Hawksworth signs with Team Pelfrey for Star Mazda Championship
Hawksworth adds even more momentum to the surging team, which had an extremely successful 2011 season with drivers Connor de Phillippi and Nick Andries who finished second and third in the points standings, respectively—a finish that was enough to take the 2011 Team Championship. Overall, the team won four races, had 13 podium finishes, captured three poles and posted the fastest race lap five times.
"We are delighted to welcome Jack to Team Pelfrey," team manager Geoff Fickling said. "He is exactly the type of driver our team looks for – quick, intelligent, dedicated, and easy to work with. It's great that he's made the decision to pursue a career of it in the states, and we look forward to great things this coming year, and feel that Jack has an extremely bright future within the Mazda Road to Indy."
Hawksworth joins the team fresh off of a fourth-place finish in the Formula Renault U.K. Championship in 2011. Throughout the season, he scored one win, four podium finishes and one pole position. He also competed in the series during the 2010 season—his first year of car racing—finishing third in the championship.
A native of Bradford, England, Hawksworth began karting in 2004 at the South Yorkshire kart club in Junior Max. After spending a year at the club level, he moved on to the National and International levels where he eventually captured the 2006 European Junior Max title. Towards the end of his karting career, he won the Senior Max British Kartmasters Grand Prix championship in 2010.
In late October, Hawksworth made his way out to Indianapolis for the two-day Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test. He was fastest in the afternoon session of the second day of Star Mazda Championship testing.
"I'm delighted to have agreed terms to compete for such a successful outfit," Hawksworth said. "I really like the way Team Pelfrey works. Their preparation is excellent, and it's good to be in such a professional environment. I can't wait to get back in the car, and I believe we can carry our testing form forward into next year."