Ryan Yardley returns to action this weekend, competing in a Formula Regional Western Pro championship round at Sonoma Raceway.
It’ll be Yardley’s first race meeting of the new year and is a warm-up of what is potentially to come.
“The target is to race in the full [Formula Regional] championship,” he said.
“Going to Sonoma for three days gives me more seat time and is almost like a cheap way to get some more testing in.”
Last year, Yardley entered the final two rounds of the national championship.
His lack of experience didn’t slow him down at all, claiming three podiums in just the six races he did.
Since then, the Christchurch native returned home and enjoyed a Kiwi summer for a couple of months.
But his career ambitions lie in America, and he has returned with a fire in his belly.
“I’ve been back in America for about three or weeks now, sorting out my programme for the year.
“We’ve had a couple of tests, and the car feels good. I’m trying to get as much seat time as possible to get the body and mind back in the swing of things.
“We did a test yesterday and found a few things, which was good.
“I’m just super fortunate to be able to race here. We are working on a few things, and it is looking positive.”
This weekend’s meet at Sonoma sees Yardley have two races.
The Californian circuit is one of the more recognisable venues in American motorsport history. It was also where Scott Dixon won his fifth IndyCar title in 2015.
Yardley has never raced at Sonoma before but is excited to tackle such an iconic strip of road.
And while he says it is more a test weekend for him and the team, you can count on him giving it all he’s got.
“It’ll be nice to not have the pressure to win, and we can try a few things, get some more seat time.
“But you never rock up to a race not wanting to win.”