team-usa-scholarship-to-provide-opportunities
Sharon, CT – The highest placed American drivers under 20 years-old in both the F2000 Championship Series and the F1600 Formula F Championship Series prior to the conclusion of the season (following F2000 at Mosport and F1600 at Mid-Ohio) will be included among the list of candidates for prestigious Team USA Scholarships.
The program will provide end-of-season opportunities at the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy events in England for talented American drivers rising through the ranks of the open-wheel ladder system.
“The F2000 Championship Series has proven to be a fine proving ground for talented youngsters,” said Team USA Scholarship President Jeremy Shaw, “and I was delighted to learn about the addition of F1600 Formula F to the agenda this year. Formula F(ord) has been existence for over 40 years, is very cost-effective and has an unparalleled reputation for developing the stars of tomorrow. I am excited about being able to invite drivers from both F2000 and F1600 to be part of our selection process.”
In addition to being able to broaden their experience by racing in Europe, the Team USA Scholarship winners also will enjoy a number of opportunities to visit a variety of manufacturers and teams. The precise itinerary is yet to be finalized, but in past seasons scholarship winners have been treated to visits to Lola Cars, the McLaren Technical Centre, Jaguar Cars, Fortec Motorsport and Cosworth among others.
“The Team USA program gives American drivers a well-deserved opportunity to represent the country and their race craft at legendary events in England,” commented Michael Rand, F2000 and F1600 managing director. “Our Series cater to up and coming talent, so having the top finishing, young American driver automatically be nominated is just another carrot out there to increase the remarkable level of competition at our events.”
In 2010 F2000 race winner Jonathan Scarallo was nominated for the scholarship, narrowly missing out on a trip to England after a shootout competition in Arizona.
"For me last year being nominated for Team USA Scholarship was definitely a highlight for the year and my career to this point,” commented Scarallo, “Although I did not win it was special to be one of the elite eight that were nominated and the only driver from the F2000 Championship Series. I was able to meet some great people in the sport to add to my contacts, which will help progress my racing career all because of Team USA Scholarship, and what Jeremy does for everybody in it."
The scholarship winner list reads like a who’s who of road racing and includes: A.J. Allmendinger, Conor Daly, Paul Edwards, Memo Gidley, Joey Hand, Bryan Herta, J.R. Hildebrand, Andy Lally, Josef Newgarden, Tony Renna, Buddy Rice, Bryan Sellers and Jimmy Vasser.
As for funding the scholarship, a wide variety of motorsports-related companies, teams and drivers contribute to the program which sends young American hopefuls to do battle on race tracks overseas.
The scholarship was founded in 1990 and has awarded some 32 young American drivers deserving opportunities overseas.