Kiwi driver Callum Hedge has won the 2023 Formula Regional America's Championship at Austin, Texas over the weekend.
Hedge clinched the title with two races to spare with a commanding performance over the weekend, winning 13 of 18 races.
“It’s super awesome to win the championship. It’s been a really long year, with a lot of travel, but it means a lot to finally get a reward for all the effort my team and I have put in, it really. The Formula Regional Americas has been a really fun category to race in, and I expect to see the championship continue with great success in the coming years” said Hedge.
It was an incredible effort by Hedge to manage the logistical challenges of competing in both America and Australia, making six long-haul return flights from New Zealand to the United States of America.
“My weekend in Austin, Texas was almost perfect. I was the fastest car in every session. Qualified on pole by nine-tenths and won two out of the three races. In the final race, I was really able to push hard, with nothing to lose, and crossed the line with an almost 10 second lead. It has been a pleasure to drive for the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport team and kudos to them for claiming both the FR and the F4 championships this year” Hedge continued.
Hedge’s 2023 season has been a standout, with the New Zealander competing in 50 races across Formula Regional Oceania, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Formula Regional Americas, claiming 20 wins, 14 pole positions and 36 podiums.
Previous Formula Regional Americas champions include current IndyCar drivers Kyle Kirkwood (2018) and Linus Lundqvist (2020).
“It's just really a big credit for the people who made it happen for me - my managers, Mark Pilcher and Steve Horne, from M2 Competition Management - without them looking and finding this series, I wouldn't be able to go on and do the cool things that I'm going be able to do next year. Also a massive thank you to those who came on board and supported this adventure - the Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group and Tasman Motorsport Group.”
Hedge’s 2023 doesn’t slow down, with the Kiwi heading into another busy two weeks. On Saturday, he will head from New Zealand to Portugal for the Porsche Junior Shootout at Portimao.
The Porsche Junior Shootout challenges the leading junior drivers from Porsche championships around the world, through a series of challenges across fitness, media, and driving skill, with a scholarship for Porsche SuperCup on offer.
Hedge will then return to Australia for the final round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Championship in Adelaide.
With one championship secured, Hedge’s full focus turns to the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship, where he sits in second place, 21 points behind leader, Jackson Walls.
“Heading into Adelaide the plan is very simple - win the championship. That’s been the goal from the start and I won’t be satisfied if I don’t win. To still be in the fight after missing a round is a massive achievement, and I will do everything I can to wrap up the championship as a thank you to my supporters who have helped me get to this point.”
- Callum Hedge PR
