Junior Open Wheel Talent

Michael Johnson will drive a hand controlled JDC MotorSports entry in the 2012 USF2000 National Championship. (photo: FlatOutNation.com)

Although many had already labeled the signing “confirmed” for the past several months, it was officially announced yesterday that Michael Johnson will indeed join JDC MotorSports for the 2012 USF2000 National Championship.

What makes this signing special?

Well, it’s special for a number of reasons but mainly because Johnson — who was paralyzed in a motorcycle racing incident in 2005 — will become the first driver to pilot a specially equipped hand-controlled race car in the Mazda Road to Indy. His journey will begin next week, Feb. 6-7, when JDC opens competition at the USF2000 Winterfest at Sebring International Raceway.

The 19-year-old Michigan native has embarked on an incredible journey since that ill-fated day on August 13, 2005 — the day of the accident that left him paralyzed from the mid-chest down. Two years later he was back racing. First in karts and later in the Skip Barber Racing Series formula car.

Last season, Johnson ran the full Skip Barber Summer Series and showed everyone how much natural ability he has. Not to mention work ethic. He scored three wins and seven podium finishes en route to third-place in the final standings.

“I’m so psyched to be competing in the USF2000 Championship with [team principal] John Church and JDC MotorSports!” Johnson said in a team release. “My journey to compete in open-wheel racing has required unique attention, and I want to thank all the people who supported the efforts to get us on the Mazda Road to Indy. INDYCAR and the USF2000 series have been supportive in working with us to make this happen. Many thanks to John and the entire JDC Motorsports team who made a miracle happen with the preparation of the car, and when we go racing next week in the Winterfest it will be a dream come true.”

Johnson has already completed nine full-day tests with the Minnesota-based squad in preparation for the upcoming Winterfest and National Championship.

Team owner John Church is equally excited to have Johnson joining an already-impressive lineup which includes teammates Scott Hargrove, Neil Alberico, and Zac Silver.

“I cannot even tell you how excited the entire team is to add Michael to our 2012 roster,” Church said. “Obviously this is a unique program, and during testing Michael has shown us that he will be up to the task and be competitive in our run for the championship in 2012.”

Andrés Méndez makes an adjustment during the 2011 SKUSA SuperNationals XV in Las Vegas.
(Photo: JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com)

Andrés Méndez signed with Team GDT for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship.

The 19-year-old Colombian driver has been actively competing in karts for the past several years and has limited experience in the car ranks. He competed in the 2009 Jim Russell Future Driver Search and has tested a F2000 car. Additionally, he is a regular in the 6 Horas de Bogotá race.

Team GDT plans to announce a few more drivers to partner with Méndez in the coming weeks.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

Petri Suvanto showcased his raw speed during the Chris Griffis Memorial Road to Indy test with Team Pelfrey at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last October.

It was officially announced this morning that Petri Suvanto will join Team Pelfrey for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship, completing the team’s already-potent roster.

Suvanto, who won the 2011 USF2000 National Championship in dominating fashion with five wins, will join Gustavo Menezes and Jack Hawksworth in the three-car Pelfrey camp.

The 19-year-old driver is currently at home in Finland where he is completing his mandatory military National Service, but is looking forward to a return to North America and auto racing.

“Moving up to Star Mazda isn’t going to be easy, but I’m welcoming the challenge with open arms,” Suvanto said in a team release. ”The theme of the year is learning, and the more I learn the better the results are going to be. Things have changed a lot over the last 12 months. Last year at this time I was wondering whether I would be able to ever race again, but from the moment I learned about the Mazda Road to Indy, I knew what I wanted. It worked out pretty well. 2011 changed my life and I’m very thankful to all the people who were part of it, especially everyone at Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing [his USF2000 team]. Now it’s time to start a new chapter full of new challenges. I’m already counting the days until the first race.”

Suvanto makes the jump to Star Mazda as a reward for winning the 2011 USF2000 National Championship, thanks to funding provided by the Mazda Road to Indy scholarship ladder. Last fall, he showcased his adaptability by touring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with speeds capable of producing a top lap time (within the top-3 both days), during the Chris Griffis Memorial Road to Indy test.

Suvanto is an excellent signing for Team Pelfrey and the combination could, indeed, produce a championship season.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

Brandon Reed will join Team Stange for several Star Mazda Championship races in 2012, joining teammate Lázaro Selegar.

While a full schedule is in the works, Reed has committed to drive Barber Motorsports Park, St. Petersburg, and the Night Before the 500 in Indianapolis. Reed’s past experience includes karting, Skip Barber, Bridgestone F2000, and SCCA Formula 500 racing. According to his website, Reed also tested an IndyCar in 2007 at Houston for Colorado Indy.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

Eric Filgueiras
(photo: Robinson Motor Sports)

Eric Filgueiras has worked out a deal to drive for Robinson Motor Sports in the 2012 USF2000 National Championship, competing in the National Class aboard the No. 12 Formula Enterprise machine.

For now, the contract is only for the season-opener at Sebring International Raceway.

The announcement comes one day before Filgueiras turns 18 years-old. Happy Birthday, Eric.

This should be a pretty good combination. Filgueiras has been very impressive in karts and further developed his skill in Formula 500 competition.

In addition, he’s had a pretty active F2000 testing schedule this off-season. Last fall, the Florida native participated in the Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine. RMS is a two-time National Champion in the SCCA Formula Enterprises class.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

The newly announced Team Stange has locked down a driver for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship.

According to a release sent out earlier this week, Brazilian driver Lázaro Selegar, 17, will join the squad this season. Selegar’s previous experience includes karting and testing a Formula 3 machine in South America.

ArmsUp Motorsports announced today that Luigi Biangardi will pilot the team’s No. 15 car in the 2012 USF2000 National Championship.

Biangardi, 15, joins the Wisconsin-based team following a six-race debut in USF2000 last season while driving for Belardi Auto Racing. He finished the season with four top-10 finishes, including a season-best fourth at Baltimore. Prior to USF2000, Biangardi competed in Skip Barber regional and national races. In just his second national race, he finished fourth (Road America).

Watch for steady progress from both Biangardi and ArmsUp Motorsports in 2012.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

The 2012 Star Mazda Championship will again open its season on the Streets of St. Petersburg. (Photo: Eric McCombs)

Are you looking to keep track of who’s racing with whom in the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder?  Well, you’re in luck.

Make the jump to read about each of the Star Mazda Championship drivers who have committed early for the 2012 season.

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Photo: Jakob Ebrey

Earlier today, Neil Alberico signed with JDC MotorSports adding considerable depth to the 2012 USF2000 National Championship field.

The California native will run the upcoming USF2000 Winterfest with the team, beginning Feb. 6, in preparation for the upcoming season.

Alberico, 19, had a tremendous karting career and has parlayed that skill-set to open-wheel car racing. Quickly, I might add.

In 2009 — his first full season in cars — he won 10 races en route to the Formula Mazda Bondurant Championship. Last season, he moved to Europe where he faced intense competition from talented drivers in the MSA British Formula Ford Championship.

In Europe, he earned his first top-10 in just his second race. It was one of many (20, to be more accurate). He competed in both the British Formula Ford Championship and the Formula Ford Eurocup.

His performances earned him the opportunity to compete for the prestigious Team USA Scholarship this fall. Again, he delivered. Alberico and fellow 2012 USF2000 entrant Trent Hindman received scholarships to represent the U.S. in the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy.

He finished third at Brands Hatch during the 40th running of the FFF and earned a heat-race win at Silverstone in the WHT.

Alberico will be a fun driver to watch this season. With his formula ford experience, guidance from JDC, and a solid group of teammates he is considered a favorite, by many, to win the 2012 title. Certainly, he will put up a good fight.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.

Shelby Blackstock signed with Andretti Autosport to compete in the 2012 USF2000 National Championship and Winterfest.

Blackstock, 21, showed good pace in both Skip Barber regional and national competition in 2011. He finished fifth in the National Championship with two podium finishes (2nd-LRP, 3rd-Road Atlanta) and set the fast lap of the race on three occasions.

For up-to-date news and views on karting and junior formula racing follow @JOWT on Twitter or follow on Facebook.