New Zealand-born teenager Jacob Douglas has signed with renowned four-time USF2000 team champions Pabst Racing for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Owned by former racer Augie Pabst, Pabst Racing stormed to their fourth Team Championship last year, with the first three coming consecutively between 2017 and 2019.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” said Douglas. “I’ve heard so many good things about them, so I’m really looking forward to getting started. I believe that the team and I can go out there and fight for wins.”
Douglas will join current Pabst drivers Simon Sikes and Max Garcia for his debut for the next event at Road America next weekend.
“I’ve known Max for most of this year and I’ve known Simon since I moved to the States,” he continues. “They’re two great teammates and are both great drivers and really nice guys, so I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Fellow New Zealander Hunter McElrea drove to second in the 2019 USF2000 Championship with the team and remained with them for the next two seasons in Indy Pro 2000. Having a Kiwi back onboard is a prospect that excites Pabst, who says he can’t wait to see Douglas in action.
“We’ve had an eye on Jacob since he entered the series and never had the opportunity to join forces until now,” he says.
“The entire team is looking forward to giving him a restart to the 2023 season, with expectations to compete for wins and podiums starting at Road America. Welcome to the team, Jacob!”
The move brings an end to a successful one-and-a-half-year stint at Exclusive Autosport for Douglas, a team that saw him drive to accolades including the 2023 YACADEMY Winter Series as well as his maiden USF2000 podium at Sebring earlier this year.
“It’s hard leaving Exclusive because I’ve been with them since I came over to the US,” he says. “They are a great team, and I really got on with all the guys, so a massive thanks to them for everything they’ve done for me.
“I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them. I came over to America when I was 16 and they provided a great family atmosphere and really made me feel like I was at home, so we’re really thankful to them for that, but now it’s time for a fresh start.”
Douglas was a noticeable absentee from the previous USF2000 round at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, skipping the event while negotiations were in the works. With the deal now sealed, he’s itching to get back on track.
“It was a shame not to be racing, but there was quite a lot of excitement internally knowing we’d be back at Road America with such a good team. I would have loved to have been driving but everything has all worked out.”
“At the moment we aren’t in contention for the championship, but now we can go out and show the potential we had coming into the season and have fun driving and taking each race as it comes.”
Words and Images: Supplied
