Racing driver set for American debut in Miami

Racing driver David Pittard will make his debut in the USA this weekend when he drives for Team Ginetta USA in Miami.

The Letchworth driver, who is the British Racing Drivers Club’s Rising Star, will compete in the headline FARA Sunset 300 race at the Miami Homestead Speedway.

Team Ginetta USA will be competing in the multi-class, four hour into the night race on Saturday after achieving a multiple podium result at the Homestead 200 earlier this year.

“I’m extremely excited to be travelling across the Atlantic for my debut in the USA. I can’t thank Ginetta USA and Adolfo Rossi [head of the team] enough for this fantastic opportunity,” Pittard said.

“The FARA series has a huge variety of cars so we will be up against some tough competition, however the efficiency of the Ginetta should give us the edge over the Porsches, Ferraris and Audis that we’ll be up against. I should get to grips with the circuit quickly and it will be a great privilege to lead the team.

“The event itself looks awesome; starting at 6pm the race will continue under the floodlights and finish in the dark at 10pm to add another element to the race.”

Racing in the UK last season, the 2014 Ginetta GT4 Supercup runner-up came off a hugely successful rookie year in the Ginetta championship after earning five wins, 12 podiums and the most fastest laps but was forced out of a full-time 2015 championship campaign due to a lack of budget.

Yet this hasn’t deterred Pittard, who will be starting his second race this year as a pro driver.

“Having to can the 2015 season before it even started was an awful decision to have make. However, it’s made me work even harder to use my skills and contacts to make sure I continue towards my dream. I’m now in the fortunate position to be building my professional career, it’s hard work but I love every moment of it.”

And when he’s not racing in Miami, he won’t be taking it easy.

“I’m working hard to make sure that even though I’m not in the driving seat as much as I’d like, I’m still in the motorsport loop,” he said.

“In my down time in Miami I won’t be enjoying South Beach, I’ve got back-to-back meetings with teams with the potential to enable me to race out there more. I can’t wait.”

Follow Pittard’s progress on his website www.davidpittard.co.uk and on Twitter: @David_Pittard