Eastwell savours ‘chance of a lifetime’ after winning Mazda Road to Indy Shootout ticket
Formula Ford racer Michael Eastwell is the latest driver from the UK in with a chance of winning a $200,000 (£155,560) scholarship in America courtesy of the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout.
With four Champion of Brands victories this year the Kevin Mills Racing driver confirmed his place in James Beckett’s Super Series Shootout earlier this month.
And with Ollie White – who won the other two Champion of Brands races – too old to compete in the MRTI Shootout Eastwell was guaranteed the coveted ticket.
“It was one of my main aims for the year,” said Eastwell, who finished second in this year’s British Racing and Sports Car Club’s National FF1600 series.
“The ticket was huge to me this year and I really do intend to race in America next year, this could be a life-changing opportunity.”
He will join Josh Smith (Festival winner), Matt Round-garrido (Northern Ireland FF1600 champion) and Ross Martin (Scottish champion) in December at Bondurant Racing School along with drivers from other regions.
National FF1600 champion Niall Murray has declined his ticket having contested the Shootout for the last two years, but Matt Cowley and James Roe Jr are in contention for one of five ‘at-large’ entries at Mazda’s discretion.
Irishman Keith Donegan won last season’s MRTI Shootout after securing his spot with runner-up in the Formula Ford Festival, and this year will be the final time Mazda supports the scheme.