Kyffin (centre) is the champion (Photo by Gavin Bake)
Kyffin celebrates his amazing win
Kyffin celebrates his amazing win
Last weekend, 17-year-old Cayman Islands resident, Kyffin Simpson, secured the 2021 FR Americas Powered by Honda championship title at Circuit of the Americas’ Austin Speed Tour in Austin, Texas, with dominant displays in Race 2 and 3, complementing TJ Speed Motorsports’ teams’ championship title with his own drivers’ crown.
As part of his championship winnings, Kyffin was awarded a scholarship worth $600,000 by Honda Performance Development and Honda Motor Company towards participation in the 2022 Super Formula series.
Despite a dramatic incident in Friday’s Race 1 with championship rival, Joshua Car, Kyffin’s nearest championship competitors were out of mathematical contention, so he secured the title early in the weekend. He went on to race unchallenged from pole position on to score his sixth win of the season, before holding off a charging Dylan Tavella in a thrilling season-ending race to score his seventh victory of 2021.
Kyffin was born in Bridgetown, Barbados before moving to live in the Cayman Islands. He began his racing journey at 7, and has since competed at all levels of karting in the United States and Europe, winning multiple championships along the way. Just two years into his career, Kyffin secured his first championship victory in the Barbados Karting Association, and returned to win the series the following season. He has since made a giant leap to motorsports, clinching this latest title.
Kyffin said: “What a way to end the season. I’m glad we got some more wins this weekend after a tough Race 1. Dylan [Tavella] pushed me hard today – I think that’s the hardest I’ve ever had to work for a race win!
“The whole TJSpeed Motorsports crew have worked so hard this year to give me a great car. I don’t think anyone expected us to fight for the title at the beginning of the season, but we’ve been fast at every track and I think our consistency is our greatest strength.”
Tim Neff, TJ Speeds Motorsports owner, said Kyffin had been “spectacular” this year.
“It’s easy to forget how young he is,” he confirmed. “We had a dream start to the season with a clean-sweep, and every weekend since we’ve been right up there. FR Americas and Parella should be proud of the series we ran this year despite the challenges.”
Kyffin finished the 2021 FR Americas season with 314 points, almost 100 clear of Joshua Car in second with 218. SRX and Trans-Am racer Ernie Francis Jr. rounded out the top three with 160 points.
With the FR Americas title secured, Kyffin’s focus shifts towards preparation for the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. You can follow and support Kyffin’s progress on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Kyffin’s Instagram is @kyffin_simpson and Kyffin’s website is: kyffinsimpson.ky
Kyffin is supported by Simpson Race Products, GoPro action cameras, Spy sunglasses, DART, BODDENS, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, and Kokoro Performance driver coaching services.
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