SCCA Pro Racing

Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Earns Second Consecutive FR Americas Team Championship, while Kevin Janzen Takes Masters Championship and Nicole Havrda Secures Omologato Perfectly-Time Pass Award

CHARLOTTE (December 31, 2024) – As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on another great year of competition in Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas). With six different winners, 11 podium finishers and 19 nail-biting races, drivers from around the world gathered to compete in the FIA-certified championship. When the final checkered flag waved, Patrick Woods-Toth was named the 2024 Driver Champion, while his Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport team celebrated as the Team Champion. Two more Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport drivers were celebrated, with Kevin Janzen securing the Masters Championship and Nicole Havrda earning the Omologato Perfectly-Timed Pass Award.

FR Americas Driver Champion

Patrick Woods-Toth (No. 27 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) became just the third driver to win back-to-back championships in Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) and FR Americas with his championship title in 2024, while following in the footsteps of Kyle Kirkwood and Dakota Dickerson.

Having only gotten into a racecar for the first time in December 2022 during the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship School, the Canadian has proven to be both a quick learner and fierce competitor. Consistency has once again been the name of the game with Woods-Toth, as the driver finished the season with eight wins and 14 podiums in the total 19 rounds. 

Woods-Toth’s road to the title was anything but guaranteed, with six drivers taking the top step of the podium this year. In fact, he spent the first 11 rounds racing neck and neck with eventual Vice Champion Ryan Shehan (No. 66 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3). With both drivers tallying four wins and eight podiums, Shehan actually held the points lead as FR Americas left Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a 23.5-point advantage. However, the pressure on Woods-Toth lifted when budget constraints sidelined Shehan as the championship raced at New Jersey Motorsports Park. With one win there, and a weekend sweep at his home track—Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP)—there was no stopping Woods-Toth as he clinched the championship.

“This means so much to me,” said Woods-Toth during the Year-End Awards Celebration. “I don't think you understand how hard myself, my family, the whole team and everyone that supports me has worked to get here. The last two years with Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport have been amazing. Garry, Tina, Gill, Roberto, John, Mo, and of course, Stephen and Glenn—just thank you. It's been an incredible journey. Two years, two championships, doesn't get better than that. 

“I have to extend that thank you to Ron Fellows and Lynda Fellows—what they've done for me is incredible. Orlando and Carlo Fidani—he had no clue who I was two years ago, but he has put me through two championships in the U.S., as well as Formula Regional Oceania. There’s a lot of money on the line here, but they put their faith in me and we delivered.  

“To Tony Parella, Scott Goodyear, all the SCCA officials, the PMH crew, and of course, the title sponsors—you guys put on an amazing show. It's a world-class event here, an FIA series, and it's quite impressive. I was talking to Scott at COTA and I was standing around observing—the amount of work that goes into an event is unbelievable. Everyone is working 24/7 to do so much for us, and honestly, we don't even notice half the time because we're so focused. We're in our zone trying to win, trying to do what we can, but these guys, they work 10 times harder than we do to do this. It's quite impressive, so thank you to them. 

“You know, I've met a lot of amazing people in this room and in this paddock, and you guys have made these last two years really special, so thank you to all of you, too. Thank you.”

     READ MORE: 2024 FR Americas Driver Points Championship Standings 

FR Americas Team Championship

Fielding cars for FR Americas Driver Champion Woods-Toth, Vice Champion Shehan, Third-Place Champion Jett Bowling (No. 02 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), as well as Titus Sherlock (No. 31 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), Nicole Havrda (No. 6 Valley Kitchens Ltd / Colonial Countertops Ltd Ligier JS F3), Landan Matriano Lim (No. 73 739Racing Ligier JS F3), Ricco Shlaimoun (No. 25 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), Kevin Janzen (No. 24 US Power Group / Data Center Solutions Ligier JS F3) and part-time driver Alex Benavitz (No. 14 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport took their second consecutive FR Americas Team Championship. Averaging 7.4 FR Americas entries per weekend, the Dallas-based organization has led the team standings since the very first checkered flag of the season at NOLA Motorsports Park. Throughout 2024, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport drivers have accumulated 16 wins, 44 podiums and eight podium sweeps. The award was accepted by team co-owners Garry Orton and Teena Larsen.

“There's a lot of people that I want to thank on our team,” said Orton while accepting the Team Championship trophy. “All the parents and the drivers—you guys have just been fantastic throughout the year, supported us through the ups and downs that we all have. All of our mechanics, I know that I'm tough to work for, but I really appreciate everything you do. The engineering department—Stephen Giles, he is a machine. He's my opposition in New Zealand, but I bring him here because he is the bloody best in the business, and there's no doubt about it.  I'd also like to thank Alyssa Matriano Lim, Landon’s sister. She drives four hours before every race and prepares all the paperwork for Teena. She does such a fantastic job, and if it wasn't for that, it probably wouldn't get done, so thank you for all you do.”

“I just want to say thank you to everyone; every sponsor, every Parella Motorsports Holdings employee, it’s been a real special year,” said Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport co-owner Larsen. “Ligier, Hankook and all of the series sponsors—we couldn't do it without you. We couldn’t do it without the drivers, the mechanics, engineers, tire guys, chefs, admins, hospitality folks, every one of the staff and all the parents—we have one of the largest teams out there, with over 35 crew and 100 people. Some people say we’re crazy and people ask me why we do it, but this is why—we’re all a family and I love them all. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to race together. Thank you.”

     READ MORE: 2024 Team Points Championship Standings

FR Americas Masters Championship

Kevin Janzen (No. 24 US Power Group / Data Center Solutions Ligier JS F3) once again earned the Masters Championship, marking his second title in as many years. Janzen faced stiff competition from rookie Anthony Autiello (No. 07 A Autiello Construction Co. Ligier JS F3), who at age 42, made his debut in FR Americas. Through the 19 total rounds this season, Janzen scored nine top-10s and tied his career-best finish (seventh) while at his home track, CTMP.

In addition to racing cars, 59-year-old Janzen is a four-time USA National Champion with the Labatt Blue Hockey Club, an avid tennis player, and an avid skier—both with heli ski and cat skiing, and even, backcountry powder skiing.

“The only way I could get up here is to just have to compete against one guy,” joked Janzen while accepting hist trophy. “Next year, I hope to be a bit quicker. I have to thank some really special people—first, my favorite person on the planet, my wife Kara. She’s given me so much love and support to be able to do this—I’m turning 60 this year, and she wants me to golf, to play pickleball and do vineyard tours, but you know, I really just want to be here with all of you. So, I’m fortunate to be able to do this and to come back again next year—I’m really excited about that. I also have to thank the Crosslink Kiwi team—you guys are like family. To Stephen Giles—you’ve made such a difference in my driving. There’s one guy, though, Roberto Moreno—this guy is a legend, but he’s taken on his toughest project yet in working with me. The guy believes in me so much, and he gives me so much advice and coaching; he’s a great guy and a great friend. I owe so much to Roberto for keeping me in this sport and allowing me to live my dream. I mean, we're all here living our dreams, aren't we? Mine is just to be here, but I know some of you are going to be in professional motorsports and it'll be your careers. It’s a very exciting thing, so thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award

Nicole Havrda (No. 6 Valley Kitchens Ltd / Colonial Countertops Ltd Ligier JS F3) had a breakthrough season in 2024, earning her first-career podiums with third-place finishes in Rounds 5 and 6 at Road America, Round 8 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Round 19 at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). With the results, Havrda became just the second woman to stand on a podium in FR Americas history, while bettering Shea Holbrook’s record of one third-place finish in 2019.

With the Omologato Perfectly Timed Pass Award recognizing the driver who picked up the most positions from their starting position to their finishing position throughout the course of the 19-race season, Havrda was named the winner after picking up 28 positions this season.

“I didn't know I was going to be up here tonight; this is such a surprise,” said Havrda while accepting her award. “Thank you to everyone; thank you to the whole Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport team—they've been a huge help to me—and thank to you to my parents for all their support.”

FR Americas will kick off its 2025 season, March 27-30 at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, La. For news and updates throughout the off season, be sure to follow FR Americas on Facebook, Instagram and X. Prospective drivers wanting to learn more about FR Americas the #RoadToF1 ladder, and how to get involved in the 2025 FR Americas season should visit FRAmericas.com.