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Hedge takes Formula Regional America’s title 

By Timothy Neal

Kiwi young gun Callum Hedge took out the Formula Regional Americas Championship in Austin, Texas, across the weekend, winning 13 of the 18 races across the season.

It’s been a massive year for the young Kiwi, competing both at home, in Australia, and in the States, with the final round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia to come where he can cap off a huge year of international racing with another championship.

Hedge’s Race 1 win Austin saw him take out the title with two races to spare in a dominant year for the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport team, as they took a second title of their own within the space of a week after their AGI Sport supported team won the F4 US title.

Hedge crosses the line in Texas to take out the FR Americas title for 2023.

As a reward for winning the title, the young rising star will now have the chance to compete in the Japanese Super Formula like his compatriot Liam Lawson did this season, which would see him working with the Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

“It’s super awesome to win the championship. It’s been a really long year, with a lot of travel, but it means a lot to finally get a reward for all the effort my team and I have put in,” Hedge said. 

“The Formula Regional Americas has been a really fun category to race in, and I expect to see the championship continue with great success in the coming years. My weekend in Austin, Texas was almost perfect. I was the fastest car in every session,” Hedge said. 

Hedge has been a familair sight at the front of racing grids in 2023

“Qualified on pole by nine-tenths and won two out of the three races. In the final race, I was really able to push hard, with nothing to lose, and crossed the line with an almost 10 second lead.

“It has been a pleasure to drive for the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport team and kudos to them for claiming both the FR and the F4 championships this year.”

Hedge’s efforts this year have seen him compete in 50 races across the Formula Regional Oceania, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Formula Regional Americas, claiming 20 wins, 14 pole positions and 36 podiums, as well as getting to test out some Indy NXT machines at Indianapolis last month.

“It’s just really a big credit for the people who made it happen for me – my managers, Mark Pilcher and Steve Horne, from M2 Competition Management – without them looking and finding this series, I wouldn’t be able to go on and do the cool things that I’m going be able to do next year. 

“Also a massive thank you to those who came on board and supported this adventure – the Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group and Tasman Motorsport Group.”

Hedge now heads to Portugal for the Porsche Junior Shootout at Portimao, a title he sewed up at the Sandown 500 weekend, before returning home to battle Jackson Walls for the Carrera Cup title, with 21 points between them.

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