The American Dream

Josef Newgarden is the latest US talent on the road to stardom

You may be forgiven for thinking that young American drivers dream only of reaching NASCAR or winning the Indy 500! FPA's latest recruit Josef Newgarden has other ideas...

The 18-year-old has signed up to contest the opening three rounds of the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi campaign at Brands Hatch this weekend following a successful shakedown in the FPA car at Bedford Autodrome yesterday (27/04).

Josef has been a long time admirer of FPA and he sees the series as being part of a plan towards his ultimate goal: "The dream is F1," said Newgarden. "There is no doubt about that. That is why I am here racing in Europe. There are so many paths to take before I can reach that goal, but I am committed to the idea of racing in Formula One during my career."

Newgarden is currently competing in the MSA British Formula Ford championship - where he has already taken a victory in the opening round, but with no Formula Ford race this weekend Josef was keen to keep himself busy: "I didn't want to have such a big gap between races," said the American. "FPA is a great championship and it will be big event on a fantastic circuit. It is a good opportunity for me to race in front of the A1GP guys and a big crowd, and I would love to represent my country in A1GP at some point in the future."

The Racer of Tomorrow-backed driver will be racing at Brands Hatch for the first time since his phenomenal success when winning the Kent class of the prestigious Formula Ford Festival last season: "It is always great to return to a circuit where I have done well in the past," commented Newgarden. "It will be my debut on the Grand Prix circuit however, and that is another reason for being there. It is all just great experience for the future."

The future is something Josef Newgarden seems firmly focussed on and his performances on the track so far in his career suggest that he should be one to watch at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Tickets for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport supported by the Formula Palmer Audi Championship cost from £29 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or click on the link below.