Photo: Formula Motorsport Limited
Reece Ushijima will race in USF Pro 2000 this year for the Jay Howard Driver Development team.
The American-Japanese driver has been racing cars in Europe and Asia since 2019, starting off in Formula Ford 1600 and then progressing to MRF Challenge, GB3, Formula Regional Asian Championship and then the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
He picked up a pole in the MRF Challenge, two wins and three poles from two seasons in GB3, and made the podium en route to 20th in the FIA F3 standings last year.
“North America has some of the best racing in the world, and I am happy to be joining JHDD just two rungs on the ladder from the top level,” said the 20-year-old.
“The team is known for their success in multiple different series, and I only hope that I can help them add to their 2023 resume in the USFP2000 championship.”
Ushijima is JHDD’s second signing for the season, alongside Formula 4 graduate Ricardo Escotto.
“I am looking forward to seeing Reece in our USFP2000 car,” JHDD’s team owner Jay Howard said.
“With his experience in Europe and around the world, I am sure he will be on pace right away and confident for the season ahead.
“Reece is one of the last pieces of the puzzle for JHDD in 2023 as we look forward kicking off the season victorious in all three programmes of competition.”
Ushijima is not the only driver swapping FIA F3 for USFP2000 this year, as Francesco Pizzi and Lirim Zendeli have both signed to race for TJ Speed in the series.