CHARLOTTE — Racing America announced the launch of the NA Formula Ladder, a three-step development system designed to take the next generation of racers from karting to the doorstep of professional motorsports.
North America’s premier development ladder for up-and-coming formula racers will go green at Road Atlanta in March 2027. The NA Formula Ladder will comprise the NAJr Championship, NA4 Championship and NA3 Championship, with each step bringing drivers closer to their dreams and to the biggest stages of motorsport.
“We are thrilled to offer young racers another driver development avenue in North America through the NA Formula Ladder,” said Lee Giannone, CEO of Racing America. “One of our core values at Racing America is to be a magnet for professional talent, innovation and competitors—and the NA Formula Ladder will be just that. The dedication that our staff puts into helping young drivers develop and build successful careers is second to none in the industry.
Sanctioned and operated by Racing America, the NA Formula Ladder is a new, independent driver development platform made up of three championships: NAJr, NA4 and NA3. Led by an organization with a proven decade-long history of operating open-wheel championships in North America, the NA Formula Ladder establishes a distinct pathway for the next generation of talent.
“I’m excited for the future of young up-and-coming racers looking to make a career in motorsports,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for the NA Formula Ladder. “I was once in those drivers’ shoes, so it’s very rewarding for me to work with drivers at this stage of their careers. Offering a training program, both on and off the track, at some of the top racing circuits in North America, will produce drivers who are ready to take the next step out of our ladder system and continue their career in professional motor racing. I’m excited to watch the talent develop in this ecosystem, and see the future stars of motorsport emerge.”
Featuring Ligier formula cars and Hankook tires, the NA Formula Ladder will provide a pathway for drivers to progress from karting to single-seater racing beginning at age 14. The three championships will compete in two run groups, as NAJr and NA4 share the track utilizing the Ligier JS F4 and Ligier JS F422, respectively, while NA3 will feature the first-generation Ligier JS F3 and the newly-released Ligier JS F326.
The 2027 schedule emphasizes both driver development and competition, mixing many of the most iconic circuits in North America with some of the best training grounds for young talent. Hosting premiere event weekends, the NA Formula Ladder will partner with the Trans Am Series and NASCAR Canada giving drivers the opportunity to compete alongside established professional series.
With the lowest cost per mile in North America, the NA Formula Ladder provides great value for developing drivers as NA3 contests 23 rounds over eight weekends, NA4 completes 20 rounds over seven weekends, and NAJr offers drivers 14 rounds over five weekends.
The NA Formula Ladder will officially launch at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (March 18-21) as NA3, NA4 and NAJr all take to the track alongside the Trans Am Series. From there, NA3 and NA4 will visit Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (May 20-23) for the Victoria Day SpeedFest where they’ll join NASCAR Canada, before NA3 visits the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway (June 10-13) with Trans Am. All three championships will reconvene at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 17-20) and Road America (July 8-11), with both events including the Trans Am Series. NA3 will join NASCAR Canada and Trans Am as they take on Circuit Trois-Rivières during the famed Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) weekend, before returning to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (August 20-22) alongside NA4 and the Trans Am Series. NA4 and NAJr will join Trans Am at Virginia International Raceway (September 30-October 3), before they close out the season alongside NA3 at Barber Motorsports Park (October 14-17).
The 2027 NAJr champion will receive a scholarship to move up to NA4 the following season with Ligier Automotive providing a car and engine lease, Hankook Tire providing race tires, and Racing America providing race entries. At the next level, the NA4 champion will receive a scholarship to move up to NA3 the following season, with Ligier Automotive providing a car and engine lease, Hankook Tire providing the race tires, and Racing America covering the race entries.
Prize details for the NA3 Champion will be announced in the coming weeks.
2027 NA3 Championship Schedule
March 18-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga. (Rounds 1-3)
May 20-23 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario (Rounds 4-6)
June 10-13 IMS Road Course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind. (Rounds 7-9)
June 17-20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (Rounds 10-12)
July 8-11 Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Rounds 13-15)
August 6-8 Circuit Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada (Rounds 16-18)
August 20-22 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario (Rounds 19-21)
October 14-17 Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (Rounds 22-23)
2027 NA4 Championship Schedule
March 18-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga. (Rounds 1-3)
May 20-23 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario (Rounds 4-6)
June 17-20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (Rounds 7-9)
July 8-11 Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Rounds 10-12)
August 20-22 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario (Rounds 13-15)
September 30-October 3 Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va. (Rounds 16-18)
October 14-17 Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (Rounds 19-20)
2027 NAJr Championship Schedule
March 18-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga. (Rounds 1-3)
June 17-20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (Rounds 4-6)
July 8-11 Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Rounds 7-9)
September 30-October 3 Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va. (Rounds 10-12)
October 14-17 Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (Rounds 13-14)
