Radford Racing School and Racing America will again team up to host the Radford Racing School F4 Karts to Cars Scholarship School. A joint venture that brings together some of the most promising racing talent from around North America to get their first experience in a single-seater racecar, the program prepares young drivers for on-track competition in Racing America’s formula championships, which include the Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC) and Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.). Held at Radford Racing School’s facility in Chandler, Ariz., the two-day school will take place next week, January 22-23. Four accomplished up-and-comers, including three karters and a sim racing champion, have received nominations from their respective programs to participate in the Karts to Cars Scholarship School. Sam Tutwiler will represent New Castle Motorsports Park, while Nico Orbezo will participate after a nomination from ROK Cup USA, and Ella Martin joins the school via FEL Motorsports. Ben Ramirez attends after winning a Racing America Sim Racing competition.

“We’re excited to welcome another class for the Radford Racing School F4 Karts to Cars Scholarship School,” said Scott Goodyear, race director of F4 U.S. and Ligier JFC. “This program is a proven way for new drivers to develop their skills and go on to stand on podiums and win races and championships. Patrick Woods-Toth, who was a member of our first Karts to Cars class, went on to win the F4 U.S. title and then the Formula Regional Americas championship. Ty Arbogast went from making his first laps at last year’s school to collecting his first podium in just his second race weekend. The instructors do a terrific job acclimating these young drivers to racecars, while sharing their own first-hand knowledge as they get up to speed. It’s just a few short days, but watching the drivers progress from the beginning of the program to the end is incredible.”

The Radford Racing School F4 Karts to Cars Scholarship School is designed to help attendees acclimate to a racecar, while teaching them the basics of handling and car control. Nominated by some of North America’s best karting programs, scholarship recipients travel to Radford’s multi-track facility to participate in the school using a Ligier JS F4-16 chassis and a Honda 2.0-liter engine designed and engineered by Mountune—nearly the same combination used in Ligier JFC for the first step on Racing America’s formula ladder. With ground school, skid control, lead-follow sessions, braking, shifting and handling drills, the program is uniquely designed to account for the fact that participants are some of the top karters. Led by chief instructor Danny Bullock and a staff of accomplished racers, the scholarship includes a two-day school, with participants having the option to add on a third “lapping” day.

Sam Tutwiler

Fourteen-year-old Sam Tutwiler will attend the Karts To Cars Scholarship School after a nomination from his home karting facility—New Castle Motorsports Park (NCMP)—which is the same track where INDYCAR star Josef Newgarden began his career. Tutwiler, an eight-time NCMP Class Champion and two-time NCMP Junior Driver of the Year, went on to win the 2025 CKNA North Division Junior Championship and the 2025 Cup Karts North America Grand National 9 Championship. With racing in his blood, Tutwiler is following in the footsteps of his great grandfather who raced sprint cars.

“Earning this scholarship means a great deal to me,” said Tutwiler. “I can’t thank New Castle Motorsports Park or Scott Goodyear enough for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting experience with the feel and style of driving a racecar. I am also excited to work with the talented drivers and instructors throughout the school.”

Nicolas “Nico” Orbezo

Nico Orbezo first climbed behind the wheel of a kart when he was five years old. Now 13, the San Antonian has raced across the U.S., as well as internationally in Mexico and Italy. A multi-time national karting champion, Orbezo won the 2025 junior class International Karting Federation Championship, 2025 ROTAX Texas Karting Championship, 2024 ROK Cup Florida Winter Tour Championship, 2024 ROK Vegas Championship, and qualified fifth of 75 karters at the 2024 ROK Superfinal in Italy. With multiple national SKUSA ProTour, USPKS and ROK Cup wins over the last three seasons, Orbezo earned a nomination to the school by ROK Cup USA.

“Earning this scholarship was an unexpected and great surprise,” said Orbezo. “I want to thank Radford Racing School, Racing America and ROK Cup USA for this fantastic opportunity. I am certain that my karting years will help me get familiarized with an F4 car quickly. My goal for this scholarship is to learn as much as possible on and off the track from the best F4 coaches and to apply this knowledge for any future car racing opportunities.”

Ella Martin

At just 15, Ella Martin is one of Canada’s most promising young talents. After building her foundation in karting and the Radical Academy Esport development program, she will take the next step in her career racing Formula 1200s in 2026. Her partnerships with Road to Racing and GreenShield Pharmacy reflect her ambition to climb the motorsport ladder, while continuing to inspire young women who are looking to break into racing. Beyond the cockpit, Martin is passionate about connecting with fans and supporters through her life story of “Defying Arthritis, One Race at a Time,” social media engagement, and community outreach. A successful karter at Goodwood Kartways, Martin caught the eye of Chris Bye and FEL Motorsport, who nominated her for this year’s Karts to Cars program.

“As I make my way from karting to racing a Formula 1200 this year, winning the scholarship could not have come at a better time,” said Martin. “The skills that I will be learning at the Radford Racing School F4 Scholarship School will prepare me to perform at my highest level in my spring testing. I look forward to the experience of driving the Ligier JS F4, as I hope to participate in the F4 U.S. Championship in the future. I appreciate being nominated by Chris Bye of FEL Motorsports, and want to thank Scott Goodyear and Racing America for providing this opportunity.”

Benjamin “Ben” Ramirez

A motorsports and car enthusiast, Ben Ramirez was named the 2022 California Automotive State Champion while a senior in high school. From there, he joined the staff at Racing America working with Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) to gain experience while earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Rio Hondo College. With a dream of getting behind the wheel of a racecar, Ramirez took advantage of Racing America’s Sim Racing Challenge at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), which granted the winner a seat at the Karts to Cars Scholarship School.

“I discovered the world of racing at a very young age; as a kid, I watched and followed the inputs drivers made on track,” said Ramirez. “From graduating high school as California’s Automotive State Champion in 2022, to joining SVRA and earning my Bachelor degree in three years—all while travelling the country and pushing myself with the goal of being successful in motorsports, this is a dream come true for me. Winning the Sim Racing Challenge at COTA was a surreal experience, and it opens another door of opportunity. I want to thank the people who made this possible, and I cannot wait to see how far I can take what I learn at Radford Racing School.”

In its fourth year, the scholarship program formulated by Racing America and Radford Racing School is a proven path for developing drivers, with first-year graduate Patrick Woods-Toth capitalizing on the opportunity from Motomaster Ron Fellows Karting Championship to launch his career in single-seater racecars. Completing the school in December 2022, Woods-Toth won the 2023 F4 U.S. Driver Championship and a scholarship to compete in Formula Regional Americas the following season. The Canadian went on to win the 2024 Formula Regional Americas Championship title, and joined Kyle Kirkwood and Dakota Dickerson as one of only three drivers to win back-to-back championships in the two series.

The Radford Racing School F4 Karts to Cars Scholarship School kicks off January 22 in Chandler, Ariz. Updates will be shared throughout the program on the F4 U.S. social channels: Facebook, Instagram, TikTokand Twitter.

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