Yet more American talent has been added to the 2023 Formula Regional Oceania field with this evening’s announcement that Indy Nxt racer Jacob Abel will compete for Kiwi Motorsport.
It’s a big signing for the team with the American well established on the Road to Indy Pathway. He’s a well-rounded racer with experience in Indy Lights, Indy Pro 2000, Formula Regional Americas and many more renowned series.
Abel’s goal is to one day compete in IndyCar and in the Indy 500 and he sees Formula Regional Oceania as a great stepping stone to that.
“Ultimately for me the goal is Indycar and the Indy 500 but I see the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship as a great stepping stone on that journey to learn and develop my skills,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to gaining experience in a new car and particularly on some new tracks and of course I’m going to be aiming for wins and podiums.”
From Louisville, Kentucky, Abel began his career in open-wheel racing in 2017 with a year in the F4 United StatesChampionship.
The following year featured dual campaigns in F4 and the new-for-2018 F3 Americas Championship.
He scored four podiums in his debut F3 season and returned in 2019 for an even better year with eight podiums, including two victories.
Despite the implications of Covid on the motorsport industry, Abel has kept himself busy over the past three years beginning with another dual campaign in 2020, this time in Indy Pro 2000 and in the Formula Regional Americas Championship.
He scored a podium in each of those series and returned to Indy Pro 2000 in 2021, finishing sixth on the table. In addition to this he ran select events in IMSA, Stadium Super Trucks, Formula Regional Americas and the GT World Challenge America.
Last year was spent on the next rung of the Road to Indy pathway in Indy Lights. He finished eighth overall and was the third best rookie. New Zealander Hunter McElrea was the top rookie.
He’ll return to Indy Light this year but the timing of Formula Regional Oceania means he’ll be able to comfortably run dual campaigns once again.
Kiwi Motorsport’s Garry Orton says Abel will be one to watch this summer: “We are excited to have Jacob join us for the New Zealand championship in 2023. We have actually known him since 2017 when we first set up in the States and have watched him progress up the ladder with great success.”
Abel’s signing makes it four Americans in the field, Ryan Shehan, David Morales and Chloe Chambers the others on the entry list.
He joins British racer Josh Mason, Brazilian Lucas Fecury, Kiwi James Penrose and yesterday’s team-switcher Tom McLennan to round out Kiwi Motorsport’s lineup.
Toyota Formula Regional Oceania begins next weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park.
2023 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship Schedule
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Highlands Motorsport Park | 13 to 15 January, 2023 |
| 2 | Teretonga Park Raceway | 20 to 22 January, 2023 |
| 3 | Manfield Circuit Chris Amon | 27 to 29 January, 2023 |
| 4 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | 3 to 5 February, 2023 |
| 5 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | 10 to 12 February, 2023 |
