OPPORTUNITIES KNOCKING FOR F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS

Kyle Kirkwood, Konrad Czaczyk to participate in Team USA Scholarship Driver Shootout

INDIANAPOLIS (September 21, 2016) – As a result of their experience in the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda, an exciting opportunity has emerged for Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, and Konrad Czaczyk of Loxahatchee, Florida.

The two F4 U.S. drivers will compete in the one-day Team USA Scholarship Driver Shootout on Thursday at Lucas Oil School of Racing at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida.

Czaczyk, 19, and Kirkwood, 17, along with four additional finalists, were chosen from 11 drivers who were nominated. Two will win the ultimate prize to represent the United States in the Formula Ford Festival in Brands Hatch, England, October 21-23 and the opportunity to race for the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone November 4-6.

“The F4 U.S. Championship definitely helped get me noticed for this opportunity,” Czaczyk said. “After winning the first three races of the season, I started getting noticed by people in the racing community on a national and international level. I am really looking forward to displaying my talent in front of the prestigious panel of judges and race against some of the best drivers in the country. It is quite an honor and an amazing opportunity.”

To be considered, drivers were first nominated by someone within the racing community to undergo the first process of interviews that were held during the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on July 31. The six finalists will endure a fitness element conducted by Jim Leo of Indianapolis-based PitFit Training and three 20-minute on-track sessions that include practice, qualifying and a race stint.

The Team USA Scholarship, founded by auto racing writer and broadcaster Jeremy Shaw, originated in 1990 when a young Jimmy Vasser was selected to contest the Formula Ford. Subsequent scholarship winners include IndyCar race winners Bryan Herta, Buddy Rice, Charlie Kimball and Josef Newgarden; sports car standouts Andy Lally, Paul Edwards, Bryan Sellers and Dane Cameron; and rising stars such as Conor Daly, Matthew Brabham and Spencer Pigot.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the esteemed panel of judges and driving in front of them,” Kirkwood said. “I’ve been preparing in the F4 car for this event. The F4 U.S. Championship was a huge help in getting me nominated for this opportunity.”

Some of the scholarship judges include scholarship winners Herta, Kimball, Newgarden and Pigot, plus factory Porsche driver Patrick Long, American Honda Manager of Motorsports Communications T.E. McHale, Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull, Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires promoter Dan Andersen, and factory Mazda racer and former Team USA grad Joel Miller.

The overall winners of the scholarship will be announced at a later date following data analyzing from the day by Shaw and the other judges.