Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Jay Howard will bring his eponymous junior single-seater team to Formula Regional Americas this year in an expansion effort brought about by Indy Lights’ cancellation.
The 39-year-old Briton won the 2006 Indy Lights title as a driver, and made 14 IndyCar race starts between 2008 and 2018.
During that time he started Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD), which began as a America-based karting team before moving into cars via United States Formula 4 in 2017.
Last year it expanded into the Road to Indy in both Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000, where Howard was champion in 2005, and it purchased two of the Dallara IL-15 chassis used in Indy Lights with the plan to debut in IndyCar’s main feeder series in 2020 after a year of testing with USF2000 driver Christian Bogle.
After the coronavirus pandemic brought Indy Lights’ season to a halt after one free practice session, JHDD’s race debut has been put on ice. It is now following HMD Motorsports into FRegional Americas instead, initially as a one-car entry.
“I couldn’t be happier to confirm our entry into the Formula Regional Americas Championship,” said Howard.
“We will start off by running one car, but we will add a second this year. This addition to the program brings us one step closer to finalizing our internal ladder from karts all the way up to IndyCar, and I am very appreciative for everyone who is involved with the program.
“From a personal side, it’s also great to further strengthen our relationship with Honda, who have been a big supporter of mine dating back to 2008 when I was an IndyCar driver.”
JHDD tied up with BN Racing and Pserra Racing for its IP2000 appearances last year, and Pserra team principal Peter Serravalle’s son Antonio was one of the team’s two drivers.
The younger Serravalle was set to race part-time for HMD in Indy Lights this year, but has not been included in the team’s movement of operations to FRegional Americas. It is believed the Honda-associated Canadian already has a replacement drive lined up.