Reece Ushijima
| Reece Ushijima | |
|---|---|
_(2022).jpg) Ushijima in 2022 | |
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | 13 January 2003 Laguna Hills, California, United States |
| USF Pro 2000 Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2023 |
| Current team | Jay Howard Driver Development |
| Car number | 6 |
| Starts | 9 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | TBA in 2023 |
| Previous series | |
| 2021 | GB3 Championship F3 Asian Championship |
| Championship titles | |
| British Karting Championship GYG KZ2 Champion | |
Reece Ushijima (born 13 January 2003) is an American racing driver who most recently competed in the 2023 USF Pro 2000 Championship with Jay Howard Driver Development. He previously competed in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing.
Career
[edit]Karting
[edit]Ushijima made his international competitive karting debut in 2017 in the SKUSA SuperNationals for Phil Giebler Racing, competing against the likes of Jak Crawford and Zane Maloney.[1] He then raced in X30 Senior category in IAME Asia, IAME Euroseries, Benelux, Asian Karting Championship, and Super One and British Karting Championships in the UK, racing for Piers Sexton Racing. In 2019, he finished 2nd in the Asian Karting Championship and 3rd in IAME Asia Final.
Formula Ford
[edit]In November 2019, at the age of 16, Ushijima transitioned from karts to cars. On the weekend following his racing licence acquisition he qualified on pole position, finishing P3 and P2 in the races and taking fastest lap at the BRSCC Formula Ford Winter Series in Wales, UK.
MRF Challenge Formula 2000
[edit]In the 2019–20 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship held during the winter in Dubai, Sakhir and Chennai, Ushijima logged two fastest laps and finished 7th in the standings. His best finish was 4th place at the final round in Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai.
BRDC Formula 3 Championship
[edit]2020
[edit]For the 2020 season Ushijima signed with Hitech Grand Prix to race in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.[2] The American started off strongly, scoring his maiden podium in the second round, with second at Donington Park.[3] His next podium came at the next round, held at Brands Hatch, however this would be the final podium of his season. Ushijima finished eleventh in the standings, nine places behind teammate Kush Maini.[4]
2021
[edit]
For the 2021 season, Ushijima remained with Hitech, this time alongside Sebastián Álvarez and Bart Horsten.[5] His first podium came at the opening round of the season, with third in race two at Brands Hatch.[6] In the second round at Silverstone Circuit, Ushijima earned double pole, his first pole position in the series, followed up by his maiden wins in races 1 and 2.[7] He would go on to score three more podiums and a further pole on his way to 4th in the final standings.
F3 Asian Championship
[edit]In the winter of 2021 Ushijima competed in the F3 Asian Championship with Hitech GP.[8] He scored 45 points, and with a best race finish of fifth, ended up twelfth in the championship.[9]
FIA Formula 3 Championship
[edit]
Ushijima partook in post-season testing with Van Amersfoort Racing and was confirmed to drive for the team during the 2022 season, partnering Franco Colapinto and Rafael Villagómez.
At the end of the season, Ushijima partook in the post-season test with Hitech Grand Prix.[10][11][12]
USF Pro 2000 Championship
[edit]For his 2023 campaign, Ushijima left Formula 3 and signed to compete in the USF Pro 2000 Championship with Jay Howard Driver Development.[13] A second place podium came at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, being the only highlight of his tough season.[14] He opted to withdraw from the series with three rounds to go, explaining his desire to return to racing in Europe for 2024.[15] Ushijima was 14th in the standings, with 140 points.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Ushijima's mother is American;[citation needed] his father, who grew up in the United States, is Japanese.[citation needed] Ushijima was born in California; in a 2023 interview he described America as his "home country."[15] During the same interview he said he "grew up in Europe."[15]
Karting record
[edit]Karting career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 Junior | Phil Giebler Racing | 55th |
| 2019 | IAME Series Benelux — Super Shifter | 22nd | |
| AKOC Asia — X30 Senior | 2nd | ||
| IAME International Final — X30 Senior | 60th | ||
| UK Kartmasters Grand Prix — X30 Senior | Piers Sexton Racing | 50th | |
| ROK Cup Superfinal — Senior ROK | 29th | ||
| British Kart Championship — X30 Senior | 27th | ||
| IAME Euro Series — X30 Senior | 32nd | ||
| IAME Asia Final — X30 Senior | 3rd |
Racing record
[edit]Racing career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | BRSCC Formula Ford Winter Series | Oldfield Motorsport | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ? | ? |
| 2019–20 | MRF Challenge Formula 2000 | MRF Racing | 15 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 104 | 7th |
| 2020 | BRDC British Formula 3 Championship | Hitech Grand Prix | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 244 | 11th |
| 2021 | GB3 Championship | Hitech Grand Prix | 24 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 366 | 4th |
| F3 Asian Championship | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 12th | ||
| 2022 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Van Amersfoort Racing | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 20th |
| 2023 | USF Pro 2000 Championship | Jay Howard Driver Development | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 140 | 14th |
Complete MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | MRF Racing | DUB 1 6 |
DUB 2 5 |
DUB 3 7 |
DUB 4 7 |
DUB 5 5 |
BHR 1 6 |
BHR 2 5 |
BHR 3 7 |
BHR 4 9 |
CHE 1 8 |
CHE 2 8 |
CHE 3 9 |
CHE 4 9 |
CHE 5 4 |
CHE 6 5 |
7th | 104 |
Complete BRDC British F3 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hitech Grand Prix | OUL 1 10 |
OUL 2 6 |
OUL 3 15 |
OUL 4 10 |
DON1 1 2 |
DON1 2 152 |
DON1 3 13 |
BRH 1 14 |
BRH 2 2 |
BRH 3 8 |
BRH 4 9 |
DON2 1 8 |
DON2 2 45 |
DON2 3 6 |
SNE 1 9 |
SNE 2 11 |
SNE 3 13 |
SNE 4 10 |
DON3 1 10 |
DON3 2 131 |
DON3 3 Ret |
SIL 1 DSQ |
SIL 2 154 |
SIL 3 8 |
11th | 244 |
| 2021 | Hitech Grand Prix | BRH 1 5 |
BRH 2 3 |
BRH 3 68 |
SIL1 1 1 |
SIL1 2 1 |
SIL1 3 106 |
DON1 1 2 |
DON1 2 Ret |
DON1 3 Ret |
SPA 1 11 |
SPA 2 8 |
SPA 3 65 |
SNE 1 Ret |
SNE 2 13 |
SNE 3 112 |
SIL2 1 13 |
SIL2 2 8 |
SIL2 3 69 |
OUL 1 6 |
OUL 2 5 |
OUL 3 15 |
DON2 1 2 |
DON2 2 2 |
DON2 3 20 |
4th | 366 |
Complete F3 Asian Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hitech Grand Prix | DUB 1 10 |
DUB 2 11 |
DUB 3 6 |
ABU 1 10 |
ABU 2 13 |
ABU 3 6 |
ABU 1 12 |
ABU 2 11 |
ABU 3 10 |
DUB 1 10 |
DUB 2 5 |
DUB 3 6 |
ABU 1 8 |
ABU 2 9 |
ABU 3 10 |
12th | 45 |
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Van Amersfoort Racing | BHR SPR 12 |
BHR FEA 17 |
IMO SPR Ret |
IMO FEA 18 |
CAT SPR 9 |
CAT FEA 19 |
SIL SPR 3 |
SIL FEA 10 |
RBR SPR 17 |
RBR FEA 13 |
HUN SPR 11 |
HUN FEA 14 |
SPA SPR 14 |
SPA FEA 10 |
ZAN SPR 22 |
ZAN FEA 19 |
MNZ SPR 19 |
MNZ FEA 10 |
20th | 13 |
American open-wheel racing results
[edit]USF Pro 2000 Championship
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (Races with * indicate most race laps led)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jay Howard Driver Development | STP 1 6 |
STP 2 19 |
SEB 1 8 |
SEB 2 4 |
IMS 1 2 |
IMS 2 9 |
IRP 11 |
ROA 1 13 |
ROA 2 8 |
MOH 1 18 |
MOH 2 6 |
TOR 1 |
TOR 2 |
COTA 1 |
COTA 1 |
POR 1 |
POR 2 |
POR 3 |
14th | 140 |
References
[edit]- ^ "SKUSA SuperNationals XXI - X30 Junior class 2017 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ "British F3 - Reece Ushijima joins Hitech for 2020 BRDC British F3". BRDC British F3 Championship. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ Woollard, Craig (2020-08-15). "Foster takes BRDC F3 win at Donington as Frederick crashes out". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ Woollard, Craig (2020-12-10). "BRDC British F3 season review: Wins beat consistency in battle of titans". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ "British F3 - Reece Ushijima returns to BRDC British F3 with Hitech GP". BRDC British F3 Championship. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (2021-05-23). "O'Sullivan wins British F3 Brands Hatch race two, Simmons out in crash". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (2021-06-27). "Ushijima wins again from pole at Silverstone in BRDC British F3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2020-12-17). "Hitech GP names Reece Ushijima as first 2021 Asian F3 signing". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ Scout, Formula (2021-02-21). "Podcast: Reviewing the 2021 winter series". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ "Formula 3 returns to action with post-season testing in Jerez". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 2 entry list". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 3 entry list". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Wood, Ida (21 February 2023). "F3 podium-finisher Reece Ushijima moves to USF Pro 2000". Formula Scout. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Wood, Ida (13 May 2023). "Ricardo Escotto becomes USF Pro 2000 race-winner in bizzare fashion". Formula Scout. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Alonso Lopez, Alejandro (7 August 2023). "Ushijima explains what didn't work in America as he eyes Europe return". Formula Scout. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ "2023 Season Standings". Retrieved 11 December 2023.
External links
[edit]- Reece Ushijima career summary at DriverDB.com
- Driver Website
- 2003 births
- Living people
- American people of Japanese descent
- BRDC British Formula 3 Championship drivers
- F3 Asian Championship drivers
- FIA Formula 3 Championship drivers
- Van Amersfoort Racing drivers
- Hitech Grand Prix drivers
- MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship drivers
- Racing drivers from California
- People from Laguna Hills, California
- Sportspeople from Orange County, California
- Indy Pro 2000 Championship drivers