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Next outing for race ace Wilson will be in front of 400,000 spectators at Formula 1 Grand Prix




Teddy Wilson’s second-place F4 US Championship trophy is presented by Amethyst Beverage Powered by Honda. Photo by Gavin Baker. (4254263)
Teddy Wilson’s second-place F4 US Championship trophy is presented by Amethyst Beverage Powered by Honda. Photo by Gavin Baker. (4254263)

Young Rutland racer Teddy Wilson continued to impress in the penultimate meeting of the Formula 4 US Championship by adding another second place to his tally and narrowly missing podium placings in two other races.

Hot on the heels of his multiple podiums at Pittsburgh and Mid-Ohio, Teddy looked a formidable contender from the start at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP).

Against a 31-strong field, the 17-year-old rookie single-seater driver from South Luffenham posted a new qualifying record of 1.19.385 to secure pole position for race one.

He also claimed the Cameron Das Fast Qualifier Award, having broken Das' NJMP qualifying record set in 2016.

Teddy said: “A podium finish and setting a lap record was a good result, however, there was potential to get on the podium in the first two races which I didn’t maximise.

“ I was really disappointed as my overall placings didn’t reflect the strong drives I also had in races one and two.”

As Storm Florence wreaked havoc further down the East Coast of America, rainy conditions had greeted the drivers for Friday’s practice sessions on the 12-turn, two-and-a-quarter mile Thunderbolt circuit, but the skies cleared and the weekend’s racing conditions were dry and hot.

In race one, the former Uppingham Community College pupil started on pole and retained the lead after a good start.

With some quick drivers chasing, he was unable to maintain his lead and dropped to second behind Jose Blanco.

In a full green flag 30-minute race Teddy was pushing hard in a bid to catch Blanco but, in the latter stage of the race, he ran too much kerb in turn two which dragged him wide onto the grass and dropped him to seventh where he finished as a result.

Rutland racing driver Teddy Wilson (number four) leads the field during one of the hotly contested F4 US Championship races. Photo Gavin Baker. (4254265)
Rutland racing driver Teddy Wilson (number four) leads the field during one of the hotly contested F4 US Championship races. Photo Gavin Baker. (4254265)

In race two Teddy started fourth on the grid.

With some quick drivers in front, he fought hard to make up positions and quickly found himself in third after the pole sitter made a mistake in turn one.

After some safety car incidents and restarts, Teddy had battled his way to second but was unable to maintain this until the end, finishing fourth.

Teddy started race three in third behind experienced older drivers James Raven and Dakota Dickerson, the championship leader.

Despite a good start, there was no opportunity to make any overtakes initially as Dickerson got past Raven and pulled away.

After a safety car restart Raven passed Dickerson but then out-braked himself. Teddy took the advantage and moved up into second, which he held for much of the race.

With a few minutes to go there was another safety car restart, during which Teddy was hit from behind resulting in rear end damage.

He then passed Dickerson and took the lead but was unable to hold off Dickerson’s fast pace to the end. Dickerson retook the lead and pulled away and Teddy crossed the finish line in second.

Teddy added: “I would like to thank Scholl Concepts, a leading worldwide manufacturer of surface finishing systems, for their backing at New Jersey and everyone involved in Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD).

“I look forward to next month’s race at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix as support race.”

The final round takes place at the Circuit of the Americas on October 19-21 in front of 400,000 spectators.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Teddy for this event should e-mail teddywilsonracing@gmail.com.



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