SANTA CLARITA Clarita, Calif. – Honda Performance Development has announced the creation of a scholarship that will allow the reigning F3 Americas Championship to compete in a full year of Indy Lights competition.

This annual HPD scholarship will be used to support the F3 Champion’s chosen Indy Lights team in the following year’s season and will be transferable to any HPD partner team supporting the F3 Drivers’ champion in the Indy Lights or NTT IndyCar Series.

“The F3 Americas Championship has produced drivers that are ready for the next step of open wheel competition,” said John Whiteman, manager, HPD Commercial Motorsports. “We are pleased to be able to offer access to Honda’s winning teams and provide a critical contribution toward young driver’s professional racing aspirations.”

The regional F3 championship is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, and features the F3-FIA spec JS F3 chassis designed and sold by Ligier Automotive in North Carolina, which meets the most advanced global FIA safety specifications, including the first North American application of a race car Halo.

The car, running on Hankook tires, is powered by a 303-horsepower Honda Performance Development version of the Honda Civic Type-R turbocharged K20C1 motor. The engine is manufactured in the United States at Honda’s Anna Engine Plant in Ohio, and the engines are shipped to HPD in Santa Clarita, Calif., for racing modifications, including installation of a dry sump and other race-specific components.

The F3 Americas Championship aligns with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable, and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.

“Since the beginning, the F4 U.S. Championship and F3 Americas Championship have focused on giving young drivers the tools and track time they need to nurture and demonstrate their abilities,” said Dan Helman, president of SCCA Pro Racing. “Along with the great racing venues, instructional curricula, and veteran racing experience shared with drivers, there’s no question that this increased award will attract talented racers to this modern, competitive racing series.”