Eric Wisniewski, 2022 SpeedTour Formula Development Driver Champion, On The Move

Eric Wisniewski, 2022 SpeedTour Formula Development Driver Champion, On The Move

Will Compete in F4 U.S. with Jay Howard Driver Development in 2023

CHARLOTTE (January 9, 2023) – Eric Wisniewski was crowned the inaugural Driver Champion of SpeedTour Formula Development as the series joined Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda (F4 U.S.) and Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) to honor their champions in Austin, Texas last fall. With several weeks still remaining in the “off” season, Wisniewski has already been signed by Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD) to make his F4 U.S. debut when the series returns to action at NOLA Motorsports Park in March.

“It’s an honor to be the inaugural SpeedTour Formula Development champion,” said Wisniewski. “It was a super fun year. I learned a lot and I was able to work on my race craft. I feel like I’ve improved a lot and I got a ton of track time, which is really beneficial when you’re just starting out. I’m really excited for next season—this has really put me in a good spot to enter F4 U.S. with so much track time at several of the courses we’ll be racing at. I’ve been working out and practicing; I have a lot of testing coming up. All of it in preparation for next season. We’re ready.”

A 14-year-old from Mason, Mich., Wisniewski began racing at age 11 in 2019. Running Bandoleros at his home track of Corrigan Oil Speedway, he finished fourth in the championship that year. When the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled racing at his local track in 2020, Wisniewski started traveling to be able to race—competing at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout and earning his first feature win at Barberton Speedway in Norton, Ohio. By 2021, the young driver earned his first national touring championship before graduating to Legends cars, and ultimately enrolling in the Lucas Oil School of Racing to earn his full SCCA competition license. After testing with JHDD in January 2022, Wisniewski signed with the team to compete in the inaugural season of SpeedTour Formula Development.

Now, with the championship under his belt, Wisniewski will move to F4 U.S. under the JHDD banner, and join the team in their quest to defend the F4 U.S. Drivers Championship title.

"The SpeedTour Formula Development program was the perfect fit for Eric; he got valuable track time at the venues he will return to this year,” said team owner Jay Howard. “Tons of track time which is exactly what is needed. I am optimistic for the season ahead and look forward to watching him step up to the official F4 U.S. Championship."

SpeedTour Formula Development was founded in 2022 to help young drivers bridge the gap between karting and single-seater race cars. With the FIA-backed F4 U.S. having a minimum age requirement of 15, SpeedTour Formula Development allows drivers as young as 14 to get behind the wheel of a formula car and to gain experience racing on a bigger track and at a larger event weekend.

As the 2022 Driver’s Champion, Wisniewski was awarded free entry fees for the 2023 F4 U.S season from Parella Motorsports Holdings, as well as a $5,000 credit from Ligier Automotive North America.

STFD’s 2022 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Drivers wanting to learn more about STFD and how to get involved for the 2023 season should visit F4USChampionship.com.

 

About Formula Regional Americas Championship & Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda: The FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) & Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) are designed as entry-level open-wheel racing series offering young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements. The Championships align with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.