JOHN PAUL SOUTHERN JR. LEAPS INTO F3 AMERICAS WITH K-HILL MOTORSPORTS

JOHN PAUL SOUTHERN JR. LEAPS INTO F3 AMERICAS WITH K-HILL MOTORSPORTS

Southern makes his F3 season announcement at crowded Pittsburgh International Auto Show

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 17, 2018)- On a stage surrounded by a crowd of Pittsburgh International Auto Show patrons, John Paul Southern Jr. of Westlake, Ohio, announced he will make the transition from the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda to the new FIA Formula 3 Americas Powered by Honda for its inaugural 2018 season.

Southern, who spent part of his off-season competing in the Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic class, is the first of three drivers to confirm his seat with K-Hill Motorsports. The team is slated to run three F3 cars in 2018.

“During the off-season, the opportunity arose for me to drive a Formula Atlantic car with K-Hill Motorsports,” Southern said. “The idea was daunting at first, but I got up to speed right out of the box. I was able to win four SCCA Major Races so far and set the Formula Atlantic track record at Circuit of the Americas. K-Hill gave me a winning car in Formula Atlantic and I’m confident that will carry over for F3.”

Southern is only the second driver to confirm his transition from F4 U.S. into F3 Americas. Baltazar Leguizamon was the first driver to announce his F3 seat with Jay Howard Driver Development.

Sixteen-year-old Southern completed his rookie F4 U.S. season with seven top-10 finishes and has already started training for the F3 Americas season.

“Besides developing my craft in the Formula Atlantic and on the simulator, I started a program with Pitt Fit Training to address the fitness level I feel will be necessary this season,” said Southern. “I am doing everything I can to be competitive in the inaugural F3 season, as I realize the car will be fast and the competition stiff.”

Southern will be available for autographs throughout Saturday during the Pittsburgh Auto Show on Sat., at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex booth (First Floor, Hall D, Booth No. F1). His F4 U.S. car is also on display at the Pitt Race booth now through Feb. 19.

While the official schedule for F3 Americas has not been announced, Southern and the rest of the F3 field will make its world debut at Pittsburgh International Race Complex Aug. 3-5. To follow the series development, follow F3Americas.com.