Matthew Brabham will compete in three British Formula Renault 2.0 events later this year as part of being selected to join the Team USA Scholarship.
Brabham clinched the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda two weeks ago, and in doing so, has earned a Mazda Road to Indy Scholarship to graduate into the 2013 Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear.
Before he continues his US racing career, he will sample European racing, joined by Jack Mitchell Jr. and Tristan Nunez who have also been selected into the prestigious scholarship.
The three American born teenagers will follow in the footsteps of a long list of illustrious former winners, including Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Buddy Rice, Andy Lally, Charlie Kimball, JR Hildebrand and Josef Newgarden.
The selections were made at the conclusion of an exhaustive process that included a round of interviews held during the INDYCAR/American Le Mans Series weekend at Mid-Ohio and subsequent on-track evaluations both on state-of-the-art full-motion CXC simulators in Santa Monica, Calif., and aboard composite-chassis Allen Berg Racing Schools Formula Renault FR1600 cars at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
“The future of auto racing in this country is in good hands,” said Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw.
“The standard of driving during our shootout process was predictably high and all of candidates should be proud of their achievements. It is gratifying to know that contributions from a broad cross-section of the American racing industry have made it possible for us to offer these opportunities to some very talented youngsters.”
Brabham will contest the final two rounds of the Formula Renault BARC UK Championship on the Silverstone National circuit on October 6/7. He will also challenge for the Formula Renault BARC Winter Series which will comprise two races on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on October 20/21 and two more races on the Rockingham International Sportscar Circuit on Saturday, November 10.
“I’m so happy and excited that I was picked for the Team USA Scholarship,” said Brabham,
“It’s really cool to be a part of such a prestigious program that has helped some very famous and talented drivers. To have my name next to theirs on the Team USA program is truly an honour and I am looking forward to representing Team USA over in England.
“Already I have learned so much from the program and I am looking forward to developing further from this experience.”
