Bajan driver Kyffin Simpson today confirmed a return to the FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda series with the newly formed TJ Speed team, building on an impressive debut racing season in 2020.
Karting champion Kyffin, 16 from Barbados, made the step up to FR Americas last year with front-runners HMD Motorsport following a competitive display in the F4 US Championship. Immediately on the pace despite his relative inexperience, Kyffin was able to achieve multiple top-10 finishes in FR Americas with a best result of 8th, 7th and 7th at Homestead Miami Speedway.
Having worked with TJ Speed owner Tim Neff through 2020, Kyffin aims to battle at the front of the FR Americas field for race wins in 2021. In preparation, the 16-year-old spent a significant portion of late 2020 testing across Florida’s circuits in multiple disciplines including Formula Regional, LMP3 and Lamborghini Super Trofeo machinery.
More recently, Simpson has continued to work with UK-based Kokoro Performance through an intense physical fitness and simulator training program, and is set to undertake a number of test days with TJ Speed and Kokoro’s coaches to maximise his preparation for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to the 2021 FR Americas season, Kyffin said:
It’s great to finally confirm something we’ve been working on with Tim for a while. His experience speaks for itself really, and I learned a lot from working with him as I made my first steps into FR Americas racing last year.
2020 was all about development, and while that’s still the case in 2021, I’m pushing to get TJ Speed to the front of the pack at Road Atlanta. Tim runs a tight ship and I’m really looking forward to working with him again in the FR Americas Championship. Bring it on!”
Recently launched by renowned IndyCar engineer Tim Neff, TJ Speed’s operation combines a wealth of experience at the highest levels of US racing with the likes of Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Last season, Neff was instrumental in HMD Motorsports’ charge to second overall in the FR Americas standings with two victories and 15 further podium finishes. Confirming Kyffin as driver for 2021, TJ Speed sets its sights on establishing itself as the team to beat.
Tim Neff, TJ Speed owner, said:
“I’m privileged and excited that Kyffin has chosen TJ Speed to compete in FR Americas this year. We’ve built a great relationship working together through 2020, and I can’t wait to get started with testing this week at Sebring.”
Kokoro Performance’s Kieren Clark added:
“I think this is another great step for Kyffin, it’s really exciting. Although the team is new, there are a lot of familiar faces with incredible experience running the show. Tim is a well-established engineer, so it will be great for Kyff’s development to learn directly from him and his team.”
The 2021 FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda begins with February 19-21’s ‘Winter Warm-Up’ non-points event at Sebring International Raceway, before heading to Road Atlanta for Rounds 1-3 on March 26-28.
You can follow and support Kyffin’s progress on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Kyffin is supported by Simpson Race Products, GoPro action cameras, Spy sunglasses, and Kokoro Performance driver coaching services.
