CHARLOTTE – Radford Racing School and Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) will once again host the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. “Karts to Cars” Scholarship School, a joint venture that brings together some of the best karters from around North America to get their first experience in a single-seater racecar. The two-day school will take place December 5-6 at Radford Racing School’s multi-track facility in Chandler, Ariz. Three accomplished karters have received nominations from their respective karting programs, Ty Arbogast and Vaughn Beesley from New Castle Motorsports Park, as well as the first female participant, Sarah Bradley, from ROK Cup USA.
“We’re excited to welcome another class of karters for the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Scholarship School,” said Scott Goodyear, race director of F4 U.S. “This program is a proven way for new drivers to develop their skills and go on to win races and championships, a prime example is this year’s FR Americas champion, Patrick Woods-Toth, who was a member of our first ‘Karts to Cars’ scholarship class. After using this program to get his first experience in a single-seater racecar, he went on to win the F4 U.S. championship the next season, and then the FR Americas title this year. The instructors do a terrific job acclimating these karters to racecars while sharing their own first-hand knowledge as they get the drivers up to speed. It’s incredible to see the progress made within just a few short days.”
The Radford Racing School F4 U.S. 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 facility to participate in the school, which utilizes the same combination as the Ligier JS F4 Series—a Ligier JS F4-16 chassis, Hankook racing slicks and a Honda 2.0-liter engine designed and engineered by Mountune. 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. The scholarship includes a two-day school, with participants having the option to add on a third “lapping” day.
At just 14 years old, Ty Arbogast has competed in numerous karting series, including the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS), Cup Karts North America (CKNA), Kart Racers of America (KRA), Route 66 Sprint Series, World Karting Association (WKA) and more. Debuting as a junior driver in 2023, Arbogast emerged as an undefeated champion in the Briggs L0206 Junior class at New Castle Motorsports Park (NCMP). Catching the attention of NCMP owner Mark Dismore, the Avon, Ind. native was nominated to the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. “Karts to Cars” scholarship.
“I’m excited to earn this scholarship and take another step forward in my career,” said Arbogast. “I can’t wait to learn as much as possible while at the Radford Racing School. I’m grateful for this opportunity, for the support I’ve received, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
With the other program attendees nearing a decade of experience, 17-year-old Vaughn Beesley began karting just two years ago. Racing in SuperKarts USA (SKUSA), USPKS, CKNA, WKA, Route 66 and more, Beesley competed in two different classes this season, debuting in the shifter class and sweeping every race he finished in the KA100 class at NCMP en route to the championship.
“This scholarship is an opportunity to take my racing to the next level and learn from some of the best in the sport,” said Beesley. “To be recognized this way means so much to me, and I’m incredibly thankful for the trust and support this represents. I’m excited to give everything I have at the Radford Racing School and make the most of this experience. It’s not just a step forward for my career, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much I have to look forward to. I would like to thank Mike Adams and the team at New Castle Motorsports Park, Tony Parella, F4 U.S., Scott Goodyear, and the Radford Racing School for making this possible.”
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Sarah Bradley and her family relocated to Indianapolis and Florida to chase her passion of racing. Competing nationally in ROK Cup USA, SKUSA and USPKS, her first national Junior class win came at the ROK Cup Florida Winter Tour earlier this year. Bradley went on to finish second in the ROK Championship in 2024.
“I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity this scholarship provides,” said Bradley, who is the first female to attend the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. "Karts to Cars" Scholarship School. “This is an amazing opportunity for me to be able to test these cars for the first time when I otherwise didn’t know when or if I would be able to do so. My dream is to race F1. I hope to gain more experience and maybe more opportunities will open up for me after the school. I will put in my best effort doing what I love and won’t waste this opportunity to advance my career.”
In its third year, the scholarship program formulated by Parella Motorsports Holdings 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 2024 Radford Racing School “Karts to Cars” Scholarship School kicks off December 5th in Chandler, Arizona. Updates will be shared throughout the program on F4 U.S. social channels: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.