Junior Open Wheel Talent

Josef Newgarden has decided to try his hand at something new this coming weekend by participating in the Formula Palmer Audi event at Brands Hatch. Having recently tested the Audi formula car at the Bedford Autodrome--Newgarden and his backers decided this would be a good opportunity for the 18-year-old to showcase his skills in front of the A1 crowd--the A1GP series will be concluding their season this weekend at Brands Hatch. This is probably a fairly decent decision, as Josef has stated that he would like to someday be part of the United States A1 program. Not to mention the fact that he will be gaining additional seat-time in a higher horsepower car, fitted with wings and slicks.

Several other American drivers have ran in the Formula Palmer Audi series (Autumn and Winter)--and produced some very impressive results. A few notables are Paul Edwards, Phil Giebler, J.R. Hildebrand, Dane Cameron, Joel Miller, and Patrick Barrett. Giebler and Edwards both won the Winter championship. Dane Cameron won the 2006 Autumn Trophy. Hildebrand, who will be running the Team USA A1GP car at Brands Hatch this weekend, finished on the podium three times in six starts in the 2005 Formula Palmer Autumn Trophy. Most recently Patrick Barrett and Joel Miller competed in the series as part of the Team USA scholarship. The duo struggled a bit, producing a best finish of 6th (Barrett) and 8th (Miller).

Newgarden should do quite well this weekend as he has already established himself in Europe by winning a race in the ultra-competitive British Formula Ford Championship.
(photo: www.formulapalmeraudi.com)