4) was awarded with the Catherine Crawford Most Improved Driver Award. Selected by Ligier Automotive North America, Zelenka received not only a trophy, but also a $5,000 credit from Ligier. “This year, we were kind of an inch deep in an ocean, but now I can confidently say we’re a foot deep in the ocean,” said Zelenka, reflecting on his season. “Overall, I’m very happy with our season and the progress we made—I’m excited to build on the knowledge we gained. It’s amazing to be chosen the most improved driver. It gives me a lot of confidence, and it reassures me that my efforts aren’t going unnoticed. My improvement doesn’t stop here, and it will never stop. I love the challenge!” |
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| Russell Murr (left) and Catherine Crawford (right) present Bacon Zelenka (center) with the Catherine Crawford Most Improved Driver Award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award A new award in 2023, the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award recognized the driver who picked up the most positions from their starting position to their finishing position throughout the course of the 18-race season. Landan Matriano Lim (No. 2 JENSEN Ligier JS F4) was recognized as the award’s winner with 64 passes this year. “Racing is full of highs and lows, and I am so thrilled to finish on a high,” said Matriano Lim. “We didn’t get the results we expected in the standings, but I believe this award validates my capability as a driver. When presenting the award, John [Fippin, the event emcee] said, ‘This driver made 64 successful passes.’ I was absolutely shocked and thought, ‘That guy is insane! 64?!’ Then I heard my name, and well, as a racing driver, you do have to be a little insane. This Omologato watch is the only trophy I can wear every day that reminds me of such an outstanding achievement in my career.” |
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| Scott Goodyear (left) presents Landan Matriano Lim (right) with the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award. Photo by Gavin Baker. |
| F4 U.S. will kick off its 2024 season, April 11-14 at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, La. For news and updates throughout the off season, be sure to follow F4 U.S. on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Prospective drivers wanting to learn more about F4 U.S., the #RoadToF1 ladder, and how to get involved in the 2024 F4 U.S. season should visit F4USChampionship.com. |
Rahal Ducati Moto Announces All-American Rider Line-Up For 2024
The much-anticipated rider line up at Rahal Ducati Moto has been finalized as the team welcomes five-time race winner PJ Jacobsen and up-and-comer Kayla Yaakov to the organization. Jacobsen will pilot the No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2 in the MotoAmerica Supersport class, alongside Yaakov on the No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2.
“We are incredibly thrilled with the rider line up we have secured for our inaugural MotoAmerica season,” said team owner Graham Rahal. “PJ [Jacobsen] has shown incredible talent in his Supersport and Superbike career. We are grateful he was willing to bring his experience to our team to help set the bar as we (attempt to) contend for a championship (in our maiden/inaugural season). Kayla is a young, talented rider and we are excited for her to showcase her potential during her rookie Supersport season. She will have both PJ and Ben [Spies] to look to for guidance and experience as she grows in her young career.
“We have a lot of work to do in the next few months as a new team to prepare, so we are eager to get the riders to the track to test with their new mechanics and on their new machines. We have high expectations going into the season and I truly believe we put together a line up to achieve and exceed the standards we have set for ourselves.”
PJ Jacobsen boasts a decorated Grand Prix resume having competed in several racing series around the globe, including the World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship. Among his accomplishments are earning the vice-champion title in the World Supersport Championship, securing a second-place finish in the Suzuka 8 Hour in 2018 and claiming second in the championship standings in the MotoAmerica Supersport class in 2019. Most recently, Jacobsen found a home in the MotoAmerica Superbike division where he finished third in the 2023 season championship. Jacobsen’s experience on the track will elevate the competitiveness the Rahal Ducati Moto team will bring in its 2024 debut season.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Rahal Ducati Moto racing team,” said Jacobsen. “It’s great to be a part of this racing family and I think it’s very good for my future to be with this amazing group of people. Having Ben Spies back is going to be absolutely awesome to help with riding and the mechanics and strategy of the motorcycle racing. When I heard about the possibility of [Rahal Ducati Moto] coming to the paddock, my eyes lit up because they run such a professional team in car racing, and they will also have a great, professional team in motorcycle racing. It’s great for our sport to have people like this involved, and again, I’m very honored to get the call from them to be one of the riders to fight for wins and a championship. I’m super excited to get testing started and really, really motivated for the 2024 season - especially after having such a strong Superbike season in 2023. I feel very fit and in top-form in my career right now, and ready to fight for the top honors. Thank you to Graham and the people that truly believe in me. I’m really looking forward to a great 2024 season!”
From an early age Kayla Yaakov had the drive to race. She started racing motorcycles at the young age of four and climbed her way through the ranks. In 2022, Yaakov became the first female to win a MotoAmerica race (Ridge Motorsports Park, Round 2), which was highlighted in her third-place finish in the Junior Cup Championship that year. After that first win, Yaakov found herself standing on the top step of the podium three additional times for a total of four wins and 11 collective podiums for the season. In 2023, the 16-year-old found herself in the Twins Cup Championship, finishing seventh in the championship, despite missing the first four races due to a pre-season injury. Yaakov, an inspiration for females aspiring to break into a male-dominated industry, will take on her debut MotoAmerica Supersport season for the team in 2024.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Rahal Ducati Moto team for the 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport season,” said Yaakov. “Being a part of a team with such an iconic backing is a privilege, not only with one of the most prolific motorcycle brands in the world, but also with the Rahal family. Also, having a world champion like Ben Spies in our corner is such an honor. After talking to him for several years, coming together in this team is going to be huge for my progression in this sport! Although it’s a new team that comes with a lot of pressure, I am extremely confident in the abilities of the team and myself for this 2024 season. I can’t wait to get rolling with this amazing crew and am thankful to everyone that has made this possible. I’ll see you on the high banks of Daytona!”
The duo will begin testing their new horses early next year in preparation for the 2024 season. The MotoAmerica Supersport division will begin competition at the Daytona 200 (a non-points race) March 7-9 followed by the regular season points races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 19-21), Barber Motorsports Park (May 17- 19), Road America (May 31-June 2), Brainerd International Raceway (June 14-16), Ridge Motorsports Park (June 28-30), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July 12-14), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August 16-18), Circuit of the Americas (September 13-15) and New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 27-29).
For more information about the series or team, visit www.motoamerica.com and www.rahalducati.com.
Rahals Add Two-Wheel Racing To Their Portfolios With The Creation Of Rahal Ducati Moto
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Callum Hedge Earns FR Americas Championship; Hedge, Westling Earn Victories on Friday at COTA
Callum Hedge clinched the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) title with a win in Race 1 on Friday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). After earning the pole at the Mission Foods Austin SpeedTour during qualifying, the New Zealander jumped out to an early lead and held on through a mid-race caution period to sail off to the checkered flag.
“It's really cool to finally wrap [the championship] up after a really long season,” said Hedge in Victory Lane. “Ryan [Shehan] put up a real good fight. He's a class driver; I've really enjoyed being teammates and racing him this year. It's just really a big credit for the people who made it happen for me—Mark Pilcher and Steve Horne—without them looking and finding this series, I wouldn't be able to go on and do the cool things that I'm going be able to do next year. So, it's a big credit to them and the people who came on board and supported it—Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group and Tasman Motorsport Group.”
Notes of Interest:
- With his 12th win this season, Callum Hedge secured the 2023 FR Americas Drivers Championship.
- Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport will also be the 2023 Team Champions in FR Americas, sweeping both championships for the series.
- Cooper Becklin earned his 15th podium in 16 races with his second-place result.
- Cole Kleck earned his first-career podium in his first race back since joining FR Americas at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June.
Hedge (No. 17 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) led the field off the starting block on his Hankook tires with Shehan (No. 66 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) directly to his outside in second. Hedge immediately took control of the race off the starters block, but it was Cole Kleck (No. 11 Speed Factory Ligier JS F3) who got a jump off the grid to move from fifth into second by the time the field exited Turn 2.
Shehan stayed in Kleck’s mirrors and the two had quite the battle for the next several laps. All of the back and forth, however, allowed Cooper Becklin (No. 19 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) to close in and join the fight. While the trio fought for the second, Hedge pulled away with a 7.492-second advantage before debris on the track slowed the field with a full-course caution.
The race restarted just one lap later and Kleck made a run at the lead, taking the point position off of Turn 1 before Hedge snapped it back in Turn 2. Hedge pulled away and Kleck settled into second, while Shehan and Becklin engaged in a fight for the third position. Becklin took the position from Shehan and continued his forward progress, while Shehan fell in the running order after suffering a mechanical issue.
With a solid hold on third, Becklin kept his eyes forward and started chasing down Kleck for second. With less than five minutes to go, Becklin pulled side by side with Kleck through Turn 13 and completed the pass by the time they exited 14. Becklin pulled away from Kleck, but Hedge proved to have too great of a gap to overcome.
As they crossed the line, Hedge led the field, followed by Becklin and Kleck.
READ MORE: Race 1 Official Results
“We got a really good start—we haven’t made too many good starts this year—but we finally got a good one," said Hedge on the podium. "We put the green tires on this morning to give us the best opportunity to wrap it up in the first race, so that’s what we did. The car was really fast; a big thanks to the team at Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport.”
Patrick Woods-Toth Claims F4 U.S. Championship; Titus Sherlock, Augie Soto-Schirripa Win at COTA
| Titus Sherlock won in Race 1 at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on Saturday morning, but it wasn’t enough to hold off championship rival Patrick Woods-Toth, who claimed the 2023 Drivers Championship in Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda (F4 U.S.). Entering the weekend with a 66.5 point deficit, Sherlock (No. 31 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) did everything he could, claiming the pole in qualifying and going on to lead every lap enroute to the checkered flag. Meanwhile, Woods-Toth (No. 27 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F4) moved forward from his fourth-place starting position to claim his 12th podium of the season and the championship title. “This time last year, I really wasn't even going to be racing [in 2023],” said Woods-Toth. “When I got an opportunity [to attend the Radford Racing School’s F4 U.S. Scholarship Award School] from the karting series that I've raced in, it was a great opportunity to drive a racecar for my first time, but I never thought it would lead to this. The opportunity is all thanks to Ron Fellows and Orlando—they’re my two biggest supporters. They're the ones who got me here. It's just incredible that we were able to do something like this. I don't think anyone expected us to be so successful in our first season, but we worked really hard. I've got good people behind me, so I'm happy for them, and for myself, as well.” Notes of Interest:
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| When the lights went out, Sherlock jumped ahead of the field to control the race, but a caution during the opening lap gave his competition another chance to make a run at the lead. Second-place starter Daniel Cará (No. 10 Tenuta Foppa & Ambrosi Ligier JS F4) put up a hard fight to try to take the lead on the restart, but Sherlock once again pulled ahead. During the first lap of the race, Woods-Toth was able to overtake Augie Soto-Schirripa (No. 24 International Motorsport Ligier JS F4) for the third position, and one lap after the restart, he passed Cará to claim second in Turn 12. Falling back to fourth, Soto-Schirripa was also looking to move forward as the race progressed—with just over 10 minutes left on the clock he moved into third, and then past Woods-Toth to claim second a couple laps later. All the while, Sherlock continued to lead the field. With Soto-Schirripa closing in on his gearbox in the final minutes, Sherlock was able to hold off the charging competition. Coming to the white flag, Sherlock went wide through Turn 15, which allowed Soto-Schirripa to briefly pull side by side before returning to the point position. The two raced wheel to wheel again down the backstretch heading to the checkered flag. Soto-Schirripa briefly nosed ahead, but Sherlock made a race-winning move, braking late and diving into Turn 12 to take the lead. As they crossed the line, it was Sherlock, followed by Soto-Schirripa and Woods-Toth. Making his very first F4 U.S. start, Ariel Elkin (No. 18 International Motorsport Ligier JS F4) finished fourth, followed by Cará in fifth.
READ MORE: Race 1 Official Results
“It was a super long and tough race today, but I just did exactly what I needed to do and stayed out front after starting on the pole” said Sherlock after the race. “I can’t thank my team enough; it’s been a great weekend so far. This morning was just good racing—the whole race I had maybe a couple of car lengths gap, but the last two laps, [Soto-Schirripa] was right on me. It was very intense. Coming into the weekend, we knew the championship was pretty much out of my hands, but second was still possible, and that’s what I need to focus on.” |