Latest news with #JacobDouglas
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Jacob Douglas Targets Big Results At Road America After Dominant Test Pace
New Zealand's Jacob Douglas heads to Road America this weekend for what could be a pivotal round in the USF Pro 2000 Championship presented by Continental Tires, coming oƯ a dominant performance in pre-event testing. Driving for Pabst Racing, Douglas topped three of the six sessions and finished second in the others, becoming one of only two drivers to break the 2:01 barrier around the iconic 4.01-mile (6.45km), 14-turn circuit. Currently sitting fifth in the championship standings, Douglas has been one of the standout performers of 2025, with a maiden series victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a podium finish in St. Petersburg, and a string of top-five and top-ten finishes that have kept him within striking distance of the title contenders. With teammate Max Garcia leading the standings on 231 points, Douglas trails by 90 — but with 98 points on oƯer this weekend alone, the New Zealander is focused on closing the gap. 'We've made big gains all season in pace, consistency, and execution,' said Douglas. 'Now it's about putting that together. We know Road America suits us, and if we qualify well, we'll be right in the mix for the podium.' Douglas describes Road America as one of the best tracks in North America. 'It's fast, flowing, and super technical. It rewards confidence and commitment, and after how strong we were in testing, I'm coming into the weekend with a really positive mindset. 'This is one of those tracks where if you're in the zone, you can make big things happen.' The Wisconsin circuit holds special significance for Douglas, who scored his first-ever USF 2000 top-ten at the track in 2022 and returned in 2023 to take his maiden podium while debuting with Pabst Racing. 'I've always enjoyed racing here,' he added. 'There's just something about this place that clicks with me. The atmosphere, the challenge — it brings out the best in drivers. I've had some great memories here already, and now I want to add to them.' With just four race weekends remaining — all running on the support bill of the NTT IndyCar Series — Douglas and his team are pushing hard on all fronts, both on the track and oƯ it. While much of the season's backing is already in place, a final push is now critical to ensure the campaign can be completed in full. 'We've had amazing support so far, and I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who's been part of the journey,' said Douglas. 'But to be completely transparent, we still need to secure one or two key partners to see out the rest of the season.' 'These last events are high-profile, high-stakes rounds — perfect for brands wanting to make an impact with a fast-rising driver and a championship-winning team. The opportunity is right here, right now, and we need to make it happen.' This weekend's action at Road America begins with a pair of test sessions on Thursday local time, before two qualifying sessions on Friday at 11.20 am and 1.35 pm CST (Saturday 4.20 am & 6.35 am NZST). Saturday sees the first two races at 8.00 am and 4.25 pm CST (Sunday 1.00 am & 9.25 am NZST) before Sunday's finale at 7.55 am (Monday 12.55 am NZST). Fans can watch all the action live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel, while Douglas shares real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content across his social media platforms. About Jacob Douglas: Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024 In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires. Where to watch: The USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires can be viewed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
A Month Of May To Remember For Kiwi Teenager Jacob Douglas
May proved to be a milestone month for Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas, who emerged from the busiest stretch of the USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tires firmly in contention for the title. The action-packed month began with a triple-header on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, followed by a mid-season test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The action concluded with the championship's sole oval race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In total, Douglas completed more than 1000km of official timed running, covering 430 laps across three circuits. Highlights included his maiden USF Pro 2000 victory at the famed Brickyard and a top ten finish in just his second-ever oval race. 'It was a really busy month with a lot of proud achievements,' said Douglas. 'Standing on the top step of the podium at the Racing Capital of the World is something I'll cherish forever. 'Our pace has been strong all year, and we're consistently running at the front. We were unlucky in two races at Indy where we lost valuable points through no fault of our own, but we've shown we can win and fight for podiums. With the season only at the halfway mark, there's still a lot to play for.' Douglas's maiden win came in Race 2 of the IMS triple-header, less than 24 hours after a mechanical issue denied him a potential victory while he was leading the opening race. Misfortune struck again in Race 3 when he was caught in a Turn 1 incident while fighting for the lead. The team then made a quick turnaround to Mid-Ohio, where Douglas impressed with top-seven finishes in the four sessions he took to the track. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, Douglas delivered another strong performance, starting and finishing inside the top ten in just his second career oval outing. 'In 2022, we ran our first oval race at IRP, starting 17th and finishing 16th in USF2000,' he reflected. 'Three years later, we're battling in the top ten—it's clear we're making real progress.' Off the track, Douglas was also honoured with the prestigious Ian Snellgrove Trophy, awarded to the top graduate of the Elite Motorsport Academy Class of 2024. Academy Trustee David Turner was in Indianapolis to record Douglas's acceptance speech, which was played during the Motorsport New Zealand Awards evening. Douglas, who previously received the Bruce McLaren Trophy for topping camp week, was also invited to announce the Academy's Class of 2025. 'It's a humbling privilege to win the Ian Snellgrove Trophy,' said Douglas. 'The Elite Motorsport Academy has been an incredible experience, helping immensely with both on-track and off-track performance. I've become mentally and physically stronger and a more well-rounded driver because of it. 'Best of luck to the Class of 2025—you're in for the experience of a lifetime.' Douglas returns to the track June 11-12 for a two-day test at Road America, followed by a triple-header at the same venue the following weekend.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Douglas runs in hat-trick as Wigan thrash Salford
Betfred Super LeagueSalford (0) 6Tries: Connell Goals: MorganWigan (22) 46Tries: Field 2, Douglas 3, Eckersley, Keighran, Farrimond Goals: Keighran 7 Jacob Douglas racked up a hat-trick of tries as Wigan Warriors kept up the pressure at the top of Super League with a comfortable win over struggling Salford Red Field ran in from distance to send Wigan in front and set up Jacob Douglas to touch down before touching down again from Adam Keighran's before half-time, Douglas ran in his second and after the break, Zach Eckersley and Keighran went completed his hat-trick with ease while Nathan Connell ran in an emphatic try for the hosts late on to prevent a scoreless humbling, shortly before Jack Farrimond's late score for for the Cherry and Whites means they keep pace with league leaders Hull KR, who won against St Helens on Salford, on the other hand, their miserable 2025 continues as they slipped to a 12th defeat from 13 Super League to their defeat by Wigan, BBC Radio Manchester reported that Salford's players had been paid wages for May, as the club continue to battle off-field financial issues this hosts had just 17 players available but earned some pride courtesy of Connell's score which ensured they would not be on the receiving end of a confidence-shaking nilling at to follow. Salford: Connell; Hill, Vaughan, Stone, Hankinson; Marsters, Brierley; Ormondroyd, Morgan, Bullock, Foster, Shorrocks, Sangare, Glover, Chan, Field; Douglas, Keighran, Eckersley, Marshall; Farrimond, Smith; Byrne, O'Neill, Dupree, Nsemba, Havard, French, Mago, Hill, Tom Grant.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Douglas Heads To The Oval After Breakthrough Victory
It has been a busy and rewarding month for Kiwi teenager Jacob Douglas in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires – and the action isn't over yet. This week, Douglas and his Pabst Racing team head to Indianapolis Raceway Park for the season's only oval round, following a breakthrough maiden victory at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course less than two weeks ago. The 0.686-mile (1.104 km) oval presents a unique challenge for the field, with two test sessions scheduled for Thursday, followed by qualifying that evening. A single practice session on Friday will lead into the round's only race. Douglas enters the event sitting fifth in the championship standings, buoyed by his race win in Indianapolis and confident in the team's pace. 'I'm really looking forward to getting back out there,' said Douglas. 'I haven't driven on an oval since 2022, so it's been a while, but I really enjoyed it last time. It's incredibly intense – the walls at IRP come up quickly, and you run right up alongside them. It takes maximum concentration, but we're ready for it. 'We've had strong pace all year, and getting that win at IMS proved it. I'm excited to carry that momentum into this weekend.' Douglas's victory came in Race 2 of the IMS triple-header and served as redemption after cruel misfortune in the opening race when, while leading, an electrical issue forced him to retire. Furthermore, contact from another competitor in a congested Turn 1 while battling for the lead in Race 3 denied him another potential podium. Since then, Pabst Racing has remained busy, heading to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for a two-day test. Douglas collectively completed 81 laps across four of the six sessions, finishing in the top seven in each of them. 'Conditions in Ohio were a bit mixed,' Douglas added, 'but we focused on setups and long-run pace in preparation for our round there later this season.' Douglas's performances throughout May have also impressed team owner Augie Pabst. 'Jacob's Indy pace was phenomenal all weekend,' he said. 'The team was thrilled to see him on the top step at such an amazing place. 'We made great progress at the Mid-Ohio test, albeit with challenging weather conditions. We're looking forward to capitalising on the gains made while testing when we head back in early July' On-track action at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park begins with testing at 4:00 am and 7:00 am NZST (12:00 pm and 3:00 pm EDT) on Friday, followed by qualifying at 9:30 am NZST (5:30 pm EDT). The round's sole race gets underway at 1:30 pm NZST (9:30 pm EDT) and will be streamed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wigan's Miski out for two months
Wigan Warriors winger Abbas Miski is set to miss the next two months of the season after having surgery on a his 29-year-old has been playing with the injury for the past month as the Warriors opted to delay his Lebanon international has made six appearances this season, including most recently during the Magic Weekend win against Warrington Wolves."He's been flying and playing really well but he's been playing through incredible pain and struggling to get around in between games," boss Matt Peet said."It's the right thing to do to get this procedure done and it means we should get a better version of him coming in for the back end of the year."Peet said that Wigan have sufficient cover behind Miski and will cope with his absence leading into the summer."With Jacob Douglas or Zach Eckersley we've got a bit of depth there and Josh Cartwright has done a good job out on loan and Nathan Lowe is back healthy as well," he said."We can't complain. We're in good shape but Abbas will certainly be missed."
