PLANO, Texas — Fast Track Racing announced a four-driver TCX class lineup led by the 2021 TCX Drivers’ Champion Jacob Ruud in the 14-race TC America powered by Skip Barber road racing series.
Ruud, winner of 10 TCX main events in 2021, took the inaugural TCX campaign by storm last year with impressive performances throughout the SRO America tour, which included race wins, pole positions and fastest race laps.
Ruud, the 22-year-old driver from Racine, Wis., didn’t have much time to celebrate his series championship as he carries a full load of credits in his quest for his Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity for graduation this May.
While his winter testing has been limited, Ruud has continued his simulation work on the various SRO tracks for 2022.
Along with the championship title effort, Ruud has launched Jacob Ruud Racing; a personal brand following his journey to defending the TCX title.
“Last year was a dream season for me and the Fast Track Racing guys,” said Ruud. “Winning 10 races and the championship was so much more than we expected with the new BMW M2 car. But the team did a great job giving me a super machine to drive and we were prepared for every track. We didn’t know what to expect with the new series and new car. Now, this year, I know I have a target on my back as the defending champion. I am anxious to get back to Sonoma Raceway with the car and the team. I hope to continue our success.”
Joining Ruud in the four-car Fast Track Racing TCX squad will be former skiing star Olivia Askew, young racer Garrett Adams and software entrepreneur Mark Wilgus.
Askew and Adams, both college students, have been members of the Fast Track Racing team in the past, while Wilgus makes his TC America debut this year.
Askew, the former Freeride Junior World Skiing Champion (2017), competed in a limited TCX schedule in 2021 with Fast Track Racing and recorded two third and fourth place finishes.
The University of Utah math student now returns for a full season in the No. 29 DXDT BMW M2 CS machine.
“I learned a lot with the Fast Track Racing team last year in the new M2 car in the TCX class,” said Askew. “The TCX car is advanced from the TC car I drove previously. I learned about the aerodynamics and the ABS braking systems with the M2 and I struggled initially. But with more seat time in the M2, I became more familiar with the TCX car. I really enjoy driving the TCX car now. Learning the lines in racing is similar to learning the lines in skiing and I’m developing my driving style more with each on-track session. I’m anxious to get to Sonoma and drive the M2 again.”
Adams, a college student at Seminole College (part of the University of Central Florida) studying mechanical engineering, made a sensational TCX debut last year at Sebring International Raceway with a top-three finish in the No. 54 BMW M2 CS (Cup) mount.
Garrett follows in his father’s (Michael) racing footsteps. His dad competed in BMW M3 sports cars in the 1980s.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be behind the wheel,” said Adams, who developed his driving on FORZA and Grand Turismo simulation games as a teenager. “I thought I wanted to be a racing engineer or team manager. But I ran some track days with my dad’s Camaro, and I was pretty quick. So, I drove some southeast road races, and we moved to the TCX class at Sebring last year. Getting on the podium at Sebring was big for me. I’m very excited to drive the entire TCX series with Fast Track Racing in 2022.”
Wilgus, a software company founder, enters the SRO America road racing series for the first time in 2022 with Fast Track Racing after campaigning in a variety of pro events previously.
Wilgus has been working closely with his driving consultant, Cameron Shields, and Fast Track Racing team manager Toby Grahovec, a former TC America series driving champion, as Mark prepares for his SRO debut in the No. 76 Fast Track Racing BMW CS car next month at Sonoma Raceway in the TCX division.
“I am excited about moving into the SRO America series this year,” said Wilgus. “I couldn’t be in a better place than with Toby and his Fast Track Racing crew. They have won races and championships for many years, and they have a solid background with the TCX M2 car. I have been driving the BMW M2 cars in other series and I’m very anxious for the first TC America races at Sonoma this year.”